Dr. Ursula Schoch-Gruebler receives the IPI Award 2003

Above:  Dr. Ursula Schoch-Gruebler, (fourth  from left) displays the ‘International Patent Information Award’ plaque with IPI-Award Sponsor, Mr. Ford Khorsandian, accompanied by IPI International Selection Board Members (from right to left): Dr. Christoph Haxel, Mr. Yutaka Wada and Ms. Lucy Akers.  Third from left is Mr. Wolfgang Pilch, IPI-Award recipient 2002.

Ceremony During the combined European Patent Office’s EPIDOS and European Commission’s PATINNOVA Conferences

On this starlit night in Luxembourg, Monday 10th November, 2003, several buses in succession gently glide to a halt outside of the historic Cercle Municipal.  Alighting from the buses are throngs of delegates representing major players in the patent world, comprising decision-makers in industry and government, patent professionals, innovators, consultants, universities and information brokers. 

They have come this evening at the special invitation of the Mayor of the City of Luxembourg.  As attendees of the combined EPIDOS & PATINNOVA Conferences, the delegates are soon greeted with a welcoming speech by the Deputy Mayor of Luxembourg, Mr. Paul Helminger, and reciprocal speeches by Dr. Ingo Kober, President of the European Patent Office and Mr. Durvy of the European Commission.

Above:  Dr. Ingo Kober, President of the European Patent Office, welcomes the guests.

That which is already a special evening promises to become even more special, as the gathered party’s attention is captured to witness and celebrate the achievements of fellow patent information professional, Dr. Ursula Schoch-Gruebler.  Dr. Schoch-Gruebler holds the position of Senior Vice-President of the BASF Group Information Center in Germany.  She is here this evening to receive the highest accolade in patent information, the International Patent Information (IPI) Award.     

Mr. Daniel Shalloe from the EPO is first to speak as he announces the commencement of the ceremony.  He hands over to the Award organizer and sponsor, Mr. Ford Khorsandian of Technology & Patent Research (TPR) International.

Ford Khorsandian explains how the International Patent Information Award has been established to recognize those dedicated individuals who, through their hard work, professional excellence and personal leadership, have made a significant positive impact on the Patent Information Industry and the Patent Information Profession.  He then introduces the members of the International Selection Board, who are responsible for evaluating the nominations and choosing the recipient for 2003.   The members of the Board present on the stage are:

Ms. Lucy Akers from Akers & Company, current Chairperson of the Patent Information Users Group, the PIUG

Mr. Yutaka Wada, President of the PATOLIS Corporation in Japan

and Dr. Christoph Haxel from Henkel, current President of the Patent Documentation Group, the PDG

Mr. Khorsandian then proceeds to thank the Board members, including those not able to be present, and also thanks the EPO, the Luxembourg Ministry of the Economy and those connected with organizing EPIDOS/PATINNOVA who have proffered the use of this superb venue.  He concludes by handing the floor to Mr. Wolfgang Pilch, Principal Director at the EPO, who is also the previous year’s recipient of the IPI-Award.

Above: Mr. Wolfgang Pilch presents a biography of Dr. Schoch-Gruebler.  Standing (left to right) are IPI Board Members Mr. Ford Khorsandian, Ms. Lucy Akers, Mr. Yutaka Wada  and Dr. Christoph Haxel.

Mr. Pilch begins by giving a biographical account of Dr. Schoch-Gruebler’s career, beginning with her progressive rise through the ranks at BASF, and culminating with her current senior position within the BASF Group Information Center.  Along the way, Dr. Schoch-Gruebler’s career has been richly peppered with landmark achievements in founding patent information groups such as ARPAD and IMPACT, and her active, long-term participation as Chairperson on the Scientific Advisory Board of FIZ Karlsruhe and as President of the powerful Patent Documentation Group.

Other noteworthy contributions, among many, are Dr. Schoch-Gruebler’s involvement at the 1997 EPO Hearing, which helped establish the framework of the EPO’s future information policies, and her participation as a member on the German Ministry for Education and Research Steering Committee, devising a strategy for the future of scientific and technical information. 

To convey Dr. Schoch-Gruebler’s special approach to challenges, Mr. Pilch shares an amusing memory of assisting a determined Ursula elegantly over the wall to the Belvedere Palace in Vienna in her desire to gain access and stroll the gardens there.  Her quick and successful approach to this problem hinted at the same kind of determination that she would apply to future problems in a professional setting.   

