Opposition Matters 2026
On 29 and 30 September, the EPO and epi held the major annual conference on patent opposition proceedings. The 2026 edition provided a platform for legal and operational updates, as well as joint presentations from EPO experts, patent attorneys, Unified Patent Court judges, and industry.
Opposition Matters continues to be a major highlight in the patent profession’s calendar. Participation has grown steadily, with the conference drawing strong global engagement from almost 2 000 registered participants this year, up from 1 300 in 2025 and 600 in 2024. The online event is hosted by the European Patent Office (EPO) and the Institute of Professional Representatives before the European Patent Office (epi). Event presentations are available in the EPO’s e-learning centre under the Opposition Matters 2026 course.
The conference opened with EPO Vice-President Steve Rowan and epi President Peter Thomsen both underlining the importance of continued co-operation between the EPO, epi and users of the European patent system. In his opening address, Steve Rowan highlighted the significance of the event:
“Record participation demonstrates the value that patent professionals place on exchanging practical insights and expertise. Through our collaboration with the epi and contributions from industry experts, we are bringing together a broad range of perspectives on key issues.”
This year's Opposition Matters focused on the 2026 Quality Action Plan and the complexities of assessing inventive step. Expert speakers provided a wealth of legal and operational updates, including with regard to the evaluation of evidence, fields such as digital technologies, and parallel court proceedings. The conference also featured a dedicated chemical industry session led by Arkema Group’s global head of IP, alongside dynamic panel discussions.
Supporting a high-quality patent profession and European patent system
Opposition Matters forms an integral part of the continuous collaboration between the EPO and epi, underscoring these organisations’ commitment to offering patent professionals high-quality training and insights, as outlined in the EPO’s Strategic Plan 2028. By sharing practical strategies and fostering a dynamic exchange of knowledge, the event supports professional development and contributes directly to a transparent, inclusive and high-quality European patent system.
