Innovation in hydrogen is booming, not just in production, but also in storage and applications. Current hydrogen production relies heavily on fossil fuels, but it doesn’t have to be this way. Electricity from renewable sources (wind, solar etc.), using new electrolyser technologies, herald a new era for this clean energy source. But which countries and sectors are in the lead, and what are the challenges to the hydrogen revolution? Moderator: Jeremy Philpott, Communications Manager, EPO Guests: Simon Bennett, Technology Analyst at IEA, and Yann Ménière, EPO Chief Economist See epo.org/trends ..read more

Leading patent professionals, scientists, and academics tackle one of society’s biggest challenges: gender equality in tech careers.  This special episode, hosted by Roberta Romano-Götsch (EPO Chief Sustainability Officer), features highlights from the EPO’s recent roundtable discussions on women inventors. > Read full study or key findings > Watch all panel discussions in full ..read more

Innovation can fail in the gap between public research funding and private investment taking over, often termed the Valley of Death. But innovation culture also has a key role to play.  Services offered by the European Innovation Council and the EPO’s network of over 320 PATLIB centres spread across Europe can help entrepreneurs cross the valley safely and thrive.  Join Tom Withnell (EPO), Francesco Matteucci (Programme Manager, EIC) and Roberto Santolamazza (Managing Director,t2i PATLIB Centre, Italy) as they discuss these topics. Patent information centres (PATLIB): https://www.epo ..read more

Do we have knowledge cohesion across Europe? How does it differ from convergence? There is vast research on cohesion policy in Europe which still has to be developed on the grounds of measurement and the links between convergence and cohesion. In this podcast, Semih Akçomak tells us how to use patent collaboration and EU Framework Project collaboration data to analyse knowledge convergence and cohesion. This episode is moderated by Catalina Martínez García, senior researcher in the Institute of Public Goods and Policies at the Spanish National Research Council. Download full research project r ..read more

This podcast episode is a recording of the chat EPO patent examiner Edward Cooke had with Carmen Hijosa. At 60, Carmen began her PhD and established a new textile company that uses pineapple leaves to produce a vegan alternative to leather. Today, her business is thriving, the material is sought after by global fashion brands and the leaves, which are a by-product of pineapple harvesting in the Philippines, offer an additional income stream to farmers while using an otherwise discarded resource.  Third episode in the series "Inspiring inventors" - giving you a unique opportunity to intera ..read more

Industries making above-average use of  intellectual property (IP) rights support four in ten jobs in the European Union, pay higher wages, comprise 47% of EU GDP and contribute ca 80% to EU exports. The significant contribution of these industries to the EU’s economy has been comprehensively analysed in the latest economic study produced jointly by the EPO and EUIPO. This fourth edition is new for 2022, and builds on the previous studies published in 2019, 2016 and 2013. Moderator: Jeremy Philpott, Communications Manager, EPO Guests: Nathan Wajsman, EUIPO Chief Economist, and Yann Ménièr ..read more

Funding constraints are often a barrier to innovation, but patents can help raise funding when used as collateral. In this podcast Dirk Czarnitzki, professor in the Department of Management, Strategy and Innovation at the KU Leuven in Belgium and Felix Bracht, doctoral researcher, will discuss patent characteristics relevant in loan negotiations and estimate the level of debt firms can rise by pledging patents. Download full research project report: https://www.epo.org/learning/materials/academic-research-programme/research-project-grants.html ..read more

Funding constraints are often a barrier to innovation, but patents can help raise funding when used as collateral. In this podcast Dirk Czarnitzki, professor in the Department of Management, Strategy and Innovation at the KU Leuven in Belgium and Felix Bracht, doctoral researcher, will discuss patent characteristics relevant in loan negotiations and estimate the level of debt firms can rise by pledging patents. Download full research project report: https://www.epo.org/learning/materials/academic-research-programme/research-project-grants.html ..read more

Connecting patents and trademarks can help track the diffusion of patented inventions into the market, reveal the commercialization capabilities of patenting firms and capture market specializations related to specific technologies. In this podcast Carolina Castaldi, professor of Geography of Innovation at the University of Utrecht, will delve into the process to tell you more about how researchers, policymakers and innovators can make the most out of patent and trademark concordance tables. This episode is moderated by Catalina Martínez García, senior researcher in the Institute of Public Goo ..read more

So, you’ve protected your IP and have found a company or investor who is interested in the next stage of the commercialisation journey.  Now you need to strike a deal. What are your essential considerations? How might the negotiations go? It can seem daunting but in this podcast  Christophe Hanould, an investment expert, will provide useful advice.  Moderated by Alison Campbell, CEO of the United Kingdom Government Office for Tech Transfer. This is the sixth episode in the series "Intellectual property (IP) as key commercial asset: the essentials". How could you turn your ideas ..read more