tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5574479.post4114403382138291867..comments2024-03-28T16:45:51.051+00:00Comments on The IPKat: When harassment gains a new meaning: EPO takes hard line on HardonVerónica Rodríguez Arguijohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05763207846940036921noreply@blogger.comBlogger59125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5574479.post-4605449235666879102016-01-15T12:11:06.694+00:002016-01-15T12:11:06.694+00:00Hardon also loses 20% of her pension. Staff protes...Hardon also loses 20% of her pension. Staff protesting at 1230 (and in The Hague too apparently). Sad day. old man of eponoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5574479.post-3399834561100318382016-01-15T10:30:18.770+00:002016-01-15T10:30:18.770+00:00Mrs Elisabeth Hardon has just been fired.
Of the ...Mrs Elisabeth Hardon has just been fired.<br /><br />Of the other two suspended staff representatives, one (with 3 children, one still a baby) has been fired, the other severely downgraded.<br />Enough!noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5574479.post-68938228277402409822015-10-15T19:40:42.678+01:002015-10-15T19:40:42.678+01:00* The Council observed that the Disciplinary Commi...* The Council observed that the Disciplinary Committee expressed the view that the relevant rules and general principles of law were correctly applied throughout the investigative and disciplinary procedure and assessed the facts brought forward during the investigation.*<br />[they seem to have spied a computer in the semi-public area]<br /><br />* The Disciplinary Committee focussed on acts of unauthorised disclosure of non-public information and critical opinions relating to Board of Appeal activities outside the EPO, while using pseudonyms as well on activities of spreading accusations and attacks or threats against the EPO and its members... *<br />[attacks or (?) threats are serious accusations, but critical opinions?]<br /><br />* As a consequence, the Council requested the Enlarged Board of Appeal to make a proposal for the removal from office of said staff member.*<br />[I am curious to see what happens next]<br /><br />Thanks to slartibarfast for the linkDoNotFeedTheTrollsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5574479.post-57726788007494847722015-10-15T18:24:40.791+01:002015-10-15T18:24:40.791+01:00to (r)ATTRATR's
Never called anyone troll, an...to (r)ATTRATR's<br /><br />Never called anyone troll, and I am happy to discuss issues with anyone who disagrees with me. But with arguments and not just sarcasm. The article has criticism for the management, and the reasons are explained. If you do not want to waste your time reading the article you do not need to post comments.DoNotFeedTheTrollsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5574479.post-27018094813871060652015-10-15T17:59:35.281+01:002015-10-15T17:59:35.281+01:00It is not funny, but actually quite sad, that indi...It is not funny, but actually quite sad, that individuals believe those who disagree with them are merely trolls and only one view is correct. I disagree with the views in here, but everyone has a right to them. My main criticism is the repetitive nature of the anti-EPO management articles, such that they are often un-supported rants and gossip.<br /><br />I therefore challenge such postings, and shall continue to do so, subject to the pro-EPO Kat censor.rATTs R'snoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5574479.post-59091261103200844782015-10-15T17:51:30.225+01:002015-10-15T17:51:30.225+01:00Latest:
https://www.epo.org/about-us/organisation...Latest:<br /><br />https://www.epo.org/about-us/organisation/communiques.html#a18slartibartfastnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5574479.post-39687825102401387172015-10-15T17:03:37.543+01:002015-10-15T17:03:37.543+01:00Now on topic: the president is clearly showing his...Now on topic: the president is clearly showing his autocratic way of doing things. Not only the staff and the supposedly independent Boards of Appeal are under attack, but also the EPC is being sidelined.<br />I can understand that some readers have no interest whatsoever in the problems of the staff, but the attack on the independence of the "judiciary" and the blatant disrespect for the EPC should be seriously worrying anyone who cares about intellectual property.DoNotFeedTheTrollsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5574479.post-38181956339618815572015-10-15T16:56:17.843+01:002015-10-15T16:56:17.843+01:00It is funny to see someone who does not want to wa...It is funny to see someone who does not want to waste his/her time reading the article, but is happy to waste his/her time posting several comments.DoNotFeedTheTrollsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5574479.post-1565864632820111062015-10-15T14:07:23.567+01:002015-10-15T14:07:23.567+01:00Max,
