ADMINISTRATIVE COUNCIL
Reports on meetings of the Administrative Council
Report on the 118th meeting of the Administrative Council of the European Patent Organisation (23 to 25 June 2009)
The Administrative Council of the European Patent Organisation held its 118th meeting in Munich from 23 to 25 June 2009.
Under general affairs, the Council gave a unanimous favourable opinion on the basic assumptions for the business plan, the budget 2010 and the financial estimates 2011-2014. It also unanimously approved a draft decision setting up an Audit Committee.
The Council noted its chairman's oral activities report. It also noted the President's activities report and welcomed the progress achieved in realising the objectives of Strategic Renewal as initially defined in 2005, particularly with regard to productivity and the ongoing initiatives to stabilise the Office's finances. It also welcomed the Office's recent work on social partnership and noted that a report on further developments in this area would be presented at its October meeting.
The Council noted information on activity at different offices provided by the delegations and the Director General of WIPO, Francis Gurry. This information was generally deemed useful in assessing national and international filing trends. The Council also agreed that this exchange of information should become a regular item on its agenda.
The Council unanimously elected Alberto Casado Cerviño (ES) and Friedrich Rödler (AT) as members of its Board ("B28"), both for a non-renewable three-year term starting on 25 June 2009. It also decided that the chairman of the Technical and Operational Support Committee (TOSC) should be added to the list of those regularly involved in the Board's discussions at the invitation of its chairman.
The Council elected Habip Asan (TR) as a full member of the Supervisory Board of the Academy of the European Patent Organisation, for a three-year term starting on 1 July 2009.
The Council unanimously approved the draft decision concerning the procedure for electing the next EPO President, and the text of the vacancy notice for the post. It also decided to release its chairman and deputy chairman temporarily from their respective offices, with effect from the date of publication of the vacancy notice (1 July 2009), and appointed Alberto Casado Cerviño (ES) as its interim chairman with effect from the same date.
The Council also elected Brian McGinley (IE) Vice-President DG 4 for a three-year term starting on 1 July 2009, and appointed Olivier Dury (FR) technically qualified member of the boards of appeal with effect from 1 September 2009.
The Council devoted considerable time to international affairs, noting the information given by the Office on current developments in the field of international co-operation, particularly with regard to the progress of the IP5 foundation projects and to recent initiatives concerning the future of the PCT. It also noted the comments of the Director General of WIPO on the prospects for PCT reform.
The Council noted that the Republic of San Marino had deposited its instruments of ratification and would accede to the EPC with effect from 1 July 2009. It also noted that Hungary had completed its preparations for accession to the London Agreement with effect from 1 January 2011.
The Council discussed the long-term financing of the European Patent Organisation, noted the approach outlined by the Office and requested it to submit to the Budget and Finance Committee's autumn 2009 meeting concrete proposals enabling the recommended short-term measures to be taken as quickly as possible.
The Council took leave of Maria-Ludovica Agrò (IT) and Lars Björklund (SE), who were attending one of its meetings for the last time, and warmly thanked them for all they had done for the European Patent Organisation.