10 Years of In-Depth EPO Coverage at Techrights (Many Others Have Abandoned the Topic)
How many more people's lives will the EPO ruin?
IN JULY 2014, just a few months before we moved, we had already begun preparing for EPO leaks to come out. Prior to this, probably since around 2008, this site covered EPO affairs, albeit without any exclusive material, just publicly-available information.
By the following year (2015) EPO management resorted to censorship attempts by hiring several law firms based in London, to no avail (they just wasted their money; our side was 100% pro bono).
Back then IP Kat also played a big role. Remember IP Kat? It just hasn't been the same in recent years and last week another longtime contributor/writer from IP Kat left (Tian Lu left the fellow kittens, not to be replaced by any regulars).
Things have not been the same since the EPO managers issued threats, ultimatums, and sanctions. The thugs wanted more "balance", i.e. more censorship. EPO managers wanted to be left alone while corruption went on... and on.
Here we are 10 years later and we still regularly cover EPO affairs. We try to increase transparency at the EPO and yesterday we reposted a couple of long documents (we recognise that most people only read headlines, but the full details are available for those who want/need them).
One person said (as recently as yesterday) that such transparency is beneficial as "the impact on EPO over time has been positive even if the organisation is such a steaming pile. I'm not sure what the right way to get the EU to clean house there would be."
I said that the current EPO administration and the patents it "makes" ruined countless lives.
"Yes," this person said, "lives and businesses, both."
"However the disinformation has been institutionalised around the EU."
"Fortunately there are still some which say it like it is":
The following, as such, shall not be regarded as inventions:(1) discoveries, scientific theories and mathematical methods;
(2) aesthetic creations:
(3) schemes, rules and methods for performing mental acts, playing games or doing business, and programs for computers;
(4) presentations of information.
"Note the 'validation' scam involving massive redundant payments":
For European-wide protection, you can register a European patent with the European Patent Office (EPO). A European patent also needs to be validated by the national patent office in each country where protection is required. Depending on the country's law, you may have to provide translations or pay fees by a certain date.
This isn't a system designed for inventors but for lawyers and World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) cartel members. They get rich at everyone else's expense.
We'll continue to cover EPO affairs for as long as it is necessary and relevant. █