Summary: Background information about the recent trend towards "validation agreements" with non-European developing countries

A FEW hours ago the EPO retweeted this Adams & Adams tweet which says: "During its annual Africa IP Network Week, the firm co-hosted the Africa Patent Examination Summit with @EPOorg."

"During Battistelli's term of office the EPO has been busy concluding so-called "validation agreements" with developing countries outside of Europe."Now is therefore a good time to continue our series (see part 1) about Battistelli's 'Club Med' at the EPO.

The research team has been exploring some possible connections which were suggested by the EPO's recent "validation agreements" with developing countries such as Angola (but not limited to it). The following text is focused on the EPO validation agreement with Angola, whose background will probably be explained in future posts (beyond this series).

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During Battistelli's term of office the EPO has been busy concluding so-called "validation agreements" with developing countries outside of Europe. The "patent industry" has praised these efforts as an example of "thinking outside the confines of the continental map" and has touted them as "a game changer for European patent applicants".

"By a strange coincidence most of the validation agreements so far have been with former French colonies or protectorates such as Morocco, Tunisia, Cambodia and Laos."The stated objectives of these agreements are to enhance the technical capacities of national patent offices and improve their ability to raise patent awareness among national innovators.

By a strange coincidence most of the validation agreements so far have been with former French colonies or protectorates such as Morocco, Tunisia, Cambodia and Laos.

More recently it has been noticed that Battistelli appears to be intent on expanding the scope of his global mission.

"Shortly afterwards, Mr. Camati travelled to Lisbon where he paid a visit to the Portuguese National Intellectual Property (INPI) and was received by the INPI Director-General, Mrs. Leonor Trindade, who is reputed to be a loyal supporter of Battestelli on the EPO's Administrative Council."In May 2017 a bilateral co-operation agreement was signed with Angola (epo.org link) when the Director-General of the Institute of Industrial Property of Angola (IAPI), Mr Dário Camati, visited the EPO headquarters in Munich.

Shortly afterwards, Mr. Camati travelled to Lisbon where he paid a visit to the Portuguese National Intellectual Property (INPI) and was received by the INPI Director-General, Mrs. Leonor Trindade, who is reputed to be a loyal supporter of Battestelli on the EPO's Administrative Council.

Further research into these matters and into Angolan-Portuguese connections and domestic Portuguese politics has led to a number of interesting insights. Part III will be published soon. ⬆