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En Munich, 26.09.2019 SUBJECT: President's Activities Report SUBMITTED BY
CA/88/19 Orig.: en Munich, 26.09.2019 SUBJECT: President's activities report SUBMITTED BY: President of the European Patent Office ADDRESSEES: Administrative Council (for information) CA/88/19 e 2019-7203 - I - TABLE OF CONTENTS Subject Page I. INTRODUCTION 1 II. GOAL 1: BUILD AN ENGAGED, KNOWLEDGEABLE AND COLLABORATIVE ORGANISATION 1 III. GOAL 2: SIMPLIFY AND MODERNISE EPO IT SYSTEMS 6 IV. GOAL 3: DELIVER HIGH-QUALITY PRODUCTS AND SERVICES EFFICIENTLY 10 V. GOAL 4: BUILD A EUROPEAN PATENT SYSTEM AND NETWORK WITH A GLOBAL IMPACT 21 VI. GOAL 5: SECURE LONG-TERM SUSTAINABILITY 37 VII. RECOMMENDATION FOR PUBLICATION 42 CA/88/19 e 2019-7203 I. INTRODUCTION Transparency of the Office's activities is ensured through regular reporting to the Council. The present report outlines the major developments and most relevant endeavours characterising 2019 so far. In June the Council unanimously approved the Strategic Plan 2023 (SP2023) that encompasses the five strategic goals the Office will pursue to evolve into a sustainable office that delivers excellence. Until now the reporting had a configuration linked to the various business areas and to the relevant departmental subdivisions, focusing more upon the operations of the Office. This report seeks to gradually move towards a report that more closely reflects SP2023, following its structure and describing the achievements in the various goals and key initiatives. This report therefore needs to be understood as a transitional one that will improve alongside the implementation of the programmes and projects of the SP. The Office also intends to propose a better aligned and more comprehensive reporting process. -
How to Get a European Patent
European Patent Guide How to get a European patent 19th edition Updated to 1 April 2019 Contents Chapter 1 – Foreword .................................................................................. 7 Chapter 2 – General ..................................................................................... 9 2.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................... 9 2.2 Nature and purpose of the European Patent Convention ....................................... 10 2.3 Relationship to other international conventions ..................................................... 11 2.4 Choosing a route: national, European or international........................................... 12 Legal factors ...................................................................................................... 12 Economic factors ............................................................................................... 13 2.5 Extending/validating European patents to/in non-contracting states ................... 14 Chapter 3 – Patentability ........................................................................... 16 3.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................. 16 3.2 Invention ...................................................................................................................... 16 3.3 Novelty ........................................................................................................................ -
IP Strategies for Green Innovations - an Analysis of European Inventor Awards
Centre for Technology Management working paper series ISSN 2058-8887 No. 2020/01 January 2020 IP Strategies for Green Innovations - An Analysis of European Inventor Awards https://doi:10.17863/CAM.48823 Pratheeba Vimalnath (IfM, University of Cambridge) * Frank Tietze (IfM, University of Cambridge) Akriti Jain (Centre for Society and Policy, Indian Institute of Science) Viola Prifti (University of Applied Science, HTW-Berlin) * Please contact the corresponding author for feedback: [email protected] Centre for Technology Management IP Strategies for Green Innovations - An Analysis of European Inventor Awards Pratheeba Vimalnath1, Frank Tietze1, Akriti Jain2, Viola Prifti3 1Institute for Manufacturing, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom 2Centre for Society and Policy, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, India 3University of Applied Science, HTW-Berlin, Berlin, Germany Abstract To drive sustainability transitions on a global scale for a carbon neutral future, green innovations are needed. In this study, we are keen to understand the role of intellectual property (IP) and particularly, its usage by firms innovating for a sustainable future. Unfortunately, little is known about how IP impacts sustainability transitions. To contribute to a better understanding, we chose to investigate IP usage by award - winning green innovators. We study the winners of the European Inventor Award, a highly prestigious international prize, awarded annually by the European Patent Office since 2006. Among all 210 awardees, we identified 52 winners that we classified as green innovators. Our analysis shows that closed and semi-open IP, particularly non-exclusive licensing, are the preferred IP strategies for green innovations. The IP strategy preferences seem to vary across technology domains. -
