- EPO concludes working agreement on search co-operation with Slovenian Intellectual Property Office (SIPO)
- EPO Form 1201 ("Entry into the European phase") discontinued as of 1 November 2023
- A celebration of Francophone Africa?s innovators
- Use of EPO learning resources increasing among Europe?s universities
- New dashboard reveals demand for Unitary Patents
- Growth in online services: over 7 000 using EPO Mailbox
What is a Patent?
A patent is part of the Intellectual Property assets (intangibles) of the owner.
It is an exclusive right (that allows the owner to exclude others) granted to the owner in a limited territory for a limited period of time, in exchange for disclosure of the invention.
The purpose of the patent system is to promote innovation by remunerating the patentee, while allowing further development on the basis of early disclosure of the invention.