March 31, 2009, Moscow 09:17:39 The Law “On Patent Attorneys” is entering into effect in the Russian Federation. This Law has been adopted by the State Duma (Parliament) of the Russian Federation on December 24, 2008, approved by the Council of Federation on December 29, 2008 and signed by President D. Medvedev.

This Law is aimed to improve the provisions of legislation on the legal protection of intellectual property outcomes as well as means of individualization. The Law specifies the requirements which IP specialists (patent attorneys) should meet. A patent attorney’s qualification should be certified by respective registration in the Roster of Patent Attorneys of the Russian Federation and by appropriate certificate. A patent attorney pursuant to the Law shall be a permanent resident of the Russian Federation, have a university degree and at least four years of professional experience. Patent attorneys are entitled to work both independently (private practice) and on the base of a work contract with his or her employer.

The Law provides for the order of registration of patent attorneys and supervision over their activities.

Incapable persons, whose activities have been discontinued by the Court decision for a specified period and who have been removed from the Roster of Patent Attorneys, cannot be attested as patent attorneys. In addition, civil and municipal servants are also ineligible to be registered as patent attorneys.

Patent attorneys are entitled to establish public unions and self-regulated organizations.

Source: http://www.rbc.ru/rbcfreenews/20090331091739.shtml