Summary: Two stories about the EUIPO and Mr. Campinos, whose son wants to inherit the father's immunity after reportedly "driving without a license, drunk and crashing the car"

LAST year we wrote about Antonio Campinos (above) as the likely successor of Battistelli (or a possible replacement for Battistelli amid calls for his firing/resignation).

We also took note of growing overlap between the EPO and EUIPO, which is led by Antonio Campinos. We wrote about half a dozen articles about it, including [1, 2]. Some believe that a merger is possible in the future, belatedly bringing the EPO under an EU wing (although the EPO covers more than the EU). These two already issue joined 'studies'.

A reader has told us about news that we missed, probably because it's not in English. "The articles are in Spanish," our reader explained. "Approximate translations of the headlines and summaries given below."

1. €¿Debe responder en España de presuntos delitos el director de una institución europea con sede en Alicante?

(Should the director of a European institution based in Alicante be held responsible in Spain for alleged breaches of law?)

From the article: "A court in Alicante has to clarify whether the Director of the Intellectual Property Office of the European Union has immunity from a complaint for misdemeanor filed by a staff member of the organisation to which he refused final invalidity".

2. Papá, €¿me prestas tu inmunidad?

(Papa, can you lend me your immunity)

From the article: "The son of the executive director of the EUIPO, claims this privilege after being charged for driving without a license, drunk and crashing the car

"The Regional Court of Alicante rejects the claim and emphasises that immunity is only applicable to activities which directly concern the operation of the organisation"

We already remarked about the situation at WIPO and the absurdity of immunity, so this is very much timely and relevant. ⬆