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showrecentcomments({"version":"1.0","encoding":"UTF-8","feed":{"xmlns":"http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom","xmlns$openSearch":"http://a9.com/-/spec/opensearchrss/1.0/","xmlns$gd":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005","id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1949935810569534550.comments"},"updated":{"$t":"2021-09-01T19:27:22.748+01:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"PatLit: the patent litigation weblog"},"link":[{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#feed","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/patlit.blogspot.com\/feeds\/comments\/default"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1949935810569534550\/comments\/default?alt=json-in-script"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/patlit.blogspot.com\/"},{"rel":"hub","href":"http://pubsubhubbub.appspot.com/"},{"rel":"next","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1949935810569534550\/comments\/default?alt=json-in-script\u0026start-index=26\u0026max-results=25"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Unknown"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"generator":{"version":"7.00","uri":"http://www.blogger.com","$t":"Blogger"},"openSearch$totalResults":{"$t":"574"},"openSearch$startIndex":{"$t":"1"},"openSearch$itemsPerPage":{"$t":"25"},"entry":[{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1949935810569534550.post-5133999856861307471"},"published":{"$t":"2016-10-19T14:49:10.805+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2016-10-19T14:49:10.805+01:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Announcement from the UPC secretariat:\n\n\u0026quot;The ..."},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"Announcement from the UPC secretariat:\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026quot;The original timetable for recruitment of UPC judges was to complete interviews and make appointments early in 2017. The current timetable is being revisited in the light of the result of the referendum in the UK, which will to some extent delay the entry into operation of the UPC. Whilst the preparation of candidates’ selection has continued, the commencement of the next phase which would include calling candidates for interview, has to be re-scheduled as the appointment procedure, which will be led by the future Committees of the UPC, is dependent on the entry into force of the Protocol on Provisional Application and subsequently the Agreement on the Unified Patent Court.\u0026quot;"},"link":[{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1949935810569534550\/4565952128611765722\/comments\/default\/5133999856861307471"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1949935810569534550\/4565952128611765722\/comments\/default\/5133999856861307471"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/patlit.blogspot.com\/2016\/05\/recruitment-of-upc-judges-is-now-open.html?showComment=1476884950805#c5133999856861307471","title":""}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Anonymous"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/blank.gif"}}],"thr$in-reply-to":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","href":"http:\/\/patlit.blogspot.com\/2016\/05\/recruitment-of-upc-judges-is-now-open.html","ref":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1949935810569534550.post-4565952128611765722","source":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/1949935810569534550/posts/default/4565952128611765722","type":"text/html"},"gd$extendedProperty":[{"name":"blogger.itemClass","value":"pid-1263542197"},{"name":"blogger.displayTime","value":"19 October 2016 at 14:49"}]},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1949935810569534550.post-4626216823291007172"},"published":{"$t":"2016-10-10T01:50:20.102+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2016-10-10T01:50:20.102+01:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Virgin Atlantic now says otherwise "},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"Virgin Atlantic now says otherwise "},"link":[{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1949935810569534550\/8449129448184011406\/comments\/default\/4626216823291007172"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1949935810569534550\/8449129448184011406\/comments\/default\/4626216823291007172"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/patlit.blogspot.com\/2011\/01\/damages-for-infringing-invalid-patents.html?showComment=1476060620102#c4626216823291007172","title":""}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Anonymous"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/blank.gif"}}],"thr$in-reply-to":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","href":"http:\/\/patlit.blogspot.com\/2011\/01\/damages-for-infringing-invalid-patents.html","ref":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1949935810569534550.post-8449129448184011406","source":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/1949935810569534550/posts/default/8449129448184011406","type":"text/html"},"gd$extendedProperty":[{"name":"blogger.itemClass","value":"pid-1263542197"},{"name":"blogger.displayTime","value":"10 October 2016 at 01:50"}]},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1949935810569534550.post-5298433020450517954"},"published":{"$t":"2016-05-23T13:57:43.919+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2016-05-23T13:57:43.919+01:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"With relation to your post, I would like to inform..."},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"With relation to your post, I would like to inform you about my event organized by International Excellence Forum which is termed by “ \u003Ca href=\"worldlitigationforum.org\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003E\u0026quot;World Litigation Forum”\u003C\/a\u003E 2017 at the Law Society of England and Wales regarding the latest legal trends, current issues\/challenges and also provide fresh insight on the latest legal developments. Contact us regarding more information."},"link":[{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1949935810569534550\/294236486465998131\/comments\/default\/5298433020450517954"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1949935810569534550\/294236486465998131\/comments\/default\/5298433020450517954"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/patlit.blogspot.com\/2016\/03\/the-parliamentary-history-of-european.html?showComment=1464008263919#c5298433020450517954","title":""}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Anonymous"},"uri":{"$t":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/09284032919097115530"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"thr$in-reply-to":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","href":"http:\/\/patlit.blogspot.com\/2016\/03\/the-parliamentary-history-of-european.html","ref":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1949935810569534550.post-294236486465998131","source":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/1949935810569534550/posts/default/294236486465998131","type":"text/html"},"gd$extendedProperty":[{"name":"blogger.itemClass","value":"pid-1786575604"},{"name":"blogger.displayTime","value":"23 May 2016 at 13:57"}]},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1949935810569534550.post-7144123886979180394"},"published":{"$t":"2016-05-11T11:50:36.729+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2016-05-11T11:50:36.729+01:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Registering to the System in German language is no..."},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"Registering to the System in German language is not possible, no link to the application form is provided. Starting the procedure from  EN seems to work."