For the 10th time, the European Satellite Navigation Competition (ESNC) is calling for services, products, and business innovations that use satellite navigation in everyday life. As a new partner in 2013, the European Patent Office (EPO) will award a prize to the best GNSS application innovation that has been granted a European patent.
Oberpfaffenhofen, 11 June 2013: Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) like GPS or Galileo provide position, navigation, and timing information to users anywhere on Earth. As GNSS capabilities are part of virtually every aircraft, ship, mobile phone, and most new automobiles, a global billion market for receivers and applications has arisen in recent years. With the development and extension of the European satellite navigation system Galileo the protection of innovative technologies and applications is becoming more and more important for Europe’s inventors. In 2012, the European Patent Office (EPO) granted 104 patents in the field of satellite navigation technologies (source: EPO).
For the first time the EPO will award a prize within the ESNC 2013 to the best GNSS application innovation that has been granted a European patent. “We want to support inventors to gain recognition while helping them to protect ideas and to encourage innovation. The ESNC is a fantastic opportunity for us to seek out promising patented GNSS related innovation. Our prize will recognise the best patented innovation based on its high economic potential, strong technological impact, and outstanding benefits for today's society.” says Oswald Schröder, Principal Director Communications and Spokesperson at EPO.
The winner of the ESNC EPO Best Patented Innovation Prize will be shortlisted and presented to the jury tasked with compiling a list of 15 total finalists (in five different categories) for the prestigious European Inventor Award 2014. If nominated, the winner will be included in a Europe-wide publicity campaign and get dedicated marketing support including integration in high-ranking media partnerships, e.g. with CNN, Financial Times, or Les Echos. In addition, the winner and two runners-up will receive an economic study (valued at approx. EUR 5,000) on the market potential of their patent in the corresponding field of technology.
Submission for this year’s ESNC is possible until 30 June 2013. At www.galileo-masters.eu, participants and other interested parties can access all of the information on this year’s prizes and partners, the terms of participation, and a direct link to sign in to the database. The winners will then be recognised at a festive awards ceremony to be held in Munich, Germany, on 5 November 2013. For further information on the EPO Special Prize, please refer to: www.epo.galileo-masters.eu
Contact:
Lena Klemm,
Anwendungszentrum GmbH Oberpfaffenhofen,
Friedrichshafener Str. 1,
82205 Gilching,
+49(0)8105-7727717,
Email Contact
