European Patent Office (EPO)

Thematic domains:

• Research and Innovation

  EPO runs the Academic Research Programme (EPO ARD) that provides financial support for rigorous collaborative research schemes, giving priority to ambitious projects targeting policy-relevant results with methodologies that can be operationalised by the EPO for further studies. During the research, the EPO departments involved will share their expertise with the research teams. EPO also undertakes numerous studies and prepares publications on IP in research and innovation. Organizes European Innovation Award competition.

• Education

  The European Patent Academy is the external education and training arm of the European Patent Office, operating in partnership with a broad range of national and international institutions, including the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO). Covers 4 areas: institutional strengthening, judicial training, patent attorney, and academia & business.

• Green Deal

  EPO has established a new classification scheme for technical attributes of technologies that can be loosely referred to as climate change mitigation. This makes it easier to retrieve patent document that cover these technologies.

• Digitalisation

  EPO has structured its examiner teams around eight technology communities that reflect global technological landscapes. Digital is one of these community, being at the same time the largest one.

• Underrepresented Groups and Gender Equality

  Promoting women and young inventors through awards and learning opportunities.