INSIGHT epi - The podcast for European patent professionals

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.

25 June 2025  |  This episode tells the story of the Candidate Support Programme (CSP) - an initiative to support EQE candidates across Europe. CSP coaches Anna Valborg Guðmundsdóttir, Renata Osolnik, Katerina Hartvichova, Oana Boncea and CSP participants* Katerina Smiljkovikj,  Bostjan Japelj, Ana Maria Petculescu and Marta Szczygieł share how the CSP helps overcome barriers, fosters inclusion, and strengthens the patent profession. Discover what it means to join — or support — the next generation.

*We would also like to expressly thank the other numerous candidates whose testimonials could not be included in this episode due to its limited length.

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 June 2025  |  Two years into the life of the Unified Patent Court, a growing body of case law is emerging – particularly on patent validity. In this episode, we look ahead to epi’s upcoming three-part webinar series on substantive UPC case law. Tilman Pfrang joins us once again to walk us through the structure and focus of the series – from claim interpretation and inventive step to added matter, clarity, and sufficiency

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.

28 March 2025  |   In today's seventh episode on UPC case law, Kim Finnilä and Tilman Pfrang discuss two fundamental aspects of the UPC Agreement: the representation before the UPC, and the transitional regime concerning opting out of the exclusive jurisdiction of the UPC and the withdrawal of such an opt-out. 

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.