Talk innovation: unlocking technology

Leading Tech Voices: industries of the future Has graphene lived up to the hype it generated 20 years ago? And what do 3D-printed ceramics and Egyptian pyramids have in common? In this episode, two expert entrepreneurs explain how these materials are contributing to sustainability across industries. With graphene as the potential key to more energy-efficient data centres, and additive manufacturing producing ultra-durable ceramics with a wide variety of applications in fields such as biomedicine, prepare to discover how these materials have been transformed for maximum impact. Moderator: Pia Björk, Director in the EPO’s Communication department and an engineer in materials science Speakers: Amaia Zurutuza, Scientific director at Graphenea Johannes Homa, founder and CEO at Lithoz This episode is part of a special podcast series where each episode focuses on one of five major technology areas. It builds on the EPO’s 50 Leading Tech Voices project, in which global tech leaders were invited to share how they believe inventiveness can help create a brighter and more sustainable future.  You can read their statements and watch discussion panels on our website: Further information: Leading Tech Voices podcast playlist 50 Leading Tech Voices statements 50 Leading Tech Voices panel discussions EPO Chief Economist studies

How do you handle the lengthy process of getting a patent? While it may seem like a drawback, the time it takes can actually benefit your business. Join us to learn why the patent process isn’t always quick, how it impacts your competitors, and how you can actively impact the scope of your technology’s protection. Find out how you can use the patent examiner’s search report to drive your own strategy.  An episode in a weekly pilot series of bite-sized podcasts designed to give inventors, startups, entrepreneurs, and micro-entities and other businesses the tools to protect their technology with intellectual property (IP). Tune in every Friday at 9.00 am (also on YouTube & LinkedIn) to supercharge your innovation journey! More information at: New to patents Startup guide The general information in these podcasts provides only a broad overview and is not comprehensive. It is not a substitute for legal advice specific to your own needs, nor should it be relied upon exclusively. You should consult a qualified professional (for example a European patent attorney) before taking any actions that could impact your business. 

Leading Tech Voices: health & well-being EPO examiner Tom Kink leads a conversation with eminent inventors and scholars in the area of medical technologies, professors Gordon Chang and Chris Hancock. The talk highlights the significant increase in patent applications in medical technologies over the past decade emphasizing the role of interdisciplinary collaboration, advancements in material science as well as the role of robotics and AI in driving innovation. Persistence and the ability to iterate inventions quickly are crucial, as is consulting patents to be able to build upon earlier advancements in science.   Moderator: Tom Kink, examiner specializing in the field of surgical tools and navigation at the EPO   Speakers: Professor Gordon Cheng, Co-founder of Intouch-Robotics, Chair Professor for Cognitive Systems and Director of the Institute for Cognitive Systems at the Technical University of Munich. Professor Chris Hancock, CTO and Founder of Creo Medical Group PLC and Chair in Medical Microwave Engineering at Bangor University    This episode is part of a special podcast series where each episode focuses on one of five major technology areas. It builds on the EPO’s 50 Leading Tech Voices project, in which global tech leaders were invited to share how they believe inventiveness can help create a brighter and more sustainable future.  You can read their statements and watch discussion panels on our website:   Further information: Series playlist Leading Tech Voices statements 2023 Leading Tech voices panel discussions 2023

As an inventor, micro-entity, startup or university researcher, how do you keep abreast of the latest technology developments? While some believe patents lock away knowledge, keeping it from the public - nothing could be further from the truth. Find out how you can leverage free patent databases to succeed in your line of business.  An episode in a weekly pilot series of bite-sized podcasts designed to give inventors, startups, entrepreneurs, and micro-entities and other businesses the tools to protect their technology with intellectual property (IP). Tune in every Friday at 9.00 am (also on YouTube & LinkedIn) to supercharge your innovation journey! More information at: New to patents Startup guide The general information in these podcasts provides only a broad overview and is not comprehensive. It is not a substitute for legal advice specific to your own needs, nor should it be relied upon exclusively. You should consult a qualified professional (for example a European patent attorney) before taking any actions that could impact your business. 