Guidelines for Examination in the European Patent Office
GUIDELINES FOR EXAMINATION IN THE EUROPEAN PATENT OFFICE Published by the European Patent Office Published by the European Patent Office Directorate Patent Law 5.2.1 D-80298 Munich Tel.: (+49-89) 2399-4512 Fax: (+49-89) 2399-4465 Printed by: European Patent Office, Munich Printed in Germany © European Patent Office ISBN 3-89605-074-5 a LIST OF CONTENTS page General Part Contents a 1. Preliminary remarks 1 2. Explanatory notes 1 2.1 Overview 1 2.2 Abbreviations 2 3. General remarks 3 4. Work at the EPO 3 5. Survey of the processing of applications and patents at the EPO 4 6. Contracting States to the EPC 5 7. Extension to states not party to the EPC 5 Part A – Guidelines for Formalities Examination Contents a Chapter I Introduction I-1 Chapter II Filing of applications and examination on filing II-1 Chapter III Examination of formal requirements III-1 – Annex List of Contracting States to the Paris Convention (see III, 6.2) III-20 Chapter IV Special provisions IV-1 Chapter V Communicating the formalities report; amendment of application; correction of errors V-1 Chapter VI Publication of application; request for examination and transmission of the dossier to Examining Division VI-1 Chapter VII Applications under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) before the EPO acting as a designated or elected Office VII-1 Chapter VIII Languages VIII-1 Chapter IX Common provisions IX-1 Chapter X Drawings X-1 Chapter XI Fees XI-1 Chapter XII Inspection of files; communication of information contained in files; consultation of the Register of European -
President's Activities Report SUBMITTED BY
CA/88/18 Orig.: en Munich, 21.09.2018 SUBJECT: President's activities report SUBMITTED BY: President of the European Patent Office ADDRESSEES: Administrative Council (for information) CA/88/18 e 2018-4859 - I - TABLE OF CONTENTS Subject Page I. INTRODUCTION 1 II. PERFORMANCE OF THE PATENT GRANTING PROCESS 2 A. WORKLOAD AND PRODUCTION 2 B. QUALITY 7 a) Quality action plans 8 b) Quality Management System 8 c) Asian documentation 9 d) Cooperative Patent Classification (CPC) 10 e) Harmonisation efforts in relation to ICT 12 f) Harmonisation in the HBC sector: biotechnology and pharmaceutical patents 14 g) Procedures and Guidelines 14 C. RELATIONS WITH USERS 15 a) User support 15 b) User feedback 16 c) Communication with applicants 17 III. SOCIAL DIALOGUE 18 IV. IT AND AUTOMATION PROJECTS 19 A. ITR – DELIVERIES FOR THE PGP AND KMS 19 a) Delivering the digital transformation agenda 20 b) Improvements to existing tools 21 c) Other tool adaptations 21 B. DELIVERIES FOR OTHER AREAS 22 a) Corporate area 22 b) Infrastructure/data centres 23 C. LAUNCH OF AN IT AUDIT 23 V. BUILDINGS 23 A. NEW MAIN THE HAGUE 23 B. OTHER BUILDING PROJECTS 25 a) Status review of EPO premises – overview 25 CA/88/18 e 2018-4859 - II - VI. EPN 33 A. CO-OPERATION WITH MEMBER STATES 33 B. EUROPEAN PATENT ACADEMY 34 a) Institutional Strengthening 34 b) Judicial Training 34 c) Professional Representatives 34 d) Academia 35 e) E-learning 35 C. CO-OPERATION WITH THE EUIPO 35 D. REPRESENTATION BEFORE THE EPO 36 E. EUROPEAN PATENT REGISTER 36 F. -
Rules Relating to Unitary Patent Protection - Revised Version
SC/10/14 Orig.: en Munich, 06.06.2014 SUBJECT: Rules relating to unitary patent protection - revised version SUBMITTED BY: President of the European Patent Office ADDRESSEES: Select Committee of the Administrative Council (for decision) SUMMARY Implementation at the European Patent Office of Regulations (EU) No 1257/2012 and No 1260/2012. This document follows document SC/3/14 dated 7 March 2014 and takes into account the comments and suggestions made at the 7th meeting of the Select Committee of 26 March 2014. It contains a revised and clean version of the Rules relating to Unitary Patent Protection. The amendments to SC/3/14 are indicated by grey hatching in Annex 1. The grey hatchings in Rules 1 to 6 show the amendments already contained in