Selected decisions in 2022

The list of “Selected decisions” alerts users to all newly published decisions for which a headnote or a catchword has been provided by the board. Usually, a board will add a headnote or catchword if it wishes to provide a brief summary of a particular point of law or to draw attention to an important part of the reasons for the decision.

Available months in 2022

December 2022

T 1473/19 () of 30.9.2022

Online on

23.12.2022

Board

3.2.02

Decision date

30.9.2022

Proc. language

EN

IPC

A61B6/00
H01F38/18
H04B5/00

Application no.

11749363.5

Catchword

1.) Article 69 EPC in conjunction with Article 1 of the Protocol thereto can and should be relied on when interpreting claims and determining the claimed subject-matter in proceedings before the EPO, including for the purpose of assessing compliance with Article 123(2) EPC (Reasons 3.1-3.15).
2.) Although Article 69(1), second sentence, EPC requires that generally account be taken of the description and the drawings when interpreting a claim, the primacy of the claims according to Article 69(1), first sentence, EPC limits the extent to which the meaning of a certain claim feature may be affected by the description and the drawings (Reasons 3.16-3.16.2).
3.) Claim interpretation is overall a question of law which must as such ultimately be answered by the deciding body, and not by linguistic or technical experts. It does, however, involve the appraisal of linguistic and technical facts which may be supported by evidence submitted by the parties (Reasons 3.17).

Keywords

New evidence filed on appeal - admitted (yes)
Amendments - added subject-matter (yes)
Amendments - inescapable trap (yes)
Correction of error - (no)

Application title

CONTACTLESS ROTARY JOINT

European Case Law Identifier

ECLI:EP:BA:2022:T147319.20220930

Distribution

C

Decision

Decision text in EN (PDF, 521 KB)
T 2599/19 () of 14.11.2022

Online on

23.12.2022

Board

3.4.02

Decision date

14.11.2022

Proc. language

EN

IPC

G01F 1/84

Application no.

07871714.7

Catchword

Since the initial main request, filed for the first time with the statement of grounds of appeal, would not have been admitted under Article 12(4) RPBA 2007, the objections raised by the board in the communication annexed to the summons to oral proceedings against this initial main request are of a hypothetical nature and do not establish exceptional circumstances referred to in Article 13(2) RPBA 2020 which could justify amending the applicant's appeal case.

Keywords

Admittance of main and sole request (no) - exceptional circumstances (no)

Application title

A VIBRATING FLOW DEVICE AND METHOD FOR FABRICATING A VIBRATING FLOW DEVICE

European Case Law Identifier

ECLI:EP:BA:2022:T259919.20221114

Distribution

C

Decision

Decision text in EN (PDF, 335 KB)
T 1158/17 (Routing electronic message/ESCHER GROUP) of 12.12.2022

Online on

16.12.2022

Board

3.5.01

Decision date

12.12.2022

Proc. language

EN

IPC

G06Q 10/00
G06Q 50/00

Application no.

09783613.4

Catchword

A similarity [of the claimed subject-matter] to a business or administrative solution is not a sufficient reason for denying a technical contribution of a claim feature applied in a technical context and involving technical considerations. Put another way, technical considerations in the technical context cannot be negated merely on the basis of a non-technical analogy.
... The analogy to a post office, essentially invoked by the contested decision, is used in technical literature in order to describe functionality of the transport layer (layer 4) of the OSI model. However, in the Board's view, it would not be sound to assert, only based on this analogy, that communication protocols implementing this layer's functionality lack technical character.
(See points 3.2.7 and 3.2.8 of the reasons).

Keywords

Technical contribution - routing an electronic message and ensuring its integrity (yes - no mere automation of an administrative scheme)
Remittal to the department of first instance (yes)

Application title

ELECTRONIC BUSINESS POSTAL SYSTEM

European Case Law Identifier

ECLI:EP:BA:2022:T115817.20221212

Distribution

D

Decision

Decision text in EN (PDF, 414 KB)
T 0714/20 (Pedestrian detection/HITACHI) of 1.12.2022

Online on

14.12.2022

Board

3.5.06

Decision date

1.12.2022

Proc. language

EN

IPC

G06K 9/00
G06T 7/00
B60R 1/00
G08G 1/16
H04N 5/235
H04N 7/18

Application no.

