Chief Economist
The EPO Chief Economist unit aims to provide high-level expertise and analysis and to foster well-informed policy debate on issues relating to patents, innovation and economic growth. It develops projects to help the EPO understand better how patents are used and the scope of their economic impact. Externally it promotes the EPO as a major player in the public arena (in academia, expert forums and the press, among policymakers, etc.).
Innovation economists, experts in patent analytics and patent examiners contribute to the work of the EPO Chief Economic unit. The studies produced by the unit are key components of the activity of the Observatory on Patents and Technology.
The current Chief Economist is Yann Ménière (contact: chiefeconomist@epo.org).
Latest studies
Standards and the European patent system
More standards documents are being cited as prior art on patents for digital technologies. The UPC is becoming the forum of choice.
New frontiers in oncology: an evolving innovation ecosystem
This new study focuses on the most promising fields of oncology innovation.
Mapping investors for European innovators
New study maps public and private investors in European technology startups, and explores key areas for European competitiveness.
Intellectual property rights and firm performance in the European Union - Firm-level analysis report
This joint study by the EPO and EUIPO provides an updated analysis of the ownership and use of intellectual property rights (IPRs) by SMEs and large firms in the EU and their business performance.