Search and Examination Matters 2025
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Combining the best of Search- and Examination Matters, this new flagship conference for patent professionals takes place from 18 to 21 February 2025.
Event details
Programme
- Tuesday, 18 February 2025
13.00-13.15 hrs Welcome and introduction
Steve Rowan, Vice-President Patent Granting Process, EPO
Peter Thomsen, President, epiQuality at source: search
Panel discussions on how to foster legal certainty through quality at source: high-quality patent applications, prior art search, procedure, and structure, including the drafting of patent applications, to ensure robust, clear, and enforceable patents. On the first day, the discussion will focus on pre-search and the use of AI for searching, the appropriate scope, and how to avoid common errors, setting an overall view of issues critical to ensuring quality at source via search (also in specific fields).
13.15-14.00 hrs
Pre-search: state of the art cited
Explore the critical role of pre-search in patent applications. Discover how thorough pre-search impacts patent quality, influencing the entire granting process. Learn best practices for identifying relevant prior art and understand its implications for patent examiners and applicants.
Adrian-Léon Gex-Collet, Director, EPO
Bart van Wezenbeek, Patent Attorney, epi14.00-14.15 hrs
Break
14.15-15.00 hrs
ANSERA search: latest developments
Joint EPO experts, IP specialists, and patent attorneys for a discussion on the latest ANSERA search developments, highlighting how EPO's advanced search tools benefit patent examiners. Explore how cutting-edge features enhance the examination process and their impact on patent quality. Understand the implications for the overall patent granting process and how technology is shaping the patent granting process future.
Stefan Klocke, Director, EPO
Cyril Valfort, Team Manager, EPO15.00-15.30 hrs
A solid early written opinion
How are written opinions drafted, and what is their role in the patent grant process? Learn what aspects are covered, the level of detail provided, and how these opinions shape the outcome of patent applications. Understand the critical importance of a well-crafted written opinion delivered swiftly, and the key decisions it can trigger for applicants. Gain insights into dealing effectively with written opinions for successful patent granting.
Andrei Stefan, Team Manager, EPO
Arie Blokland, Patent Attorney, epi- Wednesday, 19 February 2025
Quality at source: procedure
Quality is a shared activity: EPO quality-controlled measures work together with quality-controlled processes. Presentation of cases, showing the positive effects of high-quality patent applications, their influence on EPO divisions’ work, search results and granting, and emphasising the importance of a detailed disclosure in the application, closest prior art, clarity of claims and proper formatting and compliance.
13.00-14.00 hrs How to influence timeliness and delays: what means are available to the applicant to accelerate or decelerate the procedure?
Which tools are available to applicants to accelerate or decelerate the patent granting process? Learn about the various options and strategies that can impact the timeline, from fast-tracking to postponing procedures. Understand how to effectively manage the timing of your patent application with guidance from EPO professionals. Gain insights into optimizing the process to suit your strategic needs.
Niclas Morey, Principal Director, EPO
Thomas Pott, Patent Attorney, epi14.00-14.15 hrs Break Quality at examination
Specific topics that are relevant to secure quality at the examination phase, identifying how examiners as well as applicants can positively contribute to it.
14.15- 15.15 hrs Plausibility: focus on post-published evidence and G2/21
The discussion will explore the practical implications of the Enlarged Board of Appeal decision G2/21 for patent granting. Experts will address how evidence submitted after the filing date can now be considered if it proves a technical effect relevant to the inventive step, challenging traditional boundaries. The panel will also touch on the new criteria allowing reliance on technical effects if they are derivable from the original application and common general knowledge. Attendees will gain insights into navigating these changes in the patent granting process.
Thomas Pott, Patent Attorney, epi
Josef Schriefl, Examiner, EPO- Thursday, 20 February 2025
Quality at examination (continuation)
Defining the competence of the skilled person in the patent granting process. This topic is followed by an exploration of the specific challenges posed by rapidly growing areas such as AI, biotechnology and renewable energy.
13.00-14.00 hrs
The skilled person and hindsight in view of Article 56 EPC
The discussion will examine how the European Patent Office defines the competency of the skilled person in the patent granting process. Experts will explore the level of expertise expected from this hypothetical individual, focusing on how this impacts inventive step analysis under Article 56 EPC. The panel will also review the evolution of the problem-solution approach and discuss how it mitigates hindsight bias when assessing inventive step, ensuring that decisions remain objective and fair in patent evaluations.
Frédéric Dedek, Examiner, EPO
Mathieu de Rooij, Patent Attorney, epi14.00-14.15 hrs
Break 14.15-15.15 hrs
Priority and amendments in emerging technologies
Explore the specific challenges that fast-growing fields like AI, biotech, and renewable energy present. Experts will discuss how to handle priority claims, where timing is crucial to securing rights in quickly advancing technologies. The session will also cover how amendments to patent applications are managed, ensuring the patent remains clear and enforceable while allowing for changes as inventions evolve. Attendees will learn how the EPO approaches these issues to support innovation without compromising on patent quality.