14757497.4

Catchword

The principles expressed in Article 12(6) RPBA 2020 for the admittance of non-maintained or non-admitted requests may be considered in the exercise of discretion to admit amendments based on such requests under Article 12(4) RPBA 2020.

Keywords

Novelty - auxiliary request (no)
Amendment to case - exercise of discretion
Amendment to case - Article 12(4) and 12(6) RPBA 2020

Application title

OBJECT SENSING DEVICE

European Case Law Identifier

ECLI:EP:BA:2022:T071420.20221201

Distribution

D

Decision

Decision text in EN (PDF, 355 KB)
T 1688/20 () of 19.10.2022

Online on

13.12.2022

Board

3.2.07

Decision date

19.10.2022

Proc. language

EN

IPC

B05B 3/10
B05B 5/04

Application no.

16155743.4

Catchword

Novelty of selection inventions - selection from a broad range - "gold standard" - see point 3.4

Keywords

Grounds for opposition - insufficiency of disclosure (no)
Grounds for opposition - added subject-matter (no)
Grounds for opposition - lack of patentability (no)
Novelty - (yes)
Novelty - selection of numerical ranges
Inventive step - (yes)

Application title

ROTARY ATOMIZING ELECTROSTATIC APPLICATOR AND SHAPING AIR RING FOR THE SAME

European Case Law Identifier

ECLI:EP:BA:2022:T168820.20221019

Distribution

D

Decision

Decision text in EN (PDF, 443 KB)
T 0605/20 (Peptide formulations/NOVO NORDISK) of 11.11.2022

Online on

12.12.2022

Board

3.3.07

Decision date

11.11.2022

Proc. language

EN

IPC

A61K 9/00
A61K 38/26
A61K 38/28
A61K 47/10
A61K 47/18
A61K 47/20
A61K 47/26

Application no.

04797453.0

Catchword

The undesired phenomena observed in the patent with the use of the prior art compositions would not inevitably manifest themselves upon the practical implementation of the teaching of the prior art. The recognition of the relevance of these phenomena should therefore be considered to form part of the technical contribution described in the patent. A specific reference in the formulation of the objective technical problem to the avoidance of these phenomena risks to unfairly direct development towards the claimed solution, which is not permissible in line with the principles as developed in the established jurisprudence (see reasons section 4.2.3).

Keywords

Amendments - allowable (yes)
Sufficiency of disclosure - (yes)
Novelty - selection invention
Inventive step - formulation of the technical problem

Application title

PROPYLENE GLYCOL-CONTAINING PEPTIDE FORMULATIONS WHICH ARE OPTIMAL FOR PRODUCTION AND FOR USE IN INJECTION DEVICES

European Case Law Identifier

ECLI:EP:BA:2022:T060520.20221111

Distribution

C

Decision

Decision text in EN (PDF, 476 KB)
T 1776/18 () of 5.10.2022

Online on

08.12.2022

Board

3.3.09

Decision date

5.10.2022

Proc. language

EN

IPC

A23L 2/66
A23L 33/00
A23L 33/185
A23J 3/14
A23J 3/16

Application no.

12769275.4

Catchword

1.) Article 114(2) EPC provides a legal basis for disregarding claim requests which are not submitted in due time (Reasons 4.5.1-4.5.11).
2.) A claim request which is filed in opposition proceedings after the date set under Rule 116(1) EPC is not submitted in due time within the meaning of Article 114(2) EPC (Reasons 4.6.1-4.6.10).
3.) Rule 116(2) EPC does not limit the Opposition Division's discretionary power under Article 114(2) EPC and Rule 116(1) EPC. As a rule, this discretionary power does not depend on the contents of the Opposition Division's communication under Rule 116(1) EPC. However, if the Opposition Division invites the patent proprietor to file an amended claim request to address a specific objection and the patent proprietor complies with this invitation by filing the required amendments by the date set under Rule 116(1) EPC, the Opposition Division's discretion not to admit that claim request may effectively be reduced to zero (Reasons 4.7.1-4.7.8).

