T 0177/01 (Sulfonic acid/ELF) of 11.09.2003
- European Case Law Identifier
- ECLI:EP:BA:2003:T017701.20030911
- Date of decision
- 11 September 2003
- Case number
- T 0177/01
- Petition for review of
- -
- Application number
- 95104522.8
- IPC class
- C07C 303/16
- Language of proceedings
- English
- Distribution
- Distributed to board chairmen (C)
- Download
- Decision in English
- OJ versions
- No OJ links found
- Other decisions for this case
- -
- Abstracts for this decision
- -
- Application title
- A process for the preparation of alkane sulfonic acid and alkane sulfonyl chloride
- Applicant name
- ELF ATOCHEM NORTH AMERICA, INC.
- Opponent name
- Phillips Petroleum Company
- Board
- 3.3.01
- Headnote
- -
- Relevant legal provisions
- European Patent Convention Art 123(2) 1973European Patent Convention Art 123(3) 1973European Patent Convention Art 54 1973European Patent Convention Art 56 1973
- Keywords
- Inventive step (yes) - formulation of the problem on the basis of technical results achieved vis-à-vis closest prior art - problem not addressed in further state of the art - non- obvious solution
- Catchword
- -
ORDER
For these reasons it is decided that:
1. The decision under appeal is set aside.
2. The case is remitted to the first instance with the order to maintain the patent on the basis of claims 1 to 8 as submitted on 23 August 2000, figures as granted and a description yet to be adapted.