Withers & Rogers - About Us - Our Affiliations
You are here: Home > About us > Affiliations

Withers & Rogers has strong relationships with all key professional bodies serving the intellectual property sector including links by virtue of chartered qualification and continuing professional development.

In addition, the firm has numerous close links to industry bodies where they too concern intellectual property matters. Here is a listing of those bodies:

American Bar Association (ABA)

American Bar Association (ABA) is the largest voluntary professional association in the world. With more than 400,000 members, the ABA provides law school accreditation, continuing legal education, information about the law, programs to assist lawyers and judges in their work, and initiatives to improve the legal system for the public.

American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA)

American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA) is a national bar association constituted primarily of lawyers in private and corporate practice, in government service, and in the academic community. AIPLA represents a wide and diverse spectrum of individuals, companies and institutions involved directly or indirectly in the practice of patent, trademark, copyright, trade secret, and unfair competition law, as well as other fields of law affecting intellectual property. Its members represent both owners and users of intellectual property. AIPLA was founded in 1897.

Association Internationale pour la Protection de la Propriété Intellectuelle (AIPPI)

Association Internationale pour la Protection de la Propriété Intellectuelle (AIPPI) is an international organisation comprising business firms, executives, lawyers, educators, patent and trademark agents, intellectual property owners, and other persons interested in the worldwide protection of patents, designs, trademarks, trade names, know how, goodwill, copyright, and other intellectual property rights and the elimination of unfair trade practices. The purpose of AIPPI is to improve and promote the protection of intellectual property both on an international and national basis.

Asian Patent Attorneys Association (APAA)

Asian Patent Attorneys Association (APAA) is the principal (non-government) professional grouping for patent attorneys in Asia, from India to the Philippines, and from Japan to New Zealand. We have attended as observers at their annual conference for over 20 years. Take a look at the APAA website.

Bristol Enterprise Network (BEN)

Bristol Enterprise Network (BEN) is a dedicated, cross-sector on-line network for high-growth-potential, knowledge-based organisations in the South West. It is facilitated by the University of Bristol and has a current membership of over 1,500 members. Essentially a ‘network of networks' it provides a forum to share news, information and mutual support for, and between, its members who are drawn from business, industry, entrepreneurs, investors and the research community.

British-American Business Council (BABC)

British-American Business Council (BABC) is the largest transatlantic business network, with 23 chapters and 2,500 member companies, including many of the world's largest multinationals based in major business centres throughout North America and the United Kingdom.

British Computing Society (BCS)

British Computing Society (BCS) is the leading professional body for those working in IT. BCS has over 68,000 members in more than 100 countries and is the qualifying body for Chartered IT Professionals (CITP). BCS is also an international awarding body for a wide range of qualifications for both users of IT and IT specialists.

Cambridge Wireless Network

Cambridge Wireless Network is a leading and vibrant wireless community with a rapidly expanding network of companies interested in the application of wireless technologies. In addition to high profile VIP networking activities and support for business development activities, they run over 13 Specialist Interest Groups (SIGs), each focused on a specific technology and/or market area. SIG meetings provide opportunities for member organisations to meet, form partnerships and exploit opportunities for new business.

Fédération Internationale des Conseils en Propriété Industrielle, (FICPI)

Fédération Internationale des Conseils en Propriété Industrielle, (FICPI) is the only international organisation consisting exclusively of private intellectual property practitioners, FICPI was founded in 1906 in Europe, and now has members in over eighty countries around the World, with fully fledged national associations and sections in thirty-two countries.

Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE)

Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) is the fastest growing professional engineering institution in the UK. It has 80,000 members. By working with leading companies, universities and think tanks, it creates and shares knowledge to provide government, businesses and the public with fresh thinking and authoritative guidance on all aspects of mechanical engineering.

Institute of Physics

Institute of Physics is a scientific charity devoted to increasing the practice, understanding and application of physics. It has a worldwide membership of over 36,000 and is a leading communicator of physics-related science to all audiences, from specialists through to government and the general public.

IP Inclusive

A round-table meeting on Diversity in IP hosted by the Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys (CIPA) led to the creation of a pan-professional diversity task force. This task force currently has nearly 40 members from organisations including CIPA, the Chartered Institute of Trade Mark Attorneys (CITMA), the IP Federation, the UK association of the International Federation of Intellectual Property Attorneys (FICPI-UK), the UK Intellectual Property Office (UK IPO) and Managing IP magazine. The group has representation spanning patent and trade mark attorneys, IP solicitors and barristers, patent and trade mark administrators, information scientists, IP Office examiners and HR professionals from IP practices. Operating under the banner IP Inclusive, the task force exists to implement the challenging diversity-improving initiatives agreed during the round-table discussions.

Medilink South West

Medilink South West - is the region’s life science industry network, providing organisations with specialist advice, events, and opportunities. They aim to reduce the barriers to commercial growth in order to boost the South West’s economic output from life sciences.

