Your Global Innovation Journey: How the EPO supports Japanese Innovators

Welcome 

Jutta Haußer

How to receive electronic PCT communications from the European Patent Office

Elke von Brevern and Christina ten Hövel

International agents have the option to receive EPO communications electronically through their MyEPO Mailbox. This includes all communications from the EPO in the international phase, in instances where the EPO is not the Receiving Office but acts as the (Supplementary) International Search Authority or International Preliminary Examination Authority. Examples of such communications include the international search report and the written opinion. This digital service, called PCT Link, can be used when PCT applications are filed in English.

Unitary Patent 

Satu Tschubel , Camille-Rémy Bogliolo and Christina ten Hövel

The Unitary Patent offers a single, streamlined system for patent protection across 18 EU Member States. Since its launch in June 2023, adoption has been strong—over 25% of European patents granted by the EPO now opt for unitary effect. This presentation will give Japanese practitioners and innovators a clear overview of the legal framework, territorial scope, and also show how the Unitary Patent simplifies the European landscape by cutting costs, reducing administrative burdens, and ensuring legal certainty. Topics include cost comparisons, practical steps for obtaining unitary effect, transparency measures and user support tools—making it highly relevant for Japanese businesses seeking protection in Europe.

European Patent Register 

Eva Straková and Jutta Haußer

The European Patent Register allows you to view procedural and legal status data and access the electronic files of the published patent applications handled by the EPO, including Unitary Patents from the moment unitary effect has been requested. Through different case studies we will demonstrate how you can check your own applications, or applications of others to learn and be inspired from the journeys they are taking. 

Speakers

Camille-Rémy Bogliolo
Head of Unitary Patent Division, European Patent Office
Camille has led the Unitary Patent Division since the launch of the Unitary Patent in 2023. Previously, he has worked extensively in Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) legal matters, first at WIPO between 2001 and 2005, and then at the EPO since 2006. Camille holds a degree from Sciences Po and a Master of Laws from the University of Maastricht.

Christina ten Hövel
Key Account Manager and Patent Administration Expert, European Patent Office
Since joining the EPO in 2003, Christina has worked as an expert in patent grant procedures and has provided training to internal and external audiences. As a Key Account Manager, since 2015 she has supported EPO users with online tools and services. She has also contributed to various projects, notably the technical implementation of the Unitary Patent.

Elke von Brevern
Expert Patent Filing Process and PCT Affairs, European Patent Office
Elke joined the EPO in 2008 as an online filing application manager, working on projects which included online filing tools for the PCT. In 2015 she joined the PCT Affairs department as an expert, where she co-ordinates and legally supports the implementation of PCT-related projects at the EPO.

Eva Straková
Digital Publication Officer, European European Patent Office
Eva joined the EPO in 2004 as a formalities officer in the Receiving Section. In 2012 she transferred to Principal Directorate Patent Information, where she was responsible for supporting the publication and quality assurance of the European Patent Bulletin, the European Patent Register and other official publications. She recently joined Business Information Technology (BIT), with the same portfolio of tasks.

Jutta Haußer
Administrator, Patent Information User Services, European Patent Office
Jutta holds a master’s degree in Chinese studies and a Ph.D. in Japanese studies. She joined the European Patent Office in Vienna in early 2007 and now works in its Patent Information User Services team. Before that, she was for many years a member of its Asian Patent Information Services department, later renamed Worldwide IP, where she was responsible for Japanese, then also Chinese, patent information. She regularly gives training and presentations and represents the EPO and its patent information services at a range of related events and conferences.   

Satu Tschubel
Expert in Unitary Patent Division, European Patent Office
Satu joined the EPO in 2003, first in the Patent Granting Process area and later in the Legal Division. Since 2023, she has been working as an expert in the Unitary Patent Division, shaping and updating key procedural guidance such as the Unitary Patent Guidelines and related web content.