Chief Economist
The EPO Chief Economist unit aims to provide high-level expertise and analysis and to foster well-informed policy debate on issues relating to patents, innovation and economic growth. It develops projects to help the EPO understand better how patents are used and the scope of their economic impact. Externally it promotes the EPO as a major player in the public arena (in academia, expert forums and the press, among policymakers, etc.).
Innovation economists, experts in patent analytics and patent examiners contribute to the work of the EPO Chief Economic unit. The studies produced by the unit are key components of the activity of the Observatory on Patents and Technology.
The current Chief Economist is Yann Ménière (contact: [email protected]).
Economic studies
Patent and economic data offer powerful insights into the future of innovation. Our studies explore key questions such as how universities use the patent system or how patents support access to funding.
Academic Research Programme (ARP)
The EPO’s Academic Research Programme encourages academic IP research and promotes the dissemination of research results