European and international co-operation
In our knowledge-based society, patents are vital to innovation and competitiveness, and patent offices have to ensure that the patent system can rise to the challenges presented by ever-increasing globalisation. This means finding a balance between the needs of right-holders and third parties, as well as between the quality of granted patents and the costs and efficiency of the patent procedure.
As a global player, we are conscious of our responsibilities in developing long-term solutions to these problems, and we are aware that patent offices cannot cope with these challenges on their own.
This is why we promote and develop co-operation activities
- within Europe, with the member states of the European Patent Organisation
- outside Europe, through bilateral co-operation with national patent offices
- via multilateral international cooperation with IP offices and organisations
- with international organisations outside the patent system