INSIGHT epi - The podcast for European patent professionals

Hosted by epi - European Patent Institute

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Latest episode

May 2026

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EN-US

About the show

As the professional body representing European Patent Attorneys, the epi is engaging with all things pertinent to our field on a continual basis. Whether you're an epi member or student, an EQE candidate - or just interested in what we are doing, look behind the scenes with “ Insight epi ”.

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51 recent

May 20, 202624 min

The New Transparency Rules for Clinical Trials in the EU: Navigating Regulatory Disclosure and Patentability at the EPO and UPC

20 May 2026 | Today's episode is a special one because we are crossing disciplinary boundaries. Anja Fux talks with Eva Ehlich, Manja Epping and Christoph Behm about the intersection of regulatory transparency requirements and patent law in the field of clinical trials. During the episode, we also mention the upcoming hybrid seminar “Freedom to operate”, taking place on 17 June 2026. You can find further information and register here.Credits:Host: Sam PittisProduced by WHS LearningMusic used in this episode: Listen by Andrewkn -- https://shorturl.at/ekqz1 -- License: Creative Commons 0, Road In The Forest by Andrewkn -- https://shorturl.at/jrJT8 -- License: Creative Commons 0, Dunes by Andrewkn -- https://shorturl.at/noG35 -- License: Creative Commons 0Musical Ambient - I (Piano).wav by GregorQuendel -- https://freesound.org/s/697879/ -- License: Attribution NonCommercial 4.0Disclaimer: The views expressed are solely those of the podcast participants and may not reflect the opinions of epi or the guest speakers' organisations.

May 6, 202622 min

Creating an IP-aware culture: The art of communication in patent matters

06 May 2026 | In today's episode, Michael Thesen talks with European Patent Attorney and IP strategist Farnaz Massoumian about building an IP‑aware culture through effective communication. Drawing on her “Rosetta Stone” analogy, Farnaz explains how patent professionals translate innovation between technology, law, and business, tailoring messages for inventors, business leaders, and senior executives. The conversation highlights why storytelling is more powerful than lectures in IP education, how strategic patent monitoring can serve as a continuous awareness‑building tool, and how ideas like internal “Invention Oscars” can make innovation visible and valued across an organization. Credits:Host: Sam PittisProduced by WHS LearningMusic used in this episode: Listen by Andrewkn -- https://shorturl.at/ekqz1 -- License: Creative Commons 0, Road In The Forest by Andrewkn -- https://shorturl.at/jrJT8 -- License: Creative Commons 0, Dunes by Andrewkn -- https://shorturl.at/noG35 -- License: Creative Commons 0Musical Ambient - I (Piano).wav by GregorQuendel -- https://freesound.org/s/697879/ -- License: Attribution NonCommercial 4.0Disclaimer: The views expressed are solely those of the podcast participants and may not reflect the opinions of epi or the guest speakers' organisations.

April 22, 202618 min

AI in patent drafting: Guardrails, not shortcuts

22 April 2026 | In today's episode, Michael Thesen speaks with Bastian Best about the use of generative AI in patent drafting, following Bastian's article in epi Information 1/2026 and a recent epi webinar. They discuss the risks of “1-click” tools, the “filled page problem,” and four guardrails to keep attorneys in control—from defining strategy upfront to using AI as a critical challenger. The episode also touches on confirmation bias in AI-generated summaries and the limits of AI in early-stage analysis. The takeaway: AI should support judgment, not replace it.Credits:Host: Sam PittisProduced by WHS LearningMusic used in this episode: Listen by Andrewkn -- https://shorturl.at/ekqz1 -- License: Creative Commons 0, Road In The Forest by Andrewkn -- https://shorturl.at/jrJT8 -- License: Creative Commons 0, Dunes by Andrewkn -- https://shorturl.at/noG35 -- License: Creative Commons 0Musical Ambient - I (Piano).wav by GregorQuendel -- https://freesound.org/s/697879/ -- License: Attribution NonCommercial 4.0Disclaimer: The views expressed are solely those of the podcast participants and may not reflect the opinions of epi or the guest speakers' organisations.

