THIS latest nonsense (warning: epo.org link) -- one in a long series of EPO noise -- is an appetiser for further EPO propaganda. They're buying propaganda from universities, a bit like propaganda mills. As noted in the next batch of Daily Links, this is misuse of funds and it harms science by tilting research in favour of litigation agenda, not actual innovation. Cryptic buzzwords like "4IR" are used to usher in software patents. It's a buzzword that Benoît Battistelli's so-called 'economist' loves naming. António Campinos also loves "Hey Hi" (AI) and he actively leans on judges to open the floodgates for software patents.

The corrupting influence of the people who manage the EPO, some of whom have military experience and no scientific experience, will be felt across the continent for decades to come. All those bogus patents (another one reported to have been invalidated only hours ago) will crush innovation instead of promoting it. Scholars won't talk about it as they'll clamour and beg for EPO grants. ⬆