Talk innovation: patent professional edition – Details, episodes & analysis

Are you curious about the sweeping changes coming to the European Qualifying Examination (EQE)? In the first episode of our series on the modernised EQE, experts explain the changes made to the exam and how these improvements will transform the way candidates are trained and tested. Join us as we explore the highlights of EQE reform, delve into its goals and benefits and share what future EQE candidates can expect as they embark on their path to becoming qualified patent professionals! 

Moderator: Andrew Hards, European Patent Attorney and EQE tutor 

Guests:

Xavier Seuba, Principal Director Patent Intelligence, European Patent Office  

Tiem Reijns, member of the  EQE  working group and Vice-President of  the Institute of Professional Representatives before the EPO 

Further information: 

All EQE 2025 podcasts (playlist)

Learning resources for EQE and EPAC candidates 

Online "Preparing for EQE Paper F” course 

EQE Guide for Preparation 

Learn more about the EQE

Music credits: 

Opening background music: 
AudioCoffee, https://freesound.org/people/AudioCoffee/sounds/736804/
Introductory/closing background sound for testimonial:  

Ambient Crescendo 001B by nlux, https://freesound.org/s/620790/; License: Attribution 4.0 

EQE 2025: Reformed and ready for the future

The EPO is transforming the way patent practitioners are trained and tested. With a redesigned format and new content, the modernised European Qualifying Examination gives candidates the chance to demonstrate their legal knowledge and skills to prepare them for the real-world challenges they’ll face. 

In this 4-episode podcast series, published from September onwards, you will hear experts discuss the reasons for this reform as well as learn about its benefits for candidates. We’ll go into detail about what this reformed approach looks like and explore how next year’s new Paper F will help candidates with mastering the legal foundations they will rely on during their entire career. 

Subscribe to “Talk innovation: patent professional edition”

Register now for the Paper F preparatory course 

EQE on epo.org

EQE guide for preparation

Meeting virtually for an after-work chat in the European Patent Bar, judge Dr Matthias Zigann and attorney Grégoire Desrousseaux discuss “Adaptation of the description”. This requirement of the patent grant process at the EPO has provoked a variety of opinions amongst the profession and even before the Boards of Appeal. They discuss the central importance of clarity for patents, especially in litigation, and evaluate the different positions that practitioners hold.

 Dr Zigann is Presiding Judge at the Higher Regional Court in Munich, as well as Presiding Judge of the Local Division (Munich) of the Unified Patent Court. Mr Desrousseaux is a French litigator, European patent attorney and partner at August Debouzy in Paris. The views of the speakers are their own and not necessarily those of the EPO, nor of their courts nor chambers.

Patent professionals: how do you steer clear of unclear terminology, ambiguous descriptions or overly complex claims in your applications? Do you have a strategy to deal with objections? How do you draft a quality application? If these questions have left you feeling stressed, relax! Our expert trio is here to help.

Join an EPO examiner and two patent attorneys as they guide you through common patenting mistakes in four key areas: quality, pre-filing, application preparation and post-filing. 

Moderated by Rob Chapman, EPO examiner, with Sandra Pohlman, European Patent Attorney at df-mp, Munich, Germany and Thomas Remmerswaal, Dutch and European Patent Attorney at EP&C Patent Attorneys, Rijswijk, The Netherlands.

Trailer for the EPO’s new podcast channel “Talk innovation: patent professional edition” with content tailored to the needs of the patent profession: patent attorneys, lawyers, paralegals, patent searchers and related professions. First episode coming very soon! Subscribe now and don’t miss it.

Reflections on the first year

The new Unitary Patent system has been in operation for a year. Does its uptake rate indicate success or was more expected? When and why does it make sense to register a European patent with unitary effect? What are the benefits, especially for small and medium companies? Hear different perspectives in this candid conversation.

Moderator: Jeremy Philpott, EPO Communications manager

Guest: Marek Bury, European patent attorney, partner at Bury and Bury in Warsaw

Almost 8% of patent filings at the EPO in 2023 were for computer technology, which includes the rapidly growing field of artificial intelligence. But which types of AI are growing especially fast and why? What do experts mean when they say that 2024 is the year of the embodiment of AI? And could the next superantibiotic be designed by AI?  

Moderator: 

Jeremy Philpott, EPO Communications manager 

Guests:  

Wiebke Hinrichs, EPO patent examiner 

André Fonseca dos Santos, EPO patent examiner 

EPO's Patent Index 2023

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Is offshore wind energy the key to solving the climate crisis? A recent joint report reveals insightful findings, highlighting challenges and opportunities in this growing sector. Join study authors from the European Patent Office and International Renewable Energy Agency as they discuss this clean energy source.  

Full report

Guests: 

Francisco Boshell, Head Innovation and End Use Applications, IRENA 

Jaidev Dhavle, Associate Programme Officer, Innovation for the Energy Transition, IRENA 

Johannes Schaaf, EPO patent intelligence expert 

Moderator: 

Geert Boedt, EPO patent data analyst 

When dealing with disability, is gene therapy an ethical solution? Can technology encourage a more equitable world? Does society truly listen to people with a disability?

In this special edition, we’ll meet several authors seeking answers to these complex questions. We’ll hear their creations before learning about the inspiration behind each tale. "Who am I?" by Brian Routledge, "L’ Expo" by Christophe Poizat and "Mosaïque" by Paule Gilis were the winning entries in EPO’s writing competition on the theme disability and innovation. The contest was open to all staff and formed part of our celebrations for the 50th anniversary of the European Patent Convention. Brian’s story also won the 2023 essay competition organised by the Brain journal and is published there (link below).   

⁠"Who am I" by Brian Routledge on epo.org⁠

⁠"Who am I" by Brian Routledge in the "Brain" Journal⁠

⁠"The exhibition" by Christophe Poizat on epo.org⁠

⁠"Mosaic" by Paule Gilis on epo.org⁠

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The EPO's latest study reveals massive global advances in diagnostics and treatments, with universities and public research institutes playing a major role. Innovation against cancer is growing rapidly and the wealth of free patent information in the EPO's newest technology platform is helping scientists to make more breakthroughs.  

Read the full study

Read the key findings

Access the Technologies combatting cancer platform

Guests: 

Laurent Deleu, Patent examiner, European Patent Office   

IIlja Rudyk, Senior economist, European Patent Office  

Moderator: 

Jeremy Philpott, Communications manager, European Patent Office