50th Anniversary of the European Patent Convention

5 October 2023 marked a significant occasion, as the 50th anniversary of the European Patent Convention (EPC) was celebrated. This milestone is a crucial part of the ongoing effort to promote innovation and European unity. The EPC was signed on 5 October 1973, establishing the European Patent Organisation and its implementing body, the European Patent Office (EPO). It served as the cornerstone for the European patent system, which has played a pivotal role in nurturing innovation and driving economic progress throughout Europe over the past fifty years.

To commemorate this momentous milestone, the EPO organised a public hybrid event that celebrated the accomplishments made possible by the EPC and acknowledged all those who contributed. The celebrations were broadcast worldwide and included esteemed guests such as His Majesty King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands, Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, Rumen Radev, President of Bulgaria, and Olaf Scholz, Chancellor of Germany.