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Inspiring Inventors: Valentyn Frechka
=====================================
On 27 March, the Young Inventors Prize finalist shares his journey and how he balances inventiveness with his entrepreneurial vision.
[Join the session](https://www.epo.org/en/news-events/events/inspiring-inventors-valentyn-frechka)
Euronews and EPO present “Unlocking Europe’s potential”
=======================================================
Join us on 25 March as key stakeholders discuss the Patent Index and how startup- and university-driven innovation keeps Europe competitive
[Register now](https://www.epo.org/en/news-events/events/euronews-and-epo-present-unlocking-europes-potential-competitiveness-meets)
Quality Action Plan 2025
========================
Deepening user dialogue, investing in our talents, enhancing our tools, harmonising our work practices
[Read more](https://www.epo.org/en/news-events/news/quality-action-plan-2025)
Consultation on the Observatory’s work plan for 2026 & 2027 Â
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Deadline extended! Share your input by 28 March
[Read more](https://www.epo.org/en/news-events/news/public-consultation-now-open-epo-observatorys-work-plan-2026-and-2027)
CodeFest 2025: Classifying patent data for sustainability
=========================================================
Join this year´s coding challenge to show off your skills and for the chance to win a generous cash prize
[Submit your proposal now!](https://www.epo.org/en/codefest-spring-2025-classifying-patent-data-sustainable-development)
User consultation on the Guidelines
-----------------------------------
Send us your feedback on the EPC, PCT-EPO and new UP Guidelines
[Read more](https://www.epo.org/en/law-practice/consultation/ongoing#GL2025)
Inspiring Inventors: Valentyn Frechka
=====================================
On 27 March, the Young Inventors Prize finalist shares his journey and how he balances inventiveness with his entrepreneurial vision.
[Join the session](https://www.epo.org/en/news-events/events/inspiring-inventors-valentyn-frechka)
Euronews and EPO present “Unlocking Europe’s potential”
=======================================================
Join us on 25 March as key stakeholders discuss the Patent Index and how startup- and university-driven innovation keeps Europe competitive
[Register now](https://www.epo.org/en/news-events/events/euronews-and-epo-present-unlocking-europes-potential-competitiveness-meets)
Quality Action Plan 2025
========================
Deepening user dialogue, investing in our talents, enhancing our tools, harmonising our work practices
[Read more](https://www.epo.org/en/news-events/news/quality-action-plan-2025)
Consultation on the Observatory’s work plan for 2026 & 2027 Â
=============================================================
Deadline extended! Share your input by 28 March
[Read more](https://www.epo.org/en/news-events/news/public-consultation-now-open-epo-observatorys-work-plan-2026-and-2027)
CodeFest 2025: Classifying patent data for sustainability
=========================================================
Join this year´s coding challenge to show off your skills and for the chance to win a generous cash prize
[Submit your proposal now!](https://www.epo.org/en/codefest-spring-2025-classifying-patent-data-sustainable-development)
User consultation on the Guidelines
-----------------------------------
Send us your feedback on the EPC, PCT-EPO and new UP Guidelines
[Read more](https://www.epo.org/en/law-practice/consultation/ongoing#GL2025)
Inspiring Inventors: Valentyn Frechka
=====================================
On 27 March, the Young Inventors Prize finalist shares his journey and how he balances inventiveness with his entrepreneurial vision.
[Join the session](https://www.epo.org/en/news-events/events/inspiring-inventors-valentyn-frechka)
* 1
Patent Index event
* 2
Quality Action Plan
* 3
Observatory consultation
* 4
CodeFest 2025
* 5
Guidelines consultation
* 6
Inspiring Inventors
* Pause
The EPO provides high-quality patents and efficient services that foster innovation, competitiveness and economic growth.
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News
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[View all news](/news-events/news)
[RSS feed](/news-events/news/feed)
News
Image
18.03.2025
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##### [​​San Marino Secretary of State for Industry, Handicraft, Commerce, Research, Telecommunication and Sport visits the EPO](/en/news-events/news/san-marino-secretary-state-industry-handicraft-commerce-research-telecommunication)
​​Bilateral agreement marks a new milestone in long-standing partnership
International co-operation
Innovation
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News
Image
17.03.2025
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##### [Solidarity with North Macedonia after tragic fire](/en/news-events/news/solidarity-north-macedonia-after-tragic-fire)
Flags flown at half-mast in Munich and The Hague
International co-operation
News
Image
13.03.2025
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##### [EPO President meets ministers in Greece and Cyprus](/en/news-events/news/epo-president-meets-ministers-greece-and-cyprus)
Discussions focus on Unitary Patent ratification
President
Mission
Unitary patent/Unified Patent Court
Strategy
News
Image
12.03.2025
#####
##### [Quality Action Plan 2025](/en/news-events/news/quality-action-plan-2025)
Deepening user dialogue, investing in our talents, enhancing our tools, harmonising our work practicesÂ
Quality
Transparency & reporting
Technical Boards of Appeal
News
Image
07.03.2025
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##### [Quality dashboard 2024 results](/en/news-events/news/quality-dashboard-2024-results)
Quality audit results reveal positive impact of Quality Action Plan
Quality
News
Image
07.03.2025
#####
##### [Annual meeting strengthens bonds with Japanese industry](/en/news-events/news/annual-meeting-strengthens-bonds-japanese-industry)
EPO meets Japanese industry delegation led by Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) DĂĽsseldorf
Japan
News
Image
04.03.2025
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##### [EPO to continue deepening user dialogue](/en/news-events/news/epo-continue-deepening-user-dialogue)
Quality Action Plan 2025 will build on extensive user feedback to advance continuous improvement
Quality
News
Image
03.03.2025
#####
##### [CPC annual meeting hosted by the EPO and USPTO](/en/news-events/news/cpc-annual-meeting-hosted-epo-and-uspto)
CPC community strengthens ties in Geneva Â
International co-operation
* 1
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* 3
[Are you new to patents?](https://www.epo.org/en/new-to-patents)
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Read plain language explanations, discover free tools, check if a patent is right for your innovation and find out if you are ready to apply for one.
