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Alison Brimelow greets the press
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The new President said the thirtieth anniversary demonstrates that the EPO's role in the global patent system is "a truly great success story," and "an embodiment of what Europe is aspiring for." However, Ms Brimelow emphasised that changes in European patent standards are necessary.
"This place has done a fantastic job for the past thirty years. We need to reflect on how we ensure that our next thirty years are just as good and how we adapt to changes," she said.
The President also used the occasion to introduce key issues of her presidency, among them the EPO's strategic renewal, the increasing volume of patent applications and the challenges SMEs face in submitting applications.
Ms Brimelow said one of the primary changes the EPO now faces is cultivating and managing the interdependence among different global economic regions. As inventors expand their patent applications to other regions, a domino effect, which she termed "Global Warming" can flood the Office with applications.
The President said the high volume of patent applications, which was formerly celebrated as a positive sign for the success of the Office, has emerged as a problem. Currently, a growing application volume bears the danger of backlogs and legal uncertainties, she said.
Ms Brimelow attributed the difficulties to the fact that large corporations dominate the patent applications: 80 percent of applications come from fewer than 20 percent of applicants. She commented that the EPO's role is not "to lecture" corporations about their high volume of patent applications but to respect their freedom to file for patents.
However, the President also stressed the need to foster a discussion between the EPO and large corporations to determine how large quantities of patent applications can be handled in an optimal manner.
Ms Brimelow also outlined her plan for the continued growth and improved efficiency within the EPO, "Fit for the Future." Her goals for the EPO include becoming a global benchmark for patent offices, ensuring transparency within the Office and promoting Europe-wide debates about the challenges facing the EPO and inventors.