Matthias Ulbrecht, Senior Expert, EPO
Julia Gwilt, Patent Attorney, epi- Friday, 21 February 2025
Quality in emerging technical fields
Quality in selected technical fields, bringing to a closing the study of the several quality issues addressed in the previous days. What are the challenges of these new emerging fields for the patent grant process and how are they met?
13.00-13.45 hrs
AI as integral part of subject matter
How the contribution is expressed in the description/claims. How the EPO deals with the challenges of AI in patent applications.
Explore AI as an integral component of inventions across diverse technological fields. How does AI contribute to the core of patentable subject matter, emphasising its role in solving technical problems and enhancing innovative processes.
- Contribution Expression: Strategies for effectively articulating AI's contribution within patent claims and descriptions to meet the requirements of clarity, support, and technical character.
- Challenges in Patentability: An approach to addressing the unique challenges posed by AI-based inventions, including issues of inventiveness and sufficiency of disclosure.
Javier Pose Rodríguez, Examiner, EPO
Coreena Brinck, Patent Attorney, epi13.45-14.00 hrs
Break
14.00-14.40 hrs
Graphic user interfaces (GUI) and inventive step
Take a closer look at the inventive step in patent applications related to GUIs. Experts will discuss the specific challenges of assessing innovation in interface design, which often involves user experience improvements rather than technical breakthroughs. Explore how the EPO determines whether a GUI contributes to a technical solution or simply reflects aesthetic choices. Attendees will gain insights into how inventive step is analysed in this field, including the role of the problem-solution approach and the standards for GUI-related patents.
Cristina Russo dos Santos, Team Manager, EPO
Barry Moore, Patent Attorney, epi14.40-15.25 hrs
Problem and Solution in ICT cases
Explore how the EPO applies the problem-solution method to inventions in information and communication technology (ICT). Experts will discuss the unique challenges posed by the fast-paced and complex nature of ICT innovations, where the line between technical and non-technical aspects can blur. The session will touch on how the EPO identifies the objective technical problem, assesses inventive step, and navigates the overlap between software, hardware, and business methods. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of how the problem-solution approach ensures consistency and fairness in granting ICT patents.
Hervé Chabus, Senior Expert, EPO
Karen Fraser, Patent attorney, epi15.25-15.30 hrs
Closing
Jakob Kofoed, Principal Advisor, EPO
Speakers and panellists
- Speakers and panellists
Adrian-Léon Gex-Collet, Director, EPO
After his studies in mechanical engineering at ETH Zürich and UC Berkeley and four years of military service as an infantry special forces officer in the Swiss Army, Adrian worked for four years in business process reengineering as a requirements and test engineer for various clients across Europe and the United States. In 2003 he joined the EPO, as an examiner in mechanics and applied physics. Since 2020, Adrian acts as a Director of Operations. Since April 2024 he is managing a central services directorate including the responsibility for file management and file routing, pre-/re-/classification, customer data registration, publication and operational expertise for formal matters.Andrei Stefan, Team Manager, EPO
Andrei Stefan holds a Diploma on Patent Litigation in Europe from the University of Strasbourg (FR), a MSc from Aalborg University (DK) and a BSc from the Polytechnic University (RO). He worked at Princeton University as a research collaborator and in the telecommunications industry as a network engineer before joining the EPO as a patent examiner in the field of telecommunications (2013). At the EPO he is managing a team of 12 patent examiners, covering diverse fields. Apart from search and examination of patent applications, Andrei is also an active trainer for newcomers since 2018, the year in which he also passed the European qualifying examination (EQE).Arie Blokland, Patent Attorney, epi
Arie Blokland, Managing partner at AOMB (Algemeen Octrooi- en Merkenbureau), European and Dutch patent attorney and member of the Supervisory Board of AIPEX. Arie did his study Chemical Engineering at Technical University Delft and entered the patent profession in 1994. Predominantly works within the chemistry and chemical engineering fields, with particular expertise in optical fibers, industrial catalysts and fibre boards. EPO oppositions represent a large portion of his practice and routinely represents patentees and opponents in oppositions and appeal hearings at the EPO. Moreover, Arie is also experienced in restitutio in integrum cases (Article 122; Re-establishment of rights) both before the Netherlands IP Office and the EPO.Barry Moore, Patent Attorney, epi
Barry joined Murgitroyd in August 2021 following the acquisition of Hanna Moore + Curley, the firm he co-founded in 2003. A Chartered Physicist with over 25 years’ patent experience, Barry has prosecuted thousands of patent applications across fields such as telecommunications, software, and medical devices, and has extensive expertise in EPO hearings and international litigation. Recognized as an IP Star and a member of the IAM Strategy 300 Global Leaders, Barry is a key member of Murgitroyd’s award-winning Technology, Media, and Telecoms Team.Bart van Wezenbeek, Patent Attorney, epi