Keywords

Inventive step - (no)
Late-filed request - request identical to request not admitted in first instance proceedings
Legal basis for not admitting late-filed requests
Amendment after summons - taken into account (no)

Application title

POWDERED NUTRITIONAL FORMULATIONS INCLUDING SPRAY-DRIED PLANT PROTEIN

European Case Law Identifier

ECLI:EP:BA:2022:T177618.20221005

Distribution

D

Decision

Decision text in EN (PDF, 596 KB)

November 2022

T 0574/17 () of 16.9.2022

Online on

25.11.2022

Board

3.2.03

Decision date

16.9.2022

Proc. language

EN

IPC

E04B 1/86
E04B 9/04
E04B 9/28
E04B 9/00
D04H 1/74

Application no.

05716494.9

Catchword

If there is an amendment to the patent in the appeal proceedings which has never been examined before, the Enlarged Board's obiter dictum in G 10/91, Reasons 19, is fully respected when only the prima facie relevance of an objection under Article 123(2) EPC is considered in the context of assessing whether there are exceptional circumstances under Article 13(2) RPBA 2020 (Reasons 2.3.1-2.3.14).

Keywords

Novelty - (no)
Novelty - public prior use (yes)
Claims - clarity after amendment (yes)
Grounds for opposition - extension of subject-matter (no)
Late-filed evidence - submitted with the statement of grounds of appeal
Late-filed evidence - admitted (no)
Amendment to appeal case - exercise of discretion
Amendment after summons - exceptional circumstances (no)
Amendment after summons - taken into account (no)

Application title

Acoustic elements and their production

European Case Law Identifier

ECLI:EP:BA:2022:T057417.20220916

Distribution

C

Decision

Decision text in EN (PDF, 683 KB)
T 2080/18 (Streichung von Ansprüchen - Zulassung in das Verfahren) of 21.7.2022

Online on

25.11.2022

Board

3.2.08

Decision date

21.7.2022

Proc. language

DE

IPC

F16D 51/18

Application no.

12799210.5

Catchword

siehe Punkt 5.1

Keywords

Hauptantrag - Neuheit (ja) - Erfinderische Tätigkeit (Nein)
Hilfsantrag 2 - Erfinderische Tätigkeit (nein)
Hilfsantrag 5 - Klarheit (nein)
Hilfsantrag 5A - Erfinderische Tätigkeit (nein)
Hilfsantrag 6A - Zulassung in der mündlichen Verhandlung (ja) - Erfinderische Tätigkeit (ja) - Ausreichende Offenbarung (ja)

Application title

BREMSSYSTEM EINER TROMMELBREMSE

European Case Law Identifier

ECLI:EP:BA:2022:T208018.20220721

Distribution

C

Decision

Text der Entscheidung in DE (PDF, 633 KB)
T 1442/19 () of 5.7.2022

Online on

22.11.2022

Board

3.3.02

Decision date

5.7.2022

Proc. language

EN

IPC

C07D 277/28
C07D 417/14
A61K 31/427
A61P 31/12

Application no.

12167589.6

Catchword

Extension of subject-matter: selection from an indication of equally preferred items (e.g. formed by several independent claims) disclosed in the application as filed (see point 2.4.1 of the Reasons)

Keywords

Divisional application - added subject-matter
Inventive step
Late-filed request - submitted with the reply to the statements of grounds of appeal

Application title

Modulators of pharmacokinetic properties of therapeutics

European Case Law Identifier

ECLI:EP:BA:2022:T144219.20220705

Distribution

D

Decision

Decision text in EN (PDF, 672 KB)
T 2626/18 (Insurance risk prediction/SWISS RE) of 28.9.2022

Online on

18.11.2022

Board

3.5.01

Decision date

28.9.2022

Proc. language

EN

IPC

G06Q 40/00

Application no.

11190452.0

Catchword

The appellant argued that the claimed features relating to the abstract business concept neither could have been provided by the business person to the technical expert for programming, nor would the technical expert have corresponding knowledge starting from a networked standard computer system. The appellant thereby alleged that there was to be considered an imaginary third person who came up with the concept of the invention to be implemented on a computer system. The Board notes that when assessing inventive step in the field of computer implemented business related inventions following the COMVIK approach and the corresponding case law, there is no room for such a third expert. When analysing the features of a claim and answering the question of whether they provide a technical contribution, each such feature has to be judged to be either a contribution of the technical expert or of the non-technical business person in order to conclude whether there is an inventive technical contribution. (See point 4.13 of the reasons)

Keywords

Inventive step - all requests (no)
Inventive step - insurance risk predicition and loss frequency (not technical)

Application title

System and method for forecasting frequencies associated to future loss and for related automated operation of loss resolving units

European Case Law Identifier

ECLI:EP:BA:2022:T262618.20220928

Distribution

D

Decision

Decision text in EN (PDF, 392 KB)
T 3097/19 (Key word detection/OMRON) of 16.11.2022

Online on

17.11.2022

Board

3.5.06

Decision date

16.11.2022

Proc. language

EN

IPC

G06K 9/32
G06F 17/30

Application no.

