2020

The Administrative Council amends Rules 117 and 118 EPC to permit the hearing of parties, witnesses and experts by videoconference.

The European Patent Office (EPO) conference "The role of patents in an AI driven world" came to a conclusion today. The two-day online event provided a platform to discuss artificial intelligence (AI), its impact on intellectual property (IP), and the potential benefits it could bring to patent offices.

The National Institute of Industrial Property of Brazil (INPI) celebrated its 50th anniversary on 11 December 2020, with messages coming from national and international organisations from around the world.

EPO President António Campinos delivered a keynote speech yesterday (10 December), followed by a joint panel discussion with the Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office Andrei Iancu, at the Center for Intellectual Property (CIP) FORUM 2020.

A study published today by the European Patent Office (EPO) shows that innovation in fourth industrial revolution (4IR) technologies has accelerated significantly worldwide.

Co-operation between the EPO and the Organisation Africaine de la Propriété Intellectuelle (OAPI) was on the agenda yesterday at the 60th session of OAPI's Administrative Council, held in Lomé, Togo and also virtually.

The heads of the European Patent Office (EPO), Japan Patent Office (JPO) and United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), known as the Trilateral offices, held their 38th annual meeting on 8 December 2020, hosted by the EPO.

EPO President António Campinos and Commissioner of the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) Shen Changyu discussed recent developments and future co-operation between the offices at their annual bilateral meeting today.

Award ceremony recognises top achievers in first ever AI challenge

Today, the German Parliament adopted with the necessary two-thirds majority the ratification bill on the Unified Patent Court Agreement (UPCA).

The EPO's 15th annual East meets West conference, and the first to be held in a virtual format ended yesterday and offered a platform for an exchange on global intellectual property (IP) topics, with particular focus on Asia.

A new study published by the European Patent Office (EPO) today, 24 November 2020, shows that European universities and public research organisations use European patents as the main instrument to exploit their inventions commercially.

The 36th annual meeting of the US Bar-EPO Liaison Council took place yesterday (19 November), held for the first time as a virtual event.

20th SACEPO Working Party on Guidelines evaluated about 100 comments

The Intellectual Property Office of the Republic of Serbia celebrated its centenary on 17 November 2020. To mark the occasion, the Serbian IPO hosted a special virtual conference on intellectual property which was attended by representatives from the areas of politics and IP.

As part of the European Patent Office’s continuous efforts to attract and develop new talent, our job shadowing day took place on Tuesday 17 November.

Following the signature of a Memorandum of Understanding last year between the EPO and Licensing Executives Society International (LESI), EPO President António Campinos and LESI President Audrey Yap signed the first joint work plan for 2020-21 during a video conference on 16 November.

The European Patent Office (EPO) is announcing today further measures to improve access to justice in relation to opposition hearings held by videoconference (VICO), in light of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic which imposes restrictions on travel and health risks for all in-person meetings.

The 30th annual EPO Patent Information Conference concluded yesterday, marking the first time in the event's history that it was hosted online.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by EPO President António Campinos and Colombia's Superintendent of Industry and Commerce Andrés Barreto during a virtual meeting yesterday.

This week marks five years since the entry into force of a validation agreement between the European Patent Organisation and the State Agency on Intellectual Property of the Republic of Moldova (AGEPI).

EPO President António Campinos held his first meeting with Kim Yong Rae, the new Commissioner of the Korean Intellectual Property Office, on Friday, 30 October 2020

As part of continued efforts to consult, inform and engage its users, the EPO recently hosted a videoconference with the Standing Advisory Committee (SACEPO) Working Party on Rules.

Chinese patent applicants will be able to designate EPO as ISA, giving them an additional option for their international search

EPO President António Campinos met with Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) Andrei Iancu.

This year, the EPO is a partner for the first time of Just Peace Month, organised by the city of The Hague.

The EPO and the International Energy Agency (IEA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding on bilateral co-operation with the aim of promoting innovation in sustainable energy technologies.

EPO President António Campinos met with the Commissioner of the Japan Patent Office (JPO), Toshihide Kasutani, who took office on 20 July 2020.

The Office today celebrates the 25th anniversary of the Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS).

The Office today has published Inventors Revisited, a new video and podcast series in which the EPO reconnects with former finalists and winners of the European Inventor Award.

Improving the capacity to store electricity is playing a key role in the transition to clean energy technologies.

From 14 September oral proceedings by videoconference involving multiple opponents and/or requiring simultaneous interpretation will be tested on the Zoom platform.

The EPO today has published Inventors against coronavirus, a new video series highlighting the inventors working on solutions to various COVID-19 issues.

EPO contractor BERENT Deutschland GmbH will shortly begin contacting users anonymously to gather feedback which will shape our products and services.

The EPO has published the statistical summary of almost 150 submissions received from users in the first ever public consultation on the EPC and PCT-EPO Guidelines.

To mark LGBT+ pride in Amsterdam, the EPO raises the rainbow flag at its office in the Netherlands

The heads of the world's five largest intellectual property offices (IP5) convened for their 13th annual meeting, the first to be conducted by video conference, to take stock of major achievements in their co-operation initiatives over the past year, and address the priorities for IP5 co-operation in view of the COVID-19 pandemic.

