European Patent Office

Article 88

Citation: OJ EPO 2023, A88

Online publication date: 31.10.2023

ADMINISTRATIVE COUNCIL

Report on the 176th meeting of the Administrative Council of the European Patent Organisation (Munich, 6 October 2023)

The Administrative Council of the European Patent Organisation held its 176th meeting in Munich in a hybrid format on 6 October 2023 under its Chairperson Josef KRATOCHVÍL (CZ).

Among the strategic items on the agenda the Council unanimously decided to authorise the President to open negotiations on a validation agreement with the Republic of Costa Rica.

Turning to future appointments and selections, the Council

  • unanimously decided to appoint Ms Karin ŽVOKELJ (SI) as deputy chairperson of the Budget and Finance Committee;
  • elected Mr Margus VIHER (EE) as member of the Board of the Administrative Council;
  • unanimously decided, in closed session, to renew the term of office of Mr Are STENVIK as member of the Boards of Appeal Committee;
  • unanimously decided, in closed session, to reappoint Mr Martin Paul WAGNER as external member to the Supervisory Board of the RFPSS;
  • unanimously decided, in closed session, to renew the terms of office of Mr Hans VAN HOUTTE as vice-chairperson as well as Mr Per FOSS and Ms Leonor TRINDADE as members of the Appeals Committee;
  • unanimously decided to renew the term of office of Sir Nicholas FORWOOD as chairperson, Mr Markus MOHLER as deputy chairperson and also Mr P.H. BLOK, Ms Alicja ADAMCZAK, Mr Lanfranco TENAGLIA and Mr Simon THORLEY as members of the Council Disciplinary Committee.

Furthermore, the Council decided on the appointment, reappointment and promotion of members of the Boards of Appeal and of the Enlarged Board of Appeal, based on proposals by the President of the Boards of Appeal. 

The Council also heard the Office's activities report in the form of a presentation, which summarised prominent achievements of the past months. Many delegations and observers congratulated the President, his management and staff. Delegations also had an exchange of views on the Office's quality dialogue as well as on a number of strategic developments.

Moreover, the Council was provided with the activities reports of the Chairperson and the President of the Boards of Appeal, as well as with the report of the chairperson of the Boards of Appeal Committee.

The Council also noted an oral report given by the Office on the current status of the Unitary Patent.

Finally, as part of the implementation of the second set of Basket I measures related to the modernisation of the EPO's external governance, delegations exchanged views on aspects of a proposed policy for the publication of and access to Council documents, so that a revised proposal can be presented at the next Council meeting.