J 0013/90 (Omitted payment not completed) of 10.12.1992
- European Case Law Identifier
- ECLI:EP:BA:1992:J001390.19921210
- Date of decision
- 10 December 1992
- Case number
- J 0013/90
- Petition for review of
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- Application number
- 85306182.8
- IPC class
- -
- Language of proceedings
- English
- Distribution
- Published in the EPO's Official Journal (A)
- Download
- Decision in English
- Other decisions for this case
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- Abstracts for this decision
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- Application title
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- Applicant name
- Castleton
- Opponent name
- -
- Board
- 3.1.01
- Headnote
1. Since relations between the EPO and the applicant are governed by the principle of good faith, the legitimate expectations of parties to the proceedings must not be violated (Enlarged Board of Appeal G 5, 7, 8/88, OJ EPO 1991, 137).
2. The principle of good faith requires the EPO to warn the applicant of any impending loss of rights if such a warning can be expected in all good faith.
3. A warning can be expected if the deficiency is readily identifiable for the EPO and the applicant can still correct it within the time limit (T 14/89, OJ EPO 1990, 432 followed).
4. If a warning can be expected but is not issued to the applicant within the time limit to be observed, the EPO must set a period in which the applicant can correct the deficiency and perform the procedural act in due time.
- Relevant legal provisions
- European Patent Convention Art 122(2) 1973
- Keywords
- Restitutio - omitted payment not completed
Principle of good faith
Obligation to warn applicant of any impending loss of rights
Time limit for correction of the deficiency - Catchword
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- Cited cases
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ORDER
For these reasons it is decided that:
1. The contested decision is set aside.
2. The Applicants are granted re-establishment of rights in respect of the non-observed period for payment of the fourth-year renewal fee plus the additional fee.