European Patent Office

T 0484/90 (Cable car) of 21.10.1991

European Case Law Identifier
ECLI:EP:BA:1991:T048490.19911021
Date of decision
21 October 1991
Case number
T 0484/90
Petition for review of
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Application number
84400036.4
Language of proceedings
French
Distribution
Published in the EPO's Official Journal (A)
Download
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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
Pomagalski
Opponent name
Doppelmayr & Sohn
Board
3.2.01
Headnote

If a party duly summoned to oral proceedings does not appear as summoned, a decision against it which is based on new evidence (such as a document) on which it has not had an opportunity to present its comments may not be pronounced at those oral proceedings without infringing the absent party's right to be heard (Article 113(1)), unless it has indicated that it is forfeiting that right.

Keywords
Decision issued during oral proceedings based on document not brought to attention of absent party
Decision taken an infringement of right to be heard (yes)
Non-appearance interpreted as forfeiting right to be heard (no)
Substantial procedural violation (yes)
Reimbursement of appeal fees although not requested (yes)
Obligation to examine an amended main claim taking up the content of an unproposed dependent claim (yes)
Catchword
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Cited cases
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ORDER

For these reasons it is decided that:

1. The decision of the Opposition Division is set aside.

2. The matter is referred back to the department of first instance for maintenance of the European patent in amended form on the basis of the documents mentioned in point VI above.

3. Reimbursement of the appeal fee is ordered.