European Patent Office

T 0445/08 vom 30.01.2012

Europäischer Rechtsprechungsidentifikator
ECLI:EP:BA:2012:T044508.20120130
Datum der Entscheidung
30. Januar 2012
Aktenzeichen
T 0445/08
Antrag auf Überprüfung von
-
Anmeldenummer
99955620.2
Verfahrenssprache
Englisch
Verteilung
Im Amtsblatt des EPA veröffentlicht (A)
Amtsblattfassungen
Zusammenfassungen für diese Entscheidung
-
Bezeichnung der Anmeldung
WATER FILTRATION USING IMMERSED MEMBRANES
Name des Antragstellers
Zenon Technology Partnership
Name des Einsprechenden
Evoqua Water Technologies LLC
Kammer
3.3.07
Leitsatz
-
Schlagwörter
Notice of appeal filed in name of person not entitled to appeal - Error alleged in identity (yes): deficiency under Rule 101(2) and 99(1)(a) EPC or error under Rule 139 EPC? Point of law of fundamental importance - contradictory case law [yes] - legal uncertainty about admissibility requirements [yes] - necessity to refer questions to Enlarged Board [yes]
Orientierungssatz
Questions
(1) When a notice of appeal, in compliance with Rule 99(1)(a) EPC, contains the name and the address of the appellant as provided in Rule 41(2)(c) EPC and it is alleged that the identification is wrong due to an error, the true intention having been to file on behalf of the legal person which should have filed the appeal, is a request for substituting this other legal or natural person admissible as a remedy to "deficiencies" provided by Rule 101(2) EPC?
(2) If the answer is yes, what kind of evidence is to be considered to establish the true intention?
(3) If the answer to the first question is no, may the appellant's intention nevertheless play a role and justify the application of Rule 139 EPC?
(4) If the answer to questions (1) and (3) is no, are there any possibilities other than restitutio in integrum (when applicable)?

ORDER

For these reasons it is decided that:

The following questions are referred to the Enlarged Board:

(1) When a notice of appeal, in compliance with Rule 99(1)(a) EPC, contains the name and the address of the appellant as provided in Rule 41(2)(c) EPC and it is alleged that the identification is wrong due to an error, the true intention having been to file on behalf of the legal person which should have filed the appeal, is a request for substituting this other legal or natural person admissible as a remedy to "deficiencies" provided by Rule 101(2) EPC?

(2) If the answer is yes, what kind of evidence is to be considered to establish the true intention?

(3) If the answer to the first question is no, may the appellant's intention nevertheless play a role and justify the application of Rule 139 EPC?

(4) If the answer to questions (1) and (3) is no, are there any possibilities other than restitutio in integrum (when applicable)?