EPO holds meeting with BusinessEurope on patent quality
On 28 October, the EPO held a constructive online working-level meeting with BusinessEurope, continuing its open dialogue with European industry representatives. Chaired by Vice-President Steve Rowan and, on the BusinessEurope side, by Thierry Sueur, Chair of the Patent Working Group, the discussions focused on the EPO’s 2024 Quality Report and follow-up actions under the Quality Action Plan 2025.
Both sides reaffirmed their shared commitment to high-quality searches, clear and consistent examination practices, and continuous improvement. BusinessEurope welcomed the EPO’s transparency initiatives, the positive impact of the Active Search Division, and ongoing efforts to enhance dialogue-driven examination. The Stakeholder Quality Assurance Panels (SQAPs) were regarded as an excellent platform for shared analysis and open feedback. The exchange further deepened BusinessEurope’s understanding of how AI is used to support examiners at the EPO. In addition, a dialogue was held which underscored the importance of the consistent handling of third-party observations and improvements made in that regard. While perspectives differed on some aspects – such as the reporting of quality audit findings – both organisations agreed on the value of maintaining regular exchanges to jointly address topics and identify practical improvements which would continue to feed into future Quality Action Plans.
The EPO encouraged BusinessEurope to share concrete examples to help further target improvements, particularly on late-raised objections, dependent claim coverage, and parameter inventions.
The meeting once again underlined the constructive partnership between the EPO and European industry in strengthening the quality and reliability of the patent system.
Further information
Related items
Discussions at annual meeting focus on shared priorities in quality, digital transformation and legal developments
Around 100 external stakeholders and EPO experts assess impact of the EPO’s Quality Action Plan 2025, AI tools and the Unitary Patent
Exchanges on quality, AI in the patent process and sustainable technologies
Strengthening collaboration with the Japan Patent Attorneys Association
High-level meetings held with ministers, national offices and users in Germany, the UK and Italy
Latest EPO audit figures confirm positive trend in quality indicators
Exchanges on patent quality, plus impact of the Unitary Patent system and AI
Launching dialogue with the generics and biosimilars industry association
Strengthening collaboration with the Korean Patent Attorneys Association
Quality, Unitary Patent, SMEs and user feedback were on the agenda
EPO experts and patent attorneys share best practices and insights from years of experience in opposition proceedings and panel discussions
Around 2 000 candidates took part, with the digital format continuing to enhance accessibility and inclusivity
Latest EPO audit figures confirm continuous improvement of quality indicators
Users from around the world exchange on quality, AI, legal changes and two years of the Unitary Patent system
Enhancing accessibility and quality, efficiency and leveraging AI
Review of impact, latest learnings and ongoing initiatives, alignment on future priorities
Recent developments, quality, EQE, user feedback and the Observatory were among topics discussed
ISO certifications for quality, information security, environmental management systems and occupational health and safety
Latest EPO audit figures confirm high quality of the patent granting process