ADMINISTRATIVE COUNCIL
Reports on meetings of the Administrative Council
Report on the 108th meeting of the Administrative Council of the European Patent Organisation (5 to 7 December 2006)
The Administrative Council of the European Patent Organisation held its 108th meeting in Munich from 5 to 7 December 2006 under the chairmanship of Mr Roland Grossenbacher (CH).
After noting the activities report presented by its chairman and, for the second half of 2006, the EPO President, Professor Alain Pompidou, the Council elected Mr Benoît Battistelli (FR) as deputy chairman of the Council for a three-year term starting on 5 December 2006.
The Council made the following appointments:
- Mr M. Ruggiu (IT), appointed chairman of a Board of Appeal and technically qualified member of the Enlarged Board of Appeal, in each case with effect from 1 June 2007; and
- Mr T. Johnson (GB), appointed member (professional representative) of the Disciplinary Board of Appeal with effect from 1 January 2007.
The Council noted the EPO's oral information on Malta joining the European Patent Organisation on 1 March 2007 as well as the oral report of the co-chair of the Working Party on Litigation, Mr Roland Grossenbacher, on the 9th meeting of the Working Party held in Munich on 6 December 2006. It also noted an oral report on SPLT work given by Ms Anne Rejnhold Jørgensen (DK) in her capacity as chair of Working Group I (Group B+). As a result, the Council mandated the Committee on Patent Law to put SPLT issues on the agenda of its next meeting.
The Council noted the status report on the Community patent delivered by the Finnish delegation, representing the state holding the EU Presidency in the second half of 2006 as well as a report on future work delivered by the German delegation, representing the state holding the EU Presidency in the first half of 2007.
It equally noted the EPO President's oral report on the 24th Trilateral Annual Conference as well as a progress report on International Financial Reporting Standards.
Regarding the strategy package, the Council noted information provided by Ms Alison Brimelow (GB) in her capacity as chairwoman of the Working Party on a European Quality System as well as oral reports given by the EPO on the Utilisation Pilot Project and various other European Patent Network (EPN) initiatives including user support and the co-operation policy.
Regarding requests from several member states for the EPO to draw up extended search reports on national applications, the Council noted that at its March 2007 meeting the EPO President would, pursuant to Article 33(4) EPC, seek a formal mandate from the Council to enter into negotiations with various member states, to be followed by a possible mandate to conclude, with the Council's approval, agreements with such member states.
The Council approved the revision of its rules of procedure and decided on the constitution and composition of the selection committee in the selection procedure for Vice-President DG 2.
The Council approved the amendments of the Implementing Regulations to the EPC 2000 and the amendments to the Rules relating to Fees in view of the EPC 2000.
It also approved the amendments to the Rules of Procedure of the Enlarged Board of Appeal.
Further, the Council approved the amendment of Articles 8, 9 and 10 of the Regulation on the Establishment of an Institute of Professional Representatives before the European Patent Office as well as the amendment of Article 81 of the Financial Regulations.
Lastly, the Council adopted, subject to certain adjustments, the budget and table of posts for 2007 and approved the financial plan for 2008 - 2011.