I was talking to the student only yesterday. ...Max,<br />I was talking to the student only yesterday. Not looking forward to the beheading but he did express sympathy and allegiance to his SOUPO comrades in similar dire circumstances.RAttAttAttnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5574479.post-76742555850875696222015-10-15T11:19:22.439+01:002015-10-15T11:19:22.439+01:00I agree that my posting was "slightly " ...I agree that my posting was "slightly " ott but I was thinking about absolute monarchs, unconstrained by the Rule of Law, and the obsessive need they develop, to stamp out dissent. It was worth posting, just to enjoy your response, your expression of doubt whether the AC would ever bring itself to lift a finger against it, never mind respect or uphold the Rule of Law.MaxDreinoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5574479.post-41704156917563385072015-10-15T09:47:17.632+01:002015-10-15T09:47:17.632+01:00Slightly ott MaxDrei, but i do wonder if the AC wo...Slightly ott MaxDrei, but i do wonder if the AC would vote against it...Cynicnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5574479.post-27545521619944206942015-10-15T09:02:25.652+01:002015-10-15T09:02:25.652+01:00I read today that in the Kingdom of Saud a court h...I read today that in the Kingdom of Saud a court has decided to crucify and behead a student, simply because he participated in a demonstration against the government. I wonder if members of the EPO Presidential team monitor the morning papers and decide on that basis how to treat their employees. It's increasingly hard, these days, isn't it, to do what is right. MaxDreinoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5574479.post-17331181899298976242015-10-15T08:56:46.616+01:002015-10-15T08:56:46.616+01:00Another point worth noting may be that in the &quo...Another point worth noting may be that in the "real world", CEOs who act like BB are likely to either end up in front of parliamentary committees (e.g. VW) to answer questions about alleged irregularities (the due process option) or else they risk ending up being attacked by angry staff (the Air France option - which will never happen at the EPO due to VP4 ensuring that demonstrating staff must remain outside EPO terrain).<br /><br />In the "real world", executives like Battistelli and his "dream team" cannot hide behind a protective shield of "immunity" (aided and abetted by their buddies in a cosy little "gentleman's club" which has so far evaded all external control - the much neglected Article 4a EPC anyone ?).<br /><br />To the best of my knowledge, the only thing in the "real world" which might be in any way comparable is a phenomenon called "Cosa Nostra" ... :-)<br />Das Hemd vom Leibnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5574479.post-91213604682831579022015-10-15T08:51:34.666+01:002015-10-15T08:51:34.666+01:00I take it this is another party political broadcas...I take it this is another party political broadcast on behalf of SEUPO that I shouldn't waste my time reading.AttAttnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5574479.post-77673996222067680362015-10-15T08:49:00.327+01:002015-10-15T08:49:00.327+01:00Dear Outside Observer:
There are only two (2) real...Dear Outside Observer:<br />There are only two (2) real worlds where union leaders are demoted and fired, and judges thrown out and deprived of a substantial portion of their acquired pension rights by the executive: North Korea and the EPO.<br />From North Korea you couldn't blog so you are in the EPO.<br />And the choice of your pseudo as an "outside observer" to try to hide your actual position is so stupid that in the EPO you can only be a manager.<br /><br />Inside ObserverAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5574479.post-90101609953990107382015-10-15T06:50:25.508+01:002015-10-15T06:50:25.508+01:00I would just add that the boy we speak about can s...I would just add that the boy we speak about can simply not be fired by the president, nor the AC without the EBA so asking....and that the girl we speak about is simply a duly elected staff representative being harassed and not risking being fired just because she does not submit to him and rather dares defending staffs right.<br />What if you would be fired not by your boss but by the boss of the next company, who by the way harasses his dissenting employees ....this happens everyday in any world, right? <br /><br />I know it is hard to see beyond money for many, but maybe just for a moment you could try it....it is a cliche, and that still you might not get it, but money is not everything you know....it really isn't.... And anyway I don't see anyone complaining here about lack of money, rather of lack of respect for their basic human right and these days lack of ability to properly service the public.....<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5574479.post-58233697560273326842015-10-15T05:36:16.284+01:002015-10-15T05:36:16.284+01:00@ outside observer (presumably aka "one of th...@ outside observer (presumably aka "one of the President's men")<br /><br />There is a blatant omission from your statement about the real world: In the real world rhere is a rule of law backed by independent courts that can review , and if unjust, overturn decisions made by a psychopathic manager ...Dilbertnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5574479.post-66158631383505003802015-10-15T04:26:19.045+01:002015-10-15T04:26:19.045+01:00Yor "real world" does not look very real...Yor "real world" does not look very real to me, because, in the real world that is realy real neither judges nor heads of unions are fired all the time, as you alledge.