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António Campinos reappointed president of the European Patent Office

Kluwer Patent blogger

June 30, 2022

The member states of the European Patent Organisation have re-appointed EPO president António Campinos for a second five-year term in office, commencing 1 July 2023.

The decision was made at a meeting of the EPO’s Administrative Council held in Munich. As far as is clear, there was no extensive discussion about the reappointment, despite a recent confrontation with staff representatives, the social unrest and concerns about deteriorating quality at the EPO.

As was reported in a press release: 'During his first tenure Mr Campinos has steered the EPO through a sweeping digital transformation, with staff switching rapidly to large-scale teleworking back in March 2020. Beyond the efficiency gains triggered by new online workflows and tools, digital transformation is also delivering major benefits for users. The large-scale use of videoconferencing for oral hearings in patent cases, for instance, gave patent applicants access to justice during the pandemic.

By ramping up its consultation with users, the EPO has also redoubled efforts to maintain and enhance the quality of its products and services in recent years, while embedding sustainability more deeply across all aspects of its operations.

Commenting on his reappointment, Mr Campinos said: "It's been a privilege to serve for a first term and I am honoured by this second mandate. I am looking forward to working with all colleagues and stakeholders, who have been so instrumental in our achievements to date and play a crucial role in helping us to build a global patent system that meets the needs of the innovation community."'

Tags: EPO, Antonio Campinos

Comments (25)

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Enough is enough

June 30, 2022 AT 10:42 AM

The tail is definitely wagging the dog. How can a project like CA 32/22 sail through as it has done It is not a good day for the EPO/EPC and its staff! A head of an office who insults his staff as he did, should have been removed. This is the more so in that this person has showed at many occasions that it does not have the maturity and peace of mind required for holding such a position Let's hope that this decision will not be regretted by lots of people!

Caballero response to Enough is enough

July 1, 2022 AT 8:58 AM

Will the old dog and its aging tail beabel to learn some new tricks?

Attentive Observer response to Caballero

July 2, 2022 AT 2:35 AM

With enough dow, I mean dog food, the old dog will never be able to learn some tricks. He would be too frightened not to get any dog food!

Kay

June 30, 2022 AT 1:07 PM

Also not a single word about complying with the EPC by the management and its supervisors? Art. 4a EPC? The silence is stunning. I wonder if anyone at the meeting even referred to the petition even once...