},"link":[{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1949935810569534550\/4565952128611765722\/comments\/default\/7144123886979180394"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1949935810569534550\/4565952128611765722\/comments\/default\/7144123886979180394"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/patlit.blogspot.com\/2016\/05\/recruitment-of-upc-judges-is-now-open.html?showComment=1462963836729#c7144123886979180394","title":""}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Anonymous"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/blank.gif"}}],"thr$in-reply-to":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","href":"http:\/\/patlit.blogspot.com\/2016\/05\/recruitment-of-upc-judges-is-now-open.html","ref":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1949935810569534550.post-4565952128611765722","source":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/1949935810569534550/posts/default/4565952128611765722","type":"text/html"},"gd$extendedProperty":[{"name":"blogger.itemClass","value":"pid-1263542197"},{"name":"blogger.displayTime","value":"11 May 2016 at 11:50"}]},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1949935810569534550.post-3691828871633176680"},"published":{"$t":"2016-05-11T11:02:37.316+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2016-05-11T11:02:37.316+01:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Interesting. The EPC, and the BoA, are not suppose..."},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"Interesting. The EPC, and the BoA, are not supposed to rule on infringement matters, but only on validity. Will this Decision nevertheless harmonise the judicial interpretation of such claims in infringement proceedings in the National courts (or the UPC)?"},"link":[{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1949935810569534550\/1517881201006878245\/comments\/default\/3691828871633176680"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1949935810569534550\/1517881201006878245\/comments\/default\/3691828871633176680"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/patlit.blogspot.com\/2016\/05\/the-direct-product-of-swiss-type-claim.html?showComment=1462960957316#c3691828871633176680","title":""}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Anonymous"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/blank.gif"}}],"thr$in-reply-to":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","href":"http:\/\/patlit.blogspot.com\/2016\/05\/the-direct-product-of-swiss-type-claim.html","ref":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1949935810569534550.post-1517881201006878245","source":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/1949935810569534550/posts/default/1517881201006878245","type":"text/html"},"gd$extendedProperty":[{"name":"blogger.itemClass","value":"pid-1263542197"},{"name":"blogger.displayTime","value":"11 May 2016 at 11:02"}]},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1949935810569534550.post-396255549520401377"},"published":{"$t":"2016-05-10T16:34:23.131+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2016-05-10T16:34:23.131+01:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"It seems strange that the patentee did not even tr..."},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"It seems strange that the patentee did not even try to return to the Swiss type claim format. Would the Board have entertained such an auxiliary request by the non-appealing patentee or would this have been ruled out by the principle of no reformatio in peius? "},"link":[{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1949935810569534550\/1517881201006878245\/comments\/default\/396255549520401377"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1949935810569534550\/1517881201006878245\/comments\/default\/396255549520401377"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/patlit.blogspot.com\/2016\/05\/the-direct-product-of-swiss-type-claim.html?showComment=1462894463131#c396255549520401377","title":""}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Kant"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/blank.gif"}}],"thr$in-reply-to":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","href":"http:\/\/patlit.blogspot.com\/2016\/05\/the-direct-product-of-swiss-type-claim.html","ref":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1949935810569534550.post-1517881201006878245","source":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/1949935810569534550/posts/default/1517881201006878245","type":"text/html"},"gd$extendedProperty":[{"name":"blogger.itemClass","value":"pid-1263542197"},{"name":"blogger.displayTime","value":"10 May 2016 at 16:34"}]},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1949935810569534550.post-4185474486179238164"},"published":{"$t":"2016-05-10T09:47:27.171+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2016-05-10T09:47:27.171+01:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"The fee reduction for SME\u0026#39;s clearly does not m..."},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"The fee reduction for SME\u0026#39;s clearly does not meet the expectations implied by the political rhetoric. However, I sincerely do not see why the new system should be a \u0026quot;disaster\u0026quot; for SME. After all, the new system will be a big step forward in terms of predictability of litigation costs, legal certainty and enforceability of rights. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EImproved transparency in cross-border litigation and affordability of patents valid in 13 or more countries may not be the core interest of SME\u0026#39;s but do not harm either. This is a flagship project for European integration (and, indeed, justice in a globalized world) with a clear benefit for the economy and society as a whole - including SME\u0026#39;s."},"link":[{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1949935810569534550\/9099467302295297427\/comments\/default\/4185474486179238164"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1949935810569534550\/9099467302295297427\/comments\/default\/4185474486179238164"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/patlit.blogspot.com\/2016\/05\/is-unitary-patent-good-for-smes.html?showComment=1462870047171#c4185474486179238164","title":""}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Michael Thesen"},"uri":{"$t":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/11216937613426928728"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"thr$in-reply-to":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","href":"http:\/\/patlit.blogspot.com\/2016\/05\/is-unitary-patent-good-for-smes.html","ref":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1949935810569534550.post-9099467302295297427","source":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/1949935810569534550/posts/default/9099467302295297427","type":"text/html"},"gd$extendedProperty":[{"name":"blogger.itemClass","value":"pid-382620568"},{"name":"blogger.displayTime","value":"10 May 2016 at 09:47"}]},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1949935810569534550.post-3320471325212914245"},"published":{"$t":"2016-05-09T21:51:07.107+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2016-05-09T21:51:07.107+01:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"I see three explanations (below:  A, B and C) why ..."},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"I see three explanations (below:  A, B and C) why the new system is good for Big Corp and a disaster for the SME\u0026#39;s.