T 0142/97 (Apparatus for separating disc-shaped objects) of 02.12.1999
- European Case Law Identifier
- ECLI:EP:BA:1999:T014297.19991202
- Date of decision
- 2 December 1999
- Case number
- T 0142/97
- Petition for review of
- -
- Application number
- 88106957.9
- IPC class
- G07D 9/00
- Language of proceedings
- German
- Distribution
- Published in the EPO's Official Journal (A)
- Download
- Decision in German
- Other decisions for this case
- -
- Abstracts for this decision
- -
- Application title
- Dispositif pour séparer des objets en forme de disque, en particulier des pièces de monnaie
- Applicant name
- Stöckli, Rudolf
- Opponent name
- F. Zimmermann GmbH & Co. KG
- Board
- 3.4.01
- Headnote
EPO departments must ascertain the relevance of evidence submitted to them before deciding to admit or reject it. Only in exceptional circumstances need they not do so.
An opposition division's refusal to consider evidence filed in due time (eg witness testimony or inspection) thus infringes a party's fundamental rights to free choice of evidence and to be heard (Articles 117(1) and 113(1) EPC).
- Relevant legal provisions
- European Patent Convention Art 113(1) 1973European Patent Convention Art 117(1) 1973European Patent Convention Art 117(3) 1973European Patent Convention R 67 1973European Patent Convention R 72(1) 1973Rules of procedure of the Boards of Appeal Art 10
- Keywords
- Public prior use
Non-admission by opposition division of evidence submitted and substantiated in due time
Substantial procedural violation (yes); remittal to department of first instance and refund of appeal fee; oral proceedings (auxiliary request) neither appropriate nor necessary - Catchword
- -
ORDER
For these reasons it is decided that:
1. The decision of the opposition division is set aside.
2. The case is remitted for the opposition division to continue the opposition proceedings and evaluate the evidence offered by the appellant (see Reasons point 3).
3. The appeal fee is refunded.