500 million legal events in the EPO’s INPADOC database

A celebration of knowledge, trust and the spirit of innovation 

The European Patent Office’s (EPO) INPADOC legal event database now exceeds 500 million entries, marking a historic milestone in the dissemination of global patent information. 

For decades, INPADOC (International Patent Documentation Center) has been a cornerstone in providing reliable and comprehensive data on the legal status of patents worldwide. Many entries in the database represent crucial steps in the lifecycle of innovation — from applications and grants to renewals, oppositions and expirations. 

Reaching half a billion records is more than just a numerical achievement; it is a testament to the scale of innovation and the importance of transparency in intellectual property rights. Researchers, businesses, patent offices and innovators around the world rely on INPADOC data to make informed decisions, safeguard their inventions and drive progress. 

Historical background 

Since its establishment in 1972 in Vienna, INPADOC has grown from a pioneering initiative into the world’s leading source of worldwide patent legal event data. What began in 1978 with the launch of the Patent Register Service (PRS) — the world’s first legal status service — has today become one of the most important research tools for the global intellectual property community. 

Throughout the 1980s, INPADOC expanded its coverage, and in 1991 it was formally integrated into the EPO. Today, INPADOC consolidates legal event data from more than 50 patent authorities worldwide and makes it available via Espacenet, the European Patent Register, OPS (Open Patent Services) and other tools. 

Growth and expansion 

The database has experienced remarkable growth in recent years. In 2016, INPADOC recorded 200 million entries. By 2020, the database had grown to over 300 million. By 2023, it surpassed 400 million, and in August 2025, it has now reached over 500 million records. This steady expansion reflects both the increasing global demand for transparency and the EPO’s commitment to co-operation with national and regional patent offices. 

Figure 1: Growth of the INPADOC legal event database, 2016–2025. 

Ensuring legal certainty 

This milestone goes far beyond numbers. It underscores the central role of INPADOC in providing legal certainty. Access to accurate, reliable and up-to-date information on patent procedures — from applications and grants to renewals, oppositions and lapses — is essential for inventors, businesses and policymakers alike. Legal certainty fosters investment, encourages collaboration and ensures trust in the patent system. 

Keywords: INPADOC database, legal event, legal certainty