Ambassador of the Month: Say "Hello" to Costas Troulos (20/04/2021)

Our network of currently 47 #IPAmbassadors helps us reach out to SMEs in numerous countries and regions across Europe - providing IP support at their doorstep. Every month, we introduce you to one of our Ambassadors telling you a little bit more about their work and views on IP. This month: Costas Troulos, our Ambassador in Greece.

European IP Helpdesk Joins "EU Open for Business" Campaign Once Again (20/04/2021)

The European IP Helpdesk team has once again joined forces with the European Commission (DG for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs) for this year's virtual "EU Open for Business" training campaign. Taking place from 26-28 May 2021, the series of webinars aims to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) navigate the various EU business, finance and IP support tools and mechanisms available. Save the date - more information will follow shortly.

European IP Helpdesk Participates in Hannover Messe 2021 Digital Edition (20/04/2021)

The Hannover Messe 2021 #HM21 took place digitally from 12 to 16 April. Featured as part of the European Commission's presence, the European IP Helpdesk team had the chance to exchange with different stakeholders during the matchmaking and made a lot of new contacts. You missed it? No problem, you can still visit the virtual booth of the European Commission.

European Commission Launches “Horizon Results Platform TV” (20/04/2021)

The Horizon Results Platform TV (HRP TV) is a brand-new feature complementing the existing Horizon Results Platform. Aiming to support and inspire Horizon 2020 participants in their efforts to bring their solutions to the market, HRP TV addresses various questions related to the exploitation of research results. For the launch, we have joined forces with the HRP TV team to produce two interviews with our Senior Advisor Dr Eugene Sweeney, who shares some insights and tips on how to use IP to better valorise research outcomes. Take a look!

Webinar: Freedom to Operate (28/04/2021)

What is Freedom to Operate (FTO)? What are the different FTO types? Why is FTO strategically important for commercialisation activities of SMEs? These are only some of the questions our expert Dr Christian Hackl will address during this online training session. Come join us!

Webinar: IP & Artificial Intelligence (05/05/2021)

This webinar will tackle some of the key questions linked to Artificial Intelligence (AI), machine learning and IP: First off, what do we actually understand by IP in AI? Is it possible to patent inventions in AI, and how can innovations in AI be sold or licensed for use? Save your virtual seat, and learn more about this exciting field from our expert Dr Robert Harrison.

European IP Helpdesk Model Agreements (03/04/2021)

As our relaunched website continues to evolve, our “Useful document” section is now back up, providing you with our model documents for Non-Disclosure and Mutual Understanding Agreements. The section will be further expanded and enriched in the coming weeks.

European Innovation Council Officially Launched (01/04/2021)

The EC recently launched the European Innovation Council (EIC) with a budget of over €10 billion for 2021-2027 to develop and expand breakthrough innovations. The new EIC is unique in the world: it combines research on emerging technologies with an accelerator programme and a dedicated equity fund to scale up innovative start-ups and SMEs. The first annual work programme of the EIC is now published, opening funding opportunities worth over €1.5 billion in 2021. Presentations from the first EIC Applicants' day highlighting key novelties introduced by Horizon Europe are available, too.

EPO Patent Index: Healthcare Innovation Drives Patent Applications in 2020 (01/04/2021)

Statistics recently published by the European Patent Office (EPO) show that innovation in healthcare drove patenting activity in 2020: Medical technology was the leading field for inventions in terms of volume, while pharmaceuticals and biotechnology were the fastest-growing areas.

Managing IP in Collaborative Research Projects: New “Horizon IP Scan” Support Service for SMEs (01/04/2021)

The European Commission has recently launched the "Horizon Intellectual Property (IP) Scan". This tailored, first-line and free-of-charge IP support service is specifically designed to help European start-ups and other SMEs efficiently manage and valorise IP in collaborative research and innovation efforts, with a particular focus on EU-funded Horizon 2020/Europe projects. Applications are now open. Following an open call scheme, SMEs can submit their service request at any time.

EU Knowledge Valorisation Week 2021 (27/04/2021)

The European Commission’s DG Research and Innovation in collaboration with a number of Ministries of different EU member states will host the EU Knowledge & Valorisation Week at the end of April. In a series of webinars and a closing panel discussion, the event will showcase excellent examples of strategies and tools to boost the uptake of research results that benefit all. The event is free of charge, and definitely worth joining!

