Borghildur Erlingsdóttir Re-elected as Deputy Chair of the Administrative Council of the European Patent Organisation (EPO)

At a meeting of the Administrative Council of the European Patent Organisation (EPO) held today in Munich, Borghildur Erlingsdóttir, Director General of the Icelandic Intellectual Property Office (ISIPO), was re-elected as Deputy Chair for a third consecutive term. The EPO is one of the largest governmental organizations in Europe, with 39 member states and approximately 6,300 employees. This year marks the 20th anniversary of Iceland’s membership in the EPO, which enabled European patents to take effect in Iceland.

The Administrative Council comprises the heads of intellectual property offices from all the organization’s member states. It shapes the EPO’s policies and makes decisions on its operations and management in close cooperation with its President. The Deputy Chair sits on the council's 13-person Board and presides over meetings in the absence of the Chair. Borghildur has served as Deputy Chair of the council since 2019.

“It is a great honor to continue in the role of Deputy Chair of the Administrative Council for another three years,” says Borghildur. “International collaboration in the field of intellectual property is crucial for Iceland, particularly our cooperation with the EPO. Numerous Icelandic companies hold patents registered with the EPO, and approximately 9,500 European patents are currently in effect in Iceland. It is therefore very important for us to play an active role in shaping the priorities of the organization,” she added. “I look forward to the work of the next three years, especially as we face significant challenges, such as the impact of artificial intelligence, ensuring Europe’s competitiveness, and promoting sustainability for the future.”

About the EPO

The European Patent Office (EPO) was established in 1973 when 16 countries signed the European Patent Convention. Today, the organization has 39 member states, including all 27 EU countries, as well as nations such as Norway, Switzerland, Iceland, and Türkiye. The EPO’s mission is to receive and examine European patent applications, providing inventors and businesses worldwide with the means to protect their inventions in up to 45 countries through a centralized and streamlined application process. The EPO's headquarters are in Munich, with additional offices in The Hague, Berlin, Vienna, and Brussels. António Campinos has served as President of the EPO since July 1, 2018. Last year, the EPO received nearly 200,000 European patent applications.