EPO strengthens ties at 2026 AIPPI MidTerm Meeting

The EPO took part in the 2026 AIPPI MidTerm Meeting in Marrakech, engaging with global IP experts and highlighting the importance of strong partnerships, validation and user‑focused innovation.

The European Patent Office (EPO) participated in the 2026 AIPPI MidTerm Meeting held in Marrakech on 5–6 February. The event brought together more than 300 intellectual property professionals from across the world and the African continent. Representing the EPO, Vice‑President Christoph Ernst delivered the keynote address and took part in a high‑level panel discussion on the evolving relationship between intellectual property and geopolitics.

The meeting strengthened the EPO’s visibility in global IP fora and reinforced co‑operation with key partners, including the International Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property (AIPPI) and the Moroccan Office for Industrial and Commercial Property (OMPIC). It also provided an opportunity to engage directly with patent attorneys, whose role is central to the understanding and use of the EPO’s validation system.

The vital role of patent attorneys in driving innovation and ensuring reliable patent protection

In his opening remarks, Vice-President Ernst emphasised the essential contribution of patent attorneys to the global innovation ecosystem. As trusted advisers, they are often the first to be exposed to early-stage technological innovations and play a key role in securing reliable and effective patent protection for inventors. He also stressed the importance of maintaining an open and continuous dialogue with practitioners, highlighting the value of their feedback in delivering predictable, high-quality IP services.

The EPO also welcomed the meeting’s focus on young AIPPI members, reaffirming its commitment to supporting the next generation of innovators and IP professionals. EPO initiatives, including the Young Professionals Programme, which supports enhanced qualification pathways, were highlighted as key to developing IP expertise in Europe.

Strengthened co-operation with OMPIC through validation

Vice-President Ernst highlighted the long‑standing and productive partnership with OMPIC. Morocco’s experience as the first validation state was presented as a concrete example of how validation can support national innovation systems. Over the past decade, validation has contributed to increased patent activity, deeper integration into global value chains and enhanced examiner capacity, supported by modern digital tools. It was also an opportunity to highlight the continued expansion of knowledge‑transfer projects such as Knowledge Transfer to Africa (KT2A), which connects universities and research institutions across Africa with practical innovation support.

Looking ahead

The EPO reiterated its ambition to further expand a simple, reliable and globally compatible validation network that complements tools such as the Unitary Patent. As Vice-President Ernst stressed, “validation is about keeping the patent system stable and usable in a fragmented world while respecting national sovereignty, serving users and strengthening local innovation ecosystems.” Building on this, the EPO emphasised that patent protection must be accessible and affordable, and that close co‑operation with patent attorneys, national IP offices and innovation stakeholders will be essential to achieving this.