Webinar: IP and Artificial Intelligence (08/04/2021)

This webinar aims at providing a general overview of artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning and intellectual property. Key learning objectives are for participants to better understand the IP landscape for innovations in artificial intelligence, to learn more about how to identify valuable IP and how to get protection internationally.

EPO Webinar: Using EPO Search Tools to Improve Business Decisions (13/04/2021)

This seminar organised by the European Patent Office (EPO) will show business decision-makers what can be done with the EPO’s free search tools, and what more advanced tools offer on top. Participants will learn more about Espacenet, the Global Patent Index (GPI) and PATSTAT, databases enabling sophisticated statistical analyses of bibliographical and legal-event patent data from leading industrialised and developing countries.

Webinar: IPR and Software (14/04/2021)

In today's digitised world, software is omnipresent. But the nature of software raises many issues concerning its management, protection and exploitation. This webinar will look at some specific issues concerning the protection and exploitation of software, such as the most appropriate IP Rights to use, and different exploitation models for design tools, product and services.

4iP Council Webinar: Value of Trademarks and Designs for your Business (26/04/2021)

On the occasion of this year's World IP Day, 4iP Council in collaboration with the International Trademark Association (INTA) is hosting a webinar on the value of trademarks and designs for your business. Learn about the value of trademarks and designs for your business, how to fully benefit from these important intangible assets, and how to acquire and use them to protect your business from competitors and fraudsters. This is your chance to ask your questions to experts dedicated to SMEs.

Oops (31/03/2021)

You may have accidentally received an empty newsletter from us today. We are very sorry for the mix-up and hope this did not cause any inconvenience on your end. Wishing you some lovely Easter holidays (if you celebrate). Our next proper newsletter edition will reach your inbox next week. Thanks a lot for your understanding! The European IP Helpdesk's Editorial Team

New Addition to the Helpdesk Family: Launch of the India IP SME Helpdesk (11/03/2021)

The European Commission has recently launched another IP SME Helpdesk service: The India IP SME Helpdesk provides small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with free, first-line expert support on how to protect and enforce their intellectual property (IP) in India. The new initiative complements the existing services provided by the regional Helpdesks for China, Europe, Latin America and South-East Asia. Welcome to the family!

EU Industry Days & Week 2021: A Roundup of Our Activities During this Year's Flagship Events (12/03/2021)

The EU Industry Days together with the EU Industry Week are annual flagship events. As a joint activity of all regional IP Helpdesks, we hosted several events, held a ‘Meet the expert’ virtual session and set up a joint information booth to answer IP-related questions. On 1 March we organised a joint stakeholder event focused on the main IP challenges in light of the European Green Deal. In case you missed it, the recording is now available!

EU4Digital: Successful Participation in ICT Networking Event (15/03/2021)

On 2 March 2021, the European IP Helpdesk team joined the European Commission and the European Intellectual Property Office in an ICT networking event hosted by EU4Digital to discuss challenges related to the management, protection and exploitation of Intellectual Property (IP). The ICT networking events are aimed at facilitating the establishment of Eastern Partnership communities in selected ICT policy areas. A detailed event recap and all presentations are now available on the EU4Digital website.

Webinar: Effective IP and Outreach Strategies Help Increase the Impact of Research and Innovation (17/03/2021)

This webinar will put a particular spotlight on the role of communication, dissemination and exploitation in maximising the impact of Horizon 2020 projects. Plus, we'll look at how IP comes into play.

Webinar: Maximising the Impact of Horizon 2020 Project Results (18/03/2021)

Learn more about exploitation of IP in Horizon 2020 projects. This webinar addresses the creation and management of IP both during and after the duration of an EU-funded R&I project.

Webinar: IP and Standards (24/03/2021)

This webinar organised in collaboration with the Center for International Intellectual Property Studies (CEIPI) gives an overview of IP management compliant with the standards DIN77006 and ISO56005.

Webinar: IP and Health - Pharmaceutical IP in Times of COVID-19 (26/03/2021)

In this webinar Dr Jörg Thomaier, CEO Bayer Intellectual Property GmbH and Head of IP Bayer Group, will talk about the importance of strong IP systems for the pharmaceutical industry and their impact on healthcare at a global scale.