https://www.epo.org/en/about-us/services-and-activities/chief-economist

Chief Economist

Image
Decorative image

 

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 what their economic impact is. Externally it promotes the EPO as a major player in the public arena (in academia, expert forums and the press, among policymakers, etc.).

The current Chief Economist is Yann Ménière (contact: chiefeconomist@epo.org).

Economic research agenda

The Chief Economist unit aims to produce evidence-based research and advanced analysis on a range of policy issues relevant to the EPO.

  • Role of patents in economic growth, performance and employment
  • Economic analysis of the European patent system and the expected impact of the forthcoming unitary patent and Unified Patent Court
  • Development of new patent-based indicators and analysis of trends and policy issues, particularly in technology fields related to climate change and Industry 4.0
  • Economic analysis of the role of patents in the development of markets for technology

Latest studies

Image
Decorative image
New frontiers in oncology: an evolving innovation ecosystem

This new study focuses on the most promising fields of oncology innovation. 

Image
Decorative image
Mapping investors for European innovators

New study maps public and private investors in European technology startups, and explores key areas for European competitiveness.

 

Image
Decorative image
Intellectual property rights and firm performance in the European Union - Firm-level analysis report

This joint study by the EPO and EUIPO provides an updated analysis of the ownership and use of intellectual property rights (IPRs) by SMEs and large firms in the EU and their business performance.

Image
Decorative image
Patents for enhanced electricity grids: A global trend analysis of innovation in physical and smart grids

The report explores grid-related technical change and reveals the global patenting centres, innovation actors and specific technologies driving development.