EPO Strategy is Keyword Stuffing and Cuts in the Name of 'Sustainable' (While Continuing to Grant Fake, Illegal Patents)
The word "sustainable" appears 42 times in the text
THIS week the SUEPO TH (EPO staff union in The Hague) committee published a communication outlining or explaining a longer document from the EPO's corrupt dictatorship, which intentionally subverts the law for monetary gains. Perhaps they think that white-collar crime can somehow become a business model and sharing money with national patent offices will ensure no member state will do anything to stop that.
Here is what it wrote to members of the union:
The key points of SP2028 for staff
SP2028 is a document full of narratives written for the Administrative Council. It nevertheless sketches our future in the coming years, and it is therefore an important reference document. It is worthwhile to read the document or to have at least a look on the KPI’s (Annex 1 of SP2028). Even relatively small projects such as the renovation of the kitchen of the canteen in The Hague or the renovation of the garage of PschorrHöfe in Munich (page 23, col. 1) can be found in the document.
SP2028 is full of buzzwords and euphemisms. The most prominent one is “sustainable” which appears 42 times in the text. The reader might have doubts, however, whether the SP2028 actually contributes to the sustainability of the office!
Below are some key points of interest for staff:
Despite the Office being in a financially solid position, the EPO will continue to make efforts to have even “more” financial sustainability (page 6, col. 1): 2.1% increase in productivity until 2035 is the key to achieve it (KPI).
IT development and AI are the cornerstone of the future office: for achieving quantity, quality (page 29, col. 3, page 31, col. 3) and financial sustainability (page 70, col. 3). The Office, a knowledge-based organization, seems to be transforming into an IT driven organization. And the new tools will be introduced more ruthlessly (page 12).
National Patent Offices will receive tools (page 51, col. 3) and knowledge transfer. Practices will be harmonized in Europe leading to harmonized patent procedures (page 51, col. 1). There is a potential for decentralization of the EPO on the long run.
Social dialogue will remain social monologue (page 22, col. 3).
SUEPO TH finds that the topics are well selected. For a sustainable success of the EPO however, priorities need to be set differently:
A strong and central EPO will assure solid contributions to the financial stability of the office also in the future. It can be built on the achievements and the work of the last 50 years. There is no need to be financially overcautious by changing the funding goals for the pension reserve fund, which according to the independent actuaries is adequately funded. Hiring of examiners is needed in order not to let the backlog get out of hand.
New IT tools and AI will undoubtedly shape the future of the office. However, development and implementation should be carried out properly, including assessment of risks (patent quality, risks for staff, job security and staff health), consultation of all stakeholders including staff, complete testing and comprehensive training. Do the right thing the right way!
Genuine social dialogue and consultation reduces litigation and social and legal costs, and contributes to the sustainable development of the office.
Remember that key functions of the EPO got outsourced to Microsoft. Notice they misuse of buzzwords like "AI". █