The current production delays caused by shortages of semiconductor chips prove just how much our cars have become computers on wheels. The automotive and ICT industries are converging. And patent applications to the EPO both for transport and digital technologies grew significantly last year, as revealed in our Patent Index for 2021. Two experienced examiners explain the evolving technologies, the new entrants and the changes in patent applicants’ filing behaviour.

Moderator: Jeremy Philpott, Communications Manager, EPO

Guests: Rupert Plenk, patent examiner, EPO, and Patrick Pascheka, patent examiner, EPO

See epo.org/patent-index2021