April 8, 202618 min

G1/25: The description reckoning

8 April 2026 | In today's episode, Gabriele Mohsler and Cristoph Schober discuss referral G 1/25 regarding the adaptation of the description after the amendment of claims. They examine the different stakeholder perspectives in the tension between legal certainty and administrative burden, touch upon the scenarios outlined in the Board's preliminary opinion, and point toward the upcoming oral proceedings on May 8th as the next key milestone in this ongoing legal debate.Credits:Host: Sam PittisProduced by WHS LearningMusic used in this episode: Listen by Andrewkn -- https://shorturl.at/ekqz1 -- License: Creative Commons 0, Road In The Forest by Andrewkn -- https://shorturl.at/jrJT8 -- License: Creative Commons 0, Dunes by Andrewkn -- https://shorturl.at/noG35 -- License: Creative Commons 0Musical Ambient - I (Piano).wav by GregorQuendel -- https://freesound.org/s/697879/ -- License: Attribution NonCommercial 4.0Disclaimer: The views expressed are solely those of the podcast participants and may not reflect the opinions of epi or the guest speakers' organisations.

March 25, 202619 min

The Malta problem | UPC e12

25 March 2026 | In today's episode of Insight epi, Tilman Pfrang and Bart van Wezenbeek discuss recent UPC developments, including a Court of Appeal decision on the so‑called Malta problem, confirming that certain older European patent applications cannot obtain unitary effect. The discussion also touches on the UPC’s growing body of case law emphasizing strict procedural discipline, tight deadlines, and the expectation that parties present complete arguments and evidence at an early stage of the proceedings.Credits:Host: Sam PittisProduced by WHS LearningMusic used in this episode: Listen by Andrewkn -- https://shorturl.at/ekqz1 -- License: Creative Commons 0, Road In The Forest by Andrewkn -- https://shorturl.at/jrJT8 -- License: Creative Commons 0, Dunes by Andrewkn -- https://shorturl.at/noG35 -- License: Creative Commons 0Musical Ambient - I (Piano).wav by GregorQuendel -- https://freesound.org/s/697879/ -- License: Attribution NonCommercial 4.0Disclaimer: The views expressed are solely those of the podcast participants and may not reflect the opinions of epi or the guest speakers' organisations.

March 11, 202633 min

Women and IP

11 March 2026 | In this episode, Nina Ferara talks with Victor Arribas, Stream Leader for Diversity and Transformation at the EPO's Observatory on Patents and Technology and Marc Nevant, Chair of epi's DEI Committee, about the report “Advancing Women in STEM", recently published by the EPO.They discuss the participation of women in science, innovation and the patent system, including the role of women inventors, researchers and European patent attorneys. The conversation explores key findings of the report, looks at geographic and technological differences across Europe, the representation of women in leadership roles within the IP ecosystem, and possible measures to encourage greater participation of women in innovation and the patent profession.Credits:Host: Sam PittisProduced by WHS LearningMusic used in this episode: Listen by Andrewkn -- https://shorturl.at/ekqz1 -- License: Creative Commons 0, Road In The Forest by Andrewkn -- https://shorturl.at/jrJT8 -- License: Creative Commons 0, Dunes by Andrewkn -- https://shorturl.at/noG35 -- License: Creative Commons 0Musical Ambient - I (Piano).wav by GregorQuendel -- https://freesound.org/s/697879/ -- License: Attribution NonCommercial 4.0Disclaimer: The views expressed are solely those of the podcast participants and may not reflect the opinions of epi or the guest speakers' organisations.

February 25, 202614 min

Meet the DEI Committee

25 February 2026 | In this episode, Fatema Sardharwala, Gabriele Honecker and Marc Nevant explore what Diversity, Equity & Inclusion means for epi and the profession beyond the usual narratives. The discussion focuses on structural questions rather than symbolism: access to the profession or whether epi’s bodies reflect the full range of member states and different generations within the profession. They also talk about the dedicated DEI Committee, outlining its mandate, role within epi’s governance structure, and the objectives it seeks to pursue.Credits:Host: Sam PittisProduced by WHS LearningMusic used in this episode: Listen by Andrewkn -- https://shorturl.at/ekqz1 -- License: Creative Commons 0, Road In The Forest by Andrewkn -- https://shorturl.at/jrJT8 -- License: Creative Commons 0, Dunes by Andrewkn -- https://shorturl.at/noG35 -- License: Creative Commons 0Musical Ambient - I (Piano).wav by GregorQuendel -- https://freesound.org/s/697879/ -- License: Attribution NonCommercial 4.0Disclaimer: The views expressed are solely those of the podcast participants and may not reflect the opinions of epi or the guest speakers' organisations.

