The Baltic States – far away from the Balkans, but just as susceptible to "capture".
Just like most of the countries in the Balkan peninsula, the Baltic States – Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia – are small countries which are at high risk of "capture" by rogue supranational organisations such as the EPO.
"From the geopolitical perspective, the Baltic States are situated on the fault-line between the Nordic, German and Russian spheres of influence."In the eighteenth century, the territories of what are today Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia were swallowed up by the expanding Russian Empire and remained under Russian hegemony until the end of the first World War.
After the collapse of Tsarist Russia and the Bolshevik Revolution of 1917, they enjoyed a brief period of precarious freedom until 1939 when they were once again swallowed up by Russia - this time the Soviet Union.
Stalin's annexation of the Baltic states was "agreed" with Nazi Germany under the terms of the "secret protocol" to the Ribbentrop-Molotov Pact signed in August 1939.
"Once they had regained their independence, these countries proceeded to re-establish various state institutions which had been abolished under Soviet rule, including their national patent offices."After the end of the Second World War, the Russians held onto the Baltic States and they only succeeded in reclaiming their independence in 1991 as a result of the disintegration of the Soviet Union.
Once they had regained their independence, these countries proceeded to re-establish various state institutions which had been abolished under Soviet rule, including their national patent offices.
In the upcoming series we plan to take a look at the relationship between the national patent offices of the Baltic States and the European Patent Organisation.
"In the upcoming series we plan to take a look at the relationship between the national patent offices of the Baltic States and the European Patent Organisation."There are clear indications that these states belonged to the "large group of smaller countries" which Benoît Battistelli had under his sway and which he was able to influence to the detriment of good governance and the rule of law at the EPO, as publicly reported by the Netherlands delegation back in April 2017.
Amongst other things, we hope to reveal some little known details of the "Baltic Crusade" conducted by Battistelli when he was running for the position of EPO President in 2009/2010.
"Until now Enäjärvi's role in EPO affairs has been a well-kept secret."A key figure in this saga was the former Director-General of the Finnish Patents and Registrations Office, Martti Enäjärvi, who acted as a local "facilitator" to open doors for Battistelli in the Baltic region.
Until now Enäjärvi's role in EPO affairs has been a well-kept secret. Even many EPO insiders fail to appreciate the extent of his behind-the-scenes influence and his hidden contribution to EPO affairs over the last decade and a half.
"In addition to this, we will also look at Enäjärvi's close links to Battistelli's successor at the EPO, António Campinos, formerly Executive Director of the EU trademark agency OHIM/EUIPO in Alicante."The present series will endeavour to cast some badly needed light on these matters.
Amongst other things, we plan to present an in-depth exposé of how Enäjärvi helped to pave the way for Battistelli's power grab at the EPO. In addition to this, we will also look at Enäjärvi's close links to Battistelli's successor at the EPO, António Campinos, formerly Executive Director of the EU trademark agency OHIM/EUIPO in Alicante.
Stay tuned for more coming up shortly... ⬆