Press releases

Using patents as sources for genetic information - two workshopsWorking through the European Commission's FELICS project, the European Bioinformatics Institute and the European Patent Office (EPO) offer a two-day training course for biotechnology research scientists on patent information and the patent system.

Seminar on IP strategies for expansion in growth marketsEffective protection of intellectual property (IP) is becoming an ever more important factor in international trade. As a result, companies marketing products and services around the globe are increasingly opting for the protection afforded by patents, trade marks, design and copyrights. The strategic exploitation of such rights often has a decisive impact on the competitiveness of a company and its products.

Enlarged Board of Appeal to review WARF stem cell patent application in public hearing at the European Patent OfficePublic hearing on Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF) Stem Cell patent application, case G 02/06, on 24 and 25 June 2008 at the European Patent Office in Munich

Europe well-positioned in eco-innovation, determined to become world leaderParticipants at the European Patent Forum fired an opening shot for a broad discussion about if and how the patent system needs to be redesigned to foster innovation to combat climate change. They agreed that innovation and the development of new eco-technologies have a vital role to play in this race against time.

Europe hails top inventorsAntiviral treatment, aluminium car frame, revolutionary eye scan and robot surgery honoured with the European Inventor of the Year 2008 award

EPO and USPTO to Pilot Patent Prosecution HighwayTrial programme improving quality and pendency at both offices