17 December 2025  |  In this episode, Michael Thesen talks with Åsa Ribbe, Principal Director at the EPO,  about how artificial intelligence is developed and used at the European Patent Office to support patent search, classification and examination.

More information: 

1. The EPO’s  AI policy: https://link.epo.org/web/about-us/transparency-portal/en-epo-ai-policy.pdf and
2. the technology section of the EPO strategic plan: https://www.epo.org/en/about-us/office/strategic-plan-2028/driver-2
3. https://information.patentepi.org/issue-3-2025/the-epo-approach.html

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.

03 December 2025  |  In this episode, Julia Gwilt, chair of the Professional Education Committee (PEC) for epi and Liz Elmhirst, an epi member of the EQE examination committee, discuss paper M1 which will be held for the first time in 2026.  Both trainers and trainees will benefit from understanding how this new paper fits into the new EQE.

The new EQE was designed to provide a graduated pathway to qualification. Like the second part of paper F, paper M1 tests the practical skills of analysing claims and prior art.  Paper M1 thus builds on the knowledge and skills which are needed to pass paper F and is aimed at a trainee with two years’ experience. The examination contains both auto-scored and free text answers and is 3 hours in total. There is thus no parallel examination in the old EQE.

Using the information in the examination rules and regulations and the mock examination, Liz and Julia provide insights into the structure of paper M1 and the nature of the questions being asked. Join us for hints and tips for both trainers and trainees on how to prepare for paper M1.

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.

19 November 2025  |  In this episode,  Tilman Pfrang and Bart van Wezenbeek are taking a closer look at how the Unified Patent Court is dealing with inventive step.
Five decisions and five different shades of analysis. From strict problem-solution reasoning to more holistic, incentive-based tests. See how inventive step is evolving across the divisions – and what that means for strategy under the UPC.

• Case 1: decision of 22 November 2024; UPC_CFI_239/2023
• Case 2: decision of 4 April 2025; UPC_CFI_501/2023
• Case 3: decision of 20 October 2025 – UPC_CFI_189/2024
• Case 4: decision of 23 October 2025 – UPC_CFI_497/2024
• Case 5: decision of 3 October 2025 – UPC_CoA_29/2025.

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.

In this episode of Insight epi, Michael Thesen and Howard Read discuss the key takeaways from the EPO Boards of Appeal Case Law Seminar held on 30 October 2025 in London. The conversation covers G 1/24 on claim construction, G 1/23 on reproducibility, the use of AI-based evidence (T 1193/23), new approaches to inventive step and burden of proof, and stricter procedural standards. They also explore the growing harmonisation between the EPO and the UPC and what these developments mean for daily practice. The episode concludes with a preview of upcoming seminars on Freedom to Operate and Procedural Pitfalls in Appeal.

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 October 2025  |  A product on the market — but no recipe to make it. Is it still prior art?  For more than thirty years, G 1/92 offered only a brief answer and left key issues unresolved. In this episode, Howard Read, Gianni Masciopinto, Rose Hughes and Jim Boff discuss how the Enlarged Board’s new decision G 1/23 finally clarified what counts as public availability — and how far reproducibility really matters.

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.

07 October 2025  |  In today’s episode of our series on UPC case law, Tilman Pfrang and Bart van Wezenbeek explore how the Unified Patent Court has interpreted and applied long-arm jurisdiction following a landmark decision of the European Court of Justice. We’ll look at how the UPC has responded, what it means for cross-border enforcement, and how recent cases have tested the boundaries of this evolving legal landscape.

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.

24 September 2025  |  The epi Council election takes place every three years – digitally, securely, and with real impact.  We ask: What does the Council do? Who can stand for election? And why should you care?  In this episode, we speak with Peter Thomsen and Markus Müller, who explain why the election matter – and how you can help shape the future of the profession.

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.

10 September 2025  |  In this episode if Insight epi, Howard Read talks with Rose Hughes and Gianni Masciopinto about decision G 1/24 of the Enlarged Board of Appeal, focusing on claim interpretation under Article 69 EPC in the assessment of patentability and the extent to which the description and drawings must be taken into account.

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.

23 July 2025  |  Today, artificial intelligence (AI) is everywhere – it paints pictures, composes music, even builds entire apps. And yes, it also writes patent claims and applications. But what does that mean for our profession? How is AI changing the way we work, the responsibilities we carry, and how we see ourselves? In this episode of Insight epi, Johannes Schmid talks to Bastian Best and Jan-Christian Schütte – two colleagues who’ve gone hands-on with this technology.

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.

09 July 2025  |  In this episode, Bart van Wezenbeek and Tilman Pfrang talk about second medical use patents. They explore how the UPC handled novelty and inventive step without the EPO’s traditional PSA, and what it means for proving infringement under a purpose-limited claim. Finally, they flag the high stakes, cost caps, and the likely appeal that could set future UPC precedent.

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.