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Archive 2007
14.12.2007
Council of the European Patent Organisation backs a comprehensive strategy to tackle workload
The Council of the European Patent Organisation has backed a strategic approach to handling future workload in the European patent system.
13.12.2007
Nouvelle Convention pour les brevets européens
La protection par brevet en Europe a désormais un nouveau cadre juridique : la version révisée de la Convention sur le brevet européen (CBE) entre en vigueur aujourd'hui.
7.12.2007
EPO revokes Amazon’s “Gift Ordering” patent after opposition hearing
The so-called "Gift Order Patent" has been revoked by the EPO in an opposition proceeding today after a hearing involving three opposing parties and the patent proprietor, Amazon Inc.
EPO revokes Amazon’s “Gift Ordering” patent after opposition hearing
The so-called "Gift Order Patent" has been revoked by the EPO in an opposition proceeding today after a hearing involving three opposing parties and the patent proprietor, Amazon Inc.
26.11.2007
EPO looks towards paperless future
President Alison Brimelow told the EPO Online Services Conference in Como earlier this month that the EPO will stop accepting paper when the Office and applicants are ready.
22.11.2007
Patenting biotechnology inventions: Little harmony in Europe
Experts debated the BioTech Directive 98/44 EC at an EPO conference in Brussels earlier this month.
20.11.2007
"Edinburgh Patent" appeal withdrawn
Fourteen years after the patent was filed, the appellant and patent proprietor, the University of Edinburgh, withdrew the appeal during oral proceedings. The patent will remain in a limited form.
"Edinburgh Patent" appeal withdrawn
Fourteen years after the patent was filed, the appellant and patent proprietor, the University of Edinburgh, withdrew the appeal during oral proceedings. The patent will remain in a limited form.
15.11.2007
Trilateral offices sign up to work-sharing initiatives
An agreement has been reached on a single format for filing patent applications in co-operation with the system's users.
9.11.2007
EPO conference illuminates biotechnology from all sides
Nearly ten years after Europe's lawmakers adopted the BioTech Directive experts discussed how legal uncertainty still affects the work of IP specialists, researchers and enterprises alike.
29.10.2007
Report identifies new approach to financing innovation
Governments are giving companies tax breaks to drive innovation, while cutting direct R&D spending, according to a new OECD report.
17.10.2007
New patent information policy promises "barrier-free" access for all
EPO Vice President Curt Edfjäll outlined the cornerstones of the reformulated policy at the Patent Information Conference in Riga on Wednesday.
17.10.2007
Alison Brimelow greets the press
The President 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.
Alison Brimelow greets the press
The President 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.
10.10.2007
L'Accord de Londres approuvé par le Parlement français
L'entrée en vigueur de l'Accord de Londres dans les premiers mois de l'année 2008 est désormais très probable.
L'Accord de Londres approuvé par le Parlement français
L'entrée en vigueur de l'Accord de Londres dans les premiers mois de l'année 2008 est désormais très probable.
9.10.2007
Nobel Prize goes to "European Inventor of the Year"
Professor Peter Grünberg from the Research Centre Jülich has been awarded the Nobel Prize for physics. In 2006, he was named "European Inventor of the Year" by the EPO and European Commission.
8.10.2007
Former EPO President honoured with a street name
The municipal council has agreed to name a road near to the EPO buildings in Rijswijk after Johannes Bob van Benthem, the Office's first president who passed away last year.
4.10.2007
WIPO adopts development agenda
Member states have agreed to enhance WIPO's development activities in a move that Director General Dr Kamil Idris has called a "milestone decision".
WIPO adopts development agenda
Member states have agreed to enhance WIPO's development activities in a move that Director General Dr Kamil Idris has called a "milestone decision".
27.9.2007
L'Accord de Londres voté par l'Assemblée nationale française
Dans le cadre d'une session extraordinaire du Parlement français, l'Assemblée nationale a débattu mercredi 26 septembre de deux projets de lois relatifs au droit européen des brevets.
31.8.2007
Special searches handed over to national offices
The EPO will stop its Special Search Programme at the end of August. The move is part of a plan to redistribute work between the EPO and the patent offices of the member states within the European Patent Network.
Special searches handed over to national offices
The EPO will stop its Special Search Programme at the end of August. The move is part of a plan to redistribute work between the EPO and the patent offices of the member states within the European Patent Network.
20.8.2007
Greek office mourns former President
Professor George Koumantos, an eminent figure on the EPO Administrative Council and former head of the Hellenic Industrial Property Organisation has died, aged 82.
Greek office mourns former President
Professor George Koumantos, an eminent figure on the EPO Administrative Council and former head of the Hellenic Industrial Property Organisation has died, aged 82.
10.8.2007
Global patent applications grow by 4.7% annually
The largest growth in filings was recorded in Korea and China, according to WIPO's Patent Report 2007.
6.8.2007
UNCTAD calls for IPR reforms
Rules on intellectual property rights should be adapted to help the world's poorest countries, according to a United Nations Conference on Trade and Development report. The issue was debated earlier this year at the European Patent Forum and in the course of the recent Scenarios for the future project.
UNCTAD calls for IPR reforms
Rules on intellectual property rights should be adapted to help the world's poorest countries, according to a United Nations Conference on Trade and Development report. The issue was debated earlier this year at the European Patent Forum and in the course of the recent Scenarios for the future project.
