European patent body reappoints president
The top patent organisation will stick with its leader until at least 2028.
Members of the European Patent Office (EPO) voted to reappoint Campinos yesterday, June 29 at an administrative council meeting in Munich, for a further five years commencing July 1, 2023.
Before becoming EPO president in July 2018, Campinos had previously led the European Union Intellectual Property Office. He also previously served as president of Portugal’s National Industrial Property Institute.
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.”
In a blog post shared in mid-2018, Campinos set out his goals for his time at the EPO, including providing staff with more support during the patent granting process and digital transformation.
The following year, under his leadership, the EPO launched its Strategic Plan 2023, focusing on sustainability and delivering the highest quality services to its users and the public.
Campinos steered the EPO during a digital transformation, with staff switching to large-scale remote working 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,” said the EPO.
