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Former EPO President honoured with a street name
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From the beginning of December, the stretch of
Koopmansstraat between Tinbergenstraat and Limpergstraat in Rijswijk/The Hague
will be known as Van Benthemlaan.
The municipal council has agreed to a request from the European Patent Office (EPO) to have a street named after Johannes Bob van Benthem, who was its first President from 1977 to 1985.
Van Benthemlaan will run alongside the EPO offices in Rijswijk's industrial estate De Plaspoelpolder.
Van Benthem, who is regarded as one of the pioneers of the European patent system, passed away last year at the age of 85. Widely admired for his personality, commitment and persuasiveness, he played an important part in making the EPO the successful international organisation it is today.
He took the first step towards this in 1946, when he joined the Netherlands Patent Office as a lawyer, rising to become its President from 1968 to 1977. Together with his counterpart at the German office, he played a key role in setting up the European Patent Organisation and Office.
During his time as President of the EPO, Van Benthem campaigned for the establishment of an international patent system. In 1983, this led to the first memorandum of understanding between the EPO and the patent offices in the United States of America and in Japan.
Today, the European Patent Office is by far the largest Netherlands-based international organisation, and one of The Hague region's major employers.
Further information:
- Press release: European Patent Office in mourning for Johannes Bob van Benthem
- Interview for the future: Dr. Johannes Bob van Benthem