23 September 2026  |  In this episode, Michael Thesen speaks with patent attorney Rolf Claessen about how patents can become strategic business assets. Drawing on Rolf's compilation of fifty documented cases, they explore how companies such as IBM and Dyson have used their patent portfolios through licensing and enforcement, and discuss the broader strategic choices companies face: when to protect, when to enforce, when opening up a portfolio can help build a market, and why successful IP strategy starts long before a crisis. 

Credits:
Host: Sam Pittis
Produced by WHS Learning

Music used in this episode: Listen by Andrewkn -- https://shorturl.at/ekqz1 -- License: Creative Commons 0, Road In The Forest by Andrewkn -- https://shorturl.at/jrJT8 -- License: Creative Commons 0, Dunes by Andrewkn -- https://shorturl.at/noG35 -- License: Creative Commons 0Musical Ambient - I (Piano).wav by GregorQuendel -- https://freesound.org/s/697879/ -- License: Attribution NonCommercial 4.0

Disclaimer:
The views expressed are solely those of the podcast participants and may not reflect the opinions of epi or the guest speakers' organisations.

9 September 2026  |  In this episode, Martina Stork and Tim Powell take listeners beneath the surface of the epi Professional Conduct Committee (PCC) and explore its role in supporting high professional standards across the European patent profession. They discuss how the PCC helps members navigate professional conduct questions, develops and updates the Code of Conduct, shares guidance and knowledge, and works to prevent problems before they arise. The conversation also looks at the value of bringing together perspectives from across the EPC member states and some of the PCC’s less visible work behind the scenes. 

Credits:
Host: Sam Pittis
Produced by WHS Learning

Music used in this episode: Listen by Andrewkn -- https://shorturl.at/ekqz1 -- License: Creative Commons 0, Road In The Forest by Andrewkn -- https://shorturl.at/jrJT8 -- License: Creative Commons 0, Dunes by Andrewkn -- https://shorturl.at/noG35 -- License: Creative Commons 0Musical Ambient - I (Piano).wav by GregorQuendel -- https://freesound.org/s/697879/ -- License: Attribution NonCommercial 4.0

Disclaimer:
The views expressed are solely those of the podcast participants and may not reflect the opinions of epi or the guest speakers' organisations.

29 July 2026  |  In today’s episode, Pálma Gróf joins Tilman Pfrang and Bart van Wezenbeek to explore ex parte proceedings before the Unified Patent Court. They discuss the different forms of ex parte relief available, including orders to preserve evidence and inspect premises, preliminary injunctions, seizures and anti-anti-suit injunctions. Drawing on recent UPC case law, they examine the requirements relating to urgency, infringement, validity and proportionality, and explain why the Court applies a relatively accessible threshold to evidence-preservation measures while reserving ex parte injunctions for exceptional cases.

Credits:
Host: Sam Pittis
Produced by WHS Learning

Music used in this episode: Listen by Andrewkn -- https://shorturl.at/ekqz1 -- License: Creative Commons 0, Road In The Forest by Andrewkn -- https://shorturl.at/jrJT8 -- License: Creative Commons 0, Dunes by Andrewkn -- https://shorturl.at/noG35 -- License: Creative Commons 0Musical Ambient - I (Piano).wav by GregorQuendel -- https://freesound.org/s/697879/ -- License: Attribution NonCommercial 4.0

Disclaimer:
The views expressed are solely those of the podcast participants and may not reflect the opinions of epi or the guest speakers' organisations.

15 July 2026  |  In today's episode, Tilman Pfrang and Bart van Wezenbeek explore the UPC Court of Appeal's referral to the CJEU in Dyson v Dreame. They discuss the unresolved question of the UPC's long-arm jurisdiction, the role of authorised representatives as potential anchor defendants, and the implications for cross-border patent enforcement. The episode also places the referral in the broader context of recent UPC case law, including Fujifilm v Kodak. 

Credits:
Host: Sam Pittis
Produced by WHS Learning

Music used in this episode: Listen by Andrewkn -- https://shorturl.at/ekqz1 -- License: Creative Commons 0, Road In The Forest by Andrewkn -- https://shorturl.at/jrJT8 -- License: Creative Commons 0, Dunes by Andrewkn -- https://shorturl.at/noG35 -- License: Creative Commons 0Musical Ambient - I (Piano).wav by GregorQuendel -- https://freesound.org/s/697879/ -- License: Attribution NonCommercial 4.0

Disclaimer:
The views expressed are solely those of the podcast participants and may not reflect the opinions of epi or the guest speakers' organisations.

1 July 2026 | In this episode, Bastian Best and Rose Hughes discuss the impact of artificial intelligence on the patent profession. They explore whether AI represents an existential threat or simply another technological shift, separating legal-tech hype from reality and examining where today's AI tools genuinely add value - and where they still fall short. They also consider what these developments mean for the future role of patent attorneys and how the profession is likely to evolve in the years ahead.

Credits:
Host: Sam Pittis
Produced by WHS Learning

Music used in this episode: Listen by Andrewkn -- https://shorturl.at/ekqz1 -- License: Creative Commons 0, Road In The Forest by Andrewkn -- https://shorturl.at/jrJT8 -- License: Creative Commons 0, Dunes by Andrewkn -- https://shorturl.at/noG35 -- License: Creative Commons 0Musical Ambient - I (Piano).wav by GregorQuendel -- https://freesound.org/s/697879/ -- License: Attribution NonCommercial 4.0

Disclaimer:
The views expressed are solely those of the podcast participants and may not reflect the opinions of epi or the guest speakers' organisations.