On Wednesday 15 July the President of the EPO, António Campinos, met with the Heads of the Ibero-American intellectual property offices. The virtual meeting replaced the annual EPO-IMPI joint event usually held in Geneva in the fringes of the WIPO General Assemblies.

Joint EPO and EUIPO 3D printing conference draws participants from Europe and beyond

So far this year over 1000 oral proceedings have been held by videoconference

In the face of the unprecedented global challenges posed by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the EPO and the KIPO stand united in expressing their deepest sympathy with the families of the COVID-19 victims, and understanding for our users, who are experiencing hardships - whether directly or indirectly - in their daily lives.

The EPO and the JPO express their deepest sympathy for the loss of life resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, and declare their solidarity with all those suffering personal and economic hardships.

EPO’s latest landscaping study entitled “Patents and additive manufacturing – Trends in 3D printing technologies” demonstrates that innovation in this field is surging across multiple industries.

The EPO raises the rainbow flag at its premises in Munich and The Hague

Published in a new format and replacing the former Annual Report, the review outlines the main achievements and activities carried out under each of the five goals of the Office's Strategic Plan 2023, adopted in June 2019.

The European Patent Office (EPO) and the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) stand in full solidarity with all those affected by COVID-19.

The EPO has published the first two parts of a series of resources designed to help researchers and decision-makers benefit from patent information in their fight against coronavirus.

Representatives of user associations and other experts have been meeting on 3 occasions these last weeks with EPO management and experts in the framework of the Standing Advisory Committee before the EPO.

The EPO has for the ninth consecutive time been ranked number one among the world's largest patent offices by users for the quality of its patents and services in Intellectual Asset Management (IAM)'s latest annual benchmarking survey.

The EPO today celebrates World Environment Day. Hosted annually since 1974, the event draws participants in over 140 countries and encourages policy makers, businesses, and individuals to focus on important environmental issues.

The management and staff of the EPO wishes to express their deepest sympathy for the people of Spain

At an international conference today on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Patent Office of the Republic of Latvia, delegates paid tribute to the country's achievements in building up a solid intellectual property (IP) system, and discussed the importance of IP in supporting future innovation and economic growth.

The EPO today published new guidance for users on how to conduct a hearing via video conference (ViCo).

Today the Enlarged Board of Appeal, the highest level of judicial authority at the European Patent Office (EPO), issued its opinion G 3/19 on questions related to the patentability of plants and animals.

The Enlarged Board of Appeal of the European Patent Office issued opinion G 3/19 (Pepper) today and concluded that plants and animals exclusively obtained by essentially biological processes are not patentable.

In celebration of Europe Day on 9 May, the Patent Orchestra and EPOlyphony choir have recorded a virtual performance of Ode to Joy, the designated anthem of the occasion.

Last week representatives of the EPO's member states, and two future member states discussed their co-operation and how to best serve Europe's innovators during the current crisis at their 14th annual meeting on co-operation.

The coronavirus outbreak has changed our daily lives almost beyond recognition. The staff of the European Patent Office (EPO) and United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) stand in solidarity with everyone affected.

The EPO joins IP offices in celebrating World IP Day. The 2020 edition is set against a period of great uncertainty and seemingly insurmountable obstacles. Climate change remains a growing concern, leaving humankind facing two of its greatest challenges at the same time.

The EPO is pleased to announce a new call for proposals for funding under its Academic Research Programme.

The EPO's Standing Advisory Committee (SACEPO) earlier this week held its user consultation meeting for the first time by video conference (ViCo).

Italy will today mourn the lives lost to Covid-19. Throughout the country, flags will be flown at half-mast and the nation will observe a minute of silence.

The EPO strongly welcomes the announcement of the German government to continue its support for the introduction of the Unitary Patent system in Europe.

Sustainability is a long-standing priority at the EPO, both from a governance perspective and at each site. The Office is committed to making a greater contribution to the long-term environmental goals of the Paris Agreement 2015 and aims to deliver all activities with the least environmental impact possible.

Information for external partners and potential visitors to the EPO

According to the EPO Patent Index 2019, the surge in the fields of digital communication (+19.6%) and computer technology (+10.2%) is fuelling the sustained growth in patent filings

To mark International Women's Day, the EPO looks back at women whose ground-breaking inventions push the boundaries of innovation.

The EPO today launched a public consultation on its Guidelines and invites interested parties to provide input

A delegation headed by the EPO President attended an international conference on challenges in intellectual property held in Zagreb last week under Croatia's EU Council presidency.

The management and staff of the European Patent Office express their deepest solidarity with the people of Germany.

This week the European Patent Office (EPO) and the Ministry of Industry and Handicraft (MIH) hosted their first joint IP conference in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

The EPO has published its decision setting out the reasons for its recent refusal of two European patent applications in which an AI system was designated as the inventor.

The EPO has published six research reports developed with funding from its Academic Research Programme. The research used patent data to investigate topics such as financing for innovation, knowledge transfer, trade, tracking inventions in the marketplace, and the growth of technologies to tackle climate change.

The five largest intellectual property offices held the inaugural meeting of their joint Task Force on New Emerging Technologies and Artificial Intelligence this week in Berlin.

António Campinos, President of the EPO, and his team met today with the Chair and members of the executive group of the Unified Patent Court (UPC) Preparatory Committee, as well as with the Chair of the Unitary Patent Select Committee, to take stock of the state of play of the preparations to implement the Unitary Patent package.