New options for entrepreneurs, innovators and the European technology market

Jointly organised by the Belgian government, the EPO and the European Commission the conference on the Unitary Patent system taking place on Thursday 17 November provides first-hand information on the new patent system which is expected to enter into operation on 1 April 2023 . The programme includes high-level speakers from all three institutions as well as business, the legal profession, academia and the judiciary.

This is a unique opportunity for anyone with an interest in innovation and intellectual property (IP) to gain strategic insights into the system before its long-awaited entry into operation, which is expected for April 2023. To reflect on this new era for IP in Europe and the contribution it will make to innovation across the continent, the event commences with keynote speeches from EPO President António Campinos, EU Commissioner Thierry Breton, Belgium’s Minister of Economy Pierre-Yves Dermagne and Director-General for International Affairs at the Swedish Ministry of Justice Anna-Carin Svensson.

Representatives of former finalists and winners of the European Inventor Award will also be present to discuss the options that the Unitary Patent system offers entrepreneurs and innovating businesses, especially start-ups and small and medium enterprises. Speakers include Nuno Correia (Solaris Float, 2022), Karl Leo (“Lifetime achievement”, 2021), Arnaud Castaignet (Skeleton Technologies, 2022) and Ruben Bonet (Fractus, 2014).

During one of a series of further expert panels, recently appointed judges to the Unified Patent Court will discuss how the court’s creation overcomes fragmentation in the jurisdictional system and eliminates the last barrier to a European technology market. The speakers who will address the various avenues this opens up for IP protection and patent enforcement include Klaus Grabinski (DE, President of the Court of Appeal) and Rian Kalden (NL, Presiding Judge of the second panel of the Court of Appeal).

The event takes place on Thursday 17 November from 9.00 to 18.00 hrs. Full details are available on the EPO’s event page. The EPO will stream the event on its YouTube channel.

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