Finding a way through the growing complexity of the patent world

The expert group, in which Prof. Tucci acted as the "Rapporteur", discussed solutions that could help users to overcome the challenges of the patent world. According to the European Patent Office, with the explosion of patenting activity in the past few decades as well as increasing technological complexity, patent thickets might be considered to be one manifestation (or symptom) of this changing environment. Patent thickets appear to be part of a broader discussion related to the management of innovation and technological complexity.

The expert group also looked at how the system could be amended in order to reduce unnecessary complexity. The aim of the workshop was to improve understanding of patent thickets and to look at the phenomenon from the perspective of different industries, as well as to draw up recommendations for best practice and make suggestions for further research. According to Prof. Tucci, "the discussions were lively and it was fascinating to see the complexity of the challenges the participants have to deal with".