Talk innovation: unlocking technology

Key figures from the intellectual property (IP) community

This episode explores key questions, including why patent

Guests:

Steve Rowan, EPO, Vice-President Patent Granting Process

Peter R. Thomsen, Institute of Professional Representatives before the EPO (epi), President

Moderator:

Joff Wild, Sisvel, Head of Content, and IAM, former Editor in Chief

Why are space technologies essential to address global challenges and contribute to sustainable development goals? Join Maria-Gabriella Sarah (European Space Agency) and Rainer Horn (Novaspace) to discover how satellite-based communications and navigation improve our daily lives, and how innovations initially designed for astronauts, like portable laboratories, have been repurposed to serve remote communities during health crises such as the Ebola and COVID-19 pandemics. You’ll learn how Earth observation satellites with AI contribute to monitoring agriculture and forests. This episode also explores Europe’s leadership in space tech and the crucial role startups play in driving progress.

Moderator: Ralf Cuiper, Patent examiner and team manager - aerospace, European Patent Office

Speakers: Maria-Gabriella Sarah, Director General Services Strategy and Development, European Space Agency (ESA) Rainer Horn, Partner and Managing Director, Novaspace Leading Tech Voices: space technologies This episode is part of a series focussing on five major technology areas. It builds on the EPO’s 50 Leading Tech Voices project, in which global tech leaders shared how they believe inventiveness can help create a brighter and more sustainable future. You can read their statements and watch discussion panels on our website.

Space innovation platform https://www.epo.org/en/searching-for-patents/technology-platforms/space-innovation

Deep Tech Finder https://www.epo.org/deep-tech-finder

"Houston, we have solutions" podcast https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/european-patent-office/episodes/Houston--we-have-solutions-e2c0mi5

"Earth observations for a greener planet" podcast https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/european-patent-office/episodes/Earth-observation-for-a-greener-planet-e1v0h6d

How can the innovators of today help nurture the great minds of tomorrow?

In this episode, two members of the European Inventor Network share their experiences working with school children to help spark their interest in innovation and entrepreneurship. Hear their insights on the importance of

Highlighting the Network’s mission to empower the next generation to unleash their creativity and discover the wonders of science and technology, this conversation

Moderator: Marjorie Chopinaud, EPO team manager and coordinator of the European Inventor Network

Speakers:

Richard Palmer, European Inventor Award finalist and freelance entrepreneur

José Ángel Ávila Rodríguez, European Inventor Award finalist and Head of Future Programmes Office at the European Space Agency

Find out more about the European Inventor Network

Background music in the first

Inspiring inventors: Avelino Corma Canós

Avelino Corma Canós is a professor and co-founder of the Institute of Chemical Technology in Valencia, Spain. He won the Lifetime Achievement Award at the European Inventor Award 2023 in recognition of nearly 40 years of research in academia and industry, particularly focusing on zeolites – chemical catalysts used in industrial processes to reduce vehicle emissions, improve food, purify water or produce medicine. Recently, he’s also been awarded the Gold Medal of the European Chemical Society.

In this episode, we explore his inspirational journey, the relevance of IP in society and the importance of thinking outside the box.

Moderated by Edward Cooke, EPO patent examiner.

Each episode in this series introduces an inventor, delves into the story behind their invention and provides insights into how they brought their idea out of the lab and into the market.

EQE 2025: Reformed and ready for the future

The EPO is transforming the way patent practitioners are trained and tested. With a redesigned format and new content, the modernised European Qualifying Examination gives candidates the chance to demonstrate their legal knowledge and skills to prepare them for the real-world challenges they’ll face. 

In this 4-episode podcast series, published from September onwards in our podcast channel Talk innovation: Patent professional edition, you will hear experts discuss the reasons for this reform as well as learn about its benefits for candidates. We’ll go into detail about what this reformed approach looks like and explore how next year’s new Paper F will help candidates with mastering the legal foundations they will rely on during their entire career. 

⁠Subscribe to “Talk innovation: patent professional edition”⁠

⁠Register now for the Paper F preparatory course ⁠

⁠EQE on epo.org⁠

⁠EQE guide for preparation⁠ 

Almost 8% of patent filings at the EPO in 2023 were for computer technology, which includes the rapidly growing field of artificial intelligence. But which types of AI are growing especially fast and why? What do experts mean when they say that 2024 is the year of the embodiment of AI? And could the next superantibiotic be designed by AI?  

Moderator: 

Jeremy Philpott, EPO Communications manager 

Guests:  

Wiebke Hinrichs, EPO patent examiner 

André Fonseca dos Santos, EPO patent examiner 

EPO's Patent Index

Female inventors have shaped the world in more ways than we might realise.  

Join three women working in patents and STEM as they celebrate inspiring female inventors and discuss their experiences in their fields. Hear their advice for anyone interested in a technical career and discover why diversity is the key to unlocking powerful innovation.  

Guests:  

Joana Piriquito Santos, Attorney-at-law 

Maryse Stoufs, EPO internal auditor 

Moderator: 

Cristina Lopes Margarido, EPO patent examiner 

Is offshore wind energy the key to solving the climate crisis? A recent joint report reveals insightful findings, highlighting challenges and opportunities in this growing sector. Join study authors from the European Patent Office and International Renewable Energy Agency as they discuss this clean energy source.  

Full report

Guests: 

Francisco Boshell, Head Innovation and End Use Applications, IRENA 

Jaidev Dhavle, Associate Programme Officer, Innovation for the Energy Transition, IRENA 

Johannes Schaaf, EPO patent intelligence expert 

Moderator: 

Geert Boedt, EPO patent data analyst

When dealing with disability, is gene therapy an ethical solution? Can technology encourage a more equitable world? Does society truly listen to people with a disability?

In this special edition, we’ll meet several authors seeking answers to these complex questions. We’ll hear their creations before learning about the inspiration behind each tale. "Who am I?" by Brian Routledge, "L’ Expo" by Christophe Poizat and "Mosaïque" by Paule Gilis were the winning entries in EPO’s writing competition on the theme disability and innovation. The contest was open to all staff and formed part of our celebrations for the 50th anniversary of the European Patent Convention. Brian’s story also won the 2023 essay competition organised by the Brain journal and is published there (link below).   

"Who am I" by Brian Routledge on epo.org

"Who am I" by Brian Routledge in the "Brain" Journal

"The exhibition" by Christophe Poizat on epo.org

"Mosaic" by Paule Gilis on epo.org

Are you a new IT or computer science graduate looking to make a difference? Are you ready to kickstart your career in an international environment?  

Hear from Young Professional Metehan about his active role in EPO initiatives such as data protection in IT. Learn more about the networking and development opportunities he's enjoyed, how he's contributing to innovation and how the programme has fostered his personal and professional growth.  

Applications for 2024 are now open, for more information please visit: epo.org/pan-european-seal

Moderators: 

Persida Jovanovic, Young Professional in Talent Acquisition

Penelope Piraino, Young Professional in Talent Acquisition

Guest:

Metehan Malakçi, Young Professional in IT Sourcing, Risk and Compliance

Loved this episode? Dive into Part I now!