European Patent Office launches new Espacenet, improving access to world’s largest free collection of patent documents.

International Standards and Patents in Renewable Energy (INSPIRE) offers information to users on the characteristics and use of patents and standards for the deployment of renewable energy technologies, facilitating dialogue between different stakeholders on these topics.

A new study published today by the European Patent Office (EPO) finds that small and medium enterprises (SMEs) rely on European patents to protect their high-potential inventions and that two thirds of these inventions are commercially exploited.

Industries that make intensive use of intellectual property rights (IPRs) such as patents, trademarks, industrial designs and copyright generate 45% of GDP (EUR 6.6 trillion) in the EU annually and account for 63 million jobs (29% of all jobs). A further 21 million people are employed in sectors that supply these industries with goods and services.

You can help determine who will receive the highly coveted Award trophy by nominating an inventor. Simply fill in the nomination form and your inventor could end up on the stage of our prestigious Award ceremony.

Windgo has been granted US patent number 10,376,423 for an invention that will provide Internet of Things (IoT) sensory and response communications to devices worn on human and animal bodies. Windgo, based in the US, has researched, developed, and produced variety of smart products and other intelligent product subsystems in the sensory and digital markets.

Although Apple thinks it can compare apples and oranges, the tech giant was proven wrong by the European Court of Justice.

The number of patent applications filed with the European Patent Office (EPO) grew by 4.6% last year, reaching a new high of 174 317 (2017: 166 594).

The biannual essenscia Innovation Award is the most prestigious price for industrial innovation in Belgium. With this competition essenscia aims to promote the many innovations in the Belgian industry and to encourage companies to invest even more in innovative and sustainable products and applications.

The act of 30 July 2018 concerning the protection of trade secrets entered into force on 24 August 2018 offering a better protection to Belgian companies.