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EA: Big Corp lobbying duped Brussels\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EB: Brussels knew what was going on, but (for whatever reason) chose to be supine and simply allowed itself to be ravaged, that is to say, persuaded by those clever lobbyists\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EC: Those looking out for the interests of the SME\u0026#39;s were grossly under-funded (or simply incompetent at the lobbying game). "},"link":[{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1949935810569534550\/9099467302295297427\/comments\/default\/3320471325212914245"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1949935810569534550\/9099467302295297427\/comments\/default\/3320471325212914245"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/patlit.blogspot.com\/2016\/05\/is-unitary-patent-good-for-smes.html?showComment=1462827067107#c3320471325212914245","title":""}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"MaxDrei"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/blank.gif"}}],"thr$in-reply-to":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","href":"http:\/\/patlit.blogspot.com\/2016\/05\/is-unitary-patent-good-for-smes.html","ref":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1949935810569534550.post-9099467302295297427","source":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/1949935810569534550/posts/default/9099467302295297427","type":"text/html"},"gd$extendedProperty":[{"name":"blogger.itemClass","value":"pid-1263542197"},{"name":"blogger.displayTime","value":"9 May 2016 at 21:51"}]},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1949935810569534550.post-6922239312360062889"},"published":{"$t":"2016-05-09T21:25:56.671+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2016-05-09T21:25:56.671+01:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"The answer clearly is NO. Apart from a few politic..."},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"The answer clearly is NO. Apart from a few politicians nobody ever believed that. The whole concept is tailor-made for big business. The delighted few are big corporations, mainly from overseas, and law firms, mainly from beyond the Channel. And, yes, welcome to patent trolls, we missed you so much that we had to change the system to make you come."},"link":[{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1949935810569534550\/9099467302295297427\/comments\/default\/6922239312360062889"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1949935810569534550\/9099467302295297427\/comments\/default\/6922239312360062889"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/patlit.blogspot.com\/2016\/05\/is-unitary-patent-good-for-smes.html?showComment=1462825556671#c6922239312360062889","title":""}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"not surprised"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/blank.gif"}}],"thr$in-reply-to":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","href":"http:\/\/patlit.blogspot.com\/2016\/05\/is-unitary-patent-good-for-smes.html","ref":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1949935810569534550.post-9099467302295297427","source":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/1949935810569534550/posts/default/9099467302295297427","type":"text/html"},"gd$extendedProperty":[{"name":"blogger.itemClass","value":"pid-1263542197"},{"name":"blogger.displayTime","value":"9 May 2016 at 21:25"}]},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1949935810569534550.post-5208095557077868770"},"published":{"$t":"2016-05-05T11:33:50.739+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2016-05-05T11:33:50.739+01:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Very interesting post.  Thanks for the writing and..."},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"Very interesting post.  Thanks for the writing and the publishing.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI remember a case long ago at the Supreme Court (BGH) in Karlsruhe about the validity of the patent on the catheter tool for transluminal balloon angioplasty of cardiac blood vessels. The BGH (lacking \u0026quot;technical\u0026quot; judges) appointed its own technical expert and I remember being appalled by his unimpressive credentials and the content of his written report to the court, which the court of course followed. Are things still like that today, in patent validity cases in Karlsruhe?\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EIt is said that the court struggles to find a person equipped to be a competent court-appointed technical expert, who is not already contractually linked to any of the litigating parties. I imagine that problem can only get worse."},"link":[{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1949935810569534550\/2378081613549721057\/comments\/default\/5208095557077868770"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1949935810569534550\/2378081613549721057\/comments\/default\/5208095557077868770"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/patlit.blogspot.com\/2016\/05\/on-role-of-scientific-advisers.html?showComment=1462444430739#c5208095557077868770","title":""}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"MaxDrei"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/blank.gif"}}],"thr$in-reply-to":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","href":"http:\/\/patlit.blogspot.com\/2016\/05\/on-role-of-scientific-advisers.html","ref":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1949935810569534550.post-2378081613549721057","source":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/1949935810569534550/posts/default/2378081613549721057","type":"text/html"},"gd$extendedProperty":[{"name":"blogger.itemClass","value":"pid-1263542197"},{"name":"blogger.displayTime","value":"5 May 2016 at 11:33"}]},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1949935810569534550.post-3746556441924743168"},"published":{"$t":"2016-04-26T15:33:49.760+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2016-04-26T15:33:49.760+01:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Herr Thesen, I\u0026#39;m not sure the differences are ..."},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"Herr Thesen, I\u0026#39;m not sure the differences are as you suppose. In England, the question Obvious Y\/N is a question of law based on foundations of fact. So, no different than in Germany, I would say.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ESo if we can summarise:\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EGermany: Obvious. Because I\u0026#39;m the judge and I say so.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EEngland: Obvious. Because I\u0026#39;m the judge and the preponderance of witness evidence on the facts forces me to that conclusion.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EEPO:  Obvious. Because we are the judge of that, basing ourselves on the evidence of documents written before the date of the claim.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EIs that fair, or a travesty?  What do you think?"},"link":[{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1949935810569534550\/5345460473839344195\/comments\/default\/3746556441924743168"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1949935810569534550\/5345460473839344195\/comments\/default\/3746556441924743168"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/patlit.blogspot.com\/2016\/04\/instructing-expert-american-science.html?showComment=1461681229760#c3746556441924743168","title":""}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"MaxDrei"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/blank.gif"}}],"thr$in-reply-to":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","href":"http:\/\/patlit.blogspot.com\/2016\/04\/instructing-expert-american-science.html","ref":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1949935810569534550.post-5345460473839344195","source":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/1949935810569534550/posts/default/5345460473839344195","type":"text/html"},"gd$extendedProperty":[{"name":"blogger.itemClass","value":"pid-1263542197"},{"name":"blogger.displayTime","value":"26 April 2016 at 15:33"}]},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1949935810569534550.post-6391387966000493006"},"published":{"$t":"2016-04-26T11:15:59.926+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2016-04-26T11:15:59.926+01:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"My remark in the introduction of this piece touche..."