17 June 2026  |  In today’s episode, Tilman Pfrang and Bart van Wezenbeek discuss the Court of Appeal order in Kodak v. FujiFilm (UPC_CoA_699/2025), which has become the leading authority on penalty payments and enforcement before the Unified Patent Court. They explore the Court’s guidance on penalty orders, compliance periods, forfeiture proceedings, burden of proof, evidentiary requirements, enforcement notices and translations. With no fewer than twenty-two headnotes, the decision provides a comprehensive roadmap for how Rules 354 and 118 of the UPC Rules of Procedure are intended to operate in practice.

Credits:
Host: Sam Pittis
Produced by WHS Learning

Music used in this episode: Listen by Andrewkn -- https://shorturl.at/ekqz1 -- License: Creative Commons 0, Road In The Forest by Andrewkn -- https://shorturl.at/jrJT8 -- License: Creative Commons 0, Dunes by Andrewkn -- https://shorturl.at/noG35 -- License: Creative Commons 0Musical Ambient - I (Piano).wav by GregorQuendel -- https://freesound.org/s/697879/ -- License: Attribution NonCommercial 4.0

Disclaimer:
The views expressed are solely those of the podcast participants and may not reflect the opinions of epi or the guest speakers' organisations.

20 May 2026  |  Today's episode is a special one because we are crossing disciplinary boundaries. Anja Fux talks with Eva Ehlich, Manja Epping and Christoph Behm  about the intersection of regulatory transparency requirements and patent law in the field of clinical trials. 

During the episode, we also mention the upcoming hybrid seminar “Freedom to operate”, taking place on 17 June 2026. You can find further information and register here.

Credits:
Host: Sam Pittis
Produced by WHS Learning

Music used in this episode: Listen by Andrewkn -- https://shorturl.at/ekqz1 -- License: Creative Commons 0, Road In The Forest by Andrewkn -- https://shorturl.at/jrJT8 -- License: Creative Commons 0, Dunes by Andrewkn -- https://shorturl.at/noG35 -- License: Creative Commons 0Musical Ambient - I (Piano).wav by GregorQuendel -- https://freesound.org/s/697879/ -- License: Attribution NonCommercial 4.0

Disclaimer:
The views expressed are solely those of the podcast participants and may not reflect the opinions of epi or the guest speakers' organisations.

06 May 2026  |  In today's episode, Michael Thesen talks with European Patent Attorney and IP strategist Farnaz Massoumian about building an IP‑aware culture through effective communication. Drawing on her “Rosetta Stone” analogy, Farnaz explains how patent professionals translate innovation between technology, law, and business, tailoring messages for inventors, business leaders, and senior executives. The conversation highlights why storytelling is more powerful than lectures in IP education, how strategic patent monitoring can serve as a continuous awareness‑building tool, and how ideas like internal “Invention Oscars” can make innovation visible and valued across an organization. 

Credits:
Host: Sam Pittis
Produced by WHS Learning

Music used in this episode: Listen by Andrewkn -- https://shorturl.at/ekqz1 -- License: Creative Commons 0, Road In The Forest by Andrewkn -- https://shorturl.at/jrJT8 -- License: Creative Commons 0, Dunes by Andrewkn -- https://shorturl.at/noG35 -- License: Creative Commons 0Musical Ambient - I (Piano).wav by GregorQuendel -- https://freesound.org/s/697879/ -- License: Attribution NonCommercial 4.0

Disclaimer:
The views expressed are solely those of the podcast participants and may not reflect the opinions of epi or the guest speakers' organisations.

22 April 2026  |  In today's episode, Michael Thesen speaks with Bastian Best about the use of generative AI in patent drafting, following Bastian's article in epi Information 1/2026 and a recent epi webinar. They discuss the risks of “1-click” tools, the “filled page problem,” and four guardrails to keep attorneys in control—from defining strategy upfront to using AI as a critical challenger. The episode also touches on confirmation bias in AI-generated summaries and the limits of AI in early-stage analysis. The takeaway: AI should support judgment, not replace it.

Credits:
Host: Sam Pittis
Produced by WHS Learning

Music used in this episode: Listen by Andrewkn -- https://shorturl.at/ekqz1 -- License: Creative Commons 0, Road In The Forest by Andrewkn -- https://shorturl.at/jrJT8 -- License: Creative Commons 0, Dunes by Andrewkn -- https://shorturl.at/noG35 -- License: Creative Commons 0Musical Ambient - I (Piano).wav by GregorQuendel -- https://freesound.org/s/697879/ -- License: Attribution NonCommercial 4.0

Disclaimer:
The views expressed are solely those of the podcast participants and may not reflect the opinions of epi or the guest speakers' organisations.

8 April 2026  |  In today's episode, Gabriele Mohsler and Cristoph Schober discuss referral G 1/25 regarding the adaptation of the description after the amendment of claims. They examine the different stakeholder perspectives in the tension between legal certainty and administrative burden, touch upon the scenarios outlined in the Board's preliminary opinion, and point toward the upcoming oral proceedings on May 8th as the next key milestone in this ongoing legal debate.

Credits:
Host: Sam Pittis
Produced by WHS Learning

Music used in this episode: Listen by Andrewkn -- https://shorturl.at/ekqz1 -- License: Creative Commons 0, Road In The Forest by Andrewkn -- https://shorturl.at/jrJT8 -- License: Creative Commons 0, Dunes by Andrewkn -- https://shorturl.at/noG35 -- License: Creative Commons 0Musical Ambient - I (Piano).wav by GregorQuendel -- https://freesound.org/s/697879/ -- License: Attribution NonCommercial 4.0

Disclaimer:
The views expressed are solely those of the podcast participants and may not reflect the opinions of epi or the guest speakers' organisations.