European Patent Office

T 0967/18 (Cancer therapy/BIOTEMPUS) of 14.03.2023

European Case Law Identifier
ECLI:EP:BA:2023:T096718.20230314
Date of decision
14 March 2023
Case number
T 0967/18
Online on
20 July 2023
Petition for review of
-
Application number
09007539.1
Language of proceedings
English
Distribution
No distribution (D)
OJ versions
No OJ links found
Other decisions for this case
-
Application title
Cancer therapy
Applicant name
Biotempus Pty Ltd
Opponent name
Bristol-Myers Squibb Company
Board
3.3.04
Headnote
-
Relevant legal provisions
European Patent Convention Art 104(1)European Patent Convention Art 106(1)European Patent Convention R 115(2)European Patent Convention R 142(1)(b)Rules of procedure of the Boards of Appeal 2020 Art 012Rules of procedure of the Boards of Appeal 2020 Art 013(1)Rules of procedure of the Boards of Appeal 2020 Art 013(2)Rules of procedure of the Boards of Appeal 2020 Art 015(3)Rules of procedure of the Boards of Appeal 2020 Art 016
Keywords
Admissibility of appeal - (no)
Apportionment of costs - severe negligence (no)
Amendment after summons - exceptional circumstances (yes)
Catchword
Where opposition proceedings have been interrupted under Rule 142(1)(b) EPC, acts done by the parties or the competent body of the EPO during the period of interruption are considered invalid.
An appeal against a decision taken during the interruption is inadmissible, because it has no valid subject eligible for a judicial review.
The RPBA also apply to requests for apportionment of costs under Article 104(1) EPC.
A negligent behaviour may also justify apportionment of costs. However, the negligence must be serious enough to be considered equivalent to wilful misconduct.
Citing cases
-

Order

For these reasons it is decided that:

- The appeal is inadmissible.

- The requests of the respondent (opponent) and the appellant (patent proprietor) for a different apportionment of costs under Article 104 EPC are refused.