Intellectual Property Law (IP) is a field with significant influence on both the legal and commercial world, at national and international level. For this reason, Erasmus University offers students the opportunity — after completing their Master’s degree — to gain experience in the form of a paid traineeship at two leading European institutions: the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) in Alicante and the European Patent Office (EPO) in Rijswijk. The traineeship may take place in Brussels, Alicante, Luxembourg, Amsterdam, or one of the other offices affiliated with the EUIPO or EPO.
Tobias Cohen Jehoram, Professor of Intellectual Property Law at Erasmus School of Law, emphasises the growing importance of this field and the opportunities the traineeship provides: “It’s a wonderful way to step outside your usual, familiar world. Students get to see how European institutions operate and experience how decisions that affect all of us are actually made. It’s the ideal starting point for your career.”
Practical experience and knowledge exchange
The Pan-European Seal Programme is a collaborative initiative between the European Union and several universities — including, as of this year, Erasmus University — with the EUIPO and the EPO as key partners. The programme gives students the opportunity to learn how European institutions operate and what role they play in the protection of intellectual property rights.
This takes place in two main ways: through training and knowledge exchange, and via traineeships at the EUIPO or EPO. The training component includes webinars, seminars, and conferences that focus on various aspects of intellectual property law. These sessions offer in-depth legal content for students and are also accessible to a broader audience with an interest in the field.
An unforgettable international experience
The training and internship opportunities offered through the programme enable students not only to deepen their legal knowledge, but also to develop practical skills that are invaluable in international legal practice. The programme is of interest not only to law students, but also to students from other disciplines such as Econometrics, Management, Social and Behavioural Sciences, and Health Policy & Management.
Cohen Jehoram strongly recommends applying. In his view, the programme offers a rare opportunity to gain real-world experience within European institutions while also developing a broader understanding of legal and institutional diversity within Europe. “Important decisions are not only made in The Hague, but also in Brussels, Luxembourg, and other European cities. Students often realise this only later in their careers,” Cohen Jehoram explains.
Who can join the PES Programme?
The Pan-European Seal (PES) Programme is open to students from the European Union or from countries that are signatories to the European Patent Convention. Erasmus University is part of the PES network, which means it can nominate students for available traineeship positions. In addition, students may also apply directly for participation in the programme. The selection process takes place annually, and the university ensures that interested students are informed in good time about the application procedure.
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- More information
Click here to visit the website of the European Union Intellectual Property Office and read more about the Pan-European Seal Programme and the EUIPO Traineeship.
