Brussels, April 19, 2011: Number of patent applications in Europe hits all-time high – Two Belgian inventors nominated for the European Inventor Award
The European Patent Office (EPO) received 235,000 European patent filings in 2010, up 11% from 2009, and the highest number ever in the Office’s 34-year history. “The figures are clear: growth is back,” said EPO President Benoît Battistelli. Belgian businesses filed 2,352 applications with the EPO, an increase of 19.1% from the previous year. Belgian inventors Ann Lambrechts and Christine Van Broeckhoven were nominated for the European Inventor Award 2011. – As part of a pan-European assignment covering Scandinavia, the Benelux, France, the UK, and Hungary, Shepard Fox Communications is handling all media relations in Belgium for the European Inventor Award on behalf of the European Patent Office, including press release localisation, distribution and follow-up, being the local media contact, and managing interviews with key media and EPO President Battistelli.