MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN INSTITUTE OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LAW

EXTRACT FROM THE CONSTITUTION OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN INSTITUTE OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LAW

7. CLASSES OF MEMBERS

The members of the Institute shall be divided into the following classes:

7.1 Honorary Members;
7.2 Fellows;
7.3 Associate Members;
7.4 Ordinary Members; and
7.5 Student Members.

8. QUALIFICATIONS FOR MEMBERSHIP

8.1 General

Although the Institute does not and shall not attempt to control the qualifications required to practise in the field of intellectual property law, the Institute shall determine the examinations and qualifications required for different levels of membership within the Institute.

Every person, to be eligible for any class of membership, must be a person of good character and repute; possess adequate educational qualifications; be in all respects a fit and proper person to be admitted to membership, and must agree to adhere to the Code of Ethics of the Institute, and to abide by the rulings and regulations issued by the Council from time to time. In addition, the qualifications for membership in the different classes of membership, shall be as follows:

8.2 Honorary Members

Honorary membership may be conferred on any person, by unanimous vote at a Council meeting, who has, in the opinion of the Council, provided extraordinary services or has made extraordinary achievements for or in the name of the Institute or in the field of intellectual property law.

8.3 Fellows

The following persons are eligible for election as Fellows:

8.3.1 existing fellows at 15 November, 2000, and
8.3.2 persons approved by the Council who have

8.3.2.1 a high standard of academic and practical experience;
8.3.2.2 been admitted as an attorney; and
8.3.2.3 passed the Patent or Trade Mark examinations prescribed in the regulations, or

8.3.3 persons from previously disadvantaged groups who are approved by Council and who:

8.3.3.1 apply within two years of 15 November 2000;
8.3.3.2 have at the date of application been engaged as an attorney in the field of intellectual property law for not less than three of the previous five years; and
8.3.3.3 have in the opinion of Council acquired a reasonable knowledge of intellectual property law as a result thereof.

8.4 Associate Members

The following are eligible for election as Associates:

8.4.1 existing associates at 15 November, 2000, and
8.4.2 persons approved by the Council and who can establish to the satisfaction of the Council that they have a reasonable knowledge of intellectual property law and that they:

8.4.2.1 have passed the Group 1 Patent or Trade Mark examinations prescribed in the regulations; or
8.4.2.2 have adequate academic, professional and/or practical experience to justify acceptance as an associate. An application for Associate Membership shall be supported by two Fellows, not being partners, employers, employees or co-employees of the candidate.

8.5 Ordinary Membership

The following shall be eligible for Ordinary Membership: persons who have an interest in intellectual property law but do not meet the requirements for Fellowship or Associate membership.

8.6 Student Membership

The following shall be eligible for Student Membership:
Persons who have a matriculation certificate and who intend to enrol for examinations for the purpose of becoming a Fellow or an Associate.

A student Member shall cease being a Student Member on being elected a Fellow or upon ceasing to be qualified to be a Student Member.