Experts engage with EPO on the future of patent data and information

The Working Party on Patent Documentation and Information (WP/PDI), part of the Standing Advisory Committee before the European Patent Office (SACEPO), convened on Tuesday 13 May for its annual meeting. Members exchanged on the EPO’s Deep Tech Finder, Legal Interactive Platform and Technology Intelligence Platform, emphasising the value of generative AI for improving access to patent information.

The meeting gathered more than 20 experts from across the patent information community, including representatives from BusinessEurope, the Institute of Professional Representatives before the EPO (epi), the International Federation of Intellectual Property Attorneys (FICPI), the Union of European Practitioners in Intellectual Property (UNION-IP) and representatives from Patent Information Centres (PATLIB). Specialist federations such as the Confederacy of European Patent Information User Groups (CEPIUG) and the Patent Documentation Group (PDG) also participated.

Leveraging technology to improve access to patent knowledge

Participants were updated on the EPO’s new Technology Intelligence Platform, which was launched at the Patent Knowledge Forum in December 2024. The platform aims to further democratise access to the EPO’s products and services. Thanks to early user feedback and involvement, the platform delivers insights through a smooth and interactive research experience.  The EPO also presented its pricing policy for the full catalogue of data products, of which the majority is now integrated into the Technology Intelligence Platform.

Enhancements to the Deep Tech Finder were presented too, including a new filter to help startups identify suitable investors based on company profile, funding stage, country and technical field. This free online tool currently lists over 10 000 investment-ready European startups, as well as hundreds of universities and spinouts, with EPO patent applications.

Another highlight was the presentation of the Legal Interactive Platform, a generative AI-based tool that provides answers to users' questions on European patent law. The tool uses legal texts, case law and Boards of Appeal decisions to deliver responses that include direct links to the relevant legal documents.

Shaping the future together 

As in previous years, user representatives were invited to submit suggestions for future developments. They also acknowledged the EPO’s continued investment in advanced tools, including those that integrate generative artificial intelligence (AI).

The valuable feedback received will be carefully considered as part of the EPO‘s ongoing commitment to delivering high-quality patent knowledge products and services.

About SACEPO WP/PDI

The SACEPO Working Party on Patent Documentation and Information (WP/PDI) meets once a year. It brings together experts from patent documentation centres and libraries, as well as from industry and the patent profession, to exchange views on the EPO's products, services and future projects in the field of patent information.