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)

How can you ensure you don’t run out of money while pursuing a patent? It could take several years, but key costs and deadlines are foreseeable. Join us to learn how to budget for your patent journey so that both your product development and investment rounds align with key patenting milestones - keeping nasty surprises at bay.  An episode in a weekly pilot series of bite-sized podcasts designed to give inventors, startups, entrepreneurs, and micro-entities and other businesses the tools to protect their technology with intellectual property (IP). Tune in every Friday at 9.00 am (also on YouTube & LinkedIn) to supercharge your innovation journey! More information at: New to patents Startup guide  The general information in these podcasts provides only a broad overview and is not comprehensive. It is not a substitute for legal advice specific to your own needs, nor should it be relied upon exclusively. You should consult a qualified professional (for example a European patent attorney) before taking any actions that could impact your business. 

How do you stop rivals from exploiting your unique knowledge? If your competitive advantage relies on know-how that only you possess - then a trade secret might offer better protection than a patent. Unlike patents, which publicly disclose your invention, trade secrets keep your valuable information hidden from competitors. Learn how to decide whether to file a patent and reveal your know-how, or keep it secret to protect your business advantage.  An episode in a weekly pilot series of bite-sized podcasts designed to give inventors, startups, entrepreneurs, and micro-entities and other businesses the tools to protect their technology with intellectual property (IP). Tune in every Friday at 9.00 am (also on YouTube & LinkedIn) to supercharge your innovation journey! More information at: New to patents Startup guide The general information in these podcasts provides only a broad overview and is not comprehensive. It is not a substitute for legal advice specific to your own needs, nor should it be relied upon exclusively. You should consult a qualified professional (for example a European patent attorney) before taking any actions that could impact your business. 

Leading Tech Voices: digital technologies As more technologies begin to converge and connect - heavily impacting fields such as healthcare and telecommunication – our experts see an increased need for greater awareness among inventors about the role of intellectual property in leveraging the potential of these inventions.   Additionally, how can patent law adapt to previously unforeseeable innovations?   Discover the exciting possibilities that lie ahead with advancements in AI and quantum computing and explore how IP is shaping their progress.   Moderator:  Jessica Kuchenbecker, EPO examiner and team manager  Speakers:  Axel Ferrazzini, Managing director of 4IP Council  Noam Shemtov, Professor of Intellectual Property and Technology Law at Queen Mary University  This episode is part of a special podcast series where each episode focuses on one of five major technology areas. It builds on the EPO’s 50 Leading Tech Voices project, in which global tech leaders were invited to share how they believe inventiveness can help create a brighter and more sustainable future.   You can read their statements and watch discussion panels on our website:   Statements Panel discussions  EPO’s Deep Tech Finder  EPO’s Patent Index

How can you best avoid a common blunder made by many inventors? Prematurely disclosing your invention to investors, customers or suppliers could be a costly mistake! Find out why keeping your invention a secret - using non-disclosure agreements if necessary – is key until you file your patent application to optimise your chances for success.  An episode in a weekly pilot series of bite-sized podcasts designed to give inventors, startups, entrepreneurs, and micro-entities and other businesses the tools to protect their technology with intellectual property (IP). Tune in every Friday at 9.00 am (also on YouTube & LinkedIn) to supercharge your innovation journey! More information at: New to patents Startup guide The general information in these podcasts provides only a broad overview and is not comprehensive. It is not a substitute for legal advice specific to your own needs, nor should it be relied upon exclusively. You should consult a qualified professional (for example a European patent attorney) before taking any actions that could impact your business.

How do you know if your great idea is truly new and worth pursuing?  You’ve heard about the power of patent information, but are you sure you know how to use it? Well, help is just around the corner to better access searches in patent databases, advice on filing patent applications, assessments of the economic potential of your technology and much more. Learn about PATLIB centres and how they can support you in executing your business strategy – all for free.   An episode in a weekly pilot series of bite-sized podcasts designed to give inventors, startups, entrepreneurs, and micro-entities and other businesses the tools to protect their technology with intellectual property (IP). Tune in every Friday at 9.00 am (also on YouTube & LinkedIn) to supercharge your innovation journey!  More information at:   New to patents Startup guide The general information in these podcasts provides only a broad overview and is not comprehensive. It is not a substitute for legal advice specific to your own needs, nor should it be relied upon exclusively. You should consult a qualified professional (for example a European patent attorney) before taking any actions that could impact your business.

