T 0167/93 (Bleaching agents) of 03.05.1996

European Case Law Identifier: ECLI:EP:BA:1996:T016793.19960503
Date of decision: 3 May 1996
Case number: T 0167/93
Petition for review of: -
Application number: 83200938.5
IPC class: C11D 3/39
Language of proceedings: English
Distribution: Published in the EPO's Official Journal (A)
Download: Decision in English
OJ versions: German
English
French
Other decisions for this case: -
Abstracts for this decision: -
Application title: Bleaching compositions
Applicant name: THE PROCTER & GAMBLE COMPANY
Opponent name: Unilever PLC / Unilever N.V.
Board: 3.3.01
Headnote: A decision of a Board of Appeal on appeal from an Examining Division has no binding effect in subsequent opposition proceedings or on appeal therefrom, having regard both to the EPC and 'res judicata' principle(s).
Relevant legal provisions: European Patent Convention Art 111(2) 1973 European Patent Convention Art 113(1) 1973 European Patent Convention Art 125 1973 European Patent Convention Art 54 1973 European Patent Convention Art 56 1973
Keywords: Res judicata (no) - decision of a Board of Appeal in examining proceedings up to grant not binding for Opposition Division
Novelty (main request, no)
Closest prior art
Inventive step (auxiliary request, yes) - non-obvious alternative
Catchword: -
Cited cases: G 0005/83 T 0007/86 T 0269/87 T 0298/87 T 0332/87 T 0666/89 T 0690/91 T 0843/91 T 0934/91 T 0133/92 T 0386/94
Citing cases: G 0001/97 J 0003/95 T 0460/95 T 1028/96 T 0710/97 T 0387/98 T 0546/98 T 0638/01 T 0694/01 T 1099/06 T 1684/06 T 1827/06 T 0051/08 T 1872/08 T 2291/08 T 0637/09 T 1643/10 T 2529/10 T 0222/11 T 1760/11 T 2084/11 T 0576/12 T 0449/15 T 1682/15 T 0891/16 T 1853/16 T 1870/16 T 0689/19 T 0956/19 T 1975/19 T 1270/20 T 2194/22 T 2328/22 T 2615/22

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 on the basis of the set of claims submitted as auxiliary request at the oral proceedings on 3 May 1996, and a description to be adapted.