Next at the podium is IPI-Award Board Member, Lucy Akers.  She explains how the Board has recognized Dr. Schoch-Gruebler as being renowned for her strategic view of patent information.  She is also regarded as a catalyst in bringing about significant and lasting change with respect to patent information vendors and patent granting authorities alike.  Ms. Akers invites the guest of honor, Dr. Ursula Schoch-Gruebler, to step forward to receive the IPI-Award and honorarium. 

Above:  A delighted Dr. Schoch-Gruebler  accepts the ‘International Patent Information Award’ from  Ford Khorsandian of Technology & Patent Research (TPR) International.

The audience applauds loudly in appreciation of Dr. Schoch-Gruebler’s lifelong contribution to the advancement of patent information.   Shaking hands with Mr. Pilch and the members of the IPI-Award Board, Dr. Schoch-Gruebler gratefully receives the handsome IPI-Award plaque from Ford Khorsandian.  The weight of the plaque, with its solid walnut and lustrous brass plates, appropriately conveys the stature of the Award and the high esteem in which the Award recipient is held by the patent information community.    

Dr. Schoch-Gruebler relates what an honor it is to be ranked alongside previous Award recipients Monty Hyams, Stu Kaback and Wolfgang Pilch.  She also names some of her heroes and mentors at BASF and from the patent information world, particularly noting their infectious enthusiasm and commitment.

Above:  Dr. Schoch-Gruebler shares her thoughts on the future of patent information. 

Dr. Schoch-Greubler refers to the hurdles encountered and overcome since 1976 and compares these to the modern day hurdles.  The solution to these, she says, is still the same – “namely that we must deliver quality, in terms of timeliness, comprehensiveness and reliability, at a reasonable price.”  She mentions seeing some big hurdles overcome as a result of the EPO hearing in 1997, which has led to the impressive expansion of searchable data provision via the patent offices.  She also touches on the complex issue of commercial information providers versus subsidized, “free” information.  The industry association groups have a vital role to play in ensuring that solutions will have a long-term benefit for the information community as a whole and will remain affordable.

Above: Dr. Schoch-Gruebler listens to the congratulatory  messages delivered on behalf of the industry associations. Left: Dr. Klaus-Dieter Langfinger (BASF).  Right: Mr. Rob Willows (Thomson Scientific).

Following Dr. Schoch-Gruebler’s speech, the members of the IPI Board step forward to deliver congratulatory messages on behalf of patent information industry groups.  Dr. Langfinger, Vice President of BASF Patents, Trademarks and Licenses, is also on hand.  He has especially made the trip to Luxembourg to acknowledge Dr. Schoch-Gruebler’s achievements within BASF and to offer congratulations on behalf of the company. 

The speeches over, the evening continues with joyful smiles, the clicking of cameras and the exchange of anecdotes over dinner.   

Concerning the future of patent information, one thing is clear – like her approach to garden walls in Vienna, when presented with patent information hurdles, Dr. Ursula Schoch-Gruebler sets an example in encouraging others not to be deterred, but to look for elegant solutions.  

Above:  Dr. Schoch-Gruebler with IPI-Award Board members and European Patent Office dignitaries Dr. Ingo Kober (President) Dr. Curt Edfjall (Vice President) and Mr. Wolfgang Pilch (Principal Director).

Above:  Dr. Schoch-Gruebler with BASF colleagues and IPI-Board Members.  Left to right: Mr. Yutaka Wada (Patolis), Mr. Ford Khorsandian (Technology & Patent Research International), Mr. Barz (BASF), Dr. Peter Kallas (BASF), Dr. Thomas Lorenz (BASF), Dr. Schoch-Gruebler (BASF), Dr. Werner Schoch (BASF), Ms. Lucy Akers (Akers & Co.), Dr. Christoph Haxel (Henkel),  Dr. Klaus-Dieter Langfinger (BASF)and Mr. Wolfgang Pilch (EPO).

Click on the names below for full speech transcripts and more photographs:

*  Introduction, by Daniel Shalloe

*  IPI-Award significance, by Ford Khorsandian

*  Speech in honor of Dr. Ursula Schoch-Gruebler by Mr. Wolfgang Pilch

*  Reflections of the IPI-Award Selection Board, by Lucy Akers

*  Dr. Ursula Schoch-Gruebler acceptance speech

*  Congratulatory messages from organizations and individuals

Or,

*  Click here for IPI ‘Hall of Fame’ and biography of Dr. Ursula Schoch-Gruebler

*  Click here for more photographs of the IPI-Award Ceremony

Use ‘back’ key to go to previous page