EPO President visits Bulgaria to discuss the future of Europe’s patent system

President Campinos delivering keynote speech at IP Conference "Innovation empowered: protect, compete, succeed” 

EPO President António Campinos travelled to Sofia, Bulgaria, and took part in the high-level IP conference “Innovation empowered: protect, compete, succeed”. The conference brought together the Bulgarian business and IP community, including Bulgarian micro and small companies, government officials, university researchers, as well as representatives from national patent offices, the European Union Intellectual Property Office and the World Intellectual Property Organization.

In his keynote conference speech, President Campinos highlighted the IP system's critical role in driving competitiveness in today's tech-driven landscape. “Patents turn ideas into assets. They create legal certainty and give the whole innovation ecosystem confidence – from lab to market”.

Exchanging views on the future of the European patent system

In the margins of the conference President Campinos met with Bulgarian Minister for Economy and Industry Irina Shtonova to exchange views on Bulgaria’s perspective regarding the future of the European patent system and its role in strengthening Europe’s innovation ecosystem. Discussions addressed how the EPO and its member states could jointly respond to emerging technologies, evolving global value chains and increasing demand for high-quality patent services. This formed part of the EPO's ongoing consultation process with its member states on the Scenarios for the Future foresight study.

Exchanges also took place with the Bulgarian Patent Office President, Ms Olya Dimitrova, on the modernisation of the European Patent Network. The discussions explored ways to advance digital transformation, to support micro and small entities with high-quality patent services and strengthen co-operation between the EPO and the Patent Office of the Republic of Bulgaria. These exchanges further reinforced both offices' shared commitment to ensuring that innovators across all member states benefit from a modern, efficient and globally competitive patent system.

Honouring Bulgarian inventors

During his visit, President Campinos presented the Golden Book award to Prof. Darina Damyanova Valcheva, a distinguished plant breeder, recognised for her development of resilient barley varieties that contribute to sustainable agriculture in Bulgaria. She was joined by Professor Nikolai Nikolov, from the Technical University of Sofia, acknowledged for more than 20 patents and utility models in robotics, kinetic accumulators, and medical implants, highlighting his impact on both industrial and medical technology. Also receiving the honour was Associate Professor Dimitar Kolev, for his patents related to energy and waste management, and biotechnology. They were this year’s three Bulgarian award recipients.

The highest distinction awarded by the Patent Office of the Republic of Bulgaria, entry in the Golden Book is reserved for the country’s most outstanding discoverers and inventors in recognition of their scientific and creative achievements.