12871077.9

Catchword

1. If a request is not admitted because earlier objections are not overcome, Rule 111(2) EPC requires that these earlier objections be made explicit in the decision (see reasons 3).
2. Non-convergence of requests is, on its own, not a sufficient reason for non-admittance. It must be reasoned that and why non-convergent requests affect procedural economy in view of the particular circumstances of the case (see reasons 4).
3. The purpose of the claims to define the matter for which protection is sought (Article 84 EPC) imparts requirements on the application as a whole, in addition to the express requirements that the claims be clear, concise and supported by the description. The Board deems it to be an elementary requirement of a patent as a legal title that its extent of protection can be determined precisely. Whether this is the case for a specific patent application (or an amended patent) can only be decided with due consideration of the description. Claims and description do not precisely define the matter for which protection is sought if they contradict each other (see reasons 27 to 34).
|

Keywords

Decision not to admit new main request insufficiently reasoned
Non-admittance decision, therefore, not confirmed
Inventive step - main request, first and second auxiliary requests (no)
Inventive step - third and fourth auxiliary requests (yes, claims on their own)
Consistency between claims and description of third and fourth auxiliary requests - no
Scope of protection sought defined precisely - no

Application title

KEY WORD DETECTION DEVICE, CONTROL METHOD AND CONTROL PROGRAM FOR SAME, AND DISPLAY APPARATUS

European Case Law Identifier

ECLI:EP:BA:2022:T309719.20221116

Distribution

C

Decision

Decision text in EN (PDF, 481 KB)
T 1553/19 () of 28.10.2022

Online on

14.11.2022

Board

3.3.03

Decision date

28.10.2022

Proc. language

EN

IPC

C08G 18/08
C08G 18/16
C08G 18/32
C08G 18/75
G02B 1/04

Application no.

09748027.1

Catchword

The normal rule of claim construction of reading a feature specified in a claim in its broadest technically meaningful sense corresponds to determining the broadest scope encompassed by the subject-matter being claimed according to a technically sensible reading. In the case of a feature defined in a positive manner, which imposes the presence of a specific element, this is effectively achieved by giving to the element in question its broadest technically sensible meaning. However, for a feature defined in a negative manner, which excludes the presence of a specific element, the broadest scope of the claim corresponds to the narrowest (i.e. most limited) technically sensible definition of the element to be excluded. (Reasons, point 5.7)

Keywords

Amendment after summons - exceptional circumstances (no)
Novelty - (main request: no; first auxiliary request: yes)
Inventive step - (first auxiliary request: yes)

Application title

POLYMERIZABLE LIQUID COMPOSITION AND PROCESS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF ORGANIC GLASS STARTING FROM POLYMERIZABLE LIQUID COMPOSITIONS OF THE POLYURETHANE TYPE

European Case Law Identifier

ECLI:EP:BA:2022:T155319.20221028

Distribution

C

Decision

Decision text in EN (PDF, 437 KB)
T 1001/18 () of 10.10.2022

Online on

03.11.2022

Board

3.4.03

Decision date

10.10.2022

Proc. language

EN

IPC

G07D 1/00

Application no.

06014187.6

Catchword

Since the problem and solution approach defines the problem based on the effect of the differences from the closest prior art, and the effect is derived primarily from the disclosure of the invention, the effect documented in the present documents alone is taken as the basis for the problem formulation. The Board concluded that any further, undocumented effects would be speculative and should not be additionally included in the problem formulation (reasons 5.3.2)

Keywords

Inventive step - (yes)
Inventive step - problem and solution approach
Inventive step - after amendment
Inventive step - closest prior art
Inventive step - problem invention (yes)
Amendment after expiry of period in R. 100(2) EPC communication - exceptional circumstances (yes) - exercise of discretion - cogent reasons (yes)

Application title

Coin token assembly, method and device for dispensing coin tokens

European Case Law Identifier

ECLI:EP:BA:2022:T100118.20221010

Distribution

D

Decision

Decision text in EN (PDF, 413 KB)
T 2194/19 (Error correction/TERAYON) of 24.10.2022

Online on

03.11.2022

Board

3.5.03

Decision date

24.10.2022

Proc. language

EN

IPC

H03M 13/00

Application no.

