European Patent Office

T 0042/02 (Transaction system/PITNEY BOWES) of 28.02.2003

European Case Law Identifier
ECLI:EP:BA:2003:T004202.20030228
Date of decision
28 February 2003
Case number
T 0042/02
Petition for review of
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Application number
87905893.1
Language of proceedings
English
Distribution
Distributed to board chairmen and members (B)
OJ versions
No OJ links found
Other decisions for this case
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Abstracts for this decision
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Application title
Automated transaction system using microprocessor cards
Applicant name
PITNEY BOWES INC.
Opponent name
Société SECAP
Francotyp-Postalia Aktiengesellschaft & Co.
GIESECKE & DEVRIENT GmbH
NEOPOST LTD
Board
3.5.01
Headnote
-
Keywords
Intermediate decisions announced by differently composed opposition divisions at first and second oral proceedings - commonly reasoned and jointly signed final decision - substantial procedural violation (yes)
Catchword
If binding intermediate decisions are announced by an Opposition Division at first oral proceedings and further binding intermediate decisions and the final decision are announced by a differently composed Opposition Division at second oral proceedings, then these decisions cannot be commonly reasoned and jointly signed by all members of the two Opposition Divisions without violating fundamental principles deriving from Articles 113(1) and 116 EPC (see point 8 of the "Reasons for the decision").
Cited cases
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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 for further prosecution.

3. Both appeal fees are to be reimbursed.