Corporate imperialism traditionally mischaracterises its antagonists as the 'naughty' ones
ON FRIDAY NIGHT we explained how the EPO's management tries to portray all (or most) of its issues as the fault of one person, whose identity is now known to us. Despite efforts to pay the media for positive coverage, we don't think that corporate media reports/articles parroting the EPO's propaganda are necessarily paid-for placements; they might just be based on what Benoît Battistelli wrote internally on Friday, or passed to the media in advance.
"First they came for individual workers like Elizabeth Hardon, then they came for unions (SUEPO), then they came for EBoA (or for other peripheral boards) and soon they'll go after members of the public, as they already have for fears (silently, under threats)."There seems to be a new campaign brewing within high-floor offices of the EPO building in Munich. First they came for individual workers like Elizabeth Hardon, then they came for unions (SUEPO), then they came for EBoA (or for other peripheral boards) and soon they'll go after members of the public, as they already have for fears (silently, under threats). "But I wasn't X" is what the famous "First they came for" poem is followed by. To quote Wikipedia, ""First they came ..." is a famous statement and provocative poem written by Pastor Martin Niemöller (1892–1984) about the cowardice of German intellectuals following the Nazis' rise to power and the subsequent purging of their chosen targets, group after group. Many variations and adaptations in the spirit of the original have been published in the English language. It deals with themes of persecution, guilt and responsibility."
The EPO is now giving birth and additional powers to a massive, global, new corporate regime, sheltered by the injunctions-happy UPC, cushioned by more global collusions such as TPP. Those who choose to just sit idly at the side are guaranteed to lose in the long term because sooner or later everyone is destined to be affected. The old European order is doomed not in favour of harmony or unity but in favour of further centralisation of wealth and power, protected by new and repressive laws, new overreaching courts, and even the ability of corporations to sue states (I.S.D.S. for instance).
"There is clearly some hypocrisy on the issue of "defamation" because it is often the EPO's management that defames its own employees, making claims about them without any hard proof, then spreading these claims in order to discredit and belittle them."The EPO is targeting its opposition not by trying to appease it but by aggressive action and shameless bullying. There is a campaign of defamation going on, they say, alluding to allegations which relate to criminal charges. Certain shady people, likely those in management, have been coordinating smears and manipulating journalists so as to discourage wider discussion of these issues. There is clearly some hypocrisy on the issue of "defamation" because it is often the EPO's management that defames its own employees, making claims about them without any hard proof, then spreading these claims in order to discredit and belittle them. What a nasty form of abuse.
History remembers one tyrant who became infamous for blaming a group of people for all of his problems. No, that's not just Battistelli blaming everything on SUEPO or Elizabeth Hardon. Battistelli's Hardon issue aside, he now has another person to blame and here too we see a familiar pattern of "killing the messenger".
I am personally familiar with many examples where accusations of Nazi connections, rape, child pornography etc. are fraudulently used to discredit people who speak truth to power. The common goal is to prevent media/colleagues/courts from taking them seriously. People in positions of power are habitually engaging in a "campaign of defamation" against their critics, but they enjoy a two-tier 'justice' systems which makes this a punishable offence only for the poor. In EPOnia, which is lawless, it doesn't even matter what's ethical or legal. The golden rule (of gold) is the law of the land.
Earlier today (or yesterday depending on one's timezone) we learned that the goons in the EPO now throw around the "Nazi" smear (dirt-digging perfected). EPO staff should ignore the latest internal EPO communiqué as it is part of a grotesque, ugly, Putin-esque character assassination. Battistelli's PR strategy has gone truly Godwinian. Here is the internal EPO communiqué which sets the tone of Battistelli's PR strategy right now (apart from pretending that EPO staff is happy, using terrible propaganda in the making):
On the heels of this paper comes the following internal announcement on
the intranet:
Home —> Organisation —> President —> The President —> Announcements 2015 Defending our values
16.10.2015
Unprecedented disciplinary case
Dear Colleagues
It is my duty to inform you about an unprecedented disciplinary case concerning an employee appointed by the Administrative Council.
In its session of March 2015, the Administrative Council initiated a disciplinary procedure and nominated a Disciplinary Committee, composed of two renowned experts of the Intellectual Property world, two members of the Boards of Appeal and chaired by an eminent UK judge and former judge at the European Court of Justice.
The Disciplinary Committee expressed the view that the relevant rules and principles of law were correctly applied throughout the investigative and disciplinary procedure and assessed the facts brought forward during the investigation.
Among a long list of serious misconducts, including inter alia, abuse of IT system by using unauthorized software and thereby putting at risk EPO systems and data, and storage of items defined as weapons under German law and extremist material (including examples of Nazi memorabilia) at the workplace, the Disciplinary Committee focused on the following acts:
— the unauthorised disclosure of non-public information and critical opinions relating to Board of Appeal activities outside the EPO, while using pseudonyms;
— the spreading of accusations and attacks or threats against the EPO and its members, either directly or indirectly, both inside and outside the EPO.
Then the Disciplinary Committee stated "The appropriate sanction in the opinion of the Disciplinary Committee is dismissal pursuant to Article 93(2)(f) of the Service Regulations."
On October 15, the Administrative Council endorsed the opinion of the Disciplinary Committee that the appropriate disciplinary measure is dismissal.
Pursuant to article 23(1) EPC, the removal from office of a member of Boards of Appeal is possible on a proposal from the Enlarged Board of Appeal (EBA). Therefore the Administrative Council decided to request the EBA to make such a proposal.
Until a final decision is taken by the Administrative Council, the staff member shall remain suspended and, in consideration of the serious misconduct now established by the Disciplinary Committee, half of his basic salary shall be withheld.
I am deeply saddened by these events and the subsequent internal and external unfounded controversy, which have seriously damaged both the Office and the Boards of Appeal's reputation and credibility.
Regrettably, it appears that this individual did not act alone and is one part of a network including internal and external individuals, aiming to destabilise and harm our Office.
These acts represent a direct threat for the future of the staff.
You know that you can count on my determination and commitment to take, with the full support of the EPO's management and staff, the necessary appropriate measures to avoid such harmful acts occurring in the future, regardless of the status of those involved. Together we will protect our mission, values and integrity.
Benoît Battistelli
President