Search and Examination Matters 2026

Introduction

Steve Rowan, Vice-President Patent Granting Process, EPO
Peter Thomsen, President, epi

The Humancentric EPO policy on AI

An explanation of the humancentric, EPO AI policy with the high-level direction of travel mapped out. What are the major impact areas that can be expected.

Steve Rowan, Vice-President Patent Granting Process, EPO

How AI is impacting IP 

Short overview presentations on how AI is impacting the World of IP will be followed by a moderated panel discussion.

Angel Aledo Lopez, Chief Operating Officer & Chief Technology Officer, EPO
Julia Gwilt, Patent attorney, epi

How AI is Shaping the Tools for the Future

This session takes a closer look at how artificial intelligence is changing the daily work of both EPO examiners and European patent attorneys. Building on the earlier panel, we’ll share practical examples of new and upcoming tools—such as improved pre-search and AI-supported drafting of communications—and discuss what these changes mean in real cases. With input from both the EPO and EPI, we’ll highlight not only how examiners’ workflows are evolving, but also how attorneys can adapt their strategies and benefit from greater transparency and efficiency. The session is designed as a dialogue, offering insights from both sides and providing concrete examples of what to expect next in patent practice

Åsa Ribbe, Principal director, EPO
Bastian Best, Patent attorney, epi

AI as integral part of subject-matter

Artificial intelligence is increasingly relevant both as claimed subject-matter and as a tool in the drafting of patent applications. This presentation offers a practical overview of how AI-assisted drafting tools may be used when preparing patent applications, including those relating to machine learning, and discusses the opportunities and risks arising from their use. From the perspective of an EPO examiner, the presentation then focuses on typical examination issues for such applications, including technical character, sufficiency of disclosure and inventive step. By presenting both viewpoints, the session aims to support a shared understanding of common pitfalls and examination expectations.

Javier Pose Rodriguez, Examiner, EPO
Jan-Christian Schütte, Patent attorney, epi

Beyond Patents: PATLIBs as your allies in supporting innovators

Discover how PATLIB centres extend your innovation support beyond patents. Learn how 330+ patent information centres across Europe complement patent attorneys' expertise to guide innovators from idea to market success. Explore collaboration opportunities with the PATLIB network and how AI-enhanced tools strengthen IP strategy at every stage.

Rainer Kaysan, Head of Innovation Networks, EPO

From idea to IP – the use of AI in the life of an invention

This presentation traces the lifecycle of an invention from idea to granted patent, highlighting the patent application as a critical turning point that fixes the scope of an exclusionary right, then developing the post grant IP exploitation. It emphasises the need for early and continuous consideration of products, markets, and competitors. The role of AI in supporting strategic IP decisions throughout the innovation and patenting process is explored.

Eugenio Archontopoulos, Team manager, EPO
Benjamin Grau, Patent attorney, epi
Alexander Heidrich, Examiner, EPO
Rainer Kaysan, Head of Innovation Networks, EPO
US patent attorney (tbd)

Prior art search with Ansera with a focus on Standards DATABASES

This presentation reviews the latest developments in the ANSERA search tool available to patent examiners. It highlights new functionalities, upcoming enhancements and how Ansera benefits from artificial intelligence. Particular emphasis is placed on how the European Patent Office (EPO) searches, retrieves, and manages the rapidly growing volume of standards-related documentation.

Stefan Klocke, Director, EPO
Abderrahim Moumen, Director, EPO

Pre-search and state of the art cited

The automatic pre-search is being continuously improved to provide examiners with the closest prior art at the earliest opportunity. This means that searches can be very focused right from the start to find the best documents in the most efficient manner.

