Congratulations! Now that your patent is granted, what arethe next steps?

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How to validate it, pay fees and handlechallenges, all while aligning with your business strategy.
• How to make the most of your newly grantedrights.

Note: Holding a granted patent does not confer anabsolute right to commercially exploit the invention; such exploitation remains subject to compliance with other applicable laws and regulations, including, for example, regulatory approvals and commercial or competition law.

The general information in these videos provides only abroad overview and is not comprehensive. It is not a substitute for legal advice specific to your own needs, nor should it be relied upon exclusively. You should consult a qualified professional (for example a European patentattorney) before taking any actions that could impact your business.

Filing a patent application isn’t the same as having agranted patent.

In this episode, you’ll understand:

• The difference between submitting a request forexclusive rights and actually having enforceable patent rights.
• The publication process, examination rounds,search reports, and when you can actually claim: "I have a patent".

The general information in these videos provides only abroad overview and is not comprehensive. It is not a substitute for legal advice specific to your own needs, nor should it be relied upon exclusively. You should consult a qualified professional (for example a European patentattorney) before taking any actions that could impact your business.

Solar energy is more integrated into our daily lives than ever before, powering homes, cities and even wearable devices. What’s driving this transformation, and how are innovation and policy shaping the future of photovoltaics? 

Join inventors, startup founders and policymakers as they discuss the latest breakthroughs in photovoltaics, from hydrogen-generating inventions to floating solar farms. Learn how European policy and EPO tools like the Deep Tech Finder are accelerating innovation, and discover what lies ahead for this rapidly evolving clean energy sector. 

Moderator:  

Marguerite McCaughan, Communications Manager, EPO 

Guests:  

António Duarte, CEO, Solarisfloat 

Johan Martens, Inventor and professor, KU Leuven 

Carina Faber, Programme manager for renewable energy conversion and alternative resource exploitation, European Innovation Council 

Not all technical advancements are patentable.  

📌 Discover in this episode:

• What makes an invention truly “inventive” in away that meets patentability criteria.
• How this criterion supports technologicaldevelopment
• The role of the patent system in fosteringinnovation and protecting unique advancements.

The general information in these videos provides only abroad overview and is not comprehensive. It is not a substitute for legal advice specific to your own needs, nor should it be relied upon exclusively. You should consult a qualified professional (for example a European patentattorney) before taking any actions that could impact your business.

Before filing a patent application, make sure your inventionis ready. It’s not just about having a great idea – you need the technical details in place.

This episode explains:

• What to include, from your description and drawings to your claims.
• How to draft a clear, complete application toprotect your invention and support your business strategy.

The general information in these videos providesonly a broad overview and is not comprehensive. It is not a substitute for legal advice specific to your own needs, nor should it be relied upon exclusively. You should consult a qualified professional (for example a European patent attorney) before taking any actions that could impact yourbusiness.

Intellectual property, such as patents for yourcompany’s technology, can strengthen your elevator pitch. Learn how to say just enough – to the right people at the right time.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How a clear IP strategy supports your businessgoals and boosts investor confidence.
• Understand why protecting your invention is justas important as communicating its value to potential investors.

The general information in these videos providesonly a broad overview and is not comprehensive. It is not a substitute for legal advice specific to your own needs, nor should it be relied upon exclusively. You should consult a qualified professional (for example a European patent attorney) before taking any actions that could impact yourbusiness.

This “Out of the box” mini-series digs into agricultural innovation - where soil meets science. From a legendary rivalry that turned tractor tech into automotive breakthroughs to a surprising twist on solar panels powering greenhouses, it explores two inventive stories that are reshaping how we grow, eat and energise. Listen for a fresh take on agri-tech that’s anything but ordinary. 

Moderator:  

Cristina Lopes Margarido, patent examiner in culinary equipment  & food treating devices 

Guests:  

Ricardo Oltra Garcia, patent examiner in agriculture  

The “Out of the Box” mini-series begins with a look at the fascinating world of inventions in the energy sector. From compact switchgear systems hidden inside wind turbines to solar panels floating on water, this episode explores how unexpected inventions are redefining the way energy is generated. A light-hearted conversation between EPO patent examiners reveals how space-saving, sustainable tech is powering up our future – one invention at a time. 

Moderator:  

Cristina Lopes Margarido, patent examiner in culinary equipment & food treating devices 

Guest:  

Miguel Angel Ruiz Ferrer, patent examiner in electrical components & devices 

In this episode of Talk Innovation, host Ed Cooke sits down with Valentyn Frechka, the co-founder and Chief Technology Officer of Releaf Paper, in a conversation recorded during a live online event. Valentyn shares his remarkable journey of turning a school project into a business that transforms fallen leaves into raw material for the paper and packaging industry. Along the way, Valentyn offers insights into the challenges of turning an invention into a successful business, adapting to existing industry processes, the role of intellectual property in business strategy and the importance of picking the right team.  

Moderator: Ed Cooke, EPO patent examiner 

Guest: Valentyn Frechka, co-founder and Chief Technology Officer of Releaf Paper. Second place winner of the EPO’s Young Inventors Prize 2024 

Standards are the invisible protocols that ensure our devices and services work together seamlessly. But how do they relate to patents? And what does this mean for innovation and competition?  

 Uncover how the interplay between standards and patents shapes technological progress. This discussion dives into how the Unified Patent Court and the Patent Mediation and Arbitration Centre aim to streamline patent litigation and enhance legal coherence across Europe.  

Finally, we introduce the European Patent Office's new dataset: the Patent Standards Explorer. By linking patent applications to standards documents, it offers a valuable resource for better understanding the innovation journey.  

More information:  

Standards and the European patent system, May 2025: full study 

Patent Standards Explorer dataset 

"Patents, standards and innovation: securing Europe’s competitive edge" event recording 

Narrator: Victor Arribas Martinez, Stream Leader, EPO Observatory on Patents and Technology 

Guest: Pere Arque Castells, Stream Leader, EPO Observatory on Patents and Technology 

Featuring insights from speakers at the EPO Observatory’s "Patents, standards and innovation: securing Europe’s competitive edge" event: 

• Gabriele Mohsler, Vice President Patent Creation Management, Ericsson 

• Kirti Gupta, Vice President and Chief Economist of Global Technology, Cornerstone Research 

• Bowman Heiden, Director of the Center for Intellectual Property (CIP), University of Gothenburg 

• Justus Baron, Director of BRELA and Research Director, Northwestern University Center on Law, Business and Economics 

• Aleš Zalar, Director, Patent Mediation and Arbitration Centre, Unified Patent Court 

• Rian Kalden, Presiding judge of the 2nd panel of the Court of Appeal, Unified Patent Court 

• Alexander Haertel, Cluster Lead Patents, Deutsche Telekom 

• Sophie Pasquier, Principal Licensing Counsel, Philips