document SC/3/14 with the exception of Rule 1(2) where a new amendment has been added. The provisions on the compensation scheme (Rules X, Y, Z, W including the explanatory remarks of document SC/35/13 Rev. 1) have been inserted in Part II, as new Chapter II (see new Rules 8 to 11). This document has been issued in electronic form only. SC/10/14 e 141320004 - I - TABLE OF CONTENTS Subject Page PART I INSTITUTIONAL PROVISIONS 2 CHAPTER I SUBJECT MATTER 2 Rule 1 Subject matter 2 CHAPTER II SELECT COMMITTEE OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE COUNCIL 4 Rule 2 Competences and duties 4 CHAPTER III FUNCTIONS AND POWERS OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE EPO AND SPECIAL DEPARTMENTS OF THE EPO 8 Rule 3 Functions and powers of the President of the European Patent Office 8 Rule 4 Unitary Patent Protection Division 10 PART II PROCEDURES -
Table of Contents
Information 4/2000 117 Table of contents Editorial .................... 118 Oral proceedings and training therefor at the EPO in practice, by E. Krause (EPO) .... 150 How to satisfy trainingdemands I ± Information concerning epi by the Professional Qualifications Committee of epi, by S. Kaminski (epi)......151 Practical experiences of European Patent Council Meeting Attorneys in industry and private practice, by T. Onn (epi)..................154 Bericht über die 49. Ratssitzung, Rhodos, The oral hearingwithin education and 23. Oktober 2000 ............... 119 professional practice of the German Patent Entwurf der Beschlussliste............ 120 Attorney, by H. Lichti (PAK) ........... 155 Report of the 49th Council meeting, Rhodes, Further developments toward representation 23 October 2000 ................ 121 before courts ± Zehn Gründe für eine Draft List of Decisions.............. 122 Vertretungsbefugnis der Patentanwälte Compte rendu de la 49me rØunion du Conseil, in Europa vor einem künftigen Europäischen Rhodes, 23 octobre 2000 ............ 123 Patentgericht, by U. Dreiss (PAK)......... 158 Projet de Liste des DØcisions. .......... 124 President©s report ................ 125 Report on the 2nd Intergovernmental epi Membership / epi Subscription ...... 163 Conference on Reform of the EPO, by W. Holzer 126 Abschiedsworte an Herrn F. Jenny........ 131 Treasurer©s report ................ 132 Information from the Secretariat Deadline 1/2001................. 171 Committee Reports Queen Mary College Training Course ...... 186 epi Membership chart as of 31.10. 2000..... 187 Report of the EASY Committee, by D. Speiser . 132 epi Disciplinary bodies and Committees ..... 188 Report of the EPO Finances Committee, epi Board.................... U3 by J. Boff .................... 134 Report of the European Patent Praxis Committee (EPPC), II ± Contributions from epi-Members and other by A. Casalonga ................ 135 contributions Report of the epi Finance Committee, by B. -
Unlocking Untapped Value, EPO SME Case Studies on IP Strategy and IP
Unlocking untapped value EPO SME case studies on IP strategy and IP management EPO SME CASE STUDIES | FOREWORD Dear readers, A thriving SME sector is widely accepted as one of the building blocks of a compe- titive and sustainable economy. With ambitious ideas and innovative solutions, small and medium-sized enterprises are often attributed with injecting great energy and productivity into both traditional and new sectors. The EPO’s mission is to support such innovators, as well as the European economy as a whole, by providing robust patents and access to published patent information. But if the power of such IP is to be fully exploited, a better understanding needs to be created about how patent protection and information can be used effectively by innovative companies, regardless of their size, sector or location. The EPO has therefore produced this series of case studies to highlight how some SMEs are effectively leveraging the power of patents to help achieve business success. These 12 case studies have been put together to include a cross section of SMEs from across Europe, encompassing 11 of our member states, and ranging in size and sector. They provide comprehensive accounts of the different ways in which IP is playing an integral role in the development of some enterprises. The examples show how SMEs are using patents as a powerful tool to support their corporate strategy and even, in some cases, as the very foundation on which to build their business. For some, patents defend an SME’s technologies in a highly competitive sector, or help it to truly stand apart from other technologies in the field. -
How to Use the EPO Template?