},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"My remark in the introduction of this piece touches a very profound difference between the German Law approach and the Common Law approach. In a nutshell, the German approach is as follows: Patent claims define what is forbidden and therefore has the character statutory law  (\u0026quot;Rechtsnormcharakter\u0026quot;). Everything related to the interpretation and obviousness is therefore a question of law and not a question of fact.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThis has various consequences: Questions of fact cannot be scrutinized in the Revision instance and the right to review facts in the appeal instance is limited. Questions of law have to be answered autonomously (\u0026quot;eigenverantwortlich\u0026quot;) by the judge in any instance and cannot be proven or disproven by witnesses, expert evidence or other evidence. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe taking of evidence (including expert evidence) only serves to shed light onto the factual circumstances (e.g. education and knowledge of the POSITA at the priority date or the like) and the German judge would simply not ask the expert if he thinks that something would have been obvious or not - just as he would never ask another witness how he would decide on the merits of the case if the witness were the judge.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EAs long as the questions are limited to the \u0026quot;historical facts\u0026quot; there is no problem of hindsight. This problem starts where the expert is asked to draw conclusions from the facts. These conclusions risk to be tainted by hindsight knowledge of the patent (and of the technical development since the filing date)."},"link":[{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1949935810569534550\/5345460473839344195\/comments\/default\/6391387966000493006"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1949935810569534550\/5345460473839344195\/comments\/default\/6391387966000493006"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/patlit.blogspot.com\/2016\/04\/instructing-expert-american-science.html?showComment=1461665759926#c6391387966000493006","title":""}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Michael Thesen"},"uri":{"$t":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/11216937613426928728"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"thr$in-reply-to":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","href":"http:\/\/patlit.blogspot.com\/2016\/04\/instructing-expert-american-science.html","ref":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1949935810569534550.post-5345460473839344195","source":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/1949935810569534550/posts/default/5345460473839344195","type":"text/html"},"gd$extendedProperty":[{"name":"blogger.itemClass","value":"pid-382620568"},{"name":"blogger.displayTime","value":"26 April 2016 at 11:15"}]},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1949935810569534550.post-1060757351947863758"},"published":{"$t":"2016-04-26T09:38:23.611+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2016-04-26T09:38:23.611+01:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Michael, below I copy a Comment I just made on the..."},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"Michael, below I copy a Comment I just made on the IPKat blog.  I thought it might prompt a comment from you in reply, perhaps:\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ENot too late for a comment, I hope, given that there are more recent posts on this case in other blogs, that my comment below is inspired by the piece in the PatLit blog and that it concerns the role of contemporaneous witness evidence in assessing what was obvious back them years ago, at the date of the claim.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EIn this case, the patent owner witholds from its expert any knowledge of the patent and enquires of him what would have been obvious. Not surprisingly (to me anyway) the expert comes up with a thousand obvious tweaks but fails to identify the \u0026quot;small step\u0026quot; that would produce the technical feature combination of the claim at bar.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EMeanwhile the accused infringer shows its expert the patent and enquires whether the claimed feature combination was at the time obvious. Not surprisingly (at least to me) the expert concludes that it was.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ETalk about setting things up to get the answer you want and need!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EHow to do obviousness fairly, asking your expert but without taint of hindsight? The judge doesn\u0026#39;t know. Of course he doesn\u0026#39;t. It\u0026#39;s not do-able.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EMe, I prefer doing obviousness using a TSM approach. You know, the one the EPO uses. That at least is fair and free of hindsight. There was in this case a hint or suggestion, indeed from the patent owner, but the judge thought it (unsupported by evidence of an industry-wide trend to covert inspection activity) not quite concrete enough to have rendered the claim obvious. Me too.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EAnd BTW, I think it a bit rich (to say the least) that those who disparage EPO-PSA, dismissing it as tainted by hindsight, are the very ones who dare to suggest that the way to drive out the demon hindsight is to decide it all on the basis of contemporaneous witness evidence. They are pulling our legs aren\u0026#39;t they?\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EPerhaps those who know more about deposing technical experts will put me straight. Hope so. "},"link":[{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1949935810569534550\/5345460473839344195\/comments\/default\/1060757351947863758"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1949935810569534550\/5345460473839344195\/comments\/default\/1060757351947863758"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/patlit.blogspot.com\/2016\/04\/instructing-expert-american-science.html?showComment=1461659903611#c1060757351947863758","title":""}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"MaxDrei"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/blank.gif"}}],"thr$in-reply-to":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","href":"http:\/\/patlit.blogspot.com\/2016\/04\/instructing-expert-american-science.html","ref":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1949935810569534550.post-5345460473839344195","source":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/1949935810569534550/posts/default/5345460473839344195","type":"text/html"},"gd$extendedProperty":[{"name":"blogger.itemClass","value":"pid-1263542197"},{"name":"blogger.displayTime","value":"26 April 2016 at 09:38"}]},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1949935810569534550.post-5171461012574536859"},"published":{"$t":"2016-04-19T11:18:56.817+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2016-04-19T11:18:56.817+01:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"I read that if an EP application is not opted out,..."