Could you briefly describe your core expertise and field of activity within the Enterprise Europe Network? What are key services you offer to your clients?
Having worked in the field of intellectual property management and patent management for 17 years, I have a lot of experience and know-how in this area, which I contribute in the context of my work for the Enterprise Europe Network (EEN). I am in the Sector Group "Renewable Energy" and in the Thematic Group "Sustainability" as well as in their subgroups "Circular Economy" and "Green Innovation" and in the IPR Thematic Group. Furthermore I am the Sustainability Advisor in our consortium and thus the central contact person for all questions relating to sustainability.
Key service I offer to my clients are:
- Tailored advisor service to their needs concerning expanding their international business activities, like finding business partners, customers, R&D Partners etc.,
- Organizing topic-related Events,
- Advisory service for questions relating to IPR and Sustainability
What does it mean to you to be a European IP Helpdesk Ambassador? And what do you like most about it?
I had a special passion for technology and patent management from the very beginning, so I was constantly striving to further my education in this field. This is why I became a patent engineer and completed my dissertation in the field of innovation and patent management. As a European IP Helpdesk Ambassador I can efficiently support SME in their patent and technology protection and development.
How would you describe the internal interaction and cooperation with your Enterprise Europe Network colleagues?
Very collegial, supportive and educational in terms of experience gained from technology and patent management activities.
In your opinion, what are current “hot” topics and questions related to Intellectual Property (IP) in your region/country?
The most important issues are not only the protection of an innovative idea but also its degree of sustainability. In this context, compliance with the European Union taxonomy also plays a central role in order to develop not only new and innovative technology, but also sustainable technologies (e.g. with low energy and/or resource consumption, low CO2 emissions, sustainable materials, etc.).
What are major challenges SMEs face with regard to IP? And what kind of support is needed, you think?
The main challenges for SMEs in my region are:
- is an idea patentable at all,
- is the idea also commercially promising (when is the return of investment),
- what is the best patenting strategy,
- in the context of licensing, what is a fair licensing rate,
- and last but not least, does the technology meet the requirements for sustainability?
The requirements for an IP Ambassador are increasing in view of the changing focus on an innovative idea. The idea or the innovation must not only be new, but also sustainable. For us as IP Ambassadors, this means that in addition to the knowledge of intellectual property rights, competence in the field of sustainability is also highly important.
Phone:+49 631 31668 95
E-mail: horoz@img-rlp.de