04720810.3

Catchword

The requirement that the claims are to be supported by the description under Article 84, second sentence, EPC does not necessarily mean that all the "embodiments" of the description of a patent application have to be covered by the (independent) claims, i.e. that all the embodiments must fall within the scope of those claims (see point 6.2.2 of the Reasons).

Keywords

Added subject-matter - (no, after amendment)
Support by the description - (yes, after amendment)
Adaptation of the description: objection of examining division not justified
Remittal - special reasons (yes): novelty and inventive step not decided yet

Application title

Error-correcting code interleaver

European Case Law Identifier

ECLI:EP:BA:2022:T219419.20221024

Distribution

D

Decision

Decision text in EN (PDF, 376 KB)

October 2022

T 0555/18 (Shrink Film/Cryovac) of 14.9.2022

Online on

26.10.2022

Board

3.3.06

Decision date

14.9.2022

Proc. language

EN

IPC

B32B 27/34
B65D 65/40
C08L 77/02
C08L 77/06

Application no.

08724899.3

Catchword

If the only feature that distinguishes a claim from the closest prior art is a range of an unusual parameter and it is concluded that it would be obvious for the skilled person to solve the underlying technical problem in ways that can be presumed to inherently lead to values within or close to the claimed range, it is the proprietor who should bear the burden of proof to demonstrate that implementing such solutions would not lead to the claimed parametrical range.

Keywords

Late-filed evidence - admitted (no)
Late-filed request - admitted (no)
Inventive step - (no)
Inventive step - obvious modification
Inventive step - Unusual parameter and burden of proof

Application title

SHRINK FILM CONTAINING SEMI-CRYSTALLINE POLYAMIDE, ARTICLES MADE THEREFROM, AND PROCESS FOR MAKING AND USING SAME

European Case Law Identifier

ECLI:EP:BA:2022:T055518.20220914

Distribution

B

Decision

Decision text in EN (PDF, 420 KB)
T 1026/17 (Securing a tendering system/KOHLI) of 21.6.2022

Online on

19.10.2022

Board

3.5.01

Decision date

21.6.2022

Proc. language

EN

IPC

G06Q 30/00

Application no.

06842769.9

Catchword

In the Board's judgement it is part of the non-technical requirement specification to keep keys (be it analog or electronic keys) away from people one does not trust. This does not require technical considerations of a technically skilled person. The Board does not consider this to be a technical difference, but to be an administrative consideration within the sphere of a business person when contemplating a secure tender process. It is not regarded as a technical innovation, but a natural choice for the bidders to use individual keys, keep the keys back as long as possible and furnish them as late as possible. And even if this was considered technical, it would, in the Board's view, be obvious to do so.
Furthermore, the Board considers that implementing a functionality in the networked e-tender system corresponding to D1 would be, at the claimed level of generality, obvious in view of the above business related requirement specification. The Board notes that the implementation is claimed in functional terms and neither the claim nor the application as a whole provide details on how encryption/decryption is achieved on a technical level. The application apparently relies in this respect on the skilled person's common general knowledge. The Board notes in this regard that if providing necessary software and data structures were beyond the skilled person's skills, the invention would not be sufficiently disclosed (Article 83 EPC).
Even if the appellant is correct that using different keys for different bidders is a difference over D1, this would in the Board's view imply - in the light of bidders creating their own individual keys for unlocking/decrypting being obvious - that the keys of different bidders are different, too. Therefore creating individual keys/pass-phrases would inherently require the use of multiple keys for implementation.
(See points 4.2 to 4.4 of the reasons)

Keywords

Inventive step - mixture of technical and non-technical features
Inventive step - bidder created pass-phrases (no
Inventive step - not technical)
Inventive step - main request and auxiliary request I (no)
Auxiliary request II late filed during oral proceedings - not admitted

Application title

A PROCESS FOR SECURING TENDERING SYSTEM

European Case Law Identifier

ECLI:EP:BA:2022:T102617.20220621

Distribution

D

Decision

Decision text in EN (PDF, 357 KB)
T 2179/16 () of 19.7.2022

Online on

18.10.2022

Board

3.3.02

Decision date

19.7.2022

Proc. language

EN

IPC

A01N 25/04
A01N 47/24
A01N 43/653
A01N 43/56

Application no.

