EPO sets up Economic and Scientific Advisory Board

13 January 2012

The EPO is setting up an Economic and Scientific Advisory Board to address important patent-related economic and social issues in a more selective and dedicated way. Made up of internationally recognised experts with a global perspective and an emphasis on Europe, the board will advise the EPO on economic and social studies.

"Beyond its core business of search, examination and grant of patents, the EPO has a strong interest in the broader economic and social ramifications of the patent system, especially its impact on innovation and economic growth", says EPO President Benoît Battistelli. "The board will advise the Office on what studies to conduct, and offer guidance on their evaluation and implementation".

Using studies and analyses supplied by the EPO and external partners, the board will also provide early warnings on sensitive issues, and make policy recommendations.

Supported by the EPO's Chief Economist, the Advisory Board will be composed of representatives of companies, research establishments, universities and other institutions in Europe, Asia and the USA who are familiar with the patent system. Its first members, appointed for three-year terms, are

• Prof. Dr Dietmar Harhoff, Ludwig Maximilian University, Munich (CV)
• Prof. Bronwyn Hall, University of California, Berkeley (CV)
• Prof. Dr Geertrui van Overwalle, University of Leuven (CV)
• The Rt. Hon. Prof. Sir Robin Jacob, University College London, Faculty of Laws (CV)
• Dr Mariagrazia Squicciarini, OECD (CV)
• Prof. Sadao Nagaoka, Hitotsubashi University, Tokyo (CV)
• Prof. Dr Mu Rongping, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Institute of Policy and Management, Beijing (CV)
• Béatrix de Russé, Technicolor SA, Paris (CV)
• Ruud Peters, Philips, Eindhoven (CV)
• Dr. István Molnár, College of Kecskemét, Hungary (CV)
• Prof. Dr N. Ayşe Odman Boztosun, Akdeniz University, Antalya (CV).

The board will hold its inaugural meeting on 23 January 2012, in Munich.