European Patent Office Looks to Deepen IP Cooperation with Singapore, Asia

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach – 29 August 2019 – The European Patent Office (EPO)
has seen a growing number of patent applications from Singapore and other parts
of Asia, and is looking to bolster cooperation with the region.

Dr Christoph Ernst (extreme left, at the
podium) delivering his address

Dr
Christoph Ernst, Vice President of the EPO, Directorate General Legal and
International Affairs, said: “Asia is a major centre of innovation worldwide
and there is a rapidly growing number of patents from this region. It has
become evident that the EOP has been receiving a rapidly growing number of
patent applications from this (Asian) region.”

Dr
Ernst was speaking at IP Week @ SG 2019, a global forum organised by the
Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS), which hosted intellectual
property (IP) thought leaders, legal experts and innovative companies. Themed
“Idea to Assets: Driving Enterprise Growth with IP’, IP Week @ SG attracted 4,000
participants from 40 countries.

Dr
Ernst said the collaboration between IPOS and EPO has strengthened over the
years. About 53% of the 170,000 patent applications received in recent years
originated from outside the EU member state system — mainly from the United States,
Japan, China and Korea. “Particularly noteworthy is that patent applications
originating from Singapore increased by 20% last year to now 523 applications,”
he added.

He
emphasised that the EPO is committed to strengthening its efforts in vital
areas for the benefit of the global user community. It will continue to develop
global standards, he said.

“We
are looking very much to enhance and continue our cooperation with all states
from all other parts of the world, and namely from Asia,” he said.

In
his address, he acknowledged the setting up of IPOS International, which was
officially announced by Singapore’s Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr Chan
Chun Sing, in his capacity as Guest of Honour.

IPOS
International is a newly set up entity, built on deep expertise and extensive
networks established over the years within the IPOS Group, that will support
global and Singapore enterprises for business growth through the
commercialisation of their intangible assets (IA) and intellectual property.

Global
enterprises are encouraged to tap on IPOS International in the areas of
managing their IA, patent search and analysis and building education and
training programmes.