EPO staff to hold demo against ‘spying’ claims

Staff at the European Patent Office (EPO) have organised another demonstration, this time against claims that some staff members were “spied on” without their knowledge.

Certain staff members will hold a demonstration tomorrow, June 24, in front of the Isar building at the EPO’s Munich headquarters.

The demonstration will begin at 12.30pm local time.

According to a document circulated among staff, the “EPO’s investigative unit” spied on public computers over a period of several weeks.

The “secret surveillance” then led to the suspension of an EPO board of appeal member last year, the document claimed.

According to staff, the demonstration comes at a time when the EPO’s supervisory body, the Administrative Council (AC), is holding a two-day meeting from June 24 to 25.

During the meeting the AC will be discussing disciplinary issues likely to be related to the case of the allegedly suspended member, the document said.

The document added: “The main purpose of the demonstration is to make it clear that investigating your “social partner” is not the best way to renew a “social dialogue”.

Earlier this month, WIPR reported that Staff Union of the EPO criticised talks aimed at healing relations with management.

Last week, WIPR also reported that concerns about data protection procedures at the office have raised questions about the EPO’s ability to administer the unitary patent.

The EPO had not responded to a request for comment at the time of publication, but we will update the story should the organisation get in touch.