How do you find out where your business stands in relation to your competitors, your partners and the general state of technologies?  Patent knowledge can inform, inspire, guide and shape the direction of your business. It can be a source of information to find partners, customers or licences. Learn more about how free patent intelligence will help you to make better decisions.  An episode in a weekly pilot series of bite-sized podcasts designed to give inventors, startups, entrepreneurs, and micro-entities and other businesses the tools to protect their technology with intellectual property (IP). Tune in every Friday at 9.00 am (also on YouTube & LinkedIn) to supercharge your innovation journey! More information at: New to patents Startup guide The general information in these podcasts provides only a broad overview and is not comprehensive. It is not a substitute for legal advice specific to your own needs, nor should it be relied upon exclusively. You should consult a qualified professional (for example a European patent attorney) before taking any actions that could impact your business.

Filing fees, attorney costs, translations.... How do you deal best with the expense when applying for a patent to protect your new technology? Find out what discounts might be available to you as a small business, a micro-entity, a startup, a non-profit organisation or a university or public research organisation when applying to the European Patent Office. Discover how these might give you a headstart on pursuing your business strategy – while managing your budget effectively.  An episode in a weekly pilot series of bite-sized podcasts designed to give inventors, startups, entrepreneurs, and micro-entities and other businesses the tools to protect their technology with intellectual property (IP). Tune in every Friday at 9.00 am (also on YouTube & LinkedIn) to supercharge your innovation journey! More information at: New to patents Startup guide The general information in these podcasts provides only a broad overview and is not comprehensive. It is not a substitute for legal advice specific to your own needs, nor should it be relied upon exclusively. You should consult a qualified professional (for example a European patent attorney) before taking any actions that could impact your business.

How can you know if you’re spending your money wisely?  Think less about the cost and more about the value a patent can create for your business. Find out why investing in a patent may very well be worth it, for example, by attracting finance or generating licencing revenue for your business. Learn why patent protection is an asset that helps your business succeed.  The first episode in a weekly pilot series of bite-sized podcasts designed to give inventors, startups, entrepreneurs, and micro-entities and other businesses the tools to protect their technology with intellectual property (IP). Tune in every Friday at 9.00 am (also on YouTube & LinkedIn) to supercharge your innovation journey! More information at: New to patents Startup guide The general information in these podcasts provides only a broad overview and is not comprehensive. It is not a substitute for legal advice specific to your own needs, nor should it be relied upon exclusively. You should consult a qualified professional (for example a European patent attorney) before taking any actions that could impact your business.

Leading Tech Voices: environment and food With the global population rising and arable land decreasing due to climate change, how can we sustainably produce enough food while reducing the CO2 emissions caused by intensive agriculture? Robin Simsa (Revo Foods) and David Mazur (Nestlé) discuss the need for new technologies to produce food and the pivotal role IP plays in bringing these sustainability breakthroughs to market.  You’ll find out what’s behind promising processes such as precision fermentation and 3D printed food, plus learn about what’s making plant-based foods more appealing (even to carnivores).    Moderator: Ricardo Oltra, Patent examiner and team manager, European Patent Office   Speakers: Robin Simsa, CEO, Revo Foods David Mazur, General Counsel R&D, Nestlé   This episode is part of a series focusing on  five major technology areas. It builds on the EPO’s 50 Leading Tech Voices project, in which global tech leaders shared how they believe inventiveness can help create a brighter and more sustainable future. You can read their statements and watch discussion panels on our website. Statements Panel discussions The EPO’s Observatory on Patents& Technology

