EPO Getaway Vehicle, Baaderstrasse

Summary: Interesting updates from the European Patent Office (EPO), where things have taken a turn for the worse for Battistelli while Željko Topić secures an extension of his notorious contract

Another EPO demonstration has ended (there were two last week) and more news is starting to trickle in (during the weekend and the start of this week). This is a roundup of items sent to us by readers.

No Right to Remain Silent in Eponia?

"God complex has no place in such an institution.""The document CA/52/16 Rev. 1 (page 5/20, 27.)," according to a reader remarking on this post of ours, "reveals part of the reasoning 'Blatterstelli' used to defend his position that EPO staff should not have the right to remain silent when being investigated. The reasoning is indeed plain wrong. See the 2^nd but last comment..."

"Battistelli Into a Corner"

"We followed the recent series of TechRights postings about the October meeting of the EPO Administrative Council with interest," another reader told us.

"There were some hopeful signs during that meeting," the reader continued. "The Administrative Council more or less pushed Battistelli into a corner with his latest "reform" proposals for the internal EPO Stasi causing him to throw a "hissy fit" and withdraw these proposals for amendment until December.

The overall sentiment we have come across (based on information we could not publish either way, for safety of our sources) is that the meeting was one Battistelli would rather forget. God complex has no place in such an institution.

"Rumours that Battistelli Has Made Unsuccessful Approaches to the Swiss Government to Have Grossenbacher Removed as Head of the Swiss Delegation."

Last night we wrote about Roland Grossenbacher, who we understand has historically been close to Battistelli. Well, that may no longer be the case.

"Predictable behaviour from a Nicolas Sarkozy ally?""It is even reported that his longtime ally Grossenbacher turned against him during this debate," a source told us. "In fact some reliable internal sources claim that Grossenbacher has become openly critical of Battistelli in recent times and that relations between the two have soured to the point where Battistelli regrets having declared Grossenbacher as "honorary Chairman" of the Council back in 2009 when Battistelli himself was the Chairman. There are even rumours that Battistelli has made unsuccessful approaches to the Swiss government to have Grossenbacher removed as head of the Swiss delegation. Grossenbacher is officially retired as Director of the Swiss national IP Office but he still continues as head of the Swiss delegation to the EPO. If the rumours that Grossenbacher has really has turned against Battistelli are true then we could be in for a duel of the silverback "alpha males" at the next meeting of the Administrative Council in December."

We previously heard of Battistelli trying to remove other heads of delegations and reportedly 'buying' them too. Predictable behaviour from a Nicolas Sarkozy ally? Do we want a patent office that's as stigmatised (or corrupt) as political parties?

Željko Topić Gets Awarded

"Despite the hopeful signs which emerged during the last meeting," a source told us, "there were also some details which are likely to have escaped the casual observer but which EPO insiders have seen as a signal that Battistelli is still able to get his way with Council on personnel issues. Although not yet officially announced, it has been reported by sources close to several delegations that two key members of Team Battistelli managed to get their contracts renewed due to persistent and intense lobbying by "Il Duce". These were the Vice-Presidents Alberto Casado Cerviño and Željko Topić.

"Do we want a patent office that's as stigmatised (or corrupt) as political parties?""After the Council meeting finished the Presidential getaway car with its CD "Corps Diplomatique" plate was seen parked in the Baaderstrasse just around the corner from the EPO headquarters (see photo above) where the chauffeur patiently waited for his master who was rumoured to have gone for a slap-up meal with his Vice-Presidents to celebrate the prolongation of their terms.

"The reported extension of the contracts for the Vice-Presidents seems to be a good occasion for an update about the beneficiaries, Alberto Casado Cerviño and Željko Topić."

We wrote about this back in May. It sure looks as though EPO management isn't genuinely interested in repairing its reputation. ⬆