SACEPO and its working parties
- Main SACEPO
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The Main SACEPO is composed of 41 high-level practitioners with extensive experience in the IP field, appointed by the President of the EPO, either ad personam or on a proposal from BusinessEurope, epi, AIPPI, FEMIPI, FICPI, Union-IP, as well as AIPLA, IPO, JIPA, JPAA, KINPA, PPAC and the US Bar-EPO Liaison Council.
Exchanges in the Main SACEPO focus on general policy topics and the Office’s general orientations such as the Strategic Plans 2023 and 2028, actions to further enhance quality, digital transformation of the patent grant process, international co-operation, Unitary Patent and Convergence of Practice.
List of members
Mr Peter Martinsson
BUSINESSEUROPE
Ericsson Ms Géraldine Guery-Jacques
BUSINESSEUROPE
SEB Développement Mr Peter Berg
BUSINESSEUROPE
Infineon Technologies Mr Boris Prehofer
BUSINESSEUROPE
Siemens Österreich Ms Bettina Wanner
BUSINESSEUROPE
Bayer Intellectual Property Ms Åsa Rydenius
BUSINESSEUROPE
Scania CV Mr Jim Boff
epi
Armstrong Teasdale Mr John GRAY
epi
John Gray IP Limited Mr Tiemen Reijns
epi
Unilever Patent Group Mr Peter Thomsen
epi
Novartis International Mr Chris Mercer
epi
Carpmaels & Ransford Ms Katerina Hartvichova
epi
Harber IP Mr Koen Bijvank
AIPPI
Brinkhof Ms Tamara J. Elmore
AIPPI
V.O. Mr Beat Weibel
FEMIPI
Siemens Mr Henning Lütjens
FEMIPI
Bayer Intellectual Property Mr Robert Watson
FICPI
Mewburn Ellis Mr Christian Wende
FICPI
DTS Patent- und Rechtsanwälte Mr Reinier Wijnstra
UNION-IP
WijnstraWise Patents Mr Rui Gomes
UNION-IP
J. Pereira da Cruz Ms Susan Kirsch
AIPLA
Carpmaels & Ransford Mr Raymond E. Farrell
AIPLA
Carter Deluca Mr Daniel Staudt
IPO
Siemens Mr Akitoshi Yamanaka
JIPA
Denso Corporation Mr Takahiro Taniguchi
JIPA
Murata Ms Kumiko Yamada
JPAA
Yamada International Patent Firm Mr Seiji Sogo
JPAA
Fukami Patent Office Ms Jeeyoun Shin
KPAA
CJ HealthCare Mr Young Jin Heo
KPAA
Kim & Chang Mr ChangHan Ryu
KINPA
Hyundai Motors Group/Hyundai Autoever Ms Bo Hyun Lee
KINPA
LG Energy Solution Ms Xiaoyun Lei
PPAC
Ms Lingling Cui
PPAC
Baidu Mr Robert Furr
US Bar-EPO Liaison Council
Koch Companies Public Sector Mr João Barreto ad personam Perceive3D Ms Marta Barba ad personam FRACTUS Mr Francesco Macchetta
ad personam Bracco Imaging Mr Jonathan P. Osha
ad personam Osha Bergman Watanabe & Burton Mr Scott Roberts
ad personam British Telecom Ms Olga Sirakova
ad personam Interius Patent Attorneys Ms Magali Touroude Pereira
ad personam Touroude & Associates - SACEPO Working Party on Quality (WP/Q)
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SACEPO Working Party on Quality is the forum to foster a common understanding of quality between the EPO and the users of the European patent system.
It is composed of four geographical branches (Europe/Neighbouring countries, Asia/Oceania, Americas and Africa/Middle-East) with a total of 72 experts in the field of patent prosecution appointed by the President of the EPO, either ad personam or on a proposal from user associations.
The Working Party on Quality serves as the primary platform for active engagement with the EPO regarding quality matters, typically convening twice yearly to exchange ideas on initiatives aimed at improving quality in the patent grant process, discussing the EPO's quality audit, and reviewing actions taken by the EPO to enhance dialogue with users. Additionally, members regularly provide input to ensure continual improvement of the EPO's User Satisfaction Surveys and engage in discussions concerning reports from the Stakeholder Quality Assurance Panels (SQAPs). Moreover, progress in achieving quality objectives at the EPO under SP2028's driver 3, which builds upon the goals of SP2023's Goal 3, is shared and deliberated among the Working Party members.
