Summary: The EPO's visit to the Czech Republic might be more about quid pro quo than a rather boring "centenary" (this country had just 242 applications for European Patents last year, or 0.1% of the applications' total number)

THE MANAGEMENT of the European Patent Office (EPO) has not changed its tactics or even its antics. It's that same old "basket of deplorables" -- a bunch of unethical, under-qualified, over-confident non-scientists. They antagonise science and instead bribe the media and various corruptible scholars to tell lies.

"They antagonise science and instead bribe the media and various corruptible scholars to tell lies."This is not the kind of management the EPO's examiners need and this is not what Europe deserves. But having taken control of all the key positions in high-level management, law firms got their way; EPOnia is now stuck with low-grade politicians, career-climbing sociopaths and outright social outcasts ("lepers") instead of judges and scientists. The 'coup' was completed years ago and it has been nothing but nepotism since. It's nauseating. There's an urgent need for a management-wide 'flush', but who's going to force it? Certainly not EU authorities; they insist that the EPO is institutionally separate and immune.

"There's an urgent need for a management-wide 'flush', but who's going to force it?"In the spirit of corruption and dirty tricks (everything in the name of patent extremists), EPO management arranged to meet or opportunistically convene at the home of Josef Kratochvíl, Chairman of the Administrative Council of the European Patent Organisation (warning: epo.org link) since the previous one became the deputy of the Office manager (very serious conflict). As of Friday night, the EPO's favourite 'news dump' moment, there's a bunch of photo ops (one of the prominent ones says "President Campinos with Czech Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Industry and Trade, Karel Havlíček"). The headline states "Czech Industrial Property Office celebrates centenary," but António Campinos did not go there to celebrate but for access to politicians (this is the Battistelli modus operandi; they're politicians overstepping their authority).

Is this a UPC lobbying trip, vote-buying (bribery disguised as 'cooperation money', i.e. the usual), or both?

Here's what they say: (warning: epo.org link)

"Patent protection is crucial in R&D when putting new ideas into practice," said Industry and Trade Minister Havlíček. "Therefore, awareness raising is very important as well as co-operation on an international level. We intend to protect smart Czech minds to the best of our ability and help them to succeed around the world. The government is fully aware of the importance of IPR protection. That is why one of the chapters of the innovation strategy focuses on this."

Josef Kratochvíl, President of the Czech IPO and Chairman of the Administrative Council of the European Patent Organisation, said: "Czech industry and R&D must keep in touch with the best innovators and not re-invent what has already been invented and properly protect its own inventions. The existing patent system offers countless opportunities for inspiration. It is an extremely powerful tool for real innovators to protect and monetise their ideas. The income from the production of protected goods or patent licenses is a driving force for future development."

Notice the overlap between EPO management and Czech authorities; Kratochvíl is "President of the Czech IPO and Chairman of the Administrative Council of the European Patent Organisation"; it helps to have 'connections' when one needs them. It was the same problem with Jesper Kongstad of the DKPTO.

"Notice the overlap between EPO management and Czech authorities"As a reminder, published only 2 weeks ago (likely by Bristows) was an article about the Czech government refusing to ratify the UPC after commissioning an impact study. As one person noted in the comments, they very well know that the UPC is anti-SMEs and a comment from Hermann D. said: "A decision that honours the Czech republic. A government that cares about its SMEs is something rare. Obviously, the fact that there is not much big industry and few patent law firms helps. Still, kudos to the people in charge."

The following comments were posted just 4 days before the visit above (it says "[o]n 19 September, representatives of the EPO attended an international conference in Prague on the occasion of the 100th anniversary"). Jameson asked: "Is the PwC report publicly available (preferrably in English language)? if so, could you please provide a link?"

"The EPO typically does this 'spiel' in smaller countries where necessary bribes ('cooperation money') are relatively small."Kluwer Patent blogger (we are guessing Bristows) responded an hour later: "We haven’t been able to find a link to the report, if anyone knows if and where it is available online, this information is more than welcome."

One has to wonder what Campinos said and promised behind closed doors. We might want to look back at the above meeting some time in the future. That may help rectify or at least explain any 'anomalies' in policy (words versus actions). We saw that before in other countries. The EPO typically does this 'spiel' in smaller countries where necessary bribes ('cooperation money') are relatively small. ⬆