NEW DELHI [India], December 17 (ANI): As India advances its Atmanirbhar Bharat ambitions through deep-tech research and a stronger intellectual property framework, patents are emerging as powerful strategic assets that go far beyond protection, enabling global knowledge-sharing and innovation-led growth, Roberta Romano-Goetsch, Chief Sustainability Officer of the European Patent Office (EPO), said on Wednesday.
Speaking to ANI in an exclusive interview on the sidelines of the Confederation of Indian Industry Global Summit on Technology, R&D and Intellectual Property, Romano-Goetsch said the discussions focused on innovation, research and development, and the role of intellectual property in building a strong innovation ecosystem in the deep-tech era.
“We really talked about IP as a strategic asset in the deep-tech era, including ours, and we addressed the UN Sustainable Development Goals,” Romano-Goetsch said.
The summit, themed “From Dependence to Dominance: Research, Deep Tech and IP for Atmanirbhar Bharat,” brought together global stakeholders to examine how innovation and intellectual property can support sustainable and inclusive growth.
Highlighting the European Patent Office’s contribution, Romano-Goetsch underscored the idea of innovation as a force for good. She said the EPO supports innovation by sharing patent knowledge through platforms, studies and technology insights, particularly in areas responding directly to global challenges.
“At the EPO, we are committed to supporting innovation by sharing knowledge through patent platforms and studies on technologies that address essential global challenges today, such as health, digital agriculture, renewable energy and water technologies,” she said.
Romano-Goetsch noted that the EPO’s role extends well beyond granting patent protection. With a single procedure, inventors can secure protection across 39 member states and six additional countries under international agreements. However, she stressed that the publication of patents is what truly amplifies their value.
“The function of patents goes well beyond geographic protection, because publishing patents gives access to knowledge to the entire world,” she said.
She added that the EPO’s expanded patent databases now contain about 160 million documents, accessible globally around the clock, enabling innovators and policymakers worldwide to benefit from shared knowledge.
The EPO also promotes patent education through its digital academy, which offers 135 courses. Romano-Goetsch noted that in 2024, women accounted for 50 percent of participants.
Referring to India, she said the country’s growing role in global innovation is reflected in patent trends, with applications from India and international filings covering Europe increasing each year. She said this mirrors India’s broader economic and innovation growth.
Romano-Goetsch emphasized that India and the EPO are part of the same global innovation ecosystem, sharing common values that view innovation as a force for good and patents as tools that support innovators and policymakers in taking the next steps in technological advancement.
Looking ahead, she pointed to further collaboration opportunities, including work under the Patent Cooperation Treaty, and expressed confidence that more avenues for cooperation would emerge.
Highlighting global challenges such as climate change, water scarcity and health, Romano-Goetsch said innovation remains central to addressing these issues, with patent offices worldwide increasingly focused on supporting small and medium enterprises as key drivers of innovation.
With shared values and a common commitment to innovation, she said the EPO and India can jointly contribute to building a safer, smarter and more sustainable world. (ANI)
About The Author