10730191.3

Catchword

Admittance of objections raised in appeal, said objections having been raised before the opposition division against a different claim request (point 4.3 of the Reasons)

Keywords

Admittance - objections raised in appeal which had been raised against a different claim request before the opposition division
Admittance - unsubstantiated objection (added subject-matter and novelty)
Sufficiency of disclosure
Inventive step

Application title

A PROCESS FOR PREPARING AN AQUEOUS SUSPENSION OF AN ORGANIC PESTICIDE COMPOUND

European Case Law Identifier

ECLI:EP:BA:2022:T217916.20220719

Distribution

D

Decision

Decision text in EN (PDF, 466 KB)
T 0524/19 () of 16.9.2022

Online on

17.10.2022

Board

3.4.03

Decision date

16.9.2022

Proc. language

EN

IPC

G06Q 40/08
G08G 5/00

Application no.

13736554.0

Catchword

While a feature might, in certain contexts, be seen as technical, the technical effect of a feature must be assessed as a whole and in the context of the claimed invention (reasons 2.7.4).

Keywords

Inventive step - mixture of technical and non-technical features
Inventive step - skilled person
Inventive step - notional business person

Application title

SELF-SUFFICIENT RESOURCE-POOLING SYSTEM FOR RISK SHARING OF AIRSPACE RISKS RELATED TO NATURAL DISASTER EVENTS

European Case Law Identifier

ECLI:EP:BA:2022:T052419.20220916

Distribution

D

Decision

Decision text in EN (PDF, 479 KB)
T 0698/19 () of 16.9.2022

Online on

17.10.2022

Board

3.4.03

Decision date

16.9.2022

Proc. language

EN

IPC

G06Q 10/00

Application no.

12729952.7

Catchword

If non-technical features have both a technical and a non-technical effect, the technical effect must be taken into account when assessing inventive step, but the technical effect must be clearly derivable from the application as a whole (Reasons 3.6.4 (1)).

Keywords

Inventive step - (no)
Inventive step - mixture of technical and non-technical features
Inventive step - notional business person versus real business person versus technically skilled person

Application title

MICRO-RESOURCE-POOLING SYSTEM AND CORRESPONDING METHOD THEREOF

European Case Law Identifier

ECLI:EP:BA:2022:T069819.20220916

Distribution

D

Decision

Decision text in EN (PDF, 473 KB)
T 0806/21 (Humanized antibody/IMMUNE and GENENTECH) of 17.6.2022

Online on

17.10.2022

Board

3.3.04

Decision date

17.6.2022

Proc. language

EN

IPC

C07K 16/18
A61P 25/28

Application no.

11192705.9

Catchword

As ruled in decision G 1/10, Rule 140 EPC is not available to correct patents. G 1/10 does not restrict the scope of the exclusion of the applicability of the rule in any way.

Keywords

Correction of errors in decisions
Correction of error - grant decision

Application title

Humanized antibody against amyloid beta.

European Case Law Identifier

ECLI:EP:BA:2022:T080621.20220617

Distribution

D

Decision

Decision text in EN (PDF, 328 KB)
T 0424/21 (Antibody Fc variants/ROCHE GLYCART) of 8.4.2022

Online on

12.10.2022

Board

3.3.04

Decision date

8.4.2022

Proc. language

EN

IPC

C07K 16/00
C07K 16/28

Application no.

12710732.4

Catchword

1. If the deletion of dependent claims after notification of a summons to oral proceedings enhances procedural economy by clearly overcoming existing objections without giving rise to any new issues this might constitute cogent reasons justifying exceptional circumstances in the sense of Article 13(2) RPBA 2020.
2. For a first medical use of a substance or composition according to Article 54(4) EPC to be sufficiently disclosed it is not required to show the suitability for each and every disease, but it usually suffices to show that at least one medical use is credibly achieved.

