​​EPO and CIPO strengthen ties at the 7th IP Data & Research Conference

Steve Rowan, EPO Vice-President Patent Granting Process and Konstantinos Georgaras, Chief Executive Officer at the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO).

On 4 and 5 November, Steve Rowan, Vice-President Patent Granting Process at the European Patent Office (EPO), and Elias Collette, Director General Corporate Strategies and Services Branch at the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO), participated in the 7th IP Data & Research Conference in Ottawa. Following the conference, the EPO and CIPO renewed their annual work plan during a bilateral meeting, marking a new chapter in the collaboration between the offices.

A highlight of the conference was the on-stage discussion between Mr Rowan and Mr Collette, where they exchanged on the intellectual property (IP) system’s role in supporting a country’s productivity and advancing technological developments in areas such as AI. Mr Rowan presented the EPO’s "human-centric approach to AI” in the Patent Grant Process, emphasising that “an examiner with AI is better than an examiner or AI alone”. They also discussed IP’s ability to address global challenges like climate change and noted both offices’ shared priorities regarding sustainability and green technologies.

Key priorities of the new work plan 

The bilateral meeting concluded with the signing of the 2024-2026 work plan, strengthening joint efforts to improve classification and further support innovation, quality and digital transformation. The new plan presents initiatives to simplify patent procedures, support micro-entities and harmonise international standards. One key focus is the Cooperative Patent Classification (CPC) system and the offices' joint efforts to enhance CIPO's patent classification system through the implementation of the CPC. This will involve regular meetings, training sessions and technical implementation support from the EPO.

The work plan also outlines CIPO’s contribution to the EPO’s firefighting platform which leverages patent data to accelerate the development of wildfire mitigation technologies, which are especially relevant given Canada's climate risks. This will be performed in collaboration with the EPO Observatory and facilitate greater knowledge exchange on trend and policy development as well as help to identify synergies or opportunities for further collaboration.

The agreement reflects a strengthened commitment to mutual support and the global IP system, laying the foundation for continued growth in European and Canadian innovation through shared expertise and strategic projects.