​​European competitiveness in focus, as EPO President opens major event on patents and standards, and meets with leading policymakers​

Patents, standards and innovation: securing Europe’s competitive edge

On Wednesday 14 May, the EPO launched its latest study, titled Standards and the European patent system, at an event in Paris jointly organised with the French Patent and Trademark Office (INPI France) and with the support of the European news outlet Euractiv. The international hybrid event assembled expert speakers from academia, private practice and industry. More than 6 100 viewers followed the discussions online, with 100 participants attending on-site. Opening keynotes were delivered by EPO President Campinos, INPI Director General Pascal Faure, and President of the Court of Appeal and Chairperson of the Presidium of the Unified Patent Court (UPC) Klaus Grabinski.

"Patents and standards are two key assets that contribute meaningfully to the success of Europe’s innovation economy", said President Campinos. "But they do not stand alone. They are reinforced by co-operation, evidence and trust. Today’s discussions are about building all three. The EPO remains committed to full transparency and to supporting our collective fact-finding and evidence-gathering efforts."

President Grabinski, referring to the European Commission's withdrawal earlier this year of its proposed regulation of Standard Essential Patents (SEPs), said: "It is a wise decision to allow time for a rethink." In light of which, he encouraged discussion of "whether there is still a need for another proposal for a regulation of SEPs, and how the handling of SEP-related cases by the UPC could be developed."

The findings of the EPO's new study reveal a clear link between technology standards and patents. These findings were explored in detail during expert panel discussions on further improving transparency and accessibility with regard to standards and patents, including when it comes to SEPs. The emergence of the UPC as a preferred forum for resolving SEP disputes, as indicated in President Grabinski's opening remarks and detailed analysis in the study, provided the background to an in-depth discussion of developments in European SEP case law. 

The role of alternative dispute resolution was also discussed, with a focus on the upcoming launch of the UPC's Patent Mediation and Arbitration Centre (PMAC) by early 2026, which will provide a dedicated forum for global SEP disputes. The event concluded with a panel of leading industry experts discussing the role of patents and standards in safeguarding Europe's technological sovereignty. 

See below for full details, including the event recording, President Campinos' Euractiv op-ed, and the study, to which the national offices of 21 EPO member states also contributed.

Meeting with the French Minister Delegate for European Affairs

After the event, President Campinos attended his second meeting with French Minister Delegate for European Affairs Benjamin Haddad, following up on the first in November 2024. They agreed that the co-operation on launching the study had been exemplary, especially in helping to share technical expertise on topics of paramount importance to the future of the European patent system with an international audience. The meeting focused on the EPO's continued commitment to developing collaborations with both European institutions and national partners, as well as the vital role of these partnerships in driving innovation and competitiveness across Europe, as seen in the success of the Unitary Patent system. 

Meeting with the Secretary General of Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) 

While in Paris, the EPO President also met with OECD Secretary General Mathias Cormann to exchange on potential co-operation in view of the EPO's latest initiatives in the field of innovation and the full range of activities of the EPO's Observatory on Patents and Technology.  

Exchanges also took place on further developing synergies between the OECD's world-class economic expertise and data, and the EPO's unique and complementary capabilities in tracking, mapping and analysing technology trends in patent and related data. These synergies are already shaping joint preparations for a forthcoming quantum technology study due out around the end of 2025, in the context of UNESCO's International Year of Quantum Science and Technology. 

Exchanges with the European Parliament's Committee on Legal Affairs (JURI)

President Campinos attended a session of the JURI Committee in Brussels earlier in the week. The JURI Committee has played a central role in the promotion of the Unitary Patent system, and the session followed up on previous exchanges in March, which focussed on strengthening European competitiveness. 

President Campinos emphasised the importance of patent data to informed policymaking based on an awareness of technology trends. He also provided updates on the success of the Unitary Patent in improving access to the patent system and reducing costs, especially for SMEs. Finally, having reported on the findings of the EPO's new study, he highlighted the need for a system of Unitary Supplementary Protection Certificates (SPCs), including for the purposes of safeguarding R&D investment in the pharmaceutical sector. A recording of the full session is available on the European Parliament's website. Discussions with JURI will continue in September at the EPO's Munich headquarters.