T 0379/01 (Inspection of files/THOMSON) of 24.03.2004
- European Case Law Identifier
- ECLI:EP:BA:2004:T037901.20040324
- Date of decision
- 24 March 2004
- Case number
- T 0379/01
- Petition for review of
- -
- Application number
- 91907657.0
- IPC class
- H04B 1/16
- Language of proceedings
- English
- Distribution
- Distributed to board chairmen and members (B)
- Download
- Decision in English
- OJ versions
- No OJ links found
- Other decisions for this case
- -
- Abstracts for this decision
- -
- Application title
- Receiver for satellite reception
- Applicant name
- THOMSON multimedia Sales UK Limited
- Opponent name
- Interessengemeinschaft für Rundfunkschutzrechte e.V.
- Board
- 3.5.01
- Headnote
- -
- Relevant legal provisions
- European Patent Convention Art 128(4) 1973European Patent Convention R 93 1973
- Keywords
- Exclusion of a document from file inspection (no)
- Catchword
- 1. The provisions concerning the exclusion of documents from file inspection lay down exceptions from the principle of public inspection of files pursuant to Article 128(4) EPC, thus requiring a narrow construction of these provisions. In particular if a key document relating to a fundamental issue in an inter partes case, such as contested admissibility of an opposition, is concerned, a strict standard has to be applied.
2. In view of the public interest in accessing evidence relevant for deciding a case, a merely abstract prejudice to hypothetical personal or economic interests is not a sufficient bar in this connection. The party requesting such exclusion should rather show that public access to certain documents would be prejudicial to specific and concrete personal or economic interests. - Cited cases
- G 0003/97
ORDER
For these reasons it is decided that:
The appellant's request for excluding the document "Satzung der Interessengemeinschaft für Rundfunkschutzrechte e.V. (IGR) in der Fassung vom 8. Mai 1985" from file inspection is rejected.