Institute
The "Ordine dei Consulenti in Proprietà Industriale" (Italian Industrial Property Consultants Institute) was established in 1981 and is currently regulated by the provisions of a special section of the Industrial Property Code.
Institute membership is obtained after completing a qualifying examination. Under Italian law, only members of the Institute and members of the Italian Bar may represent third parties before the Italian Patent and Trademark Office.
The register of Institute members consists of a Patent Section reserved for Patent Attorneys (qualified to advise on inventions, utility models, designs, plant variety rights and semiconductor topographies), and of a Trademark Section reserved for Trademark Attorneys (qualified to advise on distinctive signs, geographical indications and designs).
The Institute is national in character, with no regional divisions; it is governed by a Council of 10 members, elected by the Assembly every three years.
