VSP

OEB Newsfeed

1. Provisional application of the UPCA to start

   Ratification by Austria triggers the start of the period for provisional application of the Unified Patent Court agreement.

2. Nomination of Data Protection Board members

   Paolo Balboni has been appointed as Chair of the new Data Protection Board. He will be supported by Paul Breitbarth and Fernando Silva.

3. User survey on future Ombuds services

   Share your views with us in our public consultation

4. From lab to market – two more case studies highlighting routes to success

   Our latest technology transfer case studies reveal how smart patent strategies and co-operation can create commercial opportunities for innovative researchers.

5. New data protection rules enter into force on 1 January 2022

   Data protection at the EPO now in line with the highest international standards and best practices and with EU legislation.

6. AI cannot be named as inventor on patent applications

   Ruling by Legal Board of Appeal confirms that the EPC requires inventors to be human

7. EPO consults users on grace periods for patents

   The EPO is launching a survey of EPO applicants and a consultation of user and stakeholder associations to assess the impact of the strict novelty requirement for patentability under the EPC.

8. Save the date for EPO Tech Day 2022: Technologies of Transformation, 16 February

   This EPO conference will be open to the public for the first time, providing unique insights into sustainable technologies as well as healthcare innovation ecosystems.

9. Bilateral meeting of EPO and CNIPA heads

   The heads of office convened to discuss recent developments and plan future co-operation.

10. Season’s Greetings from the EPO

    The annual season’s greetings message for external stakeholders tells a story about how Espacenet saves Christmas, reminding us that it’s not just what you know, but where to find it, and how to share the information.