Standards are the invisible protocols that ensure our devices and services work together seamlessly. But how do they relate to patents? And what does this mean for innovation and competition?

Uncover how the interplay between standards and patents shapes technological progress. This discussion dives into how the Unified Patent Court and the Patent Mediation and Arbitration Centre aim to streamline patent litigation and enhance legal coherence across Europe.

Finally, we introduce the European Patent Office's new dataset: the Patent Standards Explorer. By linking patent applications to standards documents, it offers a valuable resource for better understanding the innovation journey. 

More information: 

Standards and the European patent system, May 2025: full study

Patent Standards Explorer dataset

"Patents, standards and innovation: securing Europe’s competitive edge" event recording

Narrator: Victor Arribas Martinez, Stream Leader, EPO Observatory on Patents and Technology

Guest: Pere Arque Castells, Stream Leader, EPO Observatory on Patents and Technology

Featuring insights from speakers at the EPO Observatory’s "Patents, standards and innovation: securing Europe’s competitive edge" event:

• Gabriele Mohsler, Vice President Patent Creation Management, Ericsson

• Kirti Gupta, Vice President and Chief Economist of Global Technology, Cornerstone Research

• Bowman Heiden, Director of the Center for Intellectual Property (CIP), University of Gothenburg

• Justus Baron, Director of BRELA and Research Director, Northwestern University Center on Law, Business and Economics

• Aleš Zalar, Director, Patent Mediation and Arbitration Centre, Unified Patent Court

• Rian Kalden, Presiding judge of the 2nd panel of the Court of Appeal, Unified Patent Court

• Alexander Haertel, Cluster Lead Patents, Deutsche Telekom

• Sophie Pasquier, Principal Licensing Counsel, Philips 

Curious where the latest technology trends are heading?

The EPO's annual Patent Index offers a comprehensive look into these advancements, tracking technological growth and patenting activity as well as top applicants and countries in the lead.

Join EPO experts as they guide you through 2024’s key insights and explore some of the top fields like computer technology; electrical machinery, apparatus, energy; and transport. They also discuss the uptake of the Unitary Patent and how often women inventors were named on patent applications.

Narrator:

Jeremy Philpott, EPO Communication Manager

Guests:

Gilles Requena, EPO Chief Patent Research and Policy Officer

Wiebke Hinrichs, EPO Patent Examiner in Cycles, Frames, Chains & Safety

Marc Nicolas, Business Analyst at the EPO

Yann Ménière, EPO Chief Economist

Further resources:

⁠Patent Index 2024⁠

⁠Studies and reports⁠

⁠Women’s participation in inventive activity⁠ (November 2022)

⁠EPO Observatory on Patents and Technology

This episode delves into the principal challenges facing innovation in Europe, as outlined in Mario Draghi’s prominent report “The future of European competitiveness.” Listen to gain insight into:

• the role patent data plays in understanding innovation trends
• which technical fields Europe is lagging behind in compared to its competitors
• how the EPO’s high-quality patents and other activities contribute to the innovation process
• the critical factors that may impact Europe changing course.
  

These important topics were tackled in a conversation between Gilles Requena, Chief Patent Research & Policies Officer at the EPO, and Alexandr Hobza, Chief Economist, Directorate-General for Research & Innovation at the European Commission, with moderation by Joff Wild, Head of Content at Sisvel and former Editor in Chief of IAM magazine.  

Additional links:

• ⁠Mario Draghi’s report: “The future of European competitiveness”⁠
• ⁠New innovation strategy for EU is vital – says report⁠ (EPO news item)

When embarking on your EQE journey, there are quite a few items on your to-do list. From figuring out where to register and the code of conduct to how to use the examination tools, navigating these formal requirements with confidence will help put you on the path towards acing the exam. In the first part of this episode, we’ll speak to an expert to make sure you know everything you need to about these requirements.

In the second half you’ll hear from a recent candidate and gain invaluable insights based on her experience, plus all the useful tips she picked up along the way.

