Megalomania and paranoia are not so far apart

Summary: Battistelli is wrecking what's left of the EPO's reputation (after decades it took the Office to earn it) as the media continues to scrutinise his appalling regime

IN SPITE of an effort to keep a low profile, the EPO is receiving unwanted attention from European TV, from European politicians, and even Croatian authorities. There's more on the way, based on our sources. In the mean time, judging by this article from earlier today, patent scope at the EPO comes under fire again. To quote:

In May, a record 65,000 people from 30 countries and 32 organizations have backed the complaint issued to the European Patent Office due to the approval of a Syngenta tomato discovered in South America and cultivated by traditional methods.

The tomato was accepted as an "invention" in August 2015, with patent EP1515600, which further describes a "flavonoid pathway in the production and domestication method of the tomato." This gives the Swiss company Syngenta the power over all plants with the characteristics mentioned, including seeds and even fruits and foods derived from them.

"This so-called "invention", however, is simply a crossing of tomatoes originating in Peru and Chile, with varieties currently grown in industrialised countries," said via email to La Gran Época María Carrascosa, of the association Red de Semillas, which joined the international coalition "Against patents on seeds".

There should be similar movements against software patents at the EPO. This relates to the UPC and we are aware of organisation against it (work in progress apparently).

Regarding the presidential bike story (updated thrice by now), one person asks: "Why would an (alleged) tampering with brakes matter at all? I can't imagine BB [Battistelli] braking for anyone or anything..."

There is now even a whole article about it, published earlier today at The Register. To quote some bits: "Every CEO knows it's impossible to be universally liked. But when staff start cutting your brakes, maybe it's time to consider moving on.

"The president of the European Patent Office (EPO), Benoit Battistelli, has already been on the receiving end of an official censure from his board, a series of strikes, several highly critical news reports, and a zero per cent confidence rating. But an announcement sent to all staff on Wednesday topped the lot.

""Deliberate damage to personal property of the President," read the subject line in an email sent from EPO vice president Željko Topić and seen by The Register."

Here is a new fact. Battistelli apparently has nothing short of six (6!) bodyguards now. That's insane and no wonder it's so expensive. To quote: "That's not all. According to reports, the EPO has recently hired no fewer than six bodyguards to provide "close protection" of Battistelli for six months for the princely sum of €550,000 ($615,000).

"The irony of the EPO paying hundreds of thousands of euros to protect Battistelli from his own staff while cutting the salaries and benefits of staff representatives that stood up to his reorganization plans has not been lost on people.

"Incredibly, however, despite an ever-increasing outcry against Battistelli and his executive team and several meetings of the EPO's Administrative Council focused solely on how to overcome the breakdown in staff-management communication, Battistelli is still refusing to budge an inch.

"Despite being told to fix the situation and scale back the problems in March, Battistelli has instead proposed reforms that have angered staff even more. They are now planning yet more protests to take place during the organization's annual PR showpiece, the EPO European Inventor Award in June."

“It is worth explaining that EPO has been granted sovereignty status by the European Commission, hence no local laws apply and its president has status almost equal to that of a head of state (totalitarian one).”
      --AnonymousThis is very negative publicity for the EPO. "The EPO Also Ranks No. 1 in Having the Most Unpopular President," wrote Patent Buddy, perhaps alluding to the IAM nonsense (also published earlier today).

Looking at some of the comments on this article, there is no sympathy at all for Battistelli. One person says: "There's a line in HHGG about "waiting for the right...price". I'd sack the whole board as well, they are supposed to ensure that situations like this never occur."

Another comment says: "It is worth explaining that EPO has been granted sovereignty status by the European Commission, hence no local laws apply and its president has status almost equal to that of a head of state (totalitarian one)."

The number of bodyguards is then brought up: "SIX bodyguards?

"I assume that means he has 24x7 protection and more than one bodyguard much of the time. Apparently they're worried about a team coming after him, not a single disgruntled individual."

Many jokes ensued, e.g.: "Good job no one tried to kill the VP

“I mean if he needs bodyguards surely a bicycle isn't an option.”
      --Anonymous"That would be going off Topic"

Here is another joke: "Do the bodyguards have bikes too and how exactly would that work?

"Do they flank him either side? Follow from behind at a safe distance?

"I mean if he needs bodyguards surely a bicycle isn't an option."

Finally: "From now on, he'll probably use a bullet proof bicycle."

There is more coming Battistelli's way in the negative publicity sense. The harder he tries to paint himself as a victim, the worse it gets for him. ⬆