29 Marzo 2017 – 31 Marzo 2017
Event for patent search professionals
29-31 March 2017
Munich, Germany
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 2017, Search Matters will be held in Munich. In a series of workshops, EPO examiners will show, for example, how they
go about their searches (e.g. on functional features)
handle Asian patent documents
use internet sources
decide when to stop searching.
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 searching, classification and notorious knowledge.
Who should attend
Patent search professionals from business, academia and IP firms.