EPO holds cloud event for IP offices
The European Patent Network cloud event was held digitally on 15 September 2021. A total of 71 IT experts from national patent offices, as well as the World Intellectual Property Organization, European Union Intellectual Property Office and European Patent Institute, took part. The aim was to establish common ground on major topics affecting the European patent system when it comes to cloud security, service providers and operations.
EPO Vice President for Corporate Services Nellie Simon opened the meeting by emphasising the central importance of the cloud to the EPO’s ongoing digital transformation and to the future success and sustainability of all IP offices. Ms Simon highlighted the opportunities that cloud technologies provide for delivering better, faster and more flexible services, as well as potentially greener IT solutions. Further insights into the range of secure and scalable solutions, as well as best practice at leading finance and public sector organisations throughout Europe, were presented by senior management from major cloud service providers.
EPO experts subsequently addressed how the Office is managing the transition to cloud technologies with reference to security, data protection, remote working and future search solutions for the national patent offices (NPOs). On the topic of data protection, discussions also focussed on the legal requirements established in the EPO Data Protection Rules (DPR). Senior EPO management responsible for international and IT co-operation then thanked the participants for their engagement and looked forward to continued dialogue with NPOs on state-of-the-art cloud computing solutions that will help secure long-term sustainability for the European patent system.