Medilink West Midlands

Medilink West Midlands - Since 2003, Medilink West Midlands has been a regional leader in developing business networks for medical and healthcare companies, resulting in commercial ventures and business growth. Its advance knowledge of academic and private research, clinical developments and industrial opportunities has encouraged new revenue streams, new products and diversification from other industries. It has worked with members to increase their viability in the market and grow their medical business through technology and knowledge transfer from Universities and the NHS. It achieves this by bridging the gap between those who innovate and those who manufacture.

Medi-Wales

Medi-Wales promotes and supports the medical and life sciences sectors in Wales by providing networking support, updates on technological innovation, opportunities for collaboration and sources of support. The organisation also provides an effective lobbying voice in the political debate that influences policy in the sector.

Motorsport Industry Association (MIA)

Motorsport Industry Association (MIA) is the world's leading trade association for the motor sport, performance engineering, services and tuning sectors, representing the specialised needs of this highly successful global industry, which is rapidly expanding throughout the world.

The Bio-Industry Association (BIA)

The Bio-Industry Association (BIA) is the trade association for innovative enterprises in the UK's bioscience sector. It encourages and promote a thriving, financially sound sector of the UK economy, built upon developments across the biosciences. BIA represents over 300 members, the majority of which are involved in realising the human health benefits that bioscience promises. UK headquarters are in central London and Edinburgh, the latter serving the interests of over 50 Scottish members. It works to raise standards within the industry and implement best practice as well as working to give its members the tools or introductions they need to reach their full potential.

The Biotechnology Industry Organisation (BIO)

The Biotechnology Industry Organisation (BIO) is the world's largest biotechnology organisation, providing advocacy, business development and communications services for more than 1,200 members worldwide. Its mission is to be the champion of biotechnology and the advocate for member organisations both large and small. BIO members are involved in the research and development of innovative healthcare, agricultural, industrial and environmental biotechnology technologies. Corporate members range from entrepreneurial companies developing a first product to Fortune 100 multinationals.

The Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys (CIPA)

The Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys (CIPA) is the professional and examining body for patent attorneys (also known as patent agents) in the United Kingdom. It represents virtually all the 1730 registered patent attorneys in the United Kingdom, whether they practise in industry or in private practice.

The Chartered Institute of Trade Mark Attorneys (CITMA)

The Chartered Institute of Trade Mark Attorneys (CITMA) is the professional body representing those qualified to act for the owners of trade mark and other intellectual property rights, in particular, registered designs - both nationally and internationally. It now represents the vast majority of UK registered trade mark attorneys and all UK trade mark and design litigators.

The European Competitive Telecommunications Association (ECTA)

The European Competitive Telecommunications Association (ECTA) was founded in 1998 and looks after the regulatory and commercial interests of new entrant telecoms operators, ISPs and suppliers of products and services to the communications industry. The association represents the telecommunications industry to key government and regulatory bodies and maintains a forum for networking and business development.

The European Patent Institute (EPI)

The European Patent Institute (EPI) is a professional body representing registered European Patent Attorneys and currently has a membership of 8,900. All registered European Patent Attorneys are members of this institute. The governing body of the Institute is the EPI Council which comprises registered European Patent Attorneys from all the contracting states to the European Patent Convention.

The International Trademark Association (INTA)

The International Trademark Association (INTA) is a not-for-profit membership association of more than 5,000 trademark owners and professionals, from more than 190 countries, dedicated to the support and advancement of trademarks and related intellectual property as elements of fair and effective national and international commerce.

The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET)

The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) is one of the world’s leading professional societies for the engineering and technology community. The IET has more than 150,000 members in 127 countries and offices in Europe, North America and Asia-Pacific. The IET provides a global knowledge network to facilitate the exchange of ideas and promote the positive role of science, engineering and technology in the world.

The International Federation of Automotive Engineering (FISITA)

The International Federation of Automotive Engineering (FISITA) is the world body for automotive engineering. It is a federation of the major engineering societies in 38 countries working together to exchange technical knowledge on all aspects of vehicle design and manufacture.

The South East Health Technology Alliance

The South East Health Technology Alliance was launched in 2005 as an initiative by industry representatives supported by the regional development agency, SEEDA. They facilitate the profitable and sustainable growth of companies in South East England’s health technologies sector – pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, medical devices and diagnostics. They do this through leadership, influence, facilitation and signposting. SEHTA acts as a central meeting point for the region, offering access to information, contacts, business support, and specialist business development services.

The South West Angel and Investor Network (SWAIN)

The South West Angel and Investor Network (SWAIN) connects private investors, or 'Business Angels', with companies looking for investment. SWAIN specialises in helping small and medium sized companies to find equity finance and assists private investors in the South West to search for investment opportunities in businesses with growth potential.

The Universities' Companies Association (UNICO)

The Universities' Companies Association (UNICO) is the UK's leading representative body of professionals realising the potential of university and public sector research through commercialisation. UNICO members maximise the impact of UK research to benefit society and strengthen the economy by identifying markets for research discoveries; protecting intellectual property; licensing new research; creating quality 'spinout' companies; and providing businesses with the world-class expertise and facilities to solve growth-inhibiting challenges.

Silicon South West Network

Silicon South West network provides regular networking events, news and national and international promotion for the South West of England’s microelectronics sector - the largest concentration of silicon designers outside Silicon Valley.