European Patent Office

T 0862/98 (Apparatus for fluid dispersing/ABBOTT LABORATORIES) vom 17.08.1999

Europäischer Rechtsprechungsidentifikator
ECLI:EP:BA:1999:T086298.19990817
Datum der Entscheidung
17. August 1999
Aktenzeichen
T 0862/98
Antrag auf Überprüfung von
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Anmeldenummer
87116861.3
Verfahrenssprache
Englisch
Verteilung
An die Kammervorsitzenden verteilt (C)
Amtsblattfassungen
Keine AB-Links gefunden
Weitere Entscheidungen für diese Akte
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Zusammenfassungen für diese Entscheidung
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Bezeichnung der Anmeldung
Apparatus and process for reagent fluid dispensing and printing
Name des Antragstellers
Abbott Laboratories
Name des Einsprechenden
Roche Diagnostics GmbH
Kammer
3.4.02
Leitsatz
-
Schlagwörter
Unclear situation of the file: substantive oral decision or intention announced
Infringement of Rule 68(2) EPC: substantial procedural violation
Change in composition of Opposition Division: obligation to offer new oral proceedings
Orientierungssatz
Changes in the composition of an Opposition Division after oral proceedings should be generally avoided also in cases where no final substantive decision has been given orally. Where this is not possible, new oral proceedings must in general be offered to the parties under such circumstances (see the analogous regulation of Article 7(1) of the Rules of Procedure of the Boards of Appeal). Such offers may be foregone in exceptional cases, in particular if the final decision given by a differently composed Opposition Division is not substantially based on findings arrived at during the oral proceedings but on fresh facts and arguments communicated to the parties in the resumed written proceedings (see point 2.3 of the reasons).

ORDER

For these reasons it is decided that:

1. The decision under appeal is set aside.

2. The case is remitted to the department of first instance for further prosecution.

3. The reimbursement of the appeal fee is ordered.