European Patent Office

T 1091/02 (Methods for detection/HOFFMANN-LA ROCHE) du 23.07.2004

Identifiant européen de la jurisprudence
ECLI:EP:BA:2004:T109102.20040723
Date de la décision
23 juilliet 2004
Numéro de l'affaire
T 1091/02
Requête en révision de
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Numéro de la demande
92305862.2
Classe de la CIB
C12Q 1/68
Langue de la procédure
Anglais
Distribution
Publiées au Journal officiel de l'OEB (A)
Téléchargement
Décision en anglais
Résumés pour cette décision
-
Titre de la demande
Methods for detection of carcinoma metastases by nucleic acid amplification
Nom du demandeur
F. HOFFMANN-LA ROCHE AG
Nom de l'opposant
(1) bioMérieux B.V.
(2) Vysis Inc.
Chambre
3.3.04
Sommaire

The following questions are referred to the Enlarged Board of Appeal:

1. (a) Can opponent status be freely transferred?

(b) If question 1(a) is answered in the negative: Can a legal person who was a 100%-owned subsidiary of the opponent when the opposition was filed and who carries on the business to which the opposed patent relates acquire opponent status if all its shares are assigned by the opponent to another company and if the persons involved in the transaction agree to the transfer of the opposition?

2. If question 1(a) or (b) is answered in the affirmative:

(a) Which formal requirements have to be fulfilled before the transfer of opponent status can be accepted? In particular, is it necessary to submit full documentary evidence proving the alleged facts?

(b) Is an appeal filed by an alleged new opponent inadmissible if the above formal requirements are not complied with before expiry of the time limit for filing the notice of appeal?

3. If question 1(a) and (b) is answered in the negative: Is an appeal admissible if, although filed on behalf of a person not entitled to appeal, the notice of appeal contains an auxiliary request that the appeal be considered filed on behalf of a person entitled to appeal?

Mots-clés
Transfer of opponent status - substantive requirements - formal requirements - appeal filed by alleged transferee of opponent status - auxiliary request to consider appeal filed by original opponent - referral to Enlarged Board of Appeal
Exergue
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ORDER

For these reasons it is decided that:

The following questions are referred to the Enlarged Board of Appeal:

1. (a) Can opponent status be freely transferred?

2. (b) If question 1(a) is answered in the negative: Can a legal person who was a 100%-owned subsidiary of the opponent when the opposition was filed and who carries on the business to which the opposed patent relates acquire opponent status if all its shares are assigned by the opponent to another company and if the persons involved in the transaction agree to the transfer of the opposition?

2. If question 1(a) or (b) is answered in the affirmative:

(a) Which formal requirements have to be fulfilled before the transfer of opponent status can be accepted? In particular, is it necessary to submit full documentary evidence proving the alleged facts?

(b) Is an appeal filed by an alleged new opponent inadmissible if the above formal requirements are not complied with before expiry of the time limit for filing the notice of appeal?

3. If question 1(a) and (b) is answered in the negative:

Is an appeal admissible if, although filed on behalf of a person not entitled to appeal, the notice of appeal contains an auxiliary request that the appeal be considered filed on behalf of a person entitled to appeal?