Executive Summary
The 41st Global Digital Encounter examined the pivotal role of patents as a driver of innovation and economic growth, from the first industrial revolution to today’s digital and AI-driven economy. Bringing together leading voices from academia, government institutions, and the private sector, the session provided a deep dive into the economic rationale behind the patent system, its evolving role in global technological competition, and its future emerging challenges such as AI, quantum technologies, and geopolitical fragmentation.
Objectives
- Understand why patents have historically served as a cornerstone of innovation and economic advancement.
- Examine how patent data and economic indicators reflect innovation activity.
- Discuss whether patents remain central in an era of AI and quantum technologies.
- Analyze how the European Patent Office has become a global benchmark for patent quality and administration.
- Evaluate the role of patent transparency and licensing in the current geopolitical context.
Panel Members
- Yann Ménière, Chief Economist, European Patent Office (EPO)
- Axel Ferrazzini, Managing Director, 4iP Council (EU)
- Fredrik Edman, Patent Advisor, LU Innovation, Lund University (Sweden)
- Moderator: Prof. Laurent Manderieux, Professor of IP Law, Bocconi University. Member of Fide’s Academic Council
Key Discussions & Insights
Laurent Manderieux noted that since the start of the 1st industrial revolution and up to now, patents represent a key tool for innovation and economic growth: by providing inventors a safe basis for promoting their research results, and allowing investors and society to identify innovation opportunities and making them blossom, they play a key role in modern economy and society. How do patent statistics translate this role? How can the national, international and company race for patents materialise this role? Are patents the only key tools for innovation and economic growth? Do AI and tomorrow’s quantum technologies affect the importance of patents as a key tool? Can AI used in the patent-granting procedures affect the role and importance of patents positively or negatively? How to make patent measurements jointly between competing countries and regions of the World? These are questions that the world of innovation currently brings to our attention.
1. The Economic Logic Behind Patents
Yann Ménière emphasized that patents act as both incentives and enablers of innovation. They provide inventors with temporary exclusivity, encouraging R&D investment, while also facilitating knowledge dissemination through disclosure. Ménière highlighted that the modern patent system is crucial for channelling investments towards high-risk innovation.
2. Patent Data as a Mirror of Innovation
The EPO’s Chief Economist discussed how patent filing trends reveal shifts in technological priorities, with rapid growth in AI, quantum computing, and green technologies. He underlined that patent analytics increasingly serve policymakers and businesses as strategic foresight tools.
3. Patents in the Global Innovation Race
Axel Ferrazzini explored the competitive dimension of patents, describing them as «tokens of technological leadership» among nations and corporations. He emphasised the importance of fostering a robust patent ecosystem that supports SMEs, not just multinationals. He also called for greater IP education and transparency to enable broader participation in the innovation economy.
4. Patents in Academia and Tech Transfer
Fredrik Edman brought an applied perspective from his work at Lund University. He explained how universities leverage patents not only to protect inventions but also to build strategic collaborations with industry. He also shared best practices in AI-assisted patent drafting and open innovation frameworks, particularly in the life sciences.
5. The Future of the Patent System
A core theme was the intersection of patents with emerging technologies and geopolitical dynamics. Several panellists raised concerns about potential fragmentation of global IP frameworks due to economic and political tensions. Questions were raised about how AI in patent examination could alter the criteria and speed of patent grants.
Laurent Manderieux urged the community to consider normative coherence, international dialogue, and the need to preserve legal certainty amidst rapid technological change.
Conclusions
- Patents remain a foundational tool for innovation and growth, but must evolve to meet new challenges, including the rise of AI, environmental imperatives, and global economic shifts.
- There is strong consensus that institutions like the European Patent Office set global standards for quality, transparency, and independence in IP governance.
- Collaboration among stakeholders—academia, industry, and public institutions—is critical to ensuring the patent system’s continued relevance and effectiveness.
