European Patent Office

T 1091/02 (Methods for detection/HOFFMANN-LA ROCHE) vom 23.07.2004

Europäischer Rechtsprechungsidentifikator
ECLI:EP:BA:2004:T109102.20040723
Datum der Entscheidung
23. Juli 2004
Aktenzeichen
T 1091/02
Antrag auf Überprüfung von
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Anmeldenummer
92305862.2
IPC-Klasse
C12Q 1/68
Verfahrenssprache
Englisch
Verteilung
Im Amtsblatt des EPA veröffentlicht (A)
Amtsblattfassungen
Zusammenfassungen für diese Entscheidung
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Bezeichnung der Anmeldung
Methods for detection of carcinoma metastases by nucleic acid amplification
Name des Antragstellers
F. HOFFMANN-LA ROCHE AG
Name des Einsprechenden
(1) bioMérieux B.V.
(2) Vysis Inc.
Kammer
3.3.04
Leitsatz

The following questions are referred to the Enlarged Board of Appeal:

1. (a) Can opponent status be freely transferred?

(b) If question 1(a) is answered in the negative: Can a legal person who was a 100%-owned subsidiary of the opponent when the opposition was filed and who carries on the business to which the opposed patent relates acquire opponent status if all its shares are assigned by the opponent to another company and if the persons involved in the transaction agree to the transfer of the opposition?

2. If question 1(a) or (b) is answered in the affirmative:

(a) Which formal requirements have to be fulfilled before the transfer of opponent status can be accepted? In particular, is it necessary to submit full documentary evidence proving the alleged facts?

(b) Is an appeal filed by an alleged new opponent inadmissible if the above formal requirements are not complied with before expiry of the time limit for filing the notice of appeal?

3. If question 1(a) and (b) is answered in the negative: Is an appeal admissible if, although filed on behalf of a person not entitled to appeal, the notice of appeal contains an auxiliary request that the appeal be considered filed on behalf of a person entitled to appeal?

Schlagwörter
Transfer of opponent status - substantive requirements - formal requirements - appeal filed by alleged transferee of opponent status - auxiliary request to consider appeal filed by original opponent - referral to Enlarged Board of Appeal
Orientierungssatz
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ORDER

For these reasons it is decided that:

The following questions are referred to the Enlarged Board of Appeal:

1. (a) Can opponent status be freely transferred?

2. (b) If question 1(a) is answered in the negative: Can a legal person who was a 100%-owned subsidiary of the opponent when the opposition was filed and who carries on the business to which the opposed patent relates acquire opponent status if all its shares are assigned by the opponent to another company and if the persons involved in the transaction agree to the transfer of the opposition?

2. If question 1(a) or (b) is answered in the affirmative:

(a) Which formal requirements have to be fulfilled before the transfer of opponent status can be accepted? In particular, is it necessary to submit full documentary evidence proving the alleged facts?

(b) Is an appeal filed by an alleged new opponent inadmissible if the above formal requirements are not complied with before expiry of the time limit for filing the notice of appeal?

3. If question 1(a) and (b) is answered in the negative:

Is an appeal admissible if, although filed on behalf of a person not entitled to appeal, the notice of appeal contains an auxiliary request that the appeal be considered filed on behalf of a person entitled to appeal?