Keywords

Amendments - main request, auxiliary requests 1 to 5: added subject-matter (yes)
Amendments - auxiliary request 6: added subject-matter (no)
Amendment to appeal case - justification by party (yes)
Sufficiency of disclosure - auxiliary request 6 (yes)
Inventive step - auxiliary request 6 (yes)

Application title

Antibody Fc variants

European Case Law Identifier

ECLI:EP:BA:2022:T042421.20220408

Distribution

D

Decision

Decision text in EN (PDF, 589 KB)
T 1349/19 (Fat composition/BUNGE LODERS) of 13.9.2022

Online on

07.10.2022

Board

3.3.09

Decision date

13.9.2022

Proc. language

EN

IPC

A23L 33/00
A23D 9/00
C11C 3/08
A23D 9/02
A23L 33/115
A23L 33/12

Application no.

13713532.3

Catchword

Inventive step objection based on hindsight: arguments involving a convoluted set of sequential steps conceived starting from the claimed subject-matter and working backwards in attempt to bridge the gap with the prior art (Reasons 1.27)

Keywords

Main request: inventive step - (Yes)

Application title

FAT COMPOSITION

European Case Law Identifier

ECLI:EP:BA:2022:T134919.20220913

Distribution

D

Decision

Decision text in EN (PDF, 385 KB)

September 2022

T 0017/22 (Oral care composition / COLGATE-PALMOLIVE) of 20.9.2022

Online on

21.09.2022

Board

3.3.07

Decision date

20.9.2022

Proc. language

EN

IPC

A61K 8/22
A61K 8/34
A61K 8/81
A61Q 11/02

Application no.

18750027.7

Catchword

see point 1.2.2 of the reasons

Keywords

Substantial procedural violation - opportunity to comment (no)
Substantial procedural violation - reimbursement of appeal fee (yes)

Application title

ORAL CARE COMPOSITION

European Case Law Identifier

ECLI:EP:BA:2022:T001722.20220920

Distribution

C

Decision

Decision text in EN (PDF, 340 KB)
T 0803/17 () of 21.6.2022

Online on

16.09.2022

Board

3.2.02

Decision date

21.6.2022

Proc. language

EN

IPC

A61B 19/00

Application no.

06709968.9

Catchword

The yardstick for determining whether the position of an appellant is, because of its own appeal, worsened in a way which is incompatible with the principle of the prohibition of reformatio in peius is the order of the decision under appeal, in particular the order's legal effect on the appellant.
If an opposition is considered inadmissible in the appeal proceedings, an appellant whose opposition was rejected in the decision under appeal as unallowable would not be in a worse position than if it had not appealed, as in both cases the patent would be maintained as granted. The legal reasons leading to this result, including whether the opposition is rejected as inadmissible or unallowable, do not fall within the scope of the principle of the prohibition of reformatio in peius (Reasons 3.5).

Keywords

Admissibility of appeal - appeal sufficiently substantiated (yes)
Admissibility of opposition
Appeal decision - extent of examination
Appeal decision - reformatio in peius
Late-filed evidence - submitted shortly before oral proceedings
Late-filed evidence - admitted (no)
Novelty - (yes)
Inventive step - (yes)

Application title

SURGICAL PLANNING

European Case Law Identifier

ECLI:EP:BA:2022:T080317.20220621

Distribution

D

Decision

Decision text in EN (PDF, 401 KB)
T 0882/17 () of 21.6.2022

Online on

16.09.2022

Board

3.2.02

Decision date

21.6.2022

Proc. language

EN

IPC

A61B 19/00

Application no.

12161435.8

Catchword

If the opponent is the sole appellant against an interlocutory decision maintaining a patent in amended form, an objection related to the inadmissibility of the opposition is subject to the principle of the prohibition of reformatio in peius. In such a procedural situation, the Board is prohibited from ordering the maintenance of the patent as granted due to the inadmissibility of the opposition (Reasons 3.19).

Keywords

Admissibility of appeal - appeal sufficiently substantiated (yes)
Admissibility of opposition
Appeal decision - extent of examination
Appeal decision - reformatio in peius
Late-filed evidence - submitted shortly before oral proceedings
Late-filed evidence - admitted (no)
Novelty - (yes)
Inventive step - (yes)

Application title

Surgical planning

European Case Law Identifier

ECLI:EP:BA:2022:T088217.20220621

Distribution

C

Decision

Decision text in EN (PDF, 671 KB)
T 0351/19 () of 23.6.2022

Online on

14.09.2022

Board

3.4.03

Decision date

23.6.2022

Proc. language

EN

IPC

G06Q 20/32
G06Q 20/20
G06Q 30/04
G06Q 30/06

Application no.

