03.29.15
Techrights Cited by European Politicians in Support of EPO Staff’s Causes
Summary: Benoît Battistelli’s right-hand man is characterised as suspected of corruption in European Parliament questions
THREE WEEKS ago, while I was still in southeast Asia, several people in Twitter and via E-mail told me that Techrights had been cited by European Parliament.
A link to a European Parliament question from MEP Dennis de Jong indeed cited Techrights. “For your information,” told us one person (among more who told us about it, including Florian Müller), “Techrights is referenced in footnote no. 2″ (see below).
Titled “Rights of staff and ethical standards at the European Patent Office,” the list of questions to the European Commission from MEP Dennis de Jong (whom we mentioned here before) could very well address some core issues; these need to be answered. “The footnotes contain a reference to an article by Techrights,” told us a source, noting that Benoît Battistelli’s right-hand man is “suspected of corruption” (Dennis de Jong’s words). Here is the English version of the questions:
E-002507/2015
Parliamentary questions
16 February 2015
Question for written answer to the Commission
Rule 130
Dennis de Jong (GUE/NGL)
Subject:
Rights of staff and ethical standards at the European Patent OfficeReports are emerging of an unpleasant working environment and staff intimidation at the European Patent Office (EPO). Further information can be found on the EPO Staff Union website[1]. Because of the importance of the EPO for EU patents legislation, the Commission cannot afford to ignore the problem.
1. Does the Commission still intend to work together with the EPO on the single European patent?
2. If so, what guarantees have been or will be given to the Commission regarding respect for the trade union and other rights of EPO staff?
In addition to the rights of staff members, a number of ethical issues are also arising within the EPO, including the recruitment and dismissal of senior officials. For example EPO President, Benoît Battistelli, has succeeded in dissolving the Audit Committee and replacing a number of executives with a team of his own choice that is suspected of corruption[2].
3. What guarantees has the Commission obtained to satisfy it regarding the integrity of the EPO?
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[1] http://www.suepo.org/public/news[2] See for example the ZAMP affair and controversies surrounding other questionable practices
http://techrights.org/2015/02/11/zeljko-topic-kopcic-and-sanader
For justice to be upheld corrupt officials need to be held accountable and staff needs to have its rights restored, then protected. █
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