Jean-Michel Wulveryck, Senior expert, EPO
Bart van Wezenbeek, Patent attorney, epi

Priority and amendments in emerging technologies

This session will explore the specific challenges that fast-growing fields like AI, biotech, and renewable energy present. Experts will discuss the right time to file for patent protection, how to handle priority claims and partial priorities, and the importance of enabling disclosures. The session will also cover how amendments to patent applications can be managed during examination, ensuring compliance with the EPC while allowing for changes as inventions evolve. Attendees will learn how the EPO approaches these issues to support innovation without compromising on patent quality and hear about best practices for inventions in emerging technologies.

Matthias Ulbrecht, Senior expert, EPO
Nina Ferara, Patent attorney, epi

Solid written opinions in a timely manner

The EPO has not only developed robust written opinions but also strives to deliver them in the most timely manner for applicants. The presentation will look at why this is important for attorneys and applicants to support decision-making on whether and how to further process the applications.

Andrei Stefan, Team manager, EPO
Arie Blokland, Patent attorney, epi

Graphical User interfaces (GUI), Inventive Step, and AI

This presentation reviews how inventive step is assessed in GUI-related patent applications, especially when innovations focus on user experience rather than clear technical effects. It explains how the European Patent Office (EPO) differentiates GUI features that merely display information or reflect aesthetics from those solving a technical problem, based on case law. Finally, it considers AI-driven GUI behaviour and when it supports inventive step—particularly where AI impacts system operation, resource management, or input processing beyond user convenience.

Cristina Russo dos Santos, Team manager, EPO
Barry Moore, Patent attorney, epi

AI in Bioinformatics

In Bioinformatics, AI is used to accelerate and lower the cost of developing new molecules and materials. AI models are developed to predict the properties of molecules, formulations or materials and screen molecules for target properties.

Alexander Heidrich, Examiner, EPO

Examiner/Attorney interplay – understanding each other's position

This session examines the dynamic relationship between patent attorneys and EPO examiners as emerging tools increasingly influence day-to-day examination practice. In a moderated discussion format, the speakers will reflect on how new approaches to analysis and communication may reshape expectations, workflows, and decision-making on both sides. The conversation will consider where these developments create opportunities for greater efficiency and consistency, as well as where they introduce new risks and uncertainties. Attention will also be given to the practical and conceptual challenges of adapting advanced technologies to the specific demands of the patent profession. The session aims to promote mutual understanding and a realistic appreciation of each other’s constraints, responsibilities, and perspectives in a changing examination landscape. The central aim is to enable better-informed, human-driven decisions through the responsible and human-centric use of AI in examination proceedings.

Carlos Rivero, Director, EPO
Marek Bury, Patent attorney, epi

The Legal Interactive Platform

Legal Interactive Platform (LIP) is a generative-AI-powered legal search tool designed to support users navigating European patent law and procedures. Users can simply ask the platform in natural language about legal provisions, procedures or case law. LIP searches authoritative EPO legal texts and jurisprudence to deliver relevant, contextualised answers through an interactive, multilingual conversational experience, including follow-up questions. This presentation introduces LIP and provides a practical overview of its scope and coverage as well as best practices and tips to help users get the most value from this powerful new tool when exploring EPO legal texts.

Sonia Perez Diez, Director, EPO

How BoA decisions are reached and how they should be interpreted

This presentation is a guided introduction to the functioning of the Boards of Appeal with examples of how the Boards reach their decisions and what they focus on when drafting them.

BoA speaker (tbd)

Sufficiency of Disclosure in AI inventions

Sufficiency of disclosure in AI inventions is a significant issue, as can be seen in decisions T1669/21, T0161/18 and T1191/19. This presentation covers the basic minimum requirements for filing patents on AI inventions.

BoA speaker (tbd)
Patent attorney, epi (tbd)

Judicial decisions around AI and patents

Focusing on keynote decisions, this panel will round off the conference by looking at how AI decisions will impact the stakeholder groups, with regard to search and examination. Building on the previous Appeal presentations it will ensure a thought-provoking finale to end the conference.

Martin Müller, BoA
Florian Meyer, Patent attorney, epi
Alain Dumont, Judge, UPC