THE EPO has become so scandalous (an elaborate mess!) that we need new tools/facilities just to keep track of it all and keep it properly cataloged. The American patent system looks like a saint compared to today's EPO. There aren't just technical problems but also human rights issues, nepotism, and possibly criminal elements like fraud. The Office and by extension the entire Organisation is rapidly becoming Europe's greatest source of shame.
"Is Europe harbouring a banana republic right at the very heart of Bavaria?""Buenos días from the 26th edition of #EPOPIC in Madrid," it said separately. "Who's joining us? pic.twitter.com/iY25LA4n2V"
Well, Patricia García-Escudero is joining you guys pretty soon. More specifically, she'll serve almost like Battistelli's 'mole' inside the BoAC. How can anyone not see that there is a 'mole' in the supposedly 'independent' Boards of Appeal? This was foreseen and it is increasingly being confirmed. Watch the photo in this new EPO "news" item (epo.org link). Scroll down and focus on the picture of "Ms Patricia García-Escudero, Director General of the Spanish Patent and Trademark Office and President Benoît Battistelli" under "Bilateral co-operation plan signed with Spain" (guess who signed it).
Remember Spain's opposition to the UPC. Is Battistelli using connections through a Vice-President from Spain? The EPO said this yesterday: "The EPO President used the occasion of the Madrid conference to meet with representatives of Spanish government, industry, media and the IP profession. After meeting with José María Jover, Under-Secretary of Industry, Energy and Tourism and President of the Spanish Patent and Trademark Office, a new bilateral co-operation plan in the field of patents was signed with Ms Patricia García-Escudero, Director General of the Spanish Patent and Trademark Office. Covering the period 2016-2018, the new bilateral cooperation plan also includes projects in the field of Patent Information and Awareness and Patent related IT services and tools. Spain has been a member of the European Patent Organisation since 1 October 1986. Last year the EPO received more than 1 500 patent applications from Spain, an increase of 3.8% over the previous year."
The main issue here is that with growing proximity to Battistelli and his ilk it's almost guaranteed that Patricia García-Escudero has new loyalties and she'll be a force for Battistelli -- not a force for good/justice -- inside the BoAC. How can the AC (Administrative Council) be so blind to this? Is Europe harbouring a banana republic right at the very heart of Bavaria? ⬆