The French government has chosen a new head for its patent office for the first time in 10 years, with the appointment of Benoît Battistelli on May 12.

Battistelli takes over from former director-general Daniel Hangard who leaves the post after 10 years to be the head of the control mission at the Ministry of Economy, Finance and Industry.

In his new role, Battistelli will supervise the Office's 14 local centres across France, and its staff of around 800 people.

Prior to joining the Office, Battistelli was deputy office head of France's minister for industry. Since 1999 he had been in charge of intellectual property, innovation and competition at the Ministry of Economy, Finance and Industry as the head of department.

The Office, which works under the auspices of the Ministry of Economy, Finance and Industry, plays an important role in the government's decision-making process on international as well as European legislative matters, such as the Community patent.

Battistelli was not able to comment ahead of taking up his new role, but his office said that more details on his management strategy as well as his views on the Community patent will be disclosed in the coming weeks.

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