Professional Representation

Anyone can file a Community Design application before OHIM. However, in order to act in proceedings before OHIM you must either have full legal qualifications, (solicitors, lawyers, barristers or advocates automatically qualify) or be included on OHIM's list of professional representatives.

Design Attorneys need to be entered on the list of Professional Representatives before they can act before OHIM. In order to so you must apply for certification from us.

Who can we certify?

Design attorneys who are EU nationals, with a place of business in the UK. Such attorneys will be qualified to act before us either by virtue of:

  • their professional qualification (attorneys who are on the Institute of Trade Mark Attorneys, Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys or Joint Examination Board list).

or

  • their practical experience (attorneys who are not on the list but have habitually practiced before us for at least five years).

    They will have to provide evidence of their work before the office such as, a reference from their employer/ senior partner or a list of applications that they have worked on throughout the qualifying period.

Please send us

  • a typed version of the application and certification form
  • copies of your professional qualifications (if applicable)
  • evidence of habitual practise (if applicable)

Send entitled "Professional Representation before OHIM" at the following address;

Room 2G32

Intellectual Property Office
Concept House
Cardiff Road
Newport
South Wales
NP10 8QQ
United Kingdom

What happens next?

  • We will check that your application complies with OHIM's criteria.
  • If there are problems with your application, we will inform you.
  • We will notify you that we have certified your application and pass it to OHIM.
  • OHIM will confirm with you that you qualified to act before them.