Member states
Introduction
The European Patent Organisation's co-operation activities with its member states are based on a co-operation policy which is part of the European Patent Network (EPN), based on the Partnership concept.
Objectives
The broad aims of the policy are:
- to improve the contribution of the patent system to innovation capacity and economic development in Europe
- to create synergies through a Europe-wide transfer of knowledge, skills and expertise, notably through the strengthening of national IP expertise
- to encourage optimum use of common resources
- developing sustainable activities over time in the member states.
Activities
The activities supported by the EPO under the co-operation policy are primarily patent-related.
They are above all aimed at member states that need support either to maintain their existing national IP expertise or - where use of the patent system in the innovation process is still in the early stages of development - in the initial phase of a new activity.
As laid down in the co-operation policy, co-operation takes the form of programmes agreed between the EPO and the member states and approved by the Administrative Council.
Areas covered include:
- data exchange
- access to search tools and databases
- patent information
- training
- patent awareness
- office automation tools.
Projects in these areas can form part of national action plans agreed between the EPO and the national offices. The EPO unit responsible for relations with the member states co-ordinates the formulation of action plans and their implementation by the relevant departments. The unit also monitors the progress of projects and co-ordinates the assessment of project results and performance by external experts.
Participating states
Participation in the activities covered by the co-operation policy is open to all the member states of the European Patent Organisation.
History
1989: EPO draws up first-ever framework for co-operation with its member states. Limited to national projects relating to patent information.
1995: New co-operation framework follows, including more patent information projects tailored to the needs of individual states.
1997: EPO introduces additional framework with joint projects benefitting a number of member states.
2001: The Office's policy of co-operation on patent information is broadly revised to integrate patent information within a more general framework of technical cooperation with the member states.
2006: Scope extended to include areas outside patent information, such as data preparation, office automation tools, training and patent awareness.
Contacts
François-Régis Hannart
Principal Director
European & International Co-operation
European Patent office
Tel. +49 (0)89 2399-5100
Fax: +49 89 2399-5239
e-mail: fhannart@epo.org
Georg Artelsmair
Head of Department
European Affairs, Member States
European Patent Office
Tel. +49 (0)89 2399-8989
Fax +49 (0)89 2399-5239
e-mail: gartelsmair@epo.org