WP/Q Europe/ neighbouring countries
WP/Q Europe/ neighbouring countries: List of members
WP/Q Asia/Oceania: List of members
WP/Q Americas: List of members
WP/Q Africa/Middle-East: List of members
Mr Rowan Joseph
FICPI
Von Seidels Mr Marco Vatta
SAIIPL
Spoor & Fisher Mr Yousef Al-Abdallat
ad personam
University of Jordan Mr Mohammad Al Masri
ad personam
SABA IP Ms Salem Al-Zahrani
ad personam
ARAMCO Mr Abdelhaq Ammani
ad personam
Moroccan Foundation for Advanced Science, Innovation and Research Mr Karim Chaieb
ad personam
Hachaichi & Co. Mr Mohamed El Harzli
ad personam
Centre Universitaire d’Innovation et de Transfert de Technologie (CUIT), University Abdelmalek Essaâdi Mr Mohamed Gueblaoui
ad personam
Cabinet Mohamed Gueblaoui Mr Pedro Macaba Nobre
ad personam
Instituto Superior Politécnico Metropolitans de Angola Mr Mondher Al Mensi
ad personam
Al Mensi & Associés Mr Chinedum Ogonna Mgbemena
ad personam
Federal University of Petroleum Resources Mr Mardson McQuay
ad personam
King Abdullah University of Science and Technology - SACEPO Working Party on Rules (WP/R)
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The SACEPO Working Party on Rules is generating input from user representatives regarding proposals for changes to the legal framework of the EPC, including in particular its Implementing Regulations.
It is composed of 13 experts in the field of patent prosecution nominated by user associations or selected as ad personam members by the President of the EPO.
Topics recently covered include oral proceedings via video-conference, adapting the legal framework to support the digital transformation, further streamlining opposition proceedings, online filing and Convergence of Practice.
List of members
Mr Francis Leyder
BUSINESSEUROPE
Zephyra Mr Heiko Sendrowski
BUSINESSEUROPE
BASF Mr Leo Steenbeek
BUSINESSEUROPE
Philips International Ms Anette Hegner
epi
Plougmann Vingtoft Mr Chris Mercer
epi
Carpmaels & Ransford Mr Martin Wilming
epi
Hepp Wenger Ryffel Mr Heiko Dumlich
AIPPI
Lab14 Mr Henning Lütjens
FEMIPI
Bayer Intellectual Property Mr Antonio Pizzoli
FICPI
Notarbartolo & Gervasi Mr Fabian Edlund
UNION-IP
Lind Edlund Kenamets Intellectual Property Ms Cyra Nargolwalla
ad personam
Plasseraud IP Mr Gwilym Roberts ad personam Kilburn & Strode Mr Scott Roberts
ad personam
British Telecom - SACEPO Working Party on Guidelines (WP/G)
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The SACEPO Working Party on Guidelines is the bi-annual consultative forum for the annual revisions of Guidelines for Examination in the EPO (EPC Guidelines) and of the Guidelines for Search and Examination at the EPO as PCT Authority (PCT-EPO Guidelines).
It is composed of 15 experts in the field of patent prosecution nominated by user associations or selected as ad personam members by the President of the EPO.
Within the annual revision cycle for the EPC and PCT-EPO Guidelines, SACEPO Working Party on Guidelines has a well-established role to play: each revision cycle starts with a public online consultation on the latest version of the Guidelines; feed-back from this consultation is discussed at the spring meeting of the Working Party; only thereafter are updates to the Guidelines drafted by the EPO which undergo an internal consultation and approval process as a next step. The resulting revisions are then reviewed by Working Party members over the summer and confirmed at the second meeting in autumn.
List of members
Mr Richie Paul
BUSINESSEUROPE
Alkermes Pharma Mr Boris Prehofer
BUSINESSEUROPE
Siemens Österreich Mr Heiko Sendrowski
BUSINESSEUROPE
BASF Ms Anette Hegner
epi
Plougmann Vingtoft Mr Manolis Samuelides
epi
Samuelides IP Mr Roel van Woudenberg
epi
DeltaPatents Ms Xiaoling Duan
AIPPI
Wanhuida IP Ms Manuela Loidl
FEMIPI
Redl Life Science Ms Jordi Kox FICPI Exter Polak & Charlouis B.V. (EP&C) Ms Joana Santos
UNION-IP
NLP Ms Brigitte Carion-Taravella
ad personam
Sanofi Mr Luís Ferreira ad personam Patentree Mr Felix Hermann
ad personam
Boehmert & Boehmert Mr Matthew Hitching ad personam Canon Mr Mike J Jennings
ad personam
AA Thornton - SACEPO Working Party on e-Patent-Process (WP/ePP)
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The SACEPO Working Party on e-Patent Process is the annual dedicated user forum accompanying the EPO's efforts in achieving Goal 2 of SP2023 of digital transformation.
