Estonia leads the way to a new search era

This month, the Estonian Patent Office became the first in Europe to switch to using the ANSERA-based SEARCH tool exclusively, marking the latest milestone in IT co-operation between the European Patent Office (EPO) and national offices in the 39 contracting states of the European Patent Convention (EPC).
Without requiring the installation of any hardware or software, the new cloud-powered tool currently provides 1 300 patent examiners at national offices in 28 countries across Europe with swift access to published patent, non-patent and commercial databases. ANSERA-based SEARCH, developed by the EPO in close co-operation with users, is due to gradually replace the legacy EPOQUE Net system globally, with more national offices preparing to complete the switch in the coming months.
The switch at the Estonian Patent Office follows a successful one-year pilot of the powerful new tool, which is closely based on the EPO's own highly sophisticated ANSERA search tool, named using a portmanteau that fittingly reflects the tool's purpose: to usher in "A New Search ERA".
Related items

17.2 million patents in force worldwide – 91% are valid in one of the IP5 jurisdictions

First country in the Americas to sign validation agreement with the EPO

The agreement allows for fee reductions for small entities and fast, high-quality search reports for national applications.

Discussions on European innovation policies and the Unitary Patent

Updates on Unitary Patent, sustainability and patent law harmonisation

EPO President addresses international conference and meets with key actors in Austria’s innovation networks

Patent Prosecution Highway with New Zealand and Brazil from 1 December 2024

Continued exchange at annual meeting strengthens co-operation

Outcomes of first meeting with Adrian Howes, President of the UK industry association

State Secretary Schlunck attends ceremony ahead of the EPO’s move to new Berlin premises

Engaging with the EPO’s largest user group, celebrating 40 years of co-operation

Panel discussion and signing of new work plan emphasise joint efforts

Heads of office convene to agree Phase 2 launch of PCT ISA pilot project and sign 2025 annual work plan

Bilateral meeting covers quality, digitalisation, the Unitary Patent and FICPI’s 2024 initiatives

From 1 December 2024 users of the EPO-CNIPA PCT pilot project will pay the international fees directly at CNIPA in Renminbi

Trilateral Offices collaborate to advance UN Sustainable Development Goal 9 and awareness of IP management

Delegation from the Japan Intellectual Property Association visits the EPO in Munich

AI and intellectual property were key topics during the EPO’s mission to Budapest, where delegates joined a conference and held bilateral talks

Discussions focus on AI, the EPO’s Observatory and future cooperation

PATLIB2024 conference in Türkiye focuses on Strategic Plan 2028, digitalisation and support for SMEs
EPO President ushers in new era for PATLIB network, participates in high-level meetings and signs Memorandum of Understanding with METU