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European Patent Forum, 18 and 19 April 2007 in Munich

What lies in store for the patent system in the 21st century?

With a focus on the global patent system, nearly 400 experts from industry, government and public bodies, science and research, professional associations and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) will be discussing the future of intellectual property protection / "Scenarios" study by the EPO looks at possible developments up to 2025 / Keynote speeches by German Chancellor Angela Merkel and EU Commissioner Günter Verheugen

Munich /Brussels 16 April 2007 - Intellectual property is the raw material that will decide the future of the European economy, and the effective protection of this vital resource is a strategic objective of the EU's innovation policy. In the past, the patent system has proven its worth in boosting economic growth across the world. However, with the advent of new technologies and the emergence of new economies, especially in Asia, and shifts in the behaviour of companies and investors, the established system of balances is under threat. The public, too, is increasingly aware of patent-related issues, as the future of intellectual property protection comes under intensified scrutiny.

The European Patent Office has entered this debate and taken steps to investigate the underlying questions. This week, the European Patent Forum, a major international conference attended by some 400 experts, will be examining the global outlook for intellectual property over the next two decades. The discussion will be based on a 125-page compendium setting out the results of in-depth interviews with over 150 specialists from all over the world, which will be publicly launched at the conference.

Highlights of the two-day event are the keynote speeches by the German Chancellor Angela Merkel on 18 April and Günter Verheugen, Vice-President of the European Commission, on 19 April.

Studying the future of the patent system

Can the existing patent system keep pace with the rapid development of technologies and their increasing interconnectivity? How do globalisation, geopolitical shifts and changes in public acceptance affect the legitimacy of the patent system? Is the necessary balance of interests - granting a monopoly right to the patent holder in return for disclosing knowledge that benefits society - still guaranteed? In industry and finance, the attitude to the value of patents is changing: could this cause the system to implode?

These are some of the central questions addressed in the EPO's "Scenarios for the Future" study, carried out by a project team at the Office over the past two years. Analysing insights gained from interviews with experts across the globe, the study outlines four main scenarios for the future development of the patent system and considers their potential impact. The European Patent Forum - the first patent "summit" of its kind - offers a platform for public discussion of the study's findings, and for debate on possible alternatives to patent protection.

The "Scenarios" study, published in English only, is available from the EPO. An executive summary is attached to this press release.

For more information on the European Patent Forum, please see

www.european-inventor.org

or contact:

Rainer Osterwalder
Director Media Relations

European Patent Office

Tel. +49 (0)89 2399 1820
Fax +49 (0)89 2399 2850
Mobile +49 (0)163 8399 527
rosterwalder@epo.org