Overview: [Teaser] The EPO's Deflating Patent Bubble and Pursuit of Illegal Software Patents (With Kangaroo Courts, UPC, and Bullied Examiners)

Series parts:

1. The EPO Bubble — Part I — An “Unprecedented Surge”
2. The EPO Bubble — Part II — Signs of a Deflating Bubble?
3. The EPO Bubble — Part III — Dividing Up the Spoils...
4. The EPO Bubble — Part IV — A Cashflow Problem Looming on the Horizon?
5. The EPO Bubble — Part V — Propping Up the Bubble?



6. The EPO Bubble — Part VI — From Humble Examiner to CO³
7. The EPO Bubble — Part VII — A Multifaceted Man of Letters
8. The EPO Bubble — Part VIII — The “Algerian Skirmisher” Replaces the “British Grenadier”
9. YOU ARE HERE ☞ A Well-Remunerated Faustian Pact?

In this part we take a look at Razik Menidjel’s Faustian pact with the EPOnian "deep state" and try to gauge the direction in which this may be leading.

Summary: António Campinos et al propelled Razik Menidjel to a position of greater authority, but what were the strings attached to such a promotion?

In his literary works the aspiring belletrist Razik Menidjel often refers to the writings of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, regarded by many as one of the most influential writers in the German language.

For example, the publisher’s blurb for the play "Les Premiers Pas" contains a reference to Goethe’s magnum opus "Faust":

"The Other is the Evil himself, the one we already saw at work in Faust, and who will try once again to take possession of the real world, thanks to Michel's weakness and ambition."

"Les Premiers Pas" was published in 2000, not long after the author had joined the EPO as an examiner. During the intervening years it would appear that Razik’s own "vaulting ambition" has led him to conclude a Faustian pact with the EPOnian "deep state".

"In his role as COO, Razik has turned out to be a zealous and untiring advocate of the EPO’s managerial cult of "Excellence". These days he is often to be found subjecting his foot-soldiers to never-ending harangues about "Quality" or whatever the latest managerial mantra-of-the-month happens to be."In any event, following his appointment as COO ICT back in December 2019, he has shown himself to be adept at drinking deeply from the corporate "Kool-Aid".

In particular, he has turned out to be a zealous and untiring advocate of the EPO’s managerial cult of "Excellence" and he is often to be found subjecting his foot-soldiers to never-ending harangues about "Quality" or whatever the latest managerial mantra-of-the-month happens to be.

In his role as COO, Razik has turned out to be a zealous and untiring advocate of the EPO’s managerial cult of "Excellence". These days he is often to be found subjecting his foot-soldiers to never-ending harangues about "Quality" or whatever the latest managerial mantra-of-the-month happens to be.

Irrespective of whatever opinion one might have about this Faustian pact, it seems to be a well-remunerated contract.

"Irrespective of whatever opinion one might have about this Faustian pact, it seems to be a well-remunerated contract."Razik’s net monthly income as a EPO COO is estimated to be around € 20,000, including various "allowances" available to EPO employees but not counting whatever additional (tax-free) managerial bonus that he might fortunate enough to pick up along the way.

A tip-off from well-informed Greek sources led to the discovery of official public documents which reveal that in 2018 Razik and his wife Nicola applied for planning permission for the construction of a luxurious holiday residence on the sunny Mediterranean island of Crete. [PDF]

In 2018 Razik (l.) and his wife Nicola Kipper (r.) submitted a planning application for the construction of a luxurious holiday residence on the sunny Mediterranean island of Crete.

From the application documents it emerges that this holiday domicile worthy of an EPO COO was to be built on a 1500 m² site in the municipality of Mariou, a picturesque mountain village in Rethymno Prefecture in the south of Crete. The planning permission was granted in April 2018 so it seems safe to assume that the holiday home has been built in the meantime.

The planning application from 2018 shows plans for a luxurious holiday residence on a 1500 m² site in the municipality of Mariou (Rethymno).

The approximate latitude and longitude coordinates for the site are, respectively, 35.200263 and 24.419400. This places it in a central location in Mariou close to the holiday accommodation Villa Mariou.

"Of course, it goes without saying that life at the EPO is not just about gourmet wining and dining and holidays in the Mediterranean sun. In addition to the generous material rewards, any Faustian pact also involves a price to be paid."As far as can be determined from local sources, the site is on elevated terrain overlooking the main provincial road which connects the mountain villages of Asomatos and Myrthios and runs through Mariou. The road is known as Eparchiaki Odos ("Provincial Road") Dichalostratou-Leukogias.

This location offers fantastic panoramic views of the surrounding landscape, in particular the southern coastline of Crete and the Libyan Sea.

View along the provincial road which runs through Mariou, the mountain village where Razik’s holiday home is located.

The site is on elevated terrain overlooking the Provincial Road Dichalostratou-Leukogias and it offers fantastic panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.

Razik’s holiday home is located just a stone’s throw away from the Taverne Mariou, a traditional Cretan restaurant, which offers spectacular views from its terrace and is reputed to serve great food. It is rumoured to be one of the EPO COO’s favourite eateries when he is enjoying the sunny side of life at his Mediterranean bolt-hole.

The Taverne Mariou which offers spectacular views from its terrace is rumoured to be one of Razik’s favorite eateries when he is enjoying la dolce vita at his Mediterranean bolt-hole.

Of course, it goes without saying that life at the EPO is not just about gourmet wining and dining and holidays in the Mediterranean sun. In addition to the generous material rewards, any Faustian pact also involves a price to be paid.

"In the next part we will turn our attention to a leaked E-mail which provides some clues as to what those "goods" might be in the present case."There is plenty of work to be done back at "corporate headquarters" and, when duty calls, the "Algerian Skirmisher" is expected to "deliver the goods" demanded by his commanding officers.

In the next part we will turn our attention to a leaked E-mail which provides some clues as to what those "goods" might be in the present case. ⬆