Bart is a Dutch and European patent attorney, with master degrees in molecular biology and civil law, who started of his career as a patent searcher in a pharmaceutical company. After passing the EQE he has worked in a biotech start-up and the last part of his career in private practice. Next to his patent practice he has been involved in teaching patent law and in the establishment of a certification exam for patent information professionals. After retirement he has started his own law firm and he is very active within the professional education committee of epi.Coreena Brinck, Patent Attorney, epi
Dr Coreena Brinck is an experienced UK and European patent attorney and a UPC representative working mostly in the field of computer-implemented technology and has a background in telecommunications, physics and mathematics. Dr Brinck currently splits her time working in industry (as a fractional Head of IP at IntuiCell, a Swedish AGI start-up and at Nodum Industries, a UK EV cross-pavement power solutions start-up) and as a freelance patent attorney consultant in private practice at Two-IP, a UK IP firm where she offers the full range of patent services (inc. drafting and prosecution) across diverse industries to clients ranging from SMEs to multi-nationals. Dr Brinck is known for her pragmatic approach, blending legal insights with technical expertise. Over her career she has held a number of pivotal roles in industry and she regularly contributes to discussions on patent law and innovation, including the impact of AI within the patent profession.Cristina Russo dos Santos, Team Manager, EPO
Cristina Russo dos Santos is a Team Manager in DG1/Operations overseeing a team of 15 examiners in the Digital technology community. Prior to the EPO, Cristina worked for over 15 years in research and academia, where she held the position of Invited Professor at the University of Toulon, France. She holds a PhD in Computer Science and Networking and a MSc in Electrical and Computer Engineering.Cyril Valfort, Team Manager, EPO
Cyril Valfort, FR, Team Manager Inhalation | Dir. 1.1.22 - Healthcare, Biotechnology and Chemistry, EPO Munich (CEIPI, EQE). He studied mechatronics, imaging and ultrasound technology and joined the EPO in 1999. He works as an examiner in the area of artificial respiratory ventilation and medical inhalers. Since January 2017, he also leads a team of 12 examiners in this same field. He supported the digital transformation of the Office as project manager and administrator throughout his career.Frédéric Dedek, Examiner, EPO
Frédéric Dedek is an engineer. He worked as a business consultant for software integration projects before joining the EPO as a patent examiner in digital / computer implemented inventions. At the EPO he works in the fields of Administrative Data Processing. He is involved in search and examination of patent applications, as well as in opposition procedures. He passed the European qualifying examination in 2015.Hervé Chabus, Senior Expert, EPO
Hervé Chabus joined the EPO in 1996. Hervé is involved in opposition divisions as first member and chair in the field of healthcare and gives courses for chair in opposition procedure.Javier Pose Rodríguez, Examiner, EPO
Javier Pose Rodríguez has been an examiner at the European Patent Office (EPO) since 2002, specializing in the fields of electronics, data retrieval, and artificial intelligence. His primary responsibilities include conducting search and examination of patent applications in these technical domains. In addition to his core duties, he has experience in opposition proceedings within the field of mobility and mechatronics and has worked with the Chief Economist Unit at the EPO on a part-time basis, contributing to the development of patent-based indicators and the analysis of technological trends across various sectors. He successfully passed the European Qualifying Examination (EQE) in 2015.Josef Schriefl, Examiner, EPO
Josef Schriefl is part of the procedural guidance team in the EPO’s legal department. He also works as an examiner mainly dealing with oppositions in the field of industrial automation and is member of the Examination Committees of the European Qualifying Examination (EQE). Before joining the EPO in 2006, he worked in the electricity and chemical industries. He graduated from ENS Lyon with a PhD in physics.Julia Gwilt, Patent Attorney, epi
Julia has worked in private practice in the Cambridge area for over 25 years specialising in software inventions. More recently, she has been involved in supporting companies protect their inventions in the emerging fields of bioinformatics and artificial intelligence. Before qualifying as a European patent attorney in 2001, Julia did a mathematics degree at Cambridge University and further study at the Ecole Centrale de Paris. She is currently the Chair of the Professional Education Committee for epi.Karen Fraser, Patent attorney, epi
Karen Fraser is a Principal Director at Murgitroyd. She specialises in patent matters relating to computer software and hardware, media streaming, and telecommunications. Much of her work is in computer-implemented inventions (CII), where subject-matter lies close to the border of patentability in Europe and the UK. Karen currently works on several matters relating to blockchain and cryptocurrency-based systems, AI and gaming, among many others. She works closely with her clients to identify aspects of their inventions that are eligible for patent protection in Europe. Karen has a wealth of experience in advising clients on patentability, invention capture, drafting and filing strategies, as well as infringement and validity matters.Mathieu de Rooij, Patent Attorney, epi