},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"I read that if an EP application is not opted out, then that application, as a \u0026quot;non-opted out application with all member states designated\u0026quot;, may only become an EP with Unitary Effect (EPUE) or a classic bundle of EP patents with no option to opt out. Anyone know if this is correct? \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EWill we have the option to opt out on grant, or just before grant, and if not, or we don\u0026#39;t opt out, what are the consequences, are we then limited to an EPUE or an \u0026quot;non-opted out\u0026quot; classic EP (with no option to opt out)??\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EPesudononimouse"},"link":[{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1949935810569534550\/1940070250643772161\/comments\/default\/5171461012574536859"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1949935810569534550\/1940070250643772161\/comments\/default\/5171461012574536859"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/patlit.blogspot.com\/2016\/04\/report-on-15th-upc-preparatory-commitee.html?showComment=1461061136817#c5171461012574536859","title":""}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Anonymous"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/blank.gif"}}],"thr$in-reply-to":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","href":"http:\/\/patlit.blogspot.com\/2016\/04\/report-on-15th-upc-preparatory-commitee.html","ref":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1949935810569534550.post-1940070250643772161","source":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/1949935810569534550/posts/default/1940070250643772161","type":"text/html"},"gd$extendedProperty":[{"name":"blogger.itemClass","value":"pid-1263542197"},{"name":"blogger.displayTime","value":"19 April 2016 at 11:18"}]},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1949935810569534550.post-6273033862211371479"},"published":{"$t":"2016-04-18T12:20:04.185+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2016-04-18T12:20:04.185+01:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"The problem is that human language is never comple..."},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"The problem is that human language is never completely \u0026quot;free from ambiguity\u0026quot; of fuzziness in reality. Captious opponents, defendants and sometimes Examiners will virtually always find something to nag. The struggle is to fine a threshold for the degree of ambiguity which is still acceptable. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EIn this case, the threshold is \u0026quot;reasonable\u0026quot;: Is the alternative interpretation presented a reasonable one or rather the unreasonable product of a mind \u0026quot;a mind desirous of misunderstanding\u0026quot; (T 190\/99)?\u003Cbr \/\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1949935810569534550\/3694810117575123135\/comments\/default\/6273033862211371479"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1949935810569534550\/3694810117575123135\/comments\/default\/6273033862211371479"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/patlit.blogspot.com\/2016\/04\/inescapeable-priority-trap-t-198314.html?showComment=1460978404185#c6273033862211371479","title":""}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Michael Thesen"},"uri":{"$t":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/11216937613426928728"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"thr$in-reply-to":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","href":"http:\/\/patlit.blogspot.com\/2016\/04\/inescapeable-priority-trap-t-198314.html","ref":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1949935810569534550.post-3694810117575123135","source":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/1949935810569534550/posts/default/3694810117575123135","type":"text/html"},"gd$extendedProperty":[{"name":"blogger.itemClass","value":"pid-382620568"},{"name":"blogger.displayTime","value":"18 April 2016 at 12:20"}]},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1949935810569534550.post-6898111566850736615"},"published":{"$t":"2016-04-16T22:01:27.170+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2016-04-16T22:01:27.170+01:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Sometimes I think commentators read too much into ..."},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"Sometimes I think commentators read too much into the words of a decision. The Gold Standard is \u0026quot;unambiguous\u0026quot;.  That means \u0026quot;free from ambiguity\u0026quot;.  Here, the Board decided that the support relied upon was not free from ambiguity.  End of story.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EWhat a claim discloses, and what it embraces within its scope, are not the same thing. Just because the subject matter you want to be disclosed in the application as filed is within the scope of a claim as filed does not mean it is disclosed by that claim in the application as filed.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI know that\u0026#39;s hard to swallow in Germany, where the courts until recently were convinced that the EPO was wrong on this issue. Is that why this decision is interesting for commentators who did their Amtsjahr in Germany?"},"link":[{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1949935810569534550\/3694810117575123135\/comments\/default\/6898111566850736615"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1949935810569534550\/3694810117575123135\/comments\/default\/6898111566850736615"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/patlit.blogspot.com\/2016\/04\/inescapeable-priority-trap-t-198314.html?showComment=1460840487170#c6898111566850736615","title":""}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"MaxDrei"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/blank.gif"}}],"thr$in-reply-to":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","href":"http:\/\/patlit.blogspot.com\/2016\/04\/inescapeable-priority-trap-t-198314.html","ref":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1949935810569534550.post-3694810117575123135","source":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/1949935810569534550/posts/default/3694810117575123135","type":"text/html"},"gd$extendedProperty":[{"name":"blogger.itemClass","value":"pid-1263542197"},{"name":"blogger.displayTime","value":"16 April 2016 at 22:01"}]},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1949935810569534550.post-8084522846028131660"},"published":{"$t":"2016-04-14T11:53:35.499+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2016-04-14T11:53:35.499+01:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"There is an another event in which you also want t..."},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"There is an another event in which you also want to join , \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EClick the link below and find the \u0026quot;\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.worldlitigationforum.org\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003ELitigation Event \u003C\/a\u003E\u0026quot;\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003Ehttp:\/\/www.worldlitigationforum.org\/wlf-2016-london\/agenda-highlights-london\/"},"link":[{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1949935810569534550\/6245517760069993505\/comments\/default\/8084522846028131660"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1949935810569534550\/6245517760069993505\/comments\/default\/8084522846028131660"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/patlit.blogspot.com\/2014\/08\/one-new-patent-one-new-court-one-event.html?showComment=1460631215499#c8084522846028131660","title":""}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"WLF Live"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.worldlitigationforum.org"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/blank.gif"}}],"thr$in-reply-to":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","href":"http:\/\/patlit.blogspot.com\/2014\/08\/one-new-patent-one-new-court-one-event.html","ref":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1949935810569534550.post-6245517760069993505","source":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/1949935810569534550/posts/default/6245517760069993505","type":"text/html"},"gd$extendedProperty":[{"name":"blogger.itemClass","value":"pid-1263542197"},{"name":"blogger.displayTime","value":"14 April 2016 at 11:53"}]},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1949935810569534550.post-1315624416048419061"},"published":{"$t":"2016-03-18T14:57:48.717+00:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2016-03-18T14:57:48.717+00:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Interesting note on the reform proposal: \n\nThe com..."