Professor Sir Robin Jacob presides over the European Patent Judges’ Meeting

Professor Sir Robin Jacob, Sir Hugh Laddie Professor of Intellectual Property Law at UCL Laws and Director of the Institute of Brand and Innovation presided over the annual European Judges’ Forum in Venice, organised jointly by the European Patent Office (EPO), European Patent Law Association (EPLAW), and the IP Judges' Association (IPJA) which took place between 19th and 22nd October 2023. The Forum is a high-level conference for Europe’s most experienced patent judges, as well as EPO Board Members and senior patent lawyers. 

The meeting provides the opportunity for discussion the most recent developments in European patent law and practice, with the aim of furthering harmonisation. This year, the Forum discussed the Commission Proposal regarding Standard Essential Patents, plausibility, the early cases in the UPC, equivalents, the Commission's proposals on Supplementary Protection Certificates, the interplays between UPC, national and EPO proceedings and, as usual, included a mock trial.

Professor Jacob has been President of the IPJA since 2016.