Foresight, policy and funding
The EPO's Observatory explores how policies and funding frameworks support technological innovation in Europe and beyond. By analysing patent, business and economic data alongside policy and investment trends, we provide insights into the forces driving new technologies. We identify barriers to innovation in areas such as financing innovation and support a dynamic and sustainable ecosystem.
Overview of projects
Financing innovation
Investors play a crucial role in commercialising ideas with great potential to drive progress, including patenting technologies. This topic explores how funding opportunities arise by effectively leveraging patents and other intellectual property rights.
Patents and standards
The future of technology is evermore dependant on the IoT and other technologies for which standards are essential. We explore the very relevant link between patents and standards.
The economy and IP
Intellectual property rights (IPR) are a key driver of economic performance and competitiveness. The Observatory researches how IPR contribute to economic performance at sector, industry and firm level in Europe and beyond.
Scenarios for the future 2025-2045
A new strategic foresight initiative examines how the innovation system may evolve, which technologies will matter most, and how the patent system can support sustainable, human-driven innovation.
Our latest resources
This survey of 65 decisions from seven major jurisdictions looks at how they determine and assess fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory (FRAND) terms and conditions for the licensing of standard-essential patents (SEPs).
This joint study by the EPO and CEPAL assesses the economic impact of manufacturing industries and their exposure to innovation and IP at the local, regional and global level.
This study aims to contribute to improving financing opportunities for technology-driven startups in Europe
United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
The work of the Observatory in the area of research policy and funding directly aligns with and supports several UN SDGs, including:
