European Patent Office: Seminar on Search and Documentation Working Methods The importance of searching in the field of patents has taken on increasing significance in recent years. The quality of searches carried out in industry is not only relevant for supporting research but has far reaching consequences for business planning and estimating exposure to risk in financial decision making, public research, new businesses, or investments in new technical domains. 4 April 2005 - 7 April 2005 Netherlands The EPO is a leader in the field of search and documentation and its working practices are constantly evolving. We are keen to share our knowledge with those in industry engaged in similar activity as well as being eager to hear about the industry perspective.We have put together a programme aimed at people carrying out searches in the private sector i.e. industry, firms of patent attorneys, universities etc. The programme starts with lectures on the latest methods in use at the EPO followed by a range of more specialised workshops from which a choice is made. The last day of the Seminar is optional and involves pairing up the participant with an Examiner for a day of hands-on searching in a chosen field. The Seminar will be held over four days at the EPO in The Hague, The Netherlands from 4 to 7 April 2005 and there is no fee for attendance. Participants will however need to provide their own transport and hotel accommodation.Further information on the Seminar as well as hotel and travel information can be found at the Seminar website:,http://www.european-patent-office.org/dg1/searchseminarYou should apply by using the online registration request at our website, the deadline for receipt of applications is 31 January 2005.As the number of places is limited we regret that we may not be able to offer places to all applicants. ,Please address any enquiries to:Eugenio Archontopoulos,Seminar Chairman,European Patent Office,Room S07B12,Patentlaan 2,2288EE Rijswijk (ZH),The Netherlands,Tel: 0031 70 340 2673,E-mail: earchontopoulos@epo.orgThe European Patent Organisation is established by the Convention on the Grant of European Patents (EPC) signed in Munich 1973, the EPO is the outcome of the European countries' collective political determination to establish a uniform patent system in Europe. As a centralised patent grant system administered by the European Patent Office on behalf of all contracting states, it is a model of successful co-operation in Europe.,EPO site: http://www.european-patent-office.org
