Search and Examination Matters 2025

From 18 to 21 February 2025, the European Patent Office (EPO) and the Institute of Professional Representatives before the European Patent Office (epi) hosted Search and Examination Matters, a flagship conference for patent professionals.

The virtual event attracted over 1 700 registered participants, from around the globe. During the four-day programme, experts from the EPO and epi led discussions on key topics relating to patent quality and provided insights into recent trends and innovations shaping the world of patents and intellectual property. 

Combining the former Search Matters and Examination Matters conferences into a single event, the new format marks an important milestone in the co-operation between the EPO and epi. It also reflects the EPO’s commitment to strengthening partnerships, as outlined in Strategic Plan 2028, and represents an integrated approach to supporting high-quality patents.

“Rigorous search and examination are essential to ensure quality in the patent granting process,” said Steve Rowan, EPO Vice-President for the Patent Granting Process, in his opening address. “But this is not solely the effort of our examiners, a single attorney or a single applicant. It is a shared endeavour. It is shaped by every well-drafted application, every prior art search and every examination. It is built on the trust and co-operation between the EPO and our partners, in particular the epi. This collaboration has never been stronger.”

Quality in focus

Over the course of ten sessions, the conference explored various topics related to quality throughout the patent drafting and granting process, as well as tools and emerging trends.

Highlights included discussions on best practices for pre-search; how rapid technological progress is reshaping patentability; plausibility and the practical implications of the Enlarged Board of Appeal’s decision G2/21 for patent prosecution; and navigating priority, amendments and challenges in emerging technologies such as AI and biotechnology. Attendees also received practical insights and strategies, as well as updates on the latest developments in ANSERA, the EPO’s advanced AI-supported search tool which enhances prior art searches.

Stay tuned for updates and announcements on future events.