European Patent Office

T 1621/16 (Hand dishwashing/Procter&Gamble) vom 14.10.2019

Europäischer Rechtsprechungsidentifikator
ECLI:EP:BA:2019:T162116.20191014
Datum der Entscheidung
14. Oktober 2019
Aktenzeichen
T 1621/16
Antrag auf Überprüfung von
-
Anmeldenummer
09163237.2
Verfahrenssprache
Englisch
Verteilung
An die Kammervorsitzenden und -mitglieder verteilt (B)
Amtsblattfassungen
Keine AB-Links gefunden
Weitere Entscheidungen für diese Akte
-
Zusammenfassungen für diese Entscheidung
-
Bezeichnung der Anmeldung
Liquid hand dishwashing detergent composition
Name des Antragstellers
The Procter & Gamble Company
Name des Einsprechenden
Colgate-Palmolive Company
Henkel AG & Co. KGaA
Kammer
3.3.06
Leitsatz
-
Schlagwörter
Amendments - mutliple selections from lists of converging alternatives
Amendments - allowable (yes)
Amendments - intermediate generalisation
Inventive step - (yes)
Orientierungssatz
1) When fall-back positions for a feature are described in terms of a list of converging alternatives, the choice of a more or less preferred element from such a list should not be treated as an arbitrary selection, because this choice does not lead to a singling out of an invention from among a plurality of distinct options, but simply to a subject-matter based on a more or less restricted version of said feature.
2) A claim amended on the basis of multiple selections from lists of converging alternatives might be considered to meet the requirements of Article 123(2) EPC if:
- the subject-matter resulting from the multiple selections is not associated with an undisclosed technical contribution, and
- the application as filed includes a pointer to the combination of features resulting from the multiple selections.

Order

For these reasons it is decided that:

1. The decision under appeal is set aside.

2. The case is remitted to the opposition division with the order to maintain the patent in amended form on the basis of the claims of the new main request filed during oral proceedings before the Board, and a description to be adapted where appropriate.