President of the Austrian Patent Office moves to the EPO

The Austrian Patent Office is looking for a successor for long-time president Mariana Karepova (53), who is moving to the European Patent Office as of July 1. She has held the position in Vienna since 2015, during which time she sustainably reformed the authority.

Mariana Karepova ©Mirjam-Reither

During her eight years as president, she fundamentally opened up the office and transformed it into a sought-after intellectual property agency, wrote Austrian Climate Protection Minister Leonore Gewessler in a press release. Karepova placed great emphasis on service, digitised the administration and certified quality standards.

The minister praised how Karepova modernised human resources policy, promoted young talent and rebuilt the office for hybrid working with teleworking and face-to-face work.

Advisor for Campinos

From July, Karepova will join the EPO management as principal director, advising its president, António Campinos, on European and international affairs. This position is not new. In 2012, for example, Margot Fröhlinger, who was instrumental in advancing the unitary patent and Unified Patent Court on the EU Commission side, moved to become Principal Director for Unitary Patent, European and International Legal Affairs.

According to the EPO website, Kris De Neef is currently also responsible for European and international affairs as Head of Performance and Process Office.

In moving to the EPO management, Karepova is also switching sides within the European Patent Organisation. As president of the Austrian Patent Office, she is currently still her country’s representative on the EPO Administrative Council. The board controls the management of the patent authority.

Unified Patent Court in focus

One of the most important tasks for Karepova will be to oversee the launch phase of the unitary patent and the Unified Patent Court. The new European patent system consisting of these two elements started on June 1. The EPO is responsible for filing the unitary patent and has an important function in training the European patent judges.

At present there is no successor for Karepova at the Austrian Patent Office. The responsible ministry told JUVE patent that a corresponding tender is being prepared. The press spokesperson of the Federal Ministry for Climate Protection says, “Until a new appointment is made, business will be managed on an interim basis by Vice President Stefan Harasek.”