15183537.8

Catchword

According to the Comvik approach the non-technical features of a claim may be incorporated into a goal to be achieved in a non-technical field. Subsequently, the approach invokes what might be described as the legal fiction that this goal, including the claimed non-technical features, would be presented to the skilled person, who would be charged with the task of technically implementing a solution which would achieve the stated goal. The question whether the skilled person would "arrive" at the non-technical features does not therefore arise, as these features have been made known to the skilled person, as part of the goal to be achieved. The relevant question for the assessment of inventive step is whether it would be obvious for the skilled person to implement a technical solution corresponding to the claimed subject-matter (Reasons, point 3.12).

Keywords

Inventive step - main request (no)
Late-filed auxiliary requests - admitted (no)

Application title

AUTOMATED SESSION CLOSING UPON LOCATION-SENSED DEPARTURE

European Case Law Identifier

ECLI:EP:BA:2022:T035119.20220623

Distribution

C

Decision

Decision text in EN (PDF, 474 KB)

August 2022

T 2360/17 (Buffer status reporting/INNOVATIVE) of 7.7.2022

Online on

23.08.2022

Board

3.5.03

Decision date

7.7.2022

Proc. language

EN

IPC

H04W72/12

Application no.

11003781.9

Catchword

As to the divergence in the jurisprudence of the Boards of Appeal concerning the notion of an "amendment" within the meaning of Article 12(4) RPBA 2020, see point 2.4 of the Reasons.

Keywords

Added subject-matter - main request and auxiliary request 2b (yes): unallowable intermediate generalisation
Admittance - auxiliary request 1c (no): deletion of claims is an "amendment" (T 1480/16, T 1857/19 and T 2201/19 not followed); no cogent reasons + no clear allowability
Partial reimbursement of appeal fee at 25% - (yes): withdrawal of the proprietor's appeal before announcement of decision

Application title

Method and apparatus for handling buffer status reporting in a wireless communication system

European Case Law Identifier

ECLI:EP:BA:2022:T236017.20220707

Distribution

C

Decision

Decision text in EN (PDF, 358 KB)
J 0009/20 (Designation of inventor/DABUS II) of 21.12.2021

Online on

04.08.2022

Board

3.1.01

Decision date

21.12.2021

Proc. language

EN

IPC

A61M 21/00
A61M 16/00

Application no.

18275174.3

Catchword

A machine is not an inventor within the meaning of the EPC

Keywords

Designation of inventor - artificial intelligence

Application title

DEVICES AND METHODS FOR ATTRACTING ENHANCED ATTENTION

European Case Law Identifier

ECLI:EP:BA:2021:J000920.20211221

Distribution

D

Decision

Decision text in EN (PDF, 540 KB)

July 2022

T 0682/22 (Interlocutory revision/ZTE) of 20.7.2022

Online on

27.07.2022

Board

3.5.03

Decision date

20.7.2022

Proc. language

EN

IPC

H04W 48/20
H04W 76/02

Application no.

14889608.7

Catchword

Different interpretation of Article 109(1) EPC from that provided for in the Guidelines for Examination in the EPO - application of Article
20(2) RPBA 2020 (see point 2.4.3 of the Reasons).

Keywords

Decision in written proceedings: cancellation of hearing following appellant's announcement of non-attendance
Novelty under Art. 54(3) EPC
Novelty - sole request (yes)
Interlocutory revision - examining division should have rectified decision (yes)
Substantial procedural violation - (no)
Remittal - (yes): special reasons for remittal
Reimbursement of appeal fee in full (no)
Partial reimbursement of appeal fee at 25% - (yes): timely withdrawal of request for oral proceedings
Inconsistency between Guidelines and Case Law

Application title

Method and system for controlling access of CSG in dual-connection architecture

European Case Law Identifier

ECLI:EP:BA:2022:T068222.20220720

Distribution

C

Decision

Decision text in EN (PDF, 383 KB)
T 1190/17 (Microsonde radio-opaque de détection/stimulation / SORIN) of 8.3.2022

Online on

15.07.2022

Board

3.