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European Patent Office in mourning for Johannes Bob van Benthem
Munich/The Hague, 13 September 2006 -Johannes Bob van Benthem, first President of the European Patent Office, passed away in The Hague on Monday at the age of 85. One of the prophets and pioneers of patenting in Europe, he was instrumental in establishing the European patent system and founding the European Patent Office (EPO). He was the EPO's President for seven-and-a-half years, from its opening in 1977 until 1985. The introduction of a centralised procedure for the granting of high-quality European patents was one of his many achievements.
"Johannes Bob van Benthem was among the pioneering spirits behind the setting up of the EPO," said current EPO President Alain Pompidou, in praise of the first holder of the post. "His powers of persuasion, personality and commitment were key to ensuring that the EPO developed into the highly successful international organisation that it is today."
Johannes Bob van Benthem is regarded as one of the most important founding fathers of the European patent system. He took the first step in his commitment to its foundation in the immediate post-war era, joining the Netherlands Patent Office (Octrooiraad) as a lawyer in 1946 and ultimately rising to become its President from 1968 to 1977.
In the late sixties and the seventies, side by side with German Patent Office President Kurt Haertel, he was a key player in the preparations for establishing the European Patent Organisation and Office. Many of the texts fundamental to the EPO, including the European Patent Convention (EPC), bear the van Benthem hallmark.
He was the rapporteur-general at the 1973 Munich Diplomatic Conference which resulted in 16 of the 21 participating states signing the EPC, providing for the centralised granting of European patents in the member states by the EPO.
He also took the lead in preparations for the opening of the Office, and at the inaugural meeting of the Organisation's member states on 19 October 1977 he was elected first President of the EPO.
In that position he laid the foundations for the successful build-up of the Office. With his forcefulness, profound knowledge of the subject-matter, self-discipline and persuasiveness he directed the budding authority in Munich. He was an inspiration to his staff, thanks in particular to his exemplary European idealism, common sense, expert knowledge and vision. He also fostered the growth of the EPO, integrating the International Patent Institute with its team of patent search specialists to form the branch at The Hague and ensure that the new patent enshrined the highest possible quality standards.
With the opening of a sub-office in the divided Berlin, the foundation of the European School in Munich and the construction of a new building on the banks of the Isar, he gave further momentum to the Office's rapid development, and by 1980 the first European patents had already been granted.
A further milestone in his presidential career was the 1983 inauguration of trilateral co operation between the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), the Japan Patent Office (JPO) and the EPO, preparing the ground for today's international patent system.
As President, he focused his energies on the successful introduction of a centralised patent grant procedure before the EPO, accepted throughout Europe and valued by inventors and industry alike. Working closely together with applicants, patent agents and industrial federations, he sought constant improvement of the procedure, which today is respected throughout the world for its quality and transparency.
A dedicated European, Johannes Bob van Benthem was awarded honorary doctorates by the law faculties of Munich and Strasbourg Universities.
High resolution photo of Johannes Bob van Benthem
Contacts for further information:
Rainer OsterwalderPress Spokesman
+49 89 2399-1820
press@epo.org
Sabine Lunau
Media Relations Officer
+31 70 340-4822
slunau@epo.org