T 0019/87 (Oral proceedings) of 16.04.1987

European Case Law Identifier

ECLI:EP:BA:1987:T001987.19870416

Date of decision

16 April 1987

Case number

T 0019/87

Petition for review of

Application number

82304491.2

IPC class

G03F 7/26

Language of proceedings

English

Distribution

Published in the EPO's Official Journal (A)

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Decision in English

OJ versions

Other decisions for this case

Abstracts for this decision

Application title

Method for forming patterned resist layer on semiconductor

Applicant name

Fujitsu

Opponent name

Board

3.4.01

Headnote

1. If, on the true meaning of a communication from a party, it constitutes a request for oral proceedings, there is no power to issue an adverse decision without first appointing such oral proceedings.

2. A finding in a decision that there had not been a request for oral proceedings, although wrong, did not constitute either

a) grounds or evidence on which the decision to refuse was based, so there is no violation of Article 113(1) EPC or

b) a substantial procedural violation for the purpose of Rule 67 EPC.

Relevant legal provisions

European Patent Convention Art 113 1973 European Patent Convention Art 116 1973 European Patent Convention R 67 1973

Keywords

Request for interview as preliminary to oral proceedings
Decision to refuse issued without oral proceedings
Decision void ab initio and set aside
Application remitted to Examining Division for oral proceedings
No substantial procedural violation

Catchword

Cited cases

Citing cases

J 0012/15 T 0209/88 T 0560/88 T 0668/89 T 0680/89 T 0494/90 T 0663/90 T 0766/90 T 0872/90 T 0621/91 T 0543/92 T 0793/92 T 1049/92 T 0235/93 T 0401/93 T 0863/93 T 0917/93 T 0163/94 T 0215/94 T 0808/94 T 0556/95 T 0671/95 T 0909/95 T 0285/02 T 0815/02 T 0911/04 T 0419/05 T 1434/06 T 1606/07 T 1791/07 T 1494/08 T 2245/08 T 0162/09 T 2299/10 T 1072/11 T 2373/11 T 2457/13 T 1951/16 T 1800/23

ORDER

For these reasons it is decided that:

1. The Decision of the Examining Division dated 4 August 1986 is set aside.

2. The application is remitted to the Examining Division with the order that oral proceedings under Article 116 EPC shall take place before the Examining Division decides whether to grant or refuse European patent application No. 82 304 491.2 inder Article 97 EPC.

3. The request for reimbursement of the appeal fee is rejected.