EPO meets with new IP Federation President
Steve Rowan, Vice-President of the EPO's Patent Granting Process, recently led the EPO delegation in a bilateral meeting with Adrian Howes, the new President of the UK’s IP Federation. The IP Federation, which has represented UK industry’s views on patents for over a century, includes around 40 member companies from a range of sectors. The hybrid meeting offered a valuable opportunity to reaffirm commitments and share perspectives on key strategic priorities.
The EPO updated the IP Federation on the progress of the Unitary Patent (UP) system, highlighting how UK companies with operations in the European Union are benefiting from the system's streamlined processes and cost-saving benefits. Despite the UK's absence from the UP system, the discussion underscored the system's significant advantages for businesses operating within the EU. The IP Federation responded positively, acknowledging that the Unitary Patent has been well-received by UK businesses operating across Europe. They recognised the system's potential to create efficiencies and ease the burden on UK businesses as they navigate the European market.
Turning to the EPO’s 2024 Quality Action Plan, the discussion focused on new measures to enhance patent quality and transparency. The EPO provided updates on the harmonisation of examination practices, the latest examiner training, and the introduction of the Quality Dashboard, which presents key performance indicators and is updated on a quarterly basis.
These initiatives reflect the EPO’s commitment to maintaining high standards and transparency throughout the patent granting process. The IP Federation expressed their appreciation for these initiatives, commending the EPO’s efforts to improve the timeliness of examinations and oppositions. They particularly praised the EPO’s commitment to user input.
Digital transformation was another key strategic topic discussed. Here the focus lay on the recent updates to MyEPO Portfolio to improve user experience. Both parties expressed their enthusiasm for ongoing developments in digital services, aimed at further benefiting all patent applicants and users. The IP Federation was particularly appreciative of the continued enhancements to MyEPO Portfolio, recognising its role in improving interaction between patent attorneys and examiners, ultimately streamlining the patent process for businesses.
The discussion also touched on the role of artificial intelligence in enhancing patenting processes. The EPO underlined its commitment to using AI responsibly to support examiners in delivering high-quality patents. The IP Federation welcomed the EPO’s approach to AI, noting that the technology holds significant promise for improving efficiency, accuracy, and consistency in the patenting process. They also acknowledged the importance of maintaining a human-centric approach to AI, ensuring that examiners are supported while preserving the high quality of patents granted by the EPO.
Concluding the meeting, both parties expressed a strong commitment to continuing dialogue and deepening the collaboration between the EPO and the UK’s patent community, along with their shared vision for driving innovation forward.
Adrian Howes reflects on EPO collaboration and key developments
Following the meeting, the EPO took the opportunity to interview Adrian Howes. In the interview, Adrian expressed his appreciation for many of the EPO’s initiatives, particularly the MyEPO Portfolio service. He highlighted that the service has been highly valued, "with user input shaping the final product. This collaborative approach should be applauded."
Adrian also spoke positively about the Unitary Patent, commenting: "We’ve been really positive about it for some time," reflecting his confidence in the system’s potential to benefit UK businesses across Europe and noted the ongoing work of the EPO focused on helping to improve the Unitary Patent Court management systems.
Regarding patent quality, Adrian noted: "The marked improvement over timeliness of examinations and oppositions in recent years," highlighting the importance of maintaining this approach, acknowledging the ongoing efforts and innovations, including the use of AI, by the EPO to maintain and enhance the quality of the patent system.