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

Why are space technologies essential to address global challenges and contribute to sustainable development goals? Join Maria-Gabriella Sarah (European Space Agency) and Rainer Horn (Novaspace) to discover how satellite-based communications and navigation improve our daily lives, and how innovations initially designed for astronauts, like portable laboratories, have been repurposed to serve remote communities during health crises such as the Ebola and COVID-19 pandemics. You’ll learn how Earth observation satellites with AI contribute to monitoring agriculture and forests. This episode also explores Europe’s leadership in space tech and the crucial role startups play in driving progress. Moderator: Ralf Cuiper, Patent examiner and team manager - aerospace, European Patent Office Speakers: Maria-Gabriella Sarah, Director General Services Strategy and Development, European Space Agency (ESA) Rainer Horn, Partner and Managing Director, Novaspace Leading Tech Voices: space technologies This episode is part of a series focussing on five major technology areas. It builds on the EPO’s 50 Leading Tech Voices project, in which global tech leaders shared how they believe inventiveness can help create a brighter and more sustainable future. You can read their statements and watch discussion panels on our website. Space innovation platform https://www.epo.org/en/searching-for-patents/technology-platforms/space-innovation Deep Tech Finder https://www.epo.org/deep-tech-finder "Houston, we have solutions" podcast https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/european-patent-office/episodes/Houston--we-have-solutions-e2c0mi5 "Earth observations for a greener planet" podcast https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/european-patent-office/episodes/Earth-observation-for-a-greener-planet-e1v0h6d

How can the innovators of today help nurture the great minds of tomorrow? In this episode, two members of the European Inventor Network share their experiences working with school children to help spark their interest in innovation and entrepreneurship. Hear their insights on the importance of inspiring the next generation of inventors, the impact that school outreach has and what can be done to break down barriers between young inventors and legacy thinkers. Highlighting the Network’s mission to empower the next generation to unleash their creativity and discover the wonders of science and technology, this conversation between two accomplished inventors offers an exciting look at how curiosity and enthusiasm can change the world. Moderator: Marjorie Chopinaud, EPO team manager and coordinator of the European Inventor Network Speakers: Richard Palmer, European Inventor Award finalist and freelance entrepreneur José Ángel Ávila Rodríguez, European Inventor Award finalist and Head of Future Programmes Office at the European Space Agency Find out more about the European Inventor Network Background music in the first minutes: Andrew kn- At The Edge Of Space (II) by Andrewkn -- https://freesound.org/s/482919/ -- License: Creative Commons 0

Inspiring inventors: Avelino Corma Canós Avelino Corma Canós is a professor and co-founder of the Institute of Chemical Technology in Valencia, Spain. He won the Lifetime Achievement Award at the European Inventor Award 2023 in recognition of nearly 40 years of research in academia and industry, particularly focusing on zeolites – chemical catalysts used in industrial processes to reduce vehicle emissions, improve food, purify water or produce medicine. Recently, he’s also been awarded the Gold Medal of the European Chemical Society. In this episode, we explore his inspirational journey, the relevance of IP in society and the importance of thinking outside the box. Moderated by Edward Cooke, EPO patent examiner. Each episode in this series introduces an inventor, delves into the story behind their invention and provides insights into how they brought their idea out of the lab and into the market.

EQE 2025: Reformed and ready for the future The EPO is transforming the way patent practitioners are trained and tested. With a redesigned format and new content, the modernised European Qualifying Examination gives candidates the chance to demonstrate their legal knowledge and skills to prepare them for the real-world challenges they’ll face.  In this 4-episode podcast series, published from September onwards in our podcast channel Talk innovation: Patent professional edition, you will hear experts discuss the reasons for this reform as well as learn about its benefits for candidates. We’ll go into detail about what this reformed approach looks like and explore how next year’s new Paper F will help candidates with mastering the legal foundations they will rely on during their entire career.    ⁠Subscribe to “Talk innovation: patent professional edition”⁠ ⁠Register now for the Paper F preparatory course ⁠ ⁠EQE on epo.org⁠ ⁠EQE guide for preparation⁠ 

Almost 8% of patent filings at the EPO in 2023 were for computer technology, which includes the rapidly growing field of artificial intelligence. But which types of AI are growing especially fast and why? What do experts mean when they say that 2024 is the year of the embodiment of AI? And could the next superantibiotic be designed by AI?   Moderator:  Jeremy Philpott, EPO Communications manager    Guests:   Wiebke Hinrichs, EPO patent examiner  André Fonseca dos Santos, EPO patent examiner  EPO's Patent Index