Moderator

Andrew Hards, European Patent Attorney and EQE tutor)

Speakers

Elena Schuman, Head of Department for EQE and Certifications, European Patent Office

Mozhdeh Seifi, Patent Examiner, European Patent Office

Further resources:

• Professional activity infographic
• European Qualification and Certification portal
• Instructions to candidates
• Code of conduct
• FAQs

Music credits:

• Opening background music: Music by AudioCoffee:  https://freesound.org/people/AudioCoffee/sounds/736804/
• Introductory background sound for testimonial: Ambient Crescendo 001B by nlux -- https://freesound.org/s/620790/

Paper F will be sat for the first time during the spring 2025 European Qualifying Examination (EQE). In this episode, you’ll learn strategies and tips to help you understand and prepare for Paper F from a highly experienced patent attorney and candidate trainer. We'll also dive into the topic of declarative knowledge and shed light on the training courses and resources available to help you thrive.

Moderator:

Andrew Hards, European Patent Attorney and EQE tutor

Guest:

Oana Boncea, European Patent Attorney and member of the epi Professional Education Committee

Further resources:

• https://www.epo.org/en/learning/learning-resources-profile/eqe-candidates

• Compendium (past papers)

• EQE Guide for Preparation

Music credits:

• Opening background music:
  Music by AudioCoffee:  https://freesound.org/people/AudioCoffee/sounds/736804/

• Introductory/closing background sound for testimonial: Ambient Crescendo 001B by nlux -- https://freesound.org/s/620790/ -- License: Attribution 4.0

The European Qualifying Examination is adopting an innovative approach based on flexibility, modularity and progressiveness. So, as a candidate, what does that mean for you?

In this episode, an expert breaks down the new structure and discusses how different skills are mapped out across the modules, empowering candidates to build on their knowledge as they progress from papers F to M4 and build on their core competencies. Plus, gain insights into the measures ensuring a seamless transition to this new format.

Moderator:

Andrew Hards, European Patent Attorney and EQE tutor

Speaker:

Alejandro Flores Jiménez, Management Coordinator in Patent Intelligence, European Patent Office

Further information:

• Transitional provisions
• EQE timetable
• EQE study guide
• Learn more about the EQE and download mock paper F

Music credits:

• Opening background music: AudioCoffee,  ⁠https://freesound.org/people/AudioCoffee/sounds/736804/ Introductory/closing background sound for testimonial: Ambient Crescendo 001B by nlux, https://freesound.org/s/620790/; License: Attribution 4.0

Key figures from the intellectual property (IP) community discuss the perceptions of quality and shared effort between the EPO and applicants in driving patent quality.

This episode explores key questions, including why patent quality is essential for businesses and how users can shape it. The conversation covers collaborative tools, legal robustness and ongoing initiatives aimed at enhancing clarity and consistency within the patent process.

Guests:

Steve Rowan, EPO, Vice-President Patent Granting Process

Peter R. Thomsen, Institute of Professional Representatives before the EPO (epi), President

Moderator:

Joff Wild, Sisvel, Head of Content, and IAM, former Editor in Chief

More information:

Quality at the EPO

Are you curious about the sweeping changes coming to the European Qualifying Examination (EQE)? In the first episode of our series on the modernised EQE, experts explain the changes made to the exam and how these improvements will transform the way candidates are trained and tested. Join us as we explore the highlights of EQE reform, delve into its goals and benefits and share what future EQE candidates can expect as they embark on their path to becoming qualified patent professionals!

Moderator: Andrew Hards, European Patent Attorney and EQE tutor

Guests:

Xavier Seuba, Principal Director Patent Intelligence, European Patent Office

Tiem Reijns, member of the EQE working group and Vice-President of the Institute of Professional Representatives before the EPO

Further information:

All EQE 2025 podcasts (playlist)

Learning resources for EQE and EPAC candidates

Online "Preparing for EQE Paper F” course

EQE Guide for Preparation

Learn more about the EQE

Music credits:

Opening background music:
AudioCoffee, https://freesound.org/people/AudioCoffee/sounds/736804/
Introductory/closing background sound for testimonial:

Ambient Crescendo 001B by nlux, https://freesound.org/s/620790/; License: Attribution 4.0