The European Patent Office An introduction to the EPO and the European patent system with a look at CCMT Enrico Luzzatto Senior Advisor, European Patent Academy, EPO, Munich Milan, 10-11October 2018 Contents . About us . Statistics . Granting and publishing patents . Quality patents . Patents for the public . Training and awareness-raising events . The unitary patent . Contact European Patent Office 2 Our mission As the patent office for Europe, we support innovation, competitiveness and economic growth across Europe through a commitment to high quality and efficient services delivered under the European Patent Convention. European Patent Office 3 Our history 1973 Diplomatic Conference in Munich 5 October 1973 Signature of the European Patent Convention (EPC) by 16 countries 1977 Entry into force of the EPC in seven countries Founding of the European Patent Organisation Founding of the European Patent Office 2013 Celebration of 40 years of the EPC 2017 Celebration of 40 years of the EPO European Patent Office 4 Seven founding states in 1977 Belgium • Germany • France Luxembourg • Netherlands Switzerland • United Kingdom European Patent Office 5 ... 17 member states in 1992 ... Belgium • Germany • France Luxembourg • Netherlands Switzerland • United Kingdom Sweden • Italy • Austria Liechtenstein • Greece • Spain Denmark • Monaco • Portugal Ireland European Patent Office 6 ... 32 member states in 2007 ... Belgium • Germany • France Luxembourg • Netherlands Switzerland • United Kingdom Sweden • Italy • Austria Liechtenstein • Greece • Spain Denmark • Monaco • Portugal Ireland • Finland • Cyprus Turkey • Bulgaria • Czech Republic Estonia • Slovakia • Slovenia Hungary • Romania • Poland Iceland • Lithuania • Latvia Malta European Patent Office 7 Today ... an area with some 700m inhabitants 38 European member states Belgium • Germany • France • Luxembourg • Netherlands Switzerland • United Kingdom • Sweden • Italy • Austria Liechtenstein • Greece • Spain • Denmark • Monaco Portugal • Ireland • Finland • Cyprus • Turkey Bulgaria • Czech Rep. -
Annual Report 2012 at a Glance
Annual Report 2012 At a glance Changes Industrial property rights 2011 2012 in % Patents Applications 1 59,607 61,311 + 2.9 Concluded examination procedures 26,944 29,306 + 8.8 (final) - with patent grant 2 11,922 11,526 - 3.3 Stock 3 125,112 124,142 - 0.8 Applications Trade marks 69,124 64,313 - 7.0 (national and international) National marks Applications 64,052 59,849 - 6.6 Concluded examination procedures 71,321 64,860 - 9.1 - with registration 51,330 46,099 - 10.2 Stock 780,985 784,820 + 0.5 Requests for grant of protection International marks 5,072 4,464 - 12.0 in Germany Grants of protection 4,406 3,872 - 12.1 Utility models Applications 16,061 15,491 - 3.5 Concluded examination procedures 17,044 16,531 - 3.0 - with registration 14,230 13,978 - 1.8 Stock 93,266 92,255 - 1.1 Designs Designs applied for 53,081 53,862 + 1.5 Concluded examination procedures 50,790 51,993 + 2.4 - with registration 48,888 49,160 + 0.6 Stock 283,716 290,071 + 2.2 1 Patent applications at the German Patent and Trade Mark Office (DPMA) and PCT patent applications upon their entry into the national phase 2 Including patents in respect of which an opposition was filed under Section 59 Patent Act. 3 A total of 549,297 patents were valid in Germany in 2012 including patents granted by the European Patent Office with effect in the Federal Republic of Germany. Budget German Patent and Trade Mark Office and Federal Patent Court (per million €) 2011 2012 Changes in % Income 317.4 325.9 + 2.7 Expenditure 245.5 259.6 + 5.7 of which for personnel 143.3 143.3 ± 0.0 Personnel of the German Patent and Trade Mark Office 2011 2012 Changes in % Staff 2,699 2,527 - 6.4 Contents Preface . -
