Patents, paper and microbreaks: a day in the life of an EPO examiner

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

Copyright © Legal Benchmarking Limited and its affiliated companies 2026

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

Cookies Settings

Patents, paper and microbreaks: a day in the life of an EPO examiner

January 23 2012
willemgijsels-45.jpg

Willem Gijsels is an examiner in the telecommunications cluster at the EPO. He joined the Office in 1996 after five years in industry and works in The Hague. This EPO site is home to about 2,500 EPO staff, roughly half of whom are examiners. He tells Emma Barraclough about a typical working day

Unlock this content.

The content you are trying to view is exclusive to our subscribers.

To unlock this content:

Take a Free Trial or Login

Topics

NetherlandsNewsEuropean Patent ConventionPatentsEuropeJurisdictions
more from across site and SHARED ros bottom lb

More from across our site

Patents
China rapidly rises as a sovereign microprocessor manufacturer
Appeals against CNIPA invalidation decisions: representative cases
In the final part of a series on challenging patent invalidation decisions in China, lawyers at Spruson & Ferguson and Marshall Gerstein share how courts adjudicate appeals
Siqi Wang, April 14 2026
Trademarks
Cast_doorMonokrohm-1.jpg
Where everybody knows your name: new IP boutique sprouts in Belgium
Stijn Debaene and Carina Gommers want Brussels-based Cast Law to be the place 'everybody wants to work'
April 14 2026
Patents
green-light-comp.jpg
Ashurst Perkins Coie moves forward with partners’ vote
The combination between Ashurst and Perkins Coie, which will create a $2.8 billion law firm, is expected to close in Q3
Noemi Distefano, April 13 2026
Trademarks
London skyline-comp.jpg
Breaking: Brandsmiths acquires Sipara, moves into UK’s top 10 TM filing firms
While Sipara will continue operating under its existing name and leadership for now, both firms plan to present a united front at the INTA Annual Meeting in London
Sukanya Sarkar, April 13 2026
Patents
Untitled design (16).jpg
‘Ahead of the curve’: Sheppard expands AI industry team
Sheppard has added quantum and robotics expertise to its AI industry team to help clients navigate questions around inventorship and IP infringement
Sanjana Mishra, April 10 2026
Managing IP Awards
55198736195_991ce0d109_o.jpg
Fenwick & West leads honours at Managing IP Americas Awards
The 2026 Americas ceremony recognised outstanding firms and practitioners, along with highlighting impact cases of the year
Sanjana Mishra, April 10 2026
Trademarks
Roosendaal, The Netherlands - August 05, 2025: A mobile phone displaying the logo of Anthropic, with the company website, displaying the new Claude Opus 4.1 model in the background.
This week on MIP: Tech leaders launch AI licensing group | NFT lawsuit settled
A development concerning Stephen Thaler’s AI copyright application in India and an integration between IPH group firms were also among the top talking points
Sukanya Sarkar, April 10 2026
Trademarks
AdobeStock_1930741826.jpeg
Schedule A scrutiny drives law firm strategy shift
As concerns around the little-known litigation tool increase, practitioners say they are educating their clients on how it can be most effective
Sanjana Mishra, April 09 2026
Trademarks
Office.jpg
Weekly take: IP firms are betting big on real estate
Kilburn & Strode and Mewburn Ellis are just two firms that have invested heavily in office space – a sign that the legal industry is serious about in-person working
April 09 2026
Patents
Abbott.jpg
UPC update: Glucose monitoring PI upheld | CoA offers transcription clarity
In major recent developments, Dyson snagged another win against Hong Kong-based competitor Dreame and a new AI-powered UPC platform was launched
April 09 2026
Gift this article