Annual EPO-CPVO workshop
Bilateral co-operation between the European Patent Office (EPO) and the Community Plant Variety Office (CPVO) is essential for the protection of plant-related innovations.
The EPO and CPVO held their annual technical workshop on 18 June 2025. In alignment with the EPO’s Strategic Plan 2028, the partnership between the CPVO and the EPO underscores the shared commitment of both institutions to foster innovation and legal certainty in the field of plant protection.
Since the offices renewed their long-standing co-operation agreement in 2022, four joint workshops have been held online, providing a valuable platform for constructive dialogue and mutual learning. The latest workshop proved particularly timely and relevant in light of ongoing negotiations at the EU level concerning the regulation of plants obtained by new genomic techniques (NGTs). The focus of these negotiations is on the release of plants obtained by mutagenesis on the market and the patentability of these plants.
A coherent and transparent legal framework for plant innovation in Europe
The CPVO and EPO aim to support a coherent and transparent legal framework for plant innovation in Europe that ensures legal certainty for all stakeholders. The coexistence of patent rights and plant variety rights protects plant innovations effectively and enables collaboration through open licensing agreements, helping to foster further innovation, competitiveness and growth in the field. The co-operation between the offices enhances the efficiency of both organisations as well as contributing to an informed and balanced policy debate on the future of plant-related intellectual property rights.
Related items
Formal recognition of the highest standards of data protection consistently applied by the European Patent Organisation
Strengthening global partnerships in Geneva
Annual high-level meeting held in Munich covers AI, SMEs and latest IP developments
The agreement allows for fee reductions for small entities and fast, high-quality search reports for national applications
EPO and national offices discuss co-operation on strengthening IP-backed financing in Europe
EPO President holds high-level talks on advancing innovation and strengthening Europe’s competitiveness
EPO deepens longstanding collaboration with the American Intellectual Property Law Association
Final workshop of pioneering programme equips participants from 17 African countries with skills to draft high-quality patent applications
Topics discussed include patent quality, Unitary Patent and digitalisation
EPO joins forces with German and UK IP offices to promote deep tech innovation and IP-backed growth
EPO participates in high-level conference on biotechnology innovation to mark Poland’s EU Presidency
EPO Vice-President Steve Rowan congratulates the Polish Patent Office and outlines vision for an inclusive patent system
Strengthening co-operation between the European Patent Office and Argentina's National Institute of Industrial Property
The European Patent Office and European Institute of Innovation and Technology share their 2024 results and outlook for 2025
Patent quality, AI, the Unitary Patent and international co-operation high on the agenda
Highlighting the role of patents in Albanian startups and universities
Exchanges on the Unitary Patent, European competitiveness and how patent intelligence informs policymaking
Recent developments, quality, EQE, Unitary Patent/UPC and user feedback were on the agenda
Deepening collaboration to build a more accessible European patent system for smaller applicants
The newly signed agreement aims to support innovation and economic growth while fostering bilateral trade and investment between Europe and Brazil.