<br /><br /><br />BarbiAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5574479.post-39242778646418185912015-10-15T00:35:41.840+01:002015-10-15T00:35:41.840+01:00Among the investigated staff representatives, Eliz...Among the investigated staff representatives, Elizabeth Hardon is so far the only one who has decided to make her case public. But, she might be only the tip of the iceberg. Others SUEPO executives will probably follow or are already accused.<br /><br />The Administrative Council asks Battistelli to recognise SUEPO and then Ms Bergot launches an investigation? Welcome to Absurdistan.Absurdistannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5574479.post-11325675373025742972015-10-15T00:10:31.431+01:002015-10-15T00:10:31.431+01:00Cynic -
Plenty of empathy - (the clue is in the ...Cynic - <br /><br />Plenty of empathy - (the clue is in the word "concerned") - I just don't like seeing a good case spoilt by stupidly irrelevant references to co-operation funds and staffing of national offices. It only takes a small amount of shit to spoil the taste of a sandwich.<br /><br /><b>Concerned Observer</b>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5574479.post-20388706203988497132015-10-14T23:41:12.644+01:002015-10-14T23:41:12.644+01:00Under cover Union,
You forget that BB has banned u...Under cover Union,<br />You forget that BB has banned unions from holding any ballots. Industrial action can only be a strike and only after a ballot which he will organise (except when he refuses to do it). Anyone not following his rules is liable to face disciplinary proceedings for unauthorised (by him) absence. Your proposal would mean that he could fire anyone taking part.Old man of EPOnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5574479.post-32270885332496074052015-10-14T23:35:15.620+01:002015-10-14T23:35:15.620+01:00Outside observer,
Not great on empathy? And your &...Outside observer,<br />Not great on empathy? And your 'in the real world' is hardly the normal world and if you think that's normal then your view is a little skewed. <br /><br />In these cases, disciplinary measures according to a law have been invoked and the consequence for professionals is severe - not just dismissal but also reduction of pension and potentially unemployability within their profession. The least that can be expected of a law-based organisation is that has respect for its law - the EPC. If it doesn't..Cynicnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5574479.post-34001583352469158432015-10-14T23:29:39.062+01:002015-10-14T23:29:39.062+01:00Rosinenfurzer
At an average staff cost of about €...Rosinenfurzer<br /><br />At an average staff cost of about €15.5k per person, you can employ 12 of them for an average EPO staff cost. <br /><br />Sense of proportion please.<br /><br /><b>Concerned Observer</b>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5574479.post-47915194999383513242015-10-14T23:28:26.917+01:002015-10-14T23:28:26.917+01:00Under cover Union
What we need at the EPO is a uni...Under cover Union<br />What we need at the EPO is a union similar to the one of the Ryanair pilots: a union with external leaders, that the president or ceo cannot dismiss or put under pressure. Or why not go even further and create a union with a virtual leadership, such that proposals and decisions are presented and voted on by members meeting on line, in an encrypted environment. <br /><br />The staff union SUEPO should reinvent itself and hire at least one secretary, one lobbyist and one legal expert, all of which are not EPO staff. These external people can challenge Battistelli, without risking dismissal like Elisabeth Hardon, and provide daily support to union members. Important Decisions are taken by all members voting online, such that the union committee and staff committee members cannot be held responsible by Mr. Battistelli.<br /><br />The EPO president hides behind his diplomatic immunity, so the union needs to hide behind an anonymous decision body or process, otherwise it seems likely that Mr. Battistelli will succeed in destroying the staff union and staff representation. He has already silenced a lot of opponents, simply by intimidation. Elisabeth Hardon is one of the bravest, but for how long can she survive this totally unfair battle?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5574479.post-22189857282051761122015-10-14T23:08:34.589+01:002015-10-14T23:08:34.589+01:00So two people are being dismissed from the EPO, an...So two people are being dismissed from the EPO, an examiner and a board member, and the whole EPO staff cries wolf. <br /><br />Boys and girls from the EPO, maybe you do not know, but in the real world people get fired all the time, and for far more trivial reasons: reorganization, new boss, you are the oldest, you are the youngest, I don't like you, etc... depending on the country, between a few weeks and a few months notice. <br /><br />Are we going to see articles in the IPKat every time someone in the IP profession gets dismissed ? <br /><br />Outside observerAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com