February 4, 202615 min

The UPC’s long-arm jurisdiction | UPC e11

04 February 2026 | In today's episode, Tilman Pfrang and Elvira Bertram, UPC representative and attorney at law, are returning to a highly debated topic: the UPC’s long-arm jurisdiction. They explore how the logic of BSH vs. Electrolux has been transferred to more complex — and sometimes borderline — scenarios, and what this evolving case law means for litigation strategy before the UPC. Credits:Host: Sam PittisProduced by WHS LearningMusic used in this episode: Listen by Andrewkn -- https://shorturl.at/ekqz1 -- License: Creative Commons 0, Road In The Forest by Andrewkn -- https://shorturl.at/jrJT8 -- License: Creative Commons 0, Dunes by Andrewkn -- https://shorturl.at/noG35 -- License: Creative Commons 0Musical Ambient - I (Piano).wav by GregorQuendel -- https://freesound.org/s/697879/ -- License: Attribution NonCommercial 4.0Disclaimer: The views expressed are solely those of the podcast participants and may not reflect the opinions of epi or the guest speakers' organisations.

January 14, 202622 min

AI at the EPO: Learning from the best (Part 2)

14 January 2026 | In the second part of our conversation on AI at the European Patent Office, Michael Thesen and Åsa Ribbe, Principal Director at the EPO, take a closer look at operational implementation and quality control.More information: The EPO’s AI policy: https://link.epo.org/web/about-us/transparency-portal/en-epo-ai-policy.pdf andthe technology section of the EPO strategic plan: https://www.epo.org/en/about-us/office/strategic-plan-2028/driver-2https://information.patentepi.org/issue-3-2025/the-epo-approach.htmlCredits:Host: Sam PittisProduced by WHS LearningMusic used in this episode: Listen by Andrewkn -- https://shorturl.at/ekqz1 -- License: Creative Commons 0, Road In The Forest by Andrewkn -- https://shorturl.at/jrJT8 -- License: Creative Commons 0, Dunes by Andrewkn -- https://shorturl.at/noG35 -- License: Creative Commons 0Musical Ambient - I (Piano).wav by GregorQuendel -- https://freesound.org/s/697879/ -- License: Attribution NonCommercial 4.0Disclaimer: The views expressed are solely those of the podcast participants and may not reflect the opinions of epi or the guest speakers' organisations.

December 17, 202514 min

AI at the EPO: Learning from the best (Part 1)

17 December 2025 | In this episode, Michael Thesen talks with Åsa Ribbe, Principal Director at the EPO, about how artificial intelligence is developed and used at the European Patent Office to support patent search, classification and examination.More information: The EPO’s AI policy: https://link.epo.org/web/about-us/transparency-portal/en-epo-ai-policy.pdf andthe technology section of the EPO strategic plan: https://www.epo.org/en/about-us/office/strategic-plan-2028/driver-2https://information.patentepi.org/issue-3-2025/the-epo-approach.htmlCredits:Host: Sam PittisProduced by WHS LearningMusic used in this episode: Listen by Andrewkn -- https://shorturl.at/ekqz1 -- License: Creative Commons 0, Road In The Forest by Andrewkn -- https://shorturl.at/jrJT8 -- License: Creative Commons 0, Dunes by Andrewkn -- https://shorturl.at/noG35 -- License: Creative Commons 0Musical Ambient - I (Piano).wav by GregorQuendel -- https://freesound.org/s/697879/ -- License: Attribution NonCommercial 4.0Disclaimer: The views expressed are solely those of the podcast participants and may not reflect the opinions of epi or the guest speakers' organisations.