European Patent Office
European Patent Office's Overview
The European Patent Office (EPO) is one of the largest public service institutions in Europe. Its mission is to support innovation, competitiveness, and economic growth across Europe. The EPO provides a uniform application procedure to grant European patents in its 39 member states, plus one extension state and four validation states. Through its centralized patent granting process, the EPO offers inventors and businesses a cost-effective and efficient way to protect their inventions in a large market. Beyond patent granting, the EPO provides extensive patent information and training services, fostering a deeper understanding of the patent system and its role in technological progress. It plays a crucial role in the global intellectual property landscape and co-operates with other major patent offices worldwide.
Where is European Patent Office's Headquarters?
HQ Function
Serves as the primary administrative and operational center, housing key departments including patent examination, appeals, legal services, and the Office of the President. It's a major site for patent granting procedures, oral proceedings, and international cooperation.
Notable Features:
The EPO's Munich presence includes the iconic Isar building complex. The facilities are modern and designed to support its extensive operations, including state-of-the-art resources for patent examiners and large conference centers.
Work Culture:
Characterized by a highly international and multicultural environment, employing staff from all member states and beyond. The culture emphasizes precision, expertise in patent law and diverse technical fields, and a commitment to public service, quality, and efficiency.
HQ Significance:
Munich's status as a leading European city for technology, research, and business makes it an ideal location for the EPO's headquarters, facilitating close ties with industry, research institutions, and patent attorneys.
Values Reflected in HQ: The modern, efficient, and well-equipped headquarters reflect the EPO's commitment to quality, innovation, sustainability, and serving the European public and industry effectively.
Location:
The European Patent Office primarily serves its 39 member states. Furthermore, through extension and validation agreements with additional countries, the protection conferred by a European patent can be extended to over 40 territories. While its physical offices are concentrated in Europe, the EPO's impact is global. It cooperates extensively with major patent offices worldwide, including those in the US, Japan, China, and Korea (as part of the IP5), to improve the international patent system, promote work-sharing, and harmonize practices. The EPO provides global access to comprehensive patent information through its public databases like Espacenet, making it a key player in the worldwide dissemination of technological knowledge and supporting innovation globally.
Street Address:
Bob-van-Benthem-Platz 1
City:
Munich
State/Province:
Bavaria
Country:
Germany
European Patent Office's Global Presence
Rijswijk (The Hague metropolitan area), Netherlands
Address: Patentlaan 2, 2288 EE Rijswijk, Netherlands
Serves as a major operational hub, handling a significant volume of patent applications and searches. Its location in the technologically advanced Randstad region provides excellent connectivity and access to skilled professionals.
Berlin, Germany
Address: Gitschiner Strasse 103, 10969 Berlin, Germany
Acts as a key center for patent information and documentation services. Berlin's historical significance in intellectual property and its status as a major European capital support these functions.
Vienna, Austria
Address: Rennweg 12, Postfach 90, 1030 Vienna, Austria
Enhances the EPO's engagement with Central and Eastern European member states and stakeholders, promoting the use of the patent system and providing tailored information and support.
Brussels, Belgium
Address: Avenue de Cortenbergh 60, 1000 Brussels, Belgium
Facilitates communication, co-operation, and representation of the EPO's interests with EU bodies and international stakeholders, ensuring alignment and contributing to IP policy discussions.
Buying Intent Signals for European Patent Office
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Executive Team of European Patent Office
As of April 2025, European Patent Office' leadership includes:
Investors of European Patent Office
European Patent Office has been backed by several prominent investors over the years, including:
Executive New Hires/Exits in the Last 12 Months
The European Patent Office has seen key leadership appointments in the past 12-18 months. Nellie Simon was appointed Vice-President DG Corporate Services in April 2023. More recently, Helena Sancho became Chief Human Resources Officer in March 2024, succeeding Gilles Requena who departed after a long career. These changes aim to strengthen the EPO's operational, strategic, and human resources capabilities.
Departures
New Appointments:
Technology (Tech Stack) used by European Patent Office
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European Patent Office Email Formats and Examples
The European Patent Office generally uses a standardized email format for its employees, typically combining elements of an employee's name with the @epo.org domain. Common patterns include the first initial followed by the last name, or first name and last name separated by a dot.
[firstinitial][lastname]@epo.org or [firstname].[lastname]@epo.org
Format
jdoe@epo.org or jane.doe@epo.org
Example
75%
Success rate
News and media
epo.org Official Website • 13 May 2024
European Patent Office and EUIPO reinforce collaboration to boost innovation in Europe
The European Patent Office (EPO) and the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) have signed a new five-year Strategic Plan, enhancing their cooperation to support innovators in Europe. The agreement focuses on joint initiatives to improve the IP system, raise IP awareness, and provide better services to users....more
epo.org Official Website • 7 May 2024
Unitary Patent Dashboard updated with latest figures for April 2024
The EPO has updated its Unitary Patent Dashboard, revealing that nearly 28,000 requests for unitary effect have been filed since June 2023, with over 27,500 Unitary Patents registered. This represents about 25% of all European patents granted during this period, indicating strong uptake of the new system....more
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