Daniel Closa

Daniel Closa is a former Senior Expert of the European Patent Office (EPO), where he completed a 36-year career. He holds a PhD in electrical engineering from the University of Toulouse. His procedural knowledge and expertise relating to Computer Implemented Inventions (software) made him a leading light in this area, and over a number of years he was central to the EPO’s update of its Guidelines relating to this topic as well as to resolving practical issues relating to the interpretation of the Guidelines. He is co-author of the book “Patent Law for Computer Scientist” (2010).

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Having passed the European Qualification Examination (EQE) in 1999, he has since 2000 been an active member in the EQE Board and different committees in charge of drafting and marking EQE papers. The EQE tests candidates' knowledge and aptitude to represent applicants in EPO proceedings and is widely regarded as one of the most demanding of professional examinations.

 

Daniel has extensive experience both in opposition and in procedural training. From 2022 he was also chair of the team responsible for setting up and managing the European Patent Administration Certification (EPAC). This new qualification focuses on procedural aspects under the European Patent Convention, the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) and the Paris Convention as well as national laws and other agreements applying to European patents and patent applications. It is designed for paralegals, patent administrators and formalities officers dealing with all procedures associated with the filing, prosecution, grant and maintenance of European and international patent applications before the EPO, as well as post-grant procedures. He is currently a lecturer on European patent procedure for Akademie Heildelberg.