Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988

277 Persons entitled to describe themselves as European patent attorneys, &c. U.K.

(1) The term “European patent attorney” or “European patent agent” may be used in the following cases without any contravention of section 276.

(2) An individual who is on the European list may—

(a) carry on business under a name or other description which contains the words “European patent attorney” or “European patent agent”, or

(b) otherwise describe himself, or permit himself to be described, as a “European patent attorney” or “European patent agent”.

(3) A partnership of which not less than the prescribed number or proportion of partners is on the European list may—

(a) carry on a business under a name or other description which contains the words “European patent attorneys” or “European patent agents”, or

(b) otherwise describe itself, or permit itself to be described, as a firm which carries on the business of a “European patent attorney” or “European patent agent”.

(4) A body corporate of which not less than the prescribed number or proportion of directors is on the European list may—

(a) carry on a business under a name or other description which contains the words “European patent attorney” or “European patent agent”, or

(b) otherwise describe itself, or permit itself to be described as, a company which carries on the business of a “European patent attorney” or “European patent agent”.

(5) Where the term “European patent attorney” or “European patent agent” may, in accordance with this section, be used in reference to an individual, partnership or body corporate, it is equally permissible to use other expressions in reference to that person, or to his business or place of business, which are likely to be understood as indicating that he is entitled to be described as a “European patent attorney” or “European patent agent.”