Search Matters is an annual event that not only showcases the EPO's patent search strategies and techniques, but also offers an unrivalled look behind the scenes at the Office. According to participants - many of whom are repeat attendees - it is more a "must-have" than a "nice-to-have".

In 2018, Search Matters will be held in The Hague. In a series of workshops, EPO examiners will provide useful information about, for example:

search strategies
CPC
Asian prior art
free search tools such as Espacenet
complexity of searching in chemical or biotechnological fields.

One of the highlights of the programme, which covers a wide range of technical fields, is the chance for participants to talk to individual examiners "at-the-desk" and question them about how they search in specific technical areas.

The programme is rounded off by plenary lectures on the challenges of searching and the internet of things.

Who should attend

Patent search professionals from business, academia and IP firms.