Mathieu de Rooij started his career in patents as a patent examiner at the EPO in the field of civil engineering and thermodynamics where he stayed for more than 5 years. Ever since leaving the EPO he has worked as a European Patent Attorney in private practice in Spain. He is currently the head of the Barcelona office of Bardehle Pagenberg. His practice is focused on oppositions and appeals before the European Patent Office as well as patent drafting and patent prosecution. He is particularly active in the fields of renewable energy, medical devices, metal forming and automotive technology, but his practice includes a wide range of technologies involving mechanical engineering, aerodynamics, electronics and electrical engineering.Matthias Ulbrecht, Senior Expert, EPO
Matthias Ulbrecht, Senior Expert, EPO Munich. Team (D)NA and Analysis B, Dir. 1111 – Biotech & Immunology, DNA, Peptides& Cells. Joined the Office in 2001. MD in Medicine, LMU Munich, Habilitation in Anthropology and Human Genetics LMU Munich, Involved as First Examiner or Chair in may CRISPR/Cas oppositions.Niclas Morey, Principal Director, EPO
Niclas joined the EPO in 1990 as a Patent examiner in Mechanics. In 1994, he moved to run international cooperation projects and between 2000 and 2004 he was Head of President’s Office. In 2004 he moved to Bangkok, Thailand, where he was based for three years at the Thai Ministry of Commerce running an EU-funded IP cooperation programme managed by the EPO. In 2008 he became Director for IP5/Trilateral Affairs and International Organisations and in 2016 this directorate merged with International Cooperation where he assumed the overall responsibility. In 2017 he was appointed Principal Director for Quality, Business and User Support, a position where he leads the entire operational support covering the areas of Users, Classification, Patent Procedures and Quality/Risk Management. In 2022, the PD changed name to Customer Journey and Key Account Management when quality and practice and procedures move to other areas. In 2023, the Principal Directorate was further streamlined to focus entirely on the customer journey. Niclas is born in Stockholm, Sweden, and spent some 25 years there before coming to Munich.Stefan Klocke, Director, EPO
Stefan Klocke, DE, Director | Dir. 4.5.3.1 - Search and Prior Art Data, EPO The Hague. He studied Physics and joined the EPO in 1989. He worked as examiner and joined the Information management department in 1999. He started the initial Ansera developments and managed the Search programme (2020 to 2025) to complete Ansera as the single search platform of the EPO. Since 2022 he is Director for all aspects of Search, Classification and Prior Art Data Management.Thomas Pott, Patent Attorney, epi
Thomas Pott, Managing Director at ETL IP Köln Patentanwaltsgesellschaft mbH, is a European, German and Belgian patent attorney. He is currently the Chair of the Subcommitte on Continuous Professional Education (CPE) for epi. Thomas studied Chemistry at Bielefeld University (DE) and at Queen Mary University of London (GB) and entered the patent profession in 2010. His professional experience includes senior positions in both industrial companies and the private sector. Thomas predominantly works within the fields of chemistry and chemical engineering, with particular expertise in polymers as well as natural materials and their applications. Patent clearance and due diligence analyses represent a large portion of his practice, and he routinely represents patentees and opponents in opposition and appeal hearings at the EPO. Thomas holds a Diploma on Patent Litigation in Europe from the University of Strasbourg (FR), an LL.M. in Intellectual Property Law from Hagen University (DE) and a PhD in Chemistry from Bielefeld University (DE).
More information
Search and Examination Matters is the premier gathering for patent professionals.
Join experts from the EPO and epi as they dive into the latest trends shaping the world of patents and intellectual property.
A total of 10 sessions will be held over 4 afternoons. You will have the opportunity to discuss relevant aspects of search and examination in depth with your peers, share day-to-day experiences and get direct answers to your practical questions from EPO examiners and epi experts.
This year’s event will spotlight key developments in the field and important sessions include:
- Pre-search: Citing the state of the art: the critical role of pre-search in patent applications
- AI as an integral part of the subject matter: How the contribution is expressed in the description and claims
- Plausibility: Focus on post-published evidence and G2/21: The practical implications of the Enlarged Board of Appeal decision G2/21 for patent prosecution
- Priority and amendments in emerging technologies: Navigating the patent challenges of AI, biotech and more!
This high-level event is organised in close co-operation with the epi.
- Who should attend?
Designed for patent professionals, this event will provide valuable insights into the latest search and examination practices and developments at the EPO.
If you're looking to deepen your knowledge and stay ahead in this rapidly changing field, this is the perfect opportunity for you.
Please note that this event is not being recorded.