Have you ever wondered what inspires inventors to invent? Or thought about how many patented innovations you interact with daily? This section looks back at some groundbreaking inventions and the people and research institutes behind them, while also highlighting the technologies that are rapidly shaping the future.
People
Meet the inspiring women whose patented inventions make our world a
better place and discover the European institutes that conduct world-class
research.
EPO practice
How does the intellectual property system keep pace with
rapidly evolving technologies? Learn more about disruptive innovation and the
EPO's robust approach to patent applications in these areas.
Technology
Patented inventions play a major part in our personal and
professional lives. Take a closer look at some of these patented innovations and their
impact on business and society.
Public datasets
To help you explore the wealth of information in our public patent database - Espacenet - our examiners have prepared hundreds of datasets to make your search easier. Benefit from their expert knowledge to give your research a boost.