PATLIB Conference 2025 focuses on impact: the PATLIB network and EPO tools

On 3 and 4 July, the European Patent Office (EPO) held the PATLIB Conference 2025 in Vienna. The conference explored the future of innovation and the global impact of the PATLIB network, which now encompasses over 320 patent information centres in 38 countries across Europe. The event also highlighted the role of PATLIBs in technology transfer, the ways in which women are driving IP progress in the network and academia, and how EPO tools support innovation ecosystems. Finally, the winners of the EPO's CodeFest Spring 2025 were revealed.

This year's PATLIB Conference was attended by participants from 82 countries across the world, with almost 4 000 participants following the event live online and close to 100 attending on-site. The first day was open to the public and could be viewed via live stream on the EPO's website and social media channels. This provided a unique opportunity to connect with the wider innovation and IP community, explore current trends, and reflect on the network's achievements.

In his welcome address, EPO Vice-President Legal and International Affairs Christoph Ernst emphasised the capacity of the PATLIB network to support local innovation and businesses, public research organisations and universities in areas such as patenting strategy and technology transfer. The network's success in this respect, he said, is "built on the EPO’s gold standard of high-quality, legally robust patents—trusted assets that empower innovation, attract investment and turn inventions into impact." 

Austrian Patent Office President Stefan Harasek joined Mr Ernst in underlining the importance of strong innovation networks, saying: "Europe's competitiveness will more and more be determined by its ability to effectively convert research results into commercially successful innovations, alongside a sustainable development of startups into scaleups and finally well-established and stable companies. At the heart of this are intellectual property rights, especially patents."

Focus on Unitary Patent uptake and entrepreneurial IP support for startups and universities

The conference began with an inspirational keynote speech ”Sweet without the sacrifice: Innovating a healthier, sustainable future beyond sugar”, by Lisa Reiss, CEO and founder of All But Sugar GmbH. This was followed by lively panel discussions on how patenting, and in particular the adoption of the Unitary Patent, is shaping Europe's technology market. The global impact of the PATLIB network was also discussed, particularly with regard to technology transfer and startup and scaleup strategies.

Representatives from some of the EPO's key institutional partners, such as the European Commission and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), shared their expertise alongside speakers from various geographical regions. For example, the discussion on women driving entrepreneurial IP support at PATLIBs and universities featured speakers from Central and Southern Europe, as well as Northern Africa.

Groundbreaking EPO tools

EPO experts demonstrated three of the EPO's groundbreaking tools, including the generative AI-based Legal Interactive Platform, which answers users' queries about the European patent system. The Technology Intelligence Platform was also presented, which offers users a programmable interface, enabling them to create their own data visualisations by blending data from a range of sources, including the EPO's vast databases. Finally, the demonstration of the free Deep Tech Finder showed how this continuously expanding tool can now link thousands of deep tech startups with investors through a blend of business and patent data.

CodeFest 2025 prize ceremony

The conference concluded with the highly anticipated CodeFest 2025 prize ceremony. Now in its third edition, and a record number of 33 innovative proposals from 30 different countries, the competition invited residents of EPO member states to create an automated system for classifying patent data to accelerate sustainability-driven innovation and support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Participants were given access to a variety of EPO data resources and tools, including the Technology Intelligence Platform. You can learn more about the three CodeFest winners and their solutions by reading the linked news article.

Growth and development of the PATLIB network

The network now comprises over 330 patent information centres embedded within the innovation ecosystems of 38 European countries, including those centres established in partnership with technology transfer organisations. PATLIB centres provide IP-related services to local industries, businesses, entrepreneurs, researchers, and individual inventors. Furthermore, the Knowledge Transfer to Africa (KT2A) initiative has enabled PATLIB centres to connect with 77 universities in 28 African countries, building bridges and collaboration across continents.

The network is also enhancing the professional training it offers. To date, over 8 000 PATLIB centre staff have completed the PATLIB Learning Path, which covers IP regimes, the patent granting process, and EPO tools. Additionally, training recognised for technology transfer professional accreditations, as well as a new learning path on IP valorisation, is being provided.

In co-operation with EPO member states, a communication campaign is underway with PATLIB centres to highlight the EPO’s support in enhancing the services these centres offer.