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  

Plastic waste is a pressing global issue, polluting not just our environment but also even our bodies. Thankfully, the latest advancements in plastic waste recovery and recycling are paving the way towards a more sustainable future. 

Join Marguerite McCaughan as she explores the complexities behind these processes and speaks with experts about cutting-edge solutions and the role EU policies play in promoting recycling.  

 In this episode Paloma Aldeguer, Chief of Staff at Recycleye, shares insights into how artificial intelligence and machine learning are revolutionising plastic sorting and recycling. Joana Xavier, Director of Transformation and Sustainability at Valorsul, also discusses the technologies currently employed at Portugal's largest municipal waste processing plant. Pauline Vandoolaeghe, a patent examiner in polymer chemistry, joins the conversation to explain the chemical processes involved in plastic recycling, which include pyrolysis, chemolysis and enzymatic depolymerisation. Together, they provide an insightful look into the future of sustainable plastics.  

Narrator: Marguerite McCaughan, Communications manager, EPO 

Guests: 

Paloma Aldeguer, Chief of Staff, Recycleye 

Joana Xavier, Director of Transformation and Sustainability, Valorsul 

Pauline Vandoolaeghe, Patent examiner, EPO 

Further information:

EPO technology platform on plastic waste management and alternative plastics

Full report "Plastics in transition - technologies for plastics waste management"

Deep Tech Finder

Curious where the latest technology trends are heading?  

The EPO's annual Patent Index offers a comprehensive look into these advancements, tracking  technological growth and patenting activity as well as top applicants and countries in the lead. 

Join EPO experts as they guide you through 2024’s key insights and explore some of the top fields like computer technology; electrical machinery, apparatus, energy; and transport.   They also discuss the uptake of the Unitary Patent and how often women inventors were named on patent applications.  

Narrator:  

Jeremy Philpott, EPO Communication Manager 

Guests: 

Gilles Requena, EPO Chief Patent Research and Policy Officer  

Wiebke Hinrichs, EPO Patent Examiner in Cycles, Frames, Chains & Safety 

Marc Nicolas, Business Analyst at the EPO 

Yann Ménière, EPO Chief Economist  

Further resources:  

Patent Index 2024 

Studies and reports  

Women’s participation in inventive activity (November 2022) 

EPO Observatory on Patents and Technology

How can European startups bridge the funding gap they face compared to their US counterparts?  

 A recent study by the EPO’s Observatory on Patents and Technology highlights the important role of tech-savvy investors and provides a comprehensive mapping of investors supporting European innovators.  

 Discover the unique value that tech-focused investors bring to startups from Adéla Dvořáková, a Tech-to-Market Advisor at the European Innovation Council, and Sara Frykstrand Ångström, Head of Intelligence at Sweden's venture capital fund Industrifonden. Hear them discuss the study’s key findings as they share insights on the importance of a dual financing and IP strategy, the role of smart and patient capital and the need for a balanced pipeline of investors at various stages of a startup’s technological maturity. They also discuss the main challenges European investors face compared to their US counterparts. 

 Moderator: 

Pere Arque Castells, EPO Observatory on Patents and Technology 

 Guests: 

Adéla Dvořáková, Tech –to Market Advisor, European Innovation Council 

 Sara Frykstrand Ångström, Head of Intelligence, Industrifonden  

Further resources: 

 “Mapping investors” study 

 Financing innovation programme of the EPO’s Observatory on Patents and Technology 

 Deep Tech Finder - EPO’s tool helping match startups with investors 

Space technology is evolving at light speed and may

Moderator:

Johannes Schaaf, EPO Chief Economist Unit

Guests:

Lars Petzold, Research Fellow, European Space Policy Institute

Stephan Speidel, Technology Transfer Engineer, HE Space

Geert Boedt, EPO Chief Economist Unit

Further resources:

Patent insight report on propulsion systems for space (May 2024)

Space innovation platform

Previous podcasts on space: 

“From Mars to Morocco: space innovations for Earth challenges”

"Houston, we have solutions"

"Earth observations for a greener planet" podcast