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Wednesday, December 06, 2006

EPO Examiners on Strike Again.

The

same story as

before:

"[...] At all four places of employment, Munich, The Hague, Berlin and Vienna, SUEPO members have voted by large majorities in favour of industrial actions, which are currently ongoing. In particular, this week, on 5th, 6th and 7th December, strikes again take place at all 4 places of employment. On 6th December there was a picket reception of the Administrative Council delegations in front of the Isar building in Munich: [...]

The actions have been sparked off by a number of issues, especially a move by the Office for the introduction of a new reporting system for examiners, ironically labelled PAX. Staff are objecting to the focus on and drive for production (measured in patents granted) at the expense of recognition of quality and the time required to examine patentability to a high level of legal certainty. So far, the cumulative participation of strike actions this year is conservatively estimated at well over 10000 man-days. [...]"