PATINFO2026 is taking place from 10 to 12 June 2026. This will be the 48th colloquium organized by the Technical University of Ilmenau to discuss the current challenges and opportunities in the field of patent information and industrial property rights. This year, under the headline “Securing the future through IP: Intellectual property rights in times of AI, geopolitical change and pressure to innovate”, the conference will focus in particular on the impact of AI, global economic and security policy developments, and the increasing pressure on companies and institutions to innovate.
The conference will particularly focus on new forms of IP intelligence and on current initiatives by international organizations at the intersections of AI and intellectual property rights. Speakers and participants will explore ways in which companies can integrate AI specifically into their innovation and IP processes.
A highlight will be the panel discussion dedicated to the central question of the conference: Can AI become a driver of innovation, and if so, what conditions need to be created within the IP landscape to make this happen. Participants will include renowned experts from industry, public authorities, and global institutions, such as the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and the German Patent and Trademark Office (DPMA).
In addition, company representatives, IP experts, service providers and academics from Germany and abroad will give specialist presentations to address key developments in the IP landscape. Among other things, they will shed light on progress regarding the unitary patent, strategic issues relating to the national and European patent systems, and current trends in trademark, design and copyright law.
As in previous years, a trade exhibition featuring around 30 companies will accompany the conference – presenting the latest developments in intellectual property data, software and services. The programme is complemented by short presentations and a variety of free workshops. New for 2026, there will be two expert training seminars, which will allow for an in-depth examination of specific specialist topics.
PATINFO2026 is organized by PATON, the Thuringian State Patent Center. Further details on the programme and information on registration can be found on the PATINFO2026 event page.
