10.16.15
Translation Needed: High Employee Sabotaged European Patent Office (EPO)
Summary: In response to the EPO’s crackdown on its very own staff a report was issued, but a good translation of it is needed for wider circulation and informed responses
LAST NIGHT Merpel showed a seemingly (on the surface) good start for actions by EPO staff. But read the bottom two paragraphs that say: “Merpel initially thought she detected, in the section dealing with the “social situation” a recognition by the AC that the unrest and low morale in the Office need to be dealt with, in spite of repeated denials from Mr Battistelli.
“[EPO] Communiqué is silent on the ongoing investigation of staff representatives, and especially the accusations against Elizabeth Hardon, Chair of SUEPO Munich and the Local Staff Committee.”
–SUEPO“However, launching a social study “in close co-operation with the President” deprives that study of any credibility. A report which is vetted, contributed to, and possibly edited by the President will be a whitewash. If the people carrying out the study are not able to express themselves freely, i.e. if they work in the office or are engaged and briefed by the management of the office, then it will be a whitewash. It sounds like the AC wants to be project an air of concern, but is in no way interested in properly understanding the issues. If the AC was at all serious about understanding the social situation and dealing decisively with the rot, they would engage an independent, credible firm to investigate the “social situation” and would politely instruct the President to co-operate with the study. That’s not what this sounds like.”
This post was titled “EPO AC says no to Battistelli & yes to the rule of law,” to which the FFII’s President responded with “EPO is not responsible of its acts in front of a court, so the “rule of law” does not exist” (as confirmed by what everyone witnessed earlier this year in the Netherlands). SUEPO remarked on Merpel’s post earlier this morning. It mentioned that this blog post’s “comments note that the Communiqué is silent on the ongoing investigation of staff representatives, and especially the accusations against Elizabeth Hardon, Chair of SUEPO Munich and the Local Staff Committee.”
Speaking of the Netherlands, there is this article in Dutch (we have archived it to bypass a paywall) we want a translation of (to help expand its reach beyond a few — at most perhaps 50 million worldwide — people). Google translates the headline as “High employee sabotaged European Patent Office”, but can anyone who speaks Dutch please help provide a decent translation? Even for just a paragraph or two? We already got one volunteer, but he lacks time, for now…
Posting a translation in the comments section below may do. Accuracy is needed because EPO management is nitpicking (to discredit the messengers). █
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luvr said,
October 16, 2015 at 8:54 am
The title, “High Employee Sabotaged European Patent Office (EPO)” is a correct translation. Here is a translation of the first paragraph:
“A member of one of the boards of appeal of the European Patent Office (EPO) ran a campaign for the past few years, presumably with help from others, with a goal to put the institution in a bad light. The highest administrative body of the EPO wishes, therefore, to dismiss him and possibly file a complaint against him, but it cannot do so for now, because of his independent position.”
luvr said,
October 16, 2015 at 9:07 am
Second paragraph:
“On Thursday, the administrative council, in which all of the 38 EPO member states are represented, decided to ask the coordinating enlarged board of appeal to confirm the dismissal. Earlier on, the administrative council had refused to do so. This institution, of other members of the courts of appeal and independent members, must formally request the dismissal.”
luvr said,
October 16, 2015 at 9:22 am
Subtitle:
“Campaign of Sabotage”
Third paragraph:
“The EPO confirmed on Thursday that the high-ranking official, who is an IT specialist, was found guilty of ‘serious misconduct and illegal activities’, after extensive internal investigation. Among other things, he conducted a far-reaching smear campaign against the EPO and its leadership. He also leaked confidential internal information on a matter that was brought before a court of appeal, to a German lawyer specialised in intellectual property issues.”
luvr said,
October 16, 2015 at 9:32 am
Fourth paragraph:
“According to EPO sources, with his slander, the official in question, whose identity and nationality are not being disclosed, would have attempted to sabotage the introduction of the European unified patent. He did this either anonymously, or through the use of pseudonyms. The investigation continues to look for accomplices, both inside and outside of the organisation.”
Dr. Roy Schestowitz Reply:
October 16th, 2015 at 9:36 am
Thank you for this translation. I shall post that as a new article for wider exposure.
luvr said,
October 16, 2015 at 9:45 am
Subtitle:
“Arms and Nazi Propaganda”
Fifth paragraph:
“The investigation on the misconduct, which comprises over 1000 pages, was verified by a British former judge of the European court of justice, who found it to be solid. Furthermore, in the Munich office of the official in question, arms were found, as well as nazi and neonazi propaganda. He was already sent on leave last December, pending the outcome of the investigation.”
luvr said,
October 16, 2015 at 9:52 am
Sixth (and final) paragraph:
“The EPO has a total of 28 technical boards of appeal, where disputes on (violations of) patents are handled, with 152 members. The EPO has, among others, a major location in Rijswijk, with 2700 employees.”
Dr. Roy Schestowitz Reply:
October 16th, 2015 at 9:58 am
Thank you. A response on its way…
luvr Reply:
October 16th, 2015 at 10:03 am
You’re welcome!
Glad I could be of help.
luvr said,
October 16, 2015 at 9:59 am
For the sake of completeness:
“Original Dutch version by Ulko Jonker.
Correspondent in The Hague. Inclined to want to know everything. Rarely persuaded. Journalist since 1976. ‘Stick to Facts, sir’.”