INSIGHT epi - The podcast for European patent professionals

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.

25 March 2026  |  In today's episode of Insight epi, Tilman Pfrang and Bart van Wezenbeek discuss recent UPC developments, including a Court of Appeal decision on the so‑called Malta problem, confirming that certain older European patent applications cannot obtain unitary effect. The discussion also touches on the UPC’s growing body of case law emphasizing strict procedural discipline, tight deadlines, and the expectation that parties present complete arguments and evidence at an early stage of the proceedings.

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.

11 March 2026  |  In this episode, Nina Ferara talks with Victor Arribas, Stream Leader for Diversity and Transformation at the EPO's Observatory on Patents and Technology  and Marc Nevant, Chair of epi's DEI Committee, about the report “Advancing Women in STEM", recently published by the EPO.

They discuss the participation of women in science, innovation and the patent system, including the role of women inventors, researchers and European patent attorneys. The conversation explores key findings of the report, looks at geographic and technological differences across Europe, the representation of women in leadership roles within the IP ecosystem, and possible measures to encourage greater participation of women in innovation and the patent 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.

25 February 2026  |  In this episode, Fatema Sardharwala, Gabriele Honecker and Marc Nevant explore what Diversity, Equity & Inclusion means for epi and the profession beyond the usual narratives. The discussion focuses on structural questions rather than symbolism: access to the profession or whether epi’s bodies reflect the full range of member states and different generations within the profession. They also talk about the dedicated DEI Committee, outlining its mandate, role within epi’s governance structure, and the objectives it seeks to pursue.

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.

04 February 2026  |  In today's episode, Tilman Pfrang and Elvira Bertram, UPC representative and attorney at law, are returning to a highly debated topic: the UPC’s long-arm jurisdiction. They explore how the logic of BSH vs. Electrolux has been transferred to more complex — and sometimes borderline — scenarios, and what this evolving case law means for litigation strategy before the UPC.
 
 

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.

14 January 2026  |  In the second part of our conversation on AI at the European Patent Office, Michael Thesen and Åsa Ribbe, Principal Director at the EPO, take a closer look at operational implementation and quality control.

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.

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.