T 0553/99 (Undisclosed limiting feature/MANNESMANN) du 21.02.2001

Identifiant européen de la jurisprudence: ECLI:EP:BA:2001:T055399.20010221
Date de la décision: 21 février 2001
Numéro de l'affaire: T 0553/99
Requête en révision de: -
Numéro de la demande: 91916547.2
Classe de la CIB: B60K 37/04
Langue de la procédure: Anglais
Distribution: Distribuées aux présidents et aux membres des chambres de recours (B)
Téléchargement: Décision en anglais
Versions JO: Aucun lien JO trouvé
Autres décisions pour cet affaire: -
Résumés pour cette décision: -
Titre de la demande: Reflection minimizing apparatus comprising a display unit of a vehicle dashboard
Nom du demandeur: AB VOLVO
Nom de l'opposant: Mannesmann VDO AG
Chambre: 3.2.01
Sommaire: -
Dispositions juridiques pertinentes: European Patent Convention Art 123(2) 1973 European Patent Convention Art 123(3) 1973 European Patent Convention Art 56 1973
Mots-clés: Addition to a claim of an undisclosed feature limiting the scope of protection during examination proceedings
Conflict between Article 123(2) and (3) EPC solved by the addition of a further feature which is properly disclosed and renders the undisclosed feature inessential
Exergue: If a claim as granted contains an undisclosed, limiting feature in contravention of Article 123(2) EPC it can be maintained in the claim without violating Article 123(2) provided that a further limiting feature is added to the claim which further feature
(i) is properly disclosed in the application as filed, and
(ii) deprives the undisclosed feature of all technical contribution to the subject-matter of the claimed invention (following decision G 1/93 OJ EPO 1994, 541, point 2 of the order).
Affaires citées: G 0001/93 T 0169/83
Affaires citantes: T 0657/01 T 0290/04 T 0307/05 T 1032/07 T 2230/08 T 1127/16

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 with the following documents:

Claims 1 to 4 (first auxiliary request) and description submitted at the oral proceedings on 21 February 2001, drawings as granted.