Epi Information 3/2018
® Institut der beim Europäischen Patentamt zugelassenen Vertreter Institute of Professional Representatives before the European Patent Office Institut des mandataires agréés près l’Office européen des brevets ISSN 1434-8853 Information September 2018 3 18 13 The Rght of Priorities: Recent 19 Implications of the General 22 Dealing with Non-Technical Developments in EPO Case Law Data Protection Regulation Features before the EPO 16 PCT at the EPO Seminar (GDPR) for Detecting 26 Position Paper on in Bucharest Infringement of Artificial Client-Attorney Privilege 17 European Inventor Award Intelligence (AI) Patents in IP advice (UNION-IP) Cover: Balance (Inle Lake, Myanmar) This picture, photographed by Valérie Plasman (European Patent Attorney, BE), was part of the epi Artists Exhibition 2018 at the EPO, Munich Valérie Plasman alérie Plasman arbeitet seit 2011 alérie has been working as Euro- alérie travaille comme manda- Vals zugelassener Vertreter vor dem V pean Patent Attorney at Exxon- V taire européenne chez Exxon Europäischen Patentamt für die Firma Mobil since 2011. Living in Brussels, Mobil depuis 2011. Vivant à Bruxelles Exxon Mobil. Aufgrund ihres Wohn - she obtained a PhD in Organic elle a obtenu un Doctorat en Chimie ortes Brüssel promovierte sie an der Chemistry at the Université Libre de Organique à l’Université Libre de Université Libre de Bruxelles in Orga- Bruxelles and worked for Solvay as a Bruxelles et a travaillé chez Solvay nischer Chemie und arbeitete für die researcher before specializing in IP comme chercheuse avant de se spé- Firma Solvay in der Forschung bevor and qualifying as European Patent cialiser en PI et de réussir l’EEQ en sie sich 2009 als Europäischer Patent- Attorney in 2009. -
CA/44/15 Orig.: En Munich, 06.03.2015
CA/44/15 Orig.: en Munich, 06.03.2015 SUBJECT: President’s activities report SUBMITTED BY: President of the European Patent Office ADDRESSEES: Administrative Council (for information) CA/44/15 e LT 0289/150510001 - I - TABLE OF CONTENTS Subject Page I. INTRODUCTION 1 II. PERFORMANCE 1 A. DG 1 WORKLOAD AND PRODUCTION 1 B. EFFICIENCY AND TIMELINESS 2 a) Search, examination and opposition 2 b) Publications 3 III. MEASURES TAKEN IN DG1 IN 2014 TO IMPROVE PERFORMANCE AND SERVICE 4 A. EXAMINER RECRUITMENT IN 2014 4 B. "ESPRIT DE SERVICE" 5 a) "VICO for Oral Proceedings" 5 b) New WiFi for oral proceedings 5 c) The First-Line Customer Service 5 d) Praktika Extern 5 C. CAREER PATH AND REORGANISATION 6 a) Team Manager pilot and Senior Expert Examiners 6 b) Director rotation 7 c) DG 1 Quality Action Plan and individual quality objectives 7 d) CASE – Conformity Assurance for Search & Examination 8 e) Reorganisation and activities of clusters in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) area 8 f) Areas of Competence (AoC) 9 D. PRIOR-ART DOCUMENTATION 9 E. EARLY CERTAINTY FROM SEARCH (ECFS) 9 F. PROCEDURES 10 a) PCT Direct 10 CA/44/15 e LT 0289/150510001 - II - b) PCT applications with business method-type claims originating from the US 11 c) Clarification of the concept of "added subject-matter" – Article 123(2) EPC 11 d) More flexibility in case of non-unity – new Rule 164 EPC 11 e) Earlier publication of Guidelines for Examination 12 G. UTILISATION IMPLEMENTATION PROJECT (UIP) 12 IV. BOARDS OF APPEAL 12 A.