Recently, the book Experimental Use and Bolar Exemptions (ISBN 9789403518695) was published in the AIPPI Law series. It provides a comparative overview for legislators, lawyers, and companies on the scope of patent protection, with a focus on two important exceptions: the exemption for experimental use and the Bolar exemption. The exemption that places experimental use outside the scope of patent protection stems from 19th-century case law and has since been part of patent legislation worldwide. The Bolar exemption was introduced in the 1980s and allows research aimed at producing generic versions of medicines to be permitted under certain conditions. Both exemptions are interpreted differently around the world, leading to uncertainty about exactly which activities are permitted. This book discusses the scope of both exemptions from patent protection in 42 jurisdictions based on the most recent case law. The chapter discussing the Dutch situation was written by Martin Klok (V.O.) and Stefan van Kolfschooten (Pinsent Masons).

During BR Launch, the kick-off of the Corporate Relations year of the Flemish Technical Circle (VTK Leuven) on 29 September, Annemie Jaeken, Leen Beller, Patrick Decrock and Senne Plessers of V.O. gave an interactive presentation on working as a patent attorney. In a relaxed atmosphere, they discussed a high-profile patent case in the coffee market with interested master students. The event provided ample scope for in-depth discussions and introduction to the field of intellectual property. V.O. looks back fondly on the inspiring afternoon and hopes to have made the target audience interested in the patent profession.

The annual ‘Rising Stars’ were announced by Managing IP at the end of September. For V.O., they are Jetze Beeksma, Gijs de Iongh and Henri van Kalkeren. This recognition falls to a selection of the best emerging IP practitioners in private practice who have contributed to the success of their firms and clients. This does not only consider their individual contributions and expertise of an individual, but also their activities in the IP community. In addition, Martin Klok, Peter de Lange and Rutger Timmer have been recognized as Notable Practitioners because of their active or supportive role in the firm. V.O. is proud of these recognitions and congratulates these experts.

In the summer, Managing IP recognized the following colleagues as Patent Stars: Hans Bottema, Marco Box, Tamara Elmore, Bettina Hermann, Annemie Jaeken, Leo Jessen, Bernard Ledeboer, Marco Molling, Otto Oudshoorn, and Herman Witmans.                            

The importance of innovation was emphasised again this year by the awarding of the 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry and the ‘Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel’ — often referred to as the Nobel Prize in Economics.
 

The Nobel Prize in Chemistry was awarded to Susumu Kitagawa, Richard Robson and Omar Yaghi for their brilliant work on metal-organic frameworks (MOFs): molecular structures with large, porous spaces in which gas molecules can flow. All kinds of useful applications can be devised for these molecular sponges, such as harvesting water from dry desert air, capturing carbon dioxide or filtering harmful substances such as PFAS from water.
 

This year's ‘Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel’ was awarded to Noel Mokyr, Philippe Aghion and Peter Howitt. They demonstrate how technological innovation is the basis for long-term economic growth. Whereas stagnation used to be the norm, the world has experienced an unprecedented increase in prosperity over the past two hundred years. Their work emphasises that economic growth cannot be taken for granted. Only if we continue to give space to innovation and remain open to change can we continue to make progress.