It is composed of 25 experts in the field of patent prosecution nominated by user associations or selected as ad personam members by the President of the EPO.
Main topics of the meetings include the ongoing digital transformation of the patent granting process and the developments in online services such as MyEPO Portfolio, Online Filing and Central Fee Payment. Other aspects discussed recently is the MyEPO roadmap showing when the planned decommissioning dates for the legacy online services, as well the legal changes supporting the use of digital services.
Feedback from the members is used to further enhance the quality of our digital products and services.
List of members
Ms Karine Berthier
BUSINESSEUROPE
Nokia Networks Mr Poul de Haan
BUSINESSEUROPE
Philips International Mr Ulrich Harbach
epi
2K Patentanwälte Mr Chris Mercer
epi
Carpmaels & Ransford Mr James G. Bell AIPLA Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner, LLP Ms Ann DeClerq
AIPPI
De Clercq & Partners Ms Essi Pösö
EPIPA
Berggren Mr Matthew Fletcher
FICPI
Abel & Imray Mr Simone Mangini
FICPI
Studio Torta Mr Florian Malescha
UNION-IP
SKM-IP Part Mr Hans Mertens
UNION-IP
Exter Polak & Charlouis (EP&C) Mr Iván Sempere
ASIPI
PADIMA Ms Rie Kawai
JPAA
Olive International Patent Office Mr Masaharu Konoue
JPAA
Regatta IP Mr Pilsung Jun
KPAA
Hyunmoon Patent & IP law firm Mr Sanghwan (Sam) Park
KPAA
EZ International Patent&Trademark Law Office Mr ChangHan Ryu
KINPA
Hyundai Motors Group/Hyundai Autoever Mr Michael Lee
PPAC
China Mobile Group Design Institute Mr Zhiqiang Qiang
PPAC
BOE Technology Group Mr Joseph Shipley
US Bar-EPO Liaison Council
Fitch, Even, Tabin & Flannery Mr Rainer Böckelen
ad personam
TBK Mr David Brophy
ad personam
FRKelly Mr John Gray
ad personam
John Gray IP Mr Michael Liebetanz
ad personam
Isler & Pedrazzini AG Ms Dolinda de Proost
ad personam
AOMB Intellectual Property Ms Magali Touroude Pereira
ad personam
Touroude & Associates - SACEPO Working Party on Patent Documentation and Information (WP/PDI)
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This Working Party is composed of experts from patent documentation centres and libraries, experts from industry, and patent attorneys. The group meets once a year, providing members with updates on the EPO's products, services, and future projects in the field of patent information.
List of members
Mr Francis Hagel
BUSINESSEUROPE
CEA Mr Dimitris Kouzelis
BUSINESSEUROPE
Intel-Lex Mr Arndt Mecke
BUSINESSEUROPE
Siemens Ms Birgitta Gassner
epi
Redl Life Science Mr Francis Leyder
epi
Zephyra Mr Paolo Provvisionato
epi
Provvisionato & Co Mr Kai Klein
FICPI
Bals & Vogel Mr Daniel Jarrett
CUNION-IP
Kilburn & Strode Ms Monika Bruckmann
PDG
Evonik Industries Mr Torsten Gerber
PDG
Bosch Ms Maike Houtrouw
PDG
Philips Ms Bettina de Jong
PDG
Mr Philippe Bodart
CEPIUG
Ms Margit Höhne
CEPIUG
patentGate Mr Guido Moradei
CEPIUG
Quaestio Patent Attorneys Ms Katja Sørensen
CEPIUG
Plougmann & Vingtoft Ms Hannah Sophia
CEPIUG
Mr Gerard Ypma
CEPIUG
ASML Netherlands Mr José Ricardo Aguilar
ad personam
Instituto Pedro Nunes Ms Marta Barba
ad personam
FRACTUS Mr Marcell Kereszty
ad personam
Gödölle, Kékes, Mészáros & Szabó Ms Arne Krüger
ad personam
Moving Targets Consulting Ms Hanna Laurén
ad personam
Laine IP Ms Valérie Miebach
ad personam
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