Alain Pompidou and Software Patents
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Alain Pompidou, son of late french president Georges Pompidou, is acting as president of the European Patent Office from 2004 to 2007. Pompidou does not come from the patent profession but rather works as a medical doctor and, as a member of the European Parliament has a record of showing concern about genetic patents. In an "EPO Information Day" on 2005-04-30, the EPO used Pompidou for lobbying the European Parliament in favor of software patents.
News & Chronology
2005-04-30 Pompidou speaks at "EPO Information Day" in European Parliament
2004-07-06 Pompidou speaks at german patent movement summit
- 2004-07-01 Pompidou becomes president of EPO
Outline
Alain Pompidou is a son of the late french president Georges Pompidou.
He does not come from the patent profession but rather works as a medical doctor and has a record of showing concern about genetic patents. He has been a member of the European Parliament.
This is rare among EPO presidents and may make him somewhat more receptive for concerns about the effects of the patent system than others. OTOH he is perhaps also under greater pressure to obey a recalcitrant apparatus than others would be.
Pompidou will be in office only until 2007. His designated successor is the UK Patent Office chief Alison Brimelow. This short office term is the result of wrangling between national ministerial officials in the European Patent Organisation.
