Exclusive: EPO to meet in-house critics to discuss quality

Managing IP is part of Legal Benchmarking Limited, 1-2 Paris Gardens, London, SE1 8ND

Copyright © Legal Benchmarking Limited and its affiliated companies 2025

Accessibility | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Modern Slavery Statement

Exclusive: EPO to meet in-house critics to discuss quality

EPO

Members of the Industry Patent Quality Charter had criticised the office for failing to engage with their concerns over patent quality

The EPO has agreed to meet with a group of in-house counsel at major corporations to discuss concerns over the quality of patents granted by the office, Managing IP can confirm.

An EPO spokesperson said yesterday, January 10, that the office would meet with members of the Industry Patent Quality Charter (IPQC) to discuss specific examples of where quality did not meet their expectations.

Counsel at companies including Bayer, Siemens, Nokia, Ericsson, and Volvo set up the group last year and pledged to focus on quality over quantity in their own patent filings.

The EPO spokesperson said: “We hope to receive these examples soon and will arrange a meeting in the coming weeks at which any examples can be discussed.”

Members of the IPQC held a roundtable last month to discuss patent quality standards at the EPO. They concluded that the quality of patents had been sacrificed in favour of quick processing targets.

Members of the Industry Patent Quality Charter have been critical of the EPO for not engaging properly with their concerns. The office did not send a representative to last month’s roundtable.

The office had previously contacted signatories to the charter individually, but until now has not agreed to a joint meeting.

The EPO spokesperson told Managing IP its focus is on a complete and accurate search, and a thorough examination”.

“Our data and feedback from interviews with over 6,000 applicants through our regular user satisfaction survey demonstrate that we continue to provide a high-quality service,” the spokesperson added.

A date for the meeting has not been set.

more from across site and SHARED ros bottom lb

More from across our site

The five-partner team enhances Sheppard Mullin’s technology and life sciences capabilities, expanding its IP practice to more than 130 practitioners
In an exclusive interview, Rouse CEO Luke Minford, Arnold & Siedsma managing partner Steve Duxbury, and Wrays executive chairman Gary Cox discuss plans to build the world’s first ‘truly integrated’ global IP services business
Benjamin Grzimek, partner at Casalonga’s new Düsseldorf office, believes the firm is well-placed to challenge German UPC dominance
A lot of the reporting around the Anthropic settlement misses something critical: it isn’t that relevant to AI training, argues Rebecca Newman at Addleshaw Goddard
Justin Hill and Marie Jansson Heeks, part of an 18-strong team to have joined Crowell & Moring, explain why IP client advice must go beyond only being called upon for patent disclosure
To mark the EUIPO having processed five million EUTM and REUD applications, Managing IP speaks to the most prolific representatives to uncover how they stay at the top of their game
The merger marks Rouse’s second M&A deal within a month, and will provide access to Arnold & Siedsma’s UPC offering
Simon Tønners explains why IP provides the chance to work with some of the most passionate, risk-taking, and emotionally invested clients
The co-leaders of the firm’s new SEP practice group say the team will combine litigation and prosecution expertise to guide clients through cross-border challenges
Boasting four former Spruson & Ferguson leaders and with offices in Hong Kong and Singapore, the IP firm aims to provide fast, practical advice to clients
Gift this article