Mysterious departure for EPO communications chief

The European Patent Office (EPO) has parted company with its director of communications and official spokesperson in mysterious circumstances, WIPR can reveal.

The Munich-based office, which has recently faced revolts from staff, announced that Oswald Schröder left “by mutual consent” on October 10.

The reasons behind Schröder’s departure are unknown, but there were reports within the office that Schröder was suspended from active duty and that his mobile phone and official EPO identification were confiscated.

According to sources, a recently uncovered trademark application at the German Patent and Trademark Office in Schröder’s name bearing the words “f**k the US” may have been a contributing factor.

The application, filed in May this year, was rejected and later withdrawn.

The departure comes just weeks after a new director of internal communication, Vincent Bénard, was appointed to the office.

In a memo sent to staff last month and seen by WIPR, it was announced that Bénard, who did not work with Schröder, would be joining the office from his previous position as head of internal communication at Airbus Group.

In its announcement confirming Schröder’s departure, the EPO said that “the key external communications activities will continue unaffected: website and social media, press and media relations, publications and events”.

The EPO has faced continual problems with staff in recent months with some of them unhappy at the relationship between workers and management.

Last week, WIPR reported that staff have requested what would be a third strike since March this year.

The EPO did not comment.