},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"Interesting note on the reform proposal: \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe communiqué on the December AC meeting (146th) says: \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u0026quot;It mandated its Board 28 to elaborate guidelines to serve as a basis to the President for the drafting of \u003Cb\u003Econcrete proposals\u003C\/b\u003E to be submitted for decision to the Council possibly at its March 2016 meeting.\u0026quot; (emphasis added) \u003C\/i\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe last communiqué says: \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u0026quot;The Council noted \u003Cb\u003Einformation\u003C\/b\u003E provided by the Office on the envisaged structural reform of the EPO Boards of Appeal.\u0026quot;\u003C\/i\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI presume that the \u0026quot;5 points\u0026quot; are part of the \u0026quot;guidelines\u0026quot; and what the President was not considered a concrete proposal but only information which was noted (and not even discussed?)"},"link":[{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1949935810569534550\/1092057899766771887\/comments\/default\/1315624416048419061"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1949935810569534550\/1092057899766771887\/comments\/default\/1315624416048419061"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/patlit.blogspot.com\/2016\/03\/epo-social-unrest-ac-speaks.html?showComment=1458313068717#c1315624416048419061","title":""}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Michael Thesen"},"uri":{"$t":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/11216937613426928728"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"thr$in-reply-to":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","href":"http:\/\/patlit.blogspot.com\/2016\/03\/epo-social-unrest-ac-speaks.html","ref":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1949935810569534550.post-1092057899766771887","source":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/1949935810569534550/posts/default/1092057899766771887","type":"text/html"},"gd$extendedProperty":[{"name":"blogger.itemClass","value":"pid-382620568"},{"name":"blogger.displayTime","value":"18 March 2016 at 14:57"}]},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1949935810569534550.post-4669791646245968059"},"published":{"$t":"2016-03-18T14:47:22.889+00:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2016-03-18T14:47:22.889+00:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"I feel that there is a certain difference between ..."},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"I feel that there is a certain difference between employment and public function which might be a reason for some confusion around. It is difficult to see in which category the EPO staff falls. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EWhile it goes without saying that both categories are entitled to fair and transparent proceedings in disciplinary matters according to the ECHR, this is not so clear when it comes to strike regulations and the role of unions. Some European jurisdictions consider the right to strike to be a fundamental human right, others do not. German public officials do not have a right to strike and this is considered to comply with the fundamental rights. It follows that they do not have any \u0026quot;unions\u0026quot; entering in negotiations on the working conditions. Other jurisdictions have a different view.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EShould officials entrusted with a statutory monopole to perform public functions (examining patents) really be entitled to withhold these services from the public in the aim of increasing their salaries?"},"link":[{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1949935810569534550\/1092057899766771887\/comments\/default\/4669791646245968059"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1949935810569534550\/1092057899766771887\/comments\/default\/4669791646245968059"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/patlit.blogspot.com\/2016\/03\/epo-social-unrest-ac-speaks.html?showComment=1458312442889#c4669791646245968059","title":""}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Anonymous"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/blank.gif"}}],"thr$in-reply-to":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","href":"http:\/\/patlit.blogspot.com\/2016\/03\/epo-social-unrest-ac-speaks.html","ref":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1949935810569534550.post-1092057899766771887","source":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/1949935810569534550/posts/default/1092057899766771887","type":"text/html"},"gd$extendedProperty":[{"name":"blogger.itemClass","value":"pid-1263542197"},{"name":"blogger.displayTime","value":"18 March 2016 at 14:47"}]},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1949935810569534550.post-5780452610349314237"},"published":{"$t":"2016-03-18T12:15:57.215+00:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2016-03-18T12:15:57.215+00:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"No misunderstanding Michael.  I was just thinking ..."},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"No misunderstanding Michael.  I was just thinking of the pressure on those EPO workers who might contemplate trying to serve their fellow workers by sitting on the opposite side of the negotiating table from BB and his coterie of enforcers.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EWhat might be the consequences?  You have to worry, especially if you have a family of young children, that the consequence might be loss of job and pension rights. What is the AC doing about this \u0026quot;pressure\u0026quot; on would-be Union representatives?\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EBB can get rid of troublesome employees any time he pleases. The AC, as owner of the firm, could get rid of its troublesome CEO employee if it had the stomach to do so.  But manifestly it has no stomach for that.  