On July 2, a commemorative ceremony will be held at the EOI headquarters, with representatives from institutions, companies, law firms, faculty members, and alumni of the course in attendance.
Madrid, June 12, 2026.— On July 2, the School of Industrial Organization (EOI) will host a commemorative event marking the 20th anniversary of the European Patent Law Course, a leading program in specialized training for professionals in the field of patents in Europe.
Organized jointly by the EOI and the Spanish Patent and Trademark Office (OEPM) as part of the Carlos Fernández-Nóvoa Chair in Innovation and Industrial Property, this course has been training patent agents, technicians, and attorneys specializing in patent law for two decades. Over the years, nearly 300 students have attended the course, establishing the program as one of the most significant training initiatives in this legal-technical field.
The course, whose content is based on the curriculum of the Center for Intellectual Property Studies at the University of Strasbourg (CEIPI), is offered simultaneously in about twenty European cities. It offers rigorous training, with a strongly practical focus, on the main aspects of the European and Spanish patent systems, the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT), and related international regulations.
The event was conceived not only as a gathering for the community that has formed around the course, but also as a space for shared reflection at a time of significant transformation for the sector.
The commemorative event will be opened by Diego Crescente, CEO of the EOI, and Andreas Dilg, director of the CEIPI. This will be followed by a roundtable discussion on the future of the patent attorney profession, moderated by Juan Arias, managing partner of ABG Intellectual Property, featuring leading professionals in the sector:
- Elisa Rodríguez, Director of the Spanish Patent and Trademark Office (OEPM)
• Pablo Calvo, Course Coordinator and Partner at ABG Intellectual Property.
• Ruth Sánchez, alumna, Course Coordinator, Partner at Elzaburu, and member of the Board of the Institute of Professional Representatives before the European Patent Office (epi).
• Susana Vega, alumna and member of the Board of the Institute of Professional Representatives before the European Patent Office (epi).
The meeting will address some of the main challenges currently facing the profession, ranging from the evolution of the European patent system to the impact of new technologies on professional practice.
The event will conclude with a networking session that will bring together experienced agents and attorneys, professionals just starting their careers, and institutional representatives from the field of industrial property, providing a conducive environment for exchanging perspectives on a sector undergoing rapid transformation.
Full program and registration at the following link: Commemorative Event for the 20th Anniversary of the European Patent Law Course | EOI