[](/en/new-to-patents)
[Unitary Patent](https://www.epo.org/en/applying/european/unitary)
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New simpler system saves time and costs.Â
[](/en/applying/european/unitary)
Events
------
Event
Mar
27
##### [Inspiring Inventors: Valentyn Frechka](/en/news-events/events/inspiring-inventors-valentyn-frechka)
Online
Free
European Inventor Award
Events
Lectures and seminars
Upcoming
Event
May
14
##### [Patents, standards and innovation: securing Europe’s competitive edge](/en/news-events/events/patents-standards-and-innovation-securing-europes-competitive-edge)
On-site + Online
Free
Events
Observatory
Study
Technology
Registration open
Event
Mar
25
##### [Euronews and the EPO present Unlocking Europe’s potential: Competitiveness meets technology trends](/en/news-events/events/euronews-and-epo-present-unlocking-europes-potential-competitiveness-meets)
On-site + Online
Free
Events
Technology
Innovation
Business
Statistics
Registration open
Event
Mar
27
##### [Inspiring Inventors: Valentyn Frechka](/en/news-events/events/inspiring-inventors-valentyn-frechka)
Online
Free
European Inventor Award
Events
Lectures and seminars
Upcoming
Event
May
14
##### [Patents, standards and innovation: securing Europe’s competitive edge](/en/news-events/events/patents-standards-and-innovation-securing-europes-competitive-edge)
On-site + Online
Free
Events
Observatory
Study
Technology
Registration open
Event
Mar
25
##### [Euronews and the EPO present Unlocking Europe’s potential: Competitiveness meets technology trends](/en/news-events/events/euronews-and-epo-present-unlocking-europes-potential-competitiveness-meets)
On-site + Online
Free
Events
Technology
Innovation
Business
Statistics
Registration open
Event
Mar
27
##### [Inspiring Inventors: Valentyn Frechka](/en/news-events/events/inspiring-inventors-valentyn-frechka)
Online
Free
European Inventor Award
Events
Lectures and seminars
Upcoming
Event
May
14
##### [Patents, standards and innovation: securing Europe’s competitive edge](/en/news-events/events/patents-standards-and-innovation-securing-europes-competitive-edge)
On-site + Online
Free
Events
Observatory
Study
Technology
Registration open
* 1
* 2
[View all events](/news-events/events)
Videos
------
Video
03:36
English
##### Quality Action Plan 2025
Introduction to the Quality Action Plan 2025
Quality
Video
03:10
English
##### EPO-JETRO annual meeting
Interview with Mr Kazuyoshi Sugano. Director General of JETRO DĂĽsseldorf
Japan
Video
03:28
English
##### ​​EPO meets with Nokia​
​​Exchanges on AI in the patent granting process, MyEPO and quality​
Quality
Video
01:12
English
##### Free Deep Tech Finder
Connecting investors to over 10 000 investment-ready European startups, universities and their spin-outs.
Observatory
Chief Economist
Technology
* 1
* 2
[View all videos](https://www.youtube.com/user/EPOfilms)
**Quality – our commitment to excellence**
------------------------------------------
Challenging ourselves to achieve even higher levels of quality
[Find out more](https://epo.org/en/about-us/services-and-activities/quality)
Get to know the EPO!
--------------------
##### [Our statistics and Patent Index](https://epo.org/en/about-us/statistics)
The latest figures and patenting trends from the EPO, including data downloads and country-specific profiles.
##### [Transparency Portal](https://epo.org/en/about-us/transparency-portal)
Gain insight into our operations and decision-making processes.
##### [Our strategy](https://www.epo.org/en/about-us/office/strategic-plan-2028)
In SP2028, the EPO will have one goal: sustainability. Our people, technologies, high-quality products and services, the partnerships the EPO develops and financial sustainability are the five drivers that will enable us to build a more sustainable patent office.Â
##### [Observatory on Patents and Technology](https://www.epo.org/en/about-us/observatory-patents-and-technology)
We quantify and explore trends and challenges across the innovation ecosystem.Â
[About us](https://epo.org/en/about-us)
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