BB knows it, and laughs at them, if not openly then surely behind his hand. "},"link":[{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1949935810569534550\/1092057899766771887\/comments\/default\/5780452610349314237"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1949935810569534550\/1092057899766771887\/comments\/default\/5780452610349314237"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/patlit.blogspot.com\/2016\/03\/epo-social-unrest-ac-speaks.html?showComment=1458303357215#c5780452610349314237","title":""}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"MaxDrei"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/blank.gif"}}],"thr$in-reply-to":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","href":"http:\/\/patlit.blogspot.com\/2016\/03\/epo-social-unrest-ac-speaks.html","ref":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1949935810569534550.post-1092057899766771887","source":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/1949935810569534550/posts/default/1092057899766771887","type":"text/html"},"gd$extendedProperty":[{"name":"blogger.itemClass","value":"pid-1263542197"},{"name":"blogger.displayTime","value":"18 March 2016 at 12:15"}]},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1949935810569534550.post-3603545390060002186"},"published":{"$t":"2016-03-18T12:06:32.120+00:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2016-03-18T12:06:32.120+00:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"The AC also requests the President\n\nto submit prop..."},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"The AC also requests the President\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ci\u003Eto submit proposals to the AC at its June 2016 meeting, after discussion in B28, for immediate implementation of the structural reform of the BOA, on the lines of the 5 points agreed by the AC at its December 2015 meeting and of the legal advice given by Prof. Sarooshi, and taking into account comments from the Presidium of the BOA\u003C\/i\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThis looks to me as though they have told him \u003Ci\u003Eexactly\u003C\/i\u003E what they think the content of those proposals should be.  I do not know what is in the 5 points or in the legal advice from Prof. Sarooshi, but this seems on its face to be a very precisely delineated set of expectations.  And the AC appears to have seen through Battistelli\u0026#39;s attempts to brush aside the concerns of the Presidium.  \u003Ci\u003E\u0026quot;Taking into account\u0026quot;\u003C\/i\u003E is not the strongest request possible, but if he decides not to adopt the proposals of the Presidium he will surely have to justify to the AC why he has decided against such adoption.  And the use of \u003Ci\u003E\u0026quot;immediate\u0026quot;\u003C\/i\u003E as the timescale shows the AC\u0026#39;s patience is running out.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe June AC meeting appears to be High Noon for BB."},"link":[{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1949935810569534550\/1092057899766771887\/comments\/default\/3603545390060002186"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1949935810569534550\/1092057899766771887\/comments\/default\/3603545390060002186"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/patlit.blogspot.com\/2016\/03\/epo-social-unrest-ac-speaks.html?showComment=1458302792120#c3603545390060002186","title":""}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"slartibartfast"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/blank.gif"}}],"thr$in-reply-to":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","href":"http:\/\/patlit.blogspot.com\/2016\/03\/epo-social-unrest-ac-speaks.html","ref":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1949935810569534550.post-1092057899766771887","source":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/1949935810569534550/posts/default/1092057899766771887","type":"text/html"},"gd$extendedProperty":[{"name":"blogger.itemClass","value":"pid-1263542197"},{"name":"blogger.displayTime","value":"18 March 2016 at 12:06"}]},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1949935810569534550.post-285055070890627308"},"published":{"$t":"2016-03-18T12:02:21.547+00:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2016-03-18T12:02:21.547+00:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Some of the demands of the President have been wat..."},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"Some of the demands of the President have been watered down from the leaked draft (for example, now asking him only to \u0026quot;consider the possibility\u0026quot; of invoking an external review of disciplinary proceedings - to which he will no doubt say \u0026quot;I have considered it, and my answer is NO\u0026quot;).  And the demands made by the AC for action from the unions and staff representation are new.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ENevertheless, it appears to me that this puts Battistelli in a very tight spot indeed and if one reads between the lines it seems clear that the AC is tending to side more with the staff.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe previously-leaked draft included in one of its recitals:\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026quot;noting \u003Cb\u003Ewithout taking position\u003C\/b\u003E on the justification of these disciplinary sanctions and proceedings, that they are widely questioned\u0026quot;\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe same recital in the adopted resolution now simply states:\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026quot;noting that these disciplinary sanctions and proceedings are widely being questioned in the public opinion\u0026quot;\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EDoes this mean that the AC does, indeed, now \u0026quot;take a position\u0026quot;?  If so I think we can see what that position might be, and it\u0026#39;s not in Battistelli\u0026#39;s favour.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe requirement of the President \u0026quot;\u003Ci\u003Ebefore further decisions in disciplinary cases are taken, to inform the AC in appropriate detail and make proposals that enhance confidence in fair and reasonable proceedings and sanctions\u003C\/i\u003E\u0026quot; is also newly added and appears to severely constrain Battistelli\u0026#39;s freedom of movement in any further disciplinary proceedings against the staff.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe only two requirements made of the staff appear to be very soft.  Indeed, SUEPO and the staff representation would probably be justified in saying that they do recognise \u003Ci\u003Ethe importance of firm and fair disciplinary procedures\u003C\/i\u003E - what they question is the apparent abuse and unfairness of such procedures under the current regime.  And I am sure they will respond constructively, as indeed they appear to have done every step of the way so far.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EOverall, therefore, a fairly big victory for the staff, I would say.  Battistelli is not gone yet, but the Communique appears to be a very strong warning shot in his direction from the AC."},"link":[{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1949935810569534550\/1092057899766771887\/comments\/default\/285055070890627308"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1949935810569534550\/1092057899766771887\/comments\/default\/285055070890627308"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/patlit.blogspot.com\/2016\/03\/epo-social-unrest-ac-speaks.html?showComment=1458302541547#c285055070890627308","title":""}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"slartibartfast"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/blank.gif"}}],"thr$in-reply-to":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","href":"http:\/\/patlit.blogspot.com\/2016\/03\/epo-social-unrest-ac-speaks.html","ref":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1949935810569534550.post-1092057899766771887","source":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/1949935810569534550/posts/default/1092057899766771887","type":"text/html"},"gd$extendedProperty":[{"name":"blogger.itemClass","value":"pid-1263542197"},{"name":"blogger.displayTime","value":"18 March 2016 at 12:02"}]},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1949935810569534550.post-3382202433534460892"},"published":{"$t":"2016-03-18T10:35:34.981+00:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2016-03-18T10:35:34.981+00:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Sorry for the misunderstanding.