Battistelli given three-year extension at EPO
Benoît Battistelli is to remain as president of the European Patent Office (EPO) for a further three years.
The Administrative Council (AC), the supervisory body of the EPO announced the news on Friday, June 27, following a two-day meeting.
It means Battistelli, whose term was due to expire next year, will stay on as president until June 2018.
According to a statement, the AC expressed its “continued support” for the EPO's quality/efficiency strategy adopted in 2011.
The strategy is being implemented through five roadmaps in IT, cooperation, human resources, buildings and quality.
“The AC fully endorsed the steps taken and progress achieved so far, and unanimously approved proposals for further action in all five of the updated roadmaps,” it added.
But the news comes at a time when there have been several cases of unrest within the office’s Munich headquarters.
Earlier this month, WIPR reported that staff had submitted a resolution to the AC outlining several grievances about president Battistelli and the overall management style at the office.
There was also controversy after staff were denied what would have been their third strike in as many months.
In a letter seen by WIPR, Battistelli said the strike, planned for this month, could not go ahead because it might “create confusion” at a time when new staff representatives were being elected.
