Meeting with UK Intellectual Property Office highlights role of patents in supporting innovation

26 March 2018

A delegation from the UK Intellectual Property Office headed by Comptroller General and Chief Executive Tim Moss met EPO President Benoît Battistelli and other senior managers at the EPO headquarters in Munich last week to discuss recent developments in patents and co-operation between the two offices.

"I was very pleased to welcome the Chief Executive and use this opportunity to look at how we can further our common goal of improving the quality and efficiency of the patent system as a driver of innovation, economic growth and employment," said Mr Battistelli. "Our co-operation plays an important role in contributing to this goal, and can thus serve British businesses and scientists through better services and easier access to patent information."

Mr Battistelli and Mr Moss discussed recent developments in intellectual property, including the recently released annual results of the EPO, progress on strengthening bilateral co-operation activities and preparations for setting up the new unitary patent system.

The UKIPO delegation also received an update on the latest projects and initiatives at the EPO from Vice-President Raimund Lutz and other senior managers, covering topics such as search and examination, digital systems, the EPO's quality management system, and European and international co-operation. The UK delegation indicated that they are currently preparing a new and ambitious strategy for the UK IPO, a key element of which is to draw upon the knowledge and experience of others.

Companies and inventors from the UK filed some 5 300 patents at the EPO last year, according to the Annual Report 2017. This was up +2.4% over 2016, and the fourth straight year of increase.

The UK is a founding member of the European Patent Organisation, which has grown from 7 countries in 1977 to 38 member states today.

Further information

• UK Intellectual Property Office
• European and international co-operation
• EPO Annual Report 2017