\n\nThe parties in th..."},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"Sorry for the misunderstanding.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe parties in the social dialogue are the president and SUEPO and pressure on them to finally sit on the same table and come to a reasonable solution is increased. As always, both parties blame the respectively other one for the disaster and, as we say, it takes always two to argue.  However, comparing the length of the lists of \u0026quot;requests\u0026quot; it is clear that the president experiences the highest increase in pressure in this case.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI do not at all think that the pressure onto examiners in terms of production numbers should be increased. Rather to the contrary.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1949935810569534550\/1092057899766771887\/comments\/default\/3382202433534460892"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1949935810569534550\/1092057899766771887\/comments\/default\/3382202433534460892"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/patlit.blogspot.com\/2016\/03\/epo-social-unrest-ac-speaks.html?showComment=1458297334981#c3382202433534460892","title":""}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Michael Thesen"},"uri":{"$t":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/11216937613426928728"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"thr$in-reply-to":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","href":"http:\/\/patlit.blogspot.com\/2016\/03\/epo-social-unrest-ac-speaks.html","ref":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1949935810569534550.post-1092057899766771887","source":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/1949935810569534550/posts/default/1092057899766771887","type":"text/html"},"gd$extendedProperty":[{"name":"blogger.itemClass","value":"pid-382620568"},{"name":"blogger.displayTime","value":"18 March 2016 at 10:35"}]},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1949935810569534550.post-8197807926764839414"},"published":{"$t":"2016-03-18T09:43:54.184+00:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2016-03-18T09:43:54.184+00:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Michael, you made me sad when you wrote of the AC\u0026..."},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"Michael, you made me sad when you wrote of the AC\u0026#39;s utterance that it is\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026quot;.......to increase pressure onto the parties to resolve the situation\u0026quot;\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EDoes the AC then think that what is most needed now is to \u0026quot;increase pressure\u0026quot; on those working at the EPO?"},"link":[{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1949935810569534550\/1092057899766771887\/comments\/default\/8197807926764839414"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1949935810569534550\/1092057899766771887\/comments\/default\/8197807926764839414"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/patlit.blogspot.com\/2016\/03\/epo-social-unrest-ac-speaks.html?showComment=1458294234184#c8197807926764839414","title":""}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"MaxDrei"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/blank.gif"}}],"thr$in-reply-to":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","href":"http:\/\/patlit.blogspot.com\/2016\/03\/epo-social-unrest-ac-speaks.html","ref":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1949935810569534550.post-1092057899766771887","source":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/1949935810569534550/posts/default/1092057899766771887","type":"text/html"},"gd$extendedProperty":[{"name":"blogger.itemClass","value":"pid-1263542197"},{"name":"blogger.displayTime","value":"18 March 2016 at 09:43"}]},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1949935810569534550.post-5852779664578331587"},"published":{"$t":"2016-02-28T09:37:18.189+00:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2016-02-28T09:37:18.189+00:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Does not this debate over standards of proof revea..."},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"Does not this debate over standards of proof reveal a gap of understanding between lawyers of the Romano\/German system and the English common law part of the world?\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI mean, in criminal prosecutions we need proof \u0026quot;beyond reasonable doubt\u0026quot; whereas in ordinary civil disputes we need a \u0026quot;more likely than not\u0026quot; standard of proof.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI assert that, just like in obviousness, where the EPO\u0026#39;s Problem and Solution Approach is big enough to cope with any case, so the \u0026quot;more likely than not\u0026quot; standard is fit for any civil dispute, including one in which the dispute is about whether Opponent\u0026#39;s use put the claimed subject matter into the state of the art before the priority date.  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EDG3\u0026#39;s English lawyer Gerald Paterson saw it right, in the book he wrote about oppositions at the EPO, back in the days when the EPO was still young. What he wrote was that the amount of evidence you need to prove any given proposition (say, the Earth is Flat) is \u0026quot;more likely than not\u0026quot; varies with the degree of unlikeliness of the proposition itself. You will need an awful lot of evidence to show it \u0026quot;more likely than not\u0026quot; that the Earth is Flat. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ENow, if you cry \u0026quot;But I was using that already\u0026quot; you will be greeted sceptically, because as we know, that\u0026#39;s always what our client\u0026#39;s engineers and scientists, affronted by the patent, are inclined to assert.  And so, in front of an experienced and sceptical EPO Tribunal, you won\u0026#39;t have proved it \u0026quot;more likely than not\u0026quot; until you have proved it \u0026quot;up to the hilt\u0026quot;.  It lies within your power to prove it up to the hilt and if you can\u0026#39;t do that much, well then it suggests to the sceptical Tribunal that the prior use more likely did not take place than that it did.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EBut that is very different from a criminal \u0026quot;beyond reasonable doubt\u0026quot; standard.  Or ought to be!"},"link":[{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1949935810569534550\/5944909195929965827\/comments\/default\/5852779664578331587"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1949935810569534550\/5944909195929965827\/comments\/default\/5852779664578331587"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/patlit.blogspot.com\/2016\/02\/up-to-hilt-and-beyond-reasonable-doubt.html?showComment=1456652238189#c5852779664578331587","title":""}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"MaxDrei"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/blank.gif"}}],"thr$in-reply-to":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","href":"http:\/\/patlit.blogspot.com\/2016\/02\/up-to-hilt-and-beyond-reasonable-doubt.html","ref":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1949935810569534550.post-5944909195929965827","source":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/1949935810569534550/posts/default/5944909195929965827","type":"text/html"},"gd$extendedProperty":[{"name":"blogger.itemClass","value":"pid-1263542197"},{"name":"blogger.displayTime","value":"28 February 2016 at 09:37"}]}]}});