EPO and Dutch patent attorneys strengthen cooperation: annual meeting in Rijswijk

EPO Vice-President Steve Rowan and Orde’s Chair Isabelle Wolterink with their respective delegations

EPO Vice-President Steve Rowan hosted a delegation led by the Chair of the Netherlands Institute of Patent Attorneys at the EPO’s site in Rijswijk.

On 24 September, the European Patent Office (EPO) hosted the annual bilateral meeting with the Netherlands Institute of Patent Attorneys (Orde van Octrooigemachtigden) at its site in Rijswijk.  Chaired by Steve Rowan, EPO Vice-President Patent Granting Process, the meeting reinforced the EPO’s commitment to constructive dialogue with national user associations and the continuous improvement of the European patent system.

The Institute expressed strong appreciation for the EPO’s open engagement and impactful actions to improve quality – noting visible progress and welcoming the constructive, results-driven atmosphere of the meeting.

Status on progress in advancing quality in the patent granting process

In his opening remarks, Vice-President Rowan underlined the central role of user associations in shaping a high-quality, reliable patent system. He highlighted progress made since the previous meeting, including the ongoing implementation of the Quality Action Plan 2025, enhanced transparency through the Quality Dashboard, and consistency measures such as the Active Search Division (ASD) and Digital File Allocation (DFA).

The Dutch delegation welcomed the progress that has been made on quality, notably the inclusion of the possibility for applicants to proactively indicate the basis for claims in divisional applications in the third basket of legal changes designed to streamline the patent granting process. The Institute asked for further collaborative progress to be pursued on examiner workloads, greater clarity regarding the handling of ‘invalid objections’ in quality audits, and safe feedback channels – an approach the EPO supports.

Uptake of the Unitary Patent by Dutch applicants

The meeting also reviewed the latest developments with the Unitary Patent, which has now surpassed more than 68 000 registrations since its launch in June 2023. The Unitary Patent Dashboard  provided the Institute with specific insights into uptake by Dutch applicants, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and universities. ORDE acknowledged the rapid growth of the system and asked about its long-term implications for users, particularly in relation to litigation strategies. They also supported integration of UP data into broader EPO tools to improve transparency for users.

Supporting users with SMEs and startups in focus

In addition, the EPO presented recent advances in its digital transformation, including new functionalities in MyEPO services and the gradual move towards a fully paperless patent granting process. These advances aim to enhance service quality and improve the user experience for applicants. Participants also explored the role of the EPO’s Observatory on Patents and Technology and the Deep Tech Finder in supporting startups and SMEs. These initiatives provide valuable patent intelligence and business insights, helping innovative companies in the Netherlands and beyond to connect with investors and bring inventions to market.