Dr. Jacques Michel of the European Patent Office Named IPI Award
Recipient 2004
(Source: Patent Information Users Group Newsletter, Spring 2004)
Above: Jacques Michel (center) with (from left to
right) Pantelis Kyriakides, Trudi Jones, Genevieve Michel and Selection Board
Members Yutaka Wada, Ford Khorsandian, Ian Sinclair, Christoph Haxel and Lucy
Akers
Announcement in the heart of
Lisbon
It is 1:30 p.m. Monday, 8th March, 2004 at the elegant Hotel Altis located in the heart of Lisbon, Portugal. This is the venue for the first ever International Patent Information Conference & Exposition, IPI-ConfEx, the new conference for patent information professionals in Europe. Over 270 patent information professionals, representing 26 countries, are gathered at luncheon to await the announcement of the recipient of the International Patent International Patent Information Award for 2004.
Award founder and sponsor, Ford Khorsandian, President of Technology & Patent Research (TPR) International, begins by describing how the IPI-Award was established to recognize those who, through their efforts, have helped to shape the patent information world. He explains how the Award is presided over by an International Selection Board and asks the Chairman of the Board, Dr. Ian Sinclair of Pfizer, to step forward to make the announcement. Ian Sinclair and fellow Board member, Lucy Akers, explain how the nature of the achievements and their lasting benefit to the international patent information community are key factors in selecting the Award recipient. The selection process has singled out one outstanding individual to be honored for 2004, and that is none other than Dr. Jacques Michel, the longest-serving former Vice-President of the European Patent Office.
Dr. Michel, who is present in the audience, rises to acknowledge the honor with which he is to be bestowed and is greeted by enthusiastic applause.
Above: Dr. Michel receives applause as he is named IPI-Award recipient 2004
An Illustrious Career
Ian Sinclair describes how the French native studied for a doctorate in Physical Sciences at Paris University and from there started his career as Scientific Attaché to the French Embassy in Washington D.C. Later, at the Secretariat of State for Research and the Ministry of Industry he became involved with information systems managing scientific and technical data. He directed the creation of an online information service, which was to become Questel, and also oversaw the implementation of chemical structure information management using the DARC system. In the 1980’s, Jacques was summoned to be a Director at CNRS (Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique) and then moved to head up Questel, first as part of the U.S. arm of the organization in Washington D.C., and then as Managing Director of the Questel parent company in France.
Ian Sinclair goes on to describe how, in the late 1980s, Jacques Michel moved to the European Patent Office in the Hague to become Vice President of Directorate General 1 where, under his leadership, the BACON (Backfile Conversion) project was implemented to create a unique worldwide collection of patent documents in bitmap format. Sinclair explains that, “The trilateral co-operation that Jacques helped engender between the European, Japanese and United States Patent Offices was central to developing the digital patent information world of today.”
At the EPO, Jacques Michel also led
the pioneering project that designed, built and implemented a new process and
system for patent examination, the EPOQUE system, which is today used by 4,000
patent examiners. From EPOQUE there
came Espacenet, yet another very significant service developed and implemented
under Jacques’ leadership. Sinclair
goes on to explain that, “Espacenet realizes Jacques’ vision of more liberal
approaches to the dissemination of patent information, based on his belief that
this is an obligation for major patent offices like the EPO. He drove the change in information
dissemination policy within the EPO and realized the service we know today as
Espacenet.”
Ceremony at Spectacular Penha Longa
Above: The beautiful Penha Longa Resort outside
Lisbon
A special, memorable event deserves a special, memorable venue. Monday evening dinner sponsors, Thomson Scientific, have selected a shining, historic gem nestled among beautiful rolling grounds. It is Penha Longa, which is a 25 mile scenic drive from Lisbon. Penha Longa, which means long rock, is described as ‘the place to capture the sparkle of the Portuguese heart and soul’. The breathtaking property was originally founded by friars in the 1300s, and through the 15th and 16th centuries was used by the Royal Family.
The initial part of the evening is enjoyed socializing and admiring the unique architecture of the buildings with the ornate stone ceilings, rich tile work and gilded chapel. Dinner itself is served in an immense marquee with its central pool and fountains.
Above: Dinner is served prior to the IPI-Award
Presentation Ceremony and Speeches
Mike Tansey, CEO of Thomson Scientific, welcomes the guests and congratulates Dr. Michel on being named the IPI-Award recipient for 2004.
The first of the after-dinner speeches is by Mr. Pantelis Kyriakides of the European Patent Office. Mr. Kyriakides has traveled from Munich especially to attend the IPI-Award Ceremony and deliver a message on behalf of EPO President, Dr. Ingo Kober, and, with great warmth, also offers his own good wishes.
Dr. Michel is then invited to the podium to accept the plaque and deliver his acceptance speech.
Above:
Dr. Michel approaches the stage, greeted by (right to left) Yutaka Wada,
Christoph Haxel, Lucy Akers, Trudi Jones, Ford Khorsandian and Ian Sinclair
Above: Dr. Jacques Michel accepts the
‘International Patent Information Award’ from Ford Khorsandian of Technology
& Patent Research (TPR) International, and Dr. Ian Sinclair, Chairman of
the IPI-Award International Selection Board.
The keenly attentive audience is treated to Dr. Michel’s own
recollections of his years at the EPO during a time of great technological
changes and new thinking. Ambitious
data conversion projects involved ongoing significant investment and
cooperation between international patent offices and presented huge challenges
in terms of storage, retrieval and display of data. In closing, Dr. Michel presents his vision for the future, in
which the patent offices and commercial information providers assume their
individual roles for the overall benefit and advancement of the patent
information industry.
The proceedings are brought to a close with
congratulatory messages on behalf of patent information groups and
contemporaries from both the United States and Japanese Patent Offices.
In the words of former USPTO colleague and friend, Brad Huther:
“Among the traits I admire most in you are these:
You have the courage to follow your
convictions even when confronted with seemingly impossible odds;
You have a masterful ability to
design elegant solutions for complex, challenging problems, and
You have boundless creativity and
energy in the constant pursuit of strategically important goals.
The prestigious award bestowed upon you today manifestly shows that people throughout the world appreciate your many talents and are inspired by them.”
Indeed, one is left in awe when pondering the level of maturity that the patent information world has attained today, and can only guess at the void which would exist had it not been for the unique personality, vision and dedication of Jacques Michel.
Above: Delegates enjoy the proceedings
Click on the names below for full speech transcripts and more
photographs:
IPI-Award significance, by Ford Khorsandian
IPI-Award selection process and the Board’s
decision for 2004, by Dr.
Ian Sinclair and Ms. Lucy Akers
Speech in honor of Dr. Jacques Michel by Dr. Ian Sinclair and Trudi
Jones
Opening remarks preceding the evening ceremony by Mr. Mike Tansey of
Thomson Scientific
Speech by Mr. Pantelis Kyriakides
of the European Patent Office
Dr. Jacques Michel acceptance speech
Congratulatory messages from organizations and
individuals
Click here for more photographs of the IPI-Award Ceremony venue, attendees, etc.
Or,
Click here for IPI-Award ‘Hall of Fame’ and biographies
of past recipients
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