INSIGHT epi - The podcast for European patent professionals

Episoade

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  Ex parte proceedings at the UPC | UPC e15 29.07.2026 29min

  29 July 2026 | In today’s episode, Pálma Gróf joins Tilman Pfrang and Bart van Wezenbeek to explore ex parte proceedings before the Unified Patent Court. They discuss the different forms of ex parte relief available, including orders to preserve evidence and inspect premises, preliminary injunctions, seizures and anti-anti-suit injunctions. Drawing on recent UPC case law, they examine the requirements relating to urgency, infringement, validity and proportionality, and explain why...
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  Dyson v Dreame: The UPC’s First CJEU Referral | UPC e14 15.07.2026 13min

  15 July 2026 | In today's episode, Tilman Pfrang and Bart van Wezenbeek explore the UPC Court of Appeal's referral to the CJEU in Dyson v Dreame. They discuss the unresolved question of the UPC's long-arm jurisdiction, the role of authorised representatives as potential anchor defendants, and the implications for cross-border patent enforcement. The episode also places the referral in the broader context of recent UPC case law, including Fujifilm v Kodak. Credits: Host: Sam...
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  Staring into the AI abyss 01.07.2026 32min

  1 July 2026 | In this episode, Bastian Best and Rose Hughes discuss the impact of artificial intelligence on the patent profession. They explore whether AI represents an existential threat or simply another technological shift, separating legal-tech hype from reality and examining where today's AI tools genuinely add value - and where they still fall short. They also consider what these developments mean for the future role of patent attorneys and how the profession is likely to evolve in the...
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  Penalty payments and enforcement at the UPC | UPC e13 17.06.2026 20min

  17 June 2026 | In today’s episode, Tilman Pfrang and Bart van Wezenbeek discuss the Court of Appeal order in Kodak v. FujiFilm (UPC_CoA_699/2025), which has become the leading authority on penalty payments and enforcement before the Unified Patent Court. They explore the Court’s guidance on penalty orders, compliance periods, forfeiture proceedings, burden of proof, evidentiary requirements, enforcement notices and translations. With no fewer than twenty-two headnotes, the decisio...
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  The New Transparency Rules for Clinical Trials in the EU: Navigating Regulatory Disclosure and Patentability at the EPO and UPC 20.05.2026 24min

  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 Pittis Produ...
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  Creating an IP-aware culture: The art of communication in patent matters 06.05.2026 22min

  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 I...
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  AI in patent drafting: Guardrails, not shortcuts 22.04.2026 18min

  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 limit...
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  G1/25: The description reckoning 08.04.2026 18min

  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: H...
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  The Malta problem | UPC e12 25.03.2026 19min

  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 ea...
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  Women and IP 11.03.2026 33min

  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 ex...
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  Meet the DEI Committee 25.02.2026 14min

  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 ...
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  The UPC’s long-arm jurisdiction | UPC e11 04.02.2026 15min

  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 Pittis Produced by WHS Learning Music used in this episode...
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  AI at the EPO: Learning from the best (Part 2) 14.01.2026 22min

  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://inform...
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  AI at the EPO: Learning from the best (Part 1) 17.12.2025 14min

  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-pla...
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  Insights into M1: A new module for the new EQE 03.12.2025 36min

  03 December 2025 | In this episode, Julia Gwilt, chair of the Professional Education Committee (PEC) for epi and Liz Elmhirst, an epi member of the EQE examination committee, discuss paper M1 which will be held for the first time in 2026. Both trainers and trainees will benefit from understanding how this new paper fits into the new EQE. The new EQE was designed to provide a graduated pathway to qualification. Like the second part of paper F, paper M1 tests the practical ski...
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  Inventive Step at the Unified Patent Court | UPC e10 19.11.2025 16min

  19 November 2025 | In this episode, Tilman Pfrang and Bart van Wezenbeek are taking a closer look at how the Unified Patent Court is dealing with inventive step. Five decisions and five different shades of analysis. From strict problem-solution reasoning to more holistic, incentive-based tests. See how inventive step is evolving across the divisions – and what that means for strategy under the UPC. Case 1: decision of 22 November 2024; UPC_CFI_239/2023Case 2: decision of 4 A...
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  London calling: Case law unwrapped 05.11.2025 38min

  In this episode of Insight epi, Michael Thesen and Howard Read discuss the key takeaways from the EPO Boards of Appeal Case Law Seminar held on 30 October 2025 in London. The conversation covers G 1/24 on claim construction, G 1/23 on reproducibility, the use of AI-based evidence (T 1193/23), new approaches to inventive step and burden of proof, and stricter procedural standards. They also explore the growing harmonisation between the EPO and the UPC and what these developments mean for daily...
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  G 1/23: What do we know? 22.10.2025 29min

  22 October 2025 | A product on the market — but no recipe to make it. Is it still prior art? For more than thirty years, G 1/92 offered only a brief answer and left key issues unresolved. In this episode, Howard Read, Gianni Masciopinto, Rose Hughes and Jim Boff discuss how the Enlarged Board’s new decision G 1/23 finally clarified what counts as public availability — and how far reproducibility really matters. Credits: Host: Sam Pittis Produced by WHS Learning Music used ...
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  UPC Case Law 09: The long-arm effect of the UPC 08.10.2025 17min

  07 October 2025 | In today’s episode of our series on UPC case law, Tilman Pfrang and Bart van Wezenbeek explore how the Unified Patent Court has interpreted and applied long-arm jurisdiction following a landmark decision of the European Court of Justice. We’ll look at how the UPC has responded, what it means for cross-border enforcement, and how recent cases have tested the boundaries of this evolving legal landscape. Credits: Host: Sam Pittis Produced by WHS Learning Music use...
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  Election to Council 2026 24.09.2025 13min

  24 September 2025 | The epi Council election takes place every three years – digitally, securely, and with real impact. We ask: What does the Council do? Who can stand for election? And why should you care? In this episode, we speak with Peter Thomsen and Markus Müller, who explain why the election matter – and how you can help shape the future of the profession. Credits: Host: Sam Pittis Produced by WHS Learning Music used in this episode: Listen by Andrewkn -- http...