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Rules for participation in the competition
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General
Participation in the competition is voluntary. You can enter yourself or propose a candidate online, by e-mail or by post.
Your entry is confidential. We guarantee that it will be handled discreetly.
To help you complete the form, we would ask you to note the following conditions. Failure to observe them will result in the candidate's exclusion from the competition.
Formal minimum conditions
The prize is awarded in these categories:
- industry,
- SMEs/research,
- non-European countries and
- lifetime achievement.
An invention proposed for the competition must have been patented by the European Patent Office. Where several European patents have been granted for one invention, the most representative one for the invention in question should be highlighted (giving reasons).
A patent proposed in the current competition must have been granted (EP B1) before 1.1.2004 and must still be valid. It may not be the subject of pending opposition or appeal proceedings, and patents which have been revoked or limited are also not allowed.
Exception: the first two paragraphs above suffice for candidates in the lifetime achievement category.
Areas of technology
All technologies are permitted for which a European patent can be granted.
Geographical limitations
The European Inventor of the Year award is a tribute to those whose inventions have achieved an outstanding and enduring success in Europe. Inventors of any nationality can therefore be put forward as long as they hold at least one valid European patent granted before 1.1.2004 and the invention is a success in Europe.
Exception: In the lifetime achievement category, only Europeans may be proposed. What matters here is the person's nationality, not his or her current place of residence.
Qualitative criteria
You must show clearly that the invention meets the following criteria:
- High degree of inventiveness, with a clear description of the inventive factor
- The invention's practical application precisely defined
- Demonstrable market success in Europe
- Clearly recognisable benefits for the economy and society, improvements in the area of employment and quality of life, and/or protection of the environment
Procedure
Candidates can be proposed in two ways:
- by themselves
- by third parties
Exception: In the lifetime achievement category, candidates may not enter themselves.
Language
The official language is English.
Completeness of documents
Your entry is complete if we have received the following documents in due time:
- a completed entry form (online, by e-mail or by post)
- a statement explaining why the proposed invention is innovative and would deserve the prize, what its significance is for the European economy and what demonstrable success it enjoys in the market (max. 400 words)
in addition, when candidates enter themselves
- a current CV with contact details and details of any prizes, list of publications, number of patents
- references from the most important people/firms that can judge the economic success of your invention or have supported it
- a description of your entrepreneurial background, indicating any national honours or visiting professorships
Exclusions
Entries can only be accepted if they have been completed in full in accordance with the above criteria and submitted in due time. There is no right of recourse. Nor can entries be accepted from inventors who have already been nominated in previous European Inventor of the Year events.
Entry forms
The entry form is available in two formats
- Online form
- Word form (DOC, 103 KB)
If you are not submitting the form online, please send it to european-inventor@epo.org or
European Inventor of the Year
c/o European Patent Office
Public Relations
80298 Munich
Germany