26.7.2007
Russian esp@cenet launched
The presentation at the "Patent Information for Innovation" conference in Moscow last week marked the beginning of a joint campaign with Rospatent to promote the use of patent information in Russia.
25.7.2007
Portugal backs centralised litigation and Community Patent
Working parties on an enhanced litigation system and the Community Patent have been scheduled to take place during the second half of 2007.
23.7.2007
UPP: Get on the fast track
The Utilisation Pilot Project (UPP) is offering fast track handling of search applications. The pilot forms part of the strategy for developing a more efficient European Patent Network for the benefit of patent applicants.
18.7.2007
New handbook looks at IP management in Europe
The European Patent Academy's Jeremy Philpott and business writer Adam Jolly examine best practices in IP management and provide practical advice for businesses that want to make better use of their IP.
6.7.2007
No revival of software patents debate
Approximately 100 people, including MEPs, NGOs and industry specialists, attended the one-day conference in Brussels, organised by the EPO.
2.7.2007
New vice-president starts work
Dutchman Peter Vermeij is the new head of the EPO's Directorate-General 2, Operation Support. He succeeds Pantelis C. Kyriakides (GB/Cyprus), who retired on 30 June.
2.7.2007
Alison Brimelow prend ses fonctions de Présidente de l'OEB
Mme Alison Brimelow, de nationalité britannique, prendra ses fonctions de Présidente de l'Office européen des brevets le 1er juillet. Elle succède à Alain Pompidou, qui présidait l'OEB depuis juillet 2004.
27.6.2007
Experts meet in Brussels to discuss CII
The conference will look at patenting policy and practice two years after the rejection of the directive on computer-implemented inventions
18.6.2007
Filing numbers continue to rise
Patent applications at the European Patent Office reached record levels last year, with around 207 300 applications filed in 2006.
Filing numbers continue to rise
Patent applications at the European Patent Office reached record levels last year, with around 207 300 applications filed in 2006.
13.6.2007
Norway to join EPO
The Norwegian parliament has decided to ratify and accede to the European Patent Convention. It will become a member of the EPO at the beginning of next year.
4.6.2007
McCreevy calls for patent reforms
The commissioner stressed the importance of the Community Patent and a unified jurisdictional system, saying the reforms would bring more legal certainty and make the system more attractive to users.
22.5.2007
The "big five offices" move towards closer cooperation
EPO President Alain Pompidou met with the heads of the US, Japanese, Chinese and Korean patent offices at a meeting in Hawaii earlier this month. Discussions focussed on shared challenges and closer co-operation on patenting issues.
The "big five offices" move towards closer cooperation
EPO President Alain Pompidou met with the heads of the US, Japanese, Chinese and Korean patent offices at a meeting in Hawaii earlier this month. Discussions focussed on shared challenges and closer co-operation on patenting issues.
14.5.2007
Italy re-introduces fees
In an April decree the Italian government decided to re-introduce filing and maintenance fees for Italian patents and European patents valid in Italy.
8.5.2007
Book examines economics of the European Patent System
Economists Bruno van Pottelsberghe de la Potterie and Dominique Guellec look at the theory behind and the reality of the patent system, explaining the link between innovation, technology diffusion and growth.
26.4.2007
World IP Day: EPO launches Scenarios for the future
Thursday, 26 April is world intellectual property day. The EPO has taken this opportunity to examine the future of patenting and IP in general.
20.4.2007
"An incomplete European patent system puts European businesses at a competitive disadvantage"
EU Commission Vice-President Günter Verheugen called for the rapid introduction of the Community patent in a speech on Thursday.
19.4.2007
"Patents are the future"
German Chancellor Angela Merkel stressed the importance of patents for innovation at the European Patent Forum in Munich on Wednesday. She said promoting innovation and patent protection are the two key challenges for Europe.
18.4.2007
European Inventors honoured in Munich
The inventors of biodegradable plastics, the airbag’s sensor technology, anti-AIDS drugs and treatments for autoimmune disorders are the winners of the European Inventor of the Year 2007 awards.
12.4.2007
New EPO website online
More than a decade after the European Patent Office launched its first webpages, the site has undergone a complete overhaul. With a new structure, contemporary design and original content, the new site promises a more modern and user-friendly experience.
10.4.2007
EPO and EC to honour European inventors
President Alain Pompidou and European Commission Vice-President Günter Verheugen will host a gala and awards ceremony to announce the European Inventors of the Year 2007 on 18 April in Munich. The event is being held with the European Patent Forum and PATINNOVA 07.
30.3.2007
Central role of the EPO confirmed at Berlin patent conference
"Europe needs a cost efficient, strong and enforceable patent," German Justice Minister Birgit Zypries said on behalf of the German EU Presidency at a conference in Berlin at the end of March. She and BDI President Thumann stressed that the EPO should continue to play a central role in the European patent system.
Central role of the EPO confirmed at Berlin patent conference
"Europe needs a cost efficient, strong and enforceable patent," German Justice Minister Birgit Zypries said on behalf of the German EU Presidency at a conference in Berlin at the end of March. She and BDI President Thumann stressed that the EPO should continue to play a central role in the European patent system.
