European Patent Forum and PATINNOVA 2009

EUROPEAN PATENT FORUM AND PATINNOVA 2009
28 to 30 April 2009, Hilton Hotel, Prague

"IP in rapidly developing industries - does it stimulate innovation?" will be the theme that runs through the three days of this conference. Day one will take a broad look at the IP system's role in innovation within rapidly developing technologies, while the second and third days will focus on more specific IP issues and current practice.

Speakers at the conference will include Czech Prime Minister and EU Council President Mirek Topolánek, European Commission Vice-President Günter Verheugen and EPO President Alison Brimelow. A high-level panel discussion will engage inventors and technology experts in a debate about the potential of IP. A series of workshops on the latest trends in digital technology, featuring legal and technology experts and patent examiners, will round out the three days. See the conference programme for more information.

EUROPEAN INVENTOR OF THE YEAR 2009 28 April 2009, Prague Castle

Europe's most inventive minds will be honoured at this annual competition, which recognises ground-breaking technological developments in four categories: industry, SME/research, non-European countries and lifetime achievement. The 2009 awards will be presented at a ceremony and gala dinner in the presence of Czech President Václav Klaus.

REGISTRATION
You can register for one or more days of the conference and for the Inventor of the Year awards ceremony by filling in the online registration form. The deadline for registration is 6 April 2009. We recommend that you register as soon as possible, as places are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Co-organised by the European Patent Office and the European Commission, with the Support of the Industrial Property Office of the Czech Republic and the Czech Republic's EU Council Presidency. An event organized under the Banner of the European Year of Creativity and Innovation.