European Patent Office

T 0804/92 (Refrigeration apparatus) of 08.09.1993

European Case Law Identifier
ECLI:EP:BA:1993:T080492.19930908
Date of decision
8 September 1993
Case number
T 0804/92
Petition for review of
-
Application number
85900817.9
IPC class
H02J 7/00
Language of proceedings
English
Distribution
Published in the EPO's Official Journal (A)
Other decisions for this case
-
Abstracts for this decision
-
Application title
Energy saving refigeration apparatus having a control
Applicant name
Thermo Produkter
Opponent name
WAECO
Board
3.5.02
Headnote

While it is permissible, and even desirable, in proceedings before the EPO for the EPO to draw attention to any discrepancies between the arguments presented and the documents which are supposed to support those arguments, this should always be done in an as neutral and objective way as possible. It is definitely not proper to request the filing of statements under oath having a content suggested by the Opposition Division or any other instance. This involves the risk of leading witnesses and could seriously undermine the probative value of such statements. Such practice should therefore be avoided (point 5 of the reasons for the decision).

Keywords
Inventive step (yes), after amendment
Sworn statements in writing, contents should not be suggested by EPO
Added subject-matter (no)
Catchword
-
Cited cases
-
Citing cases
T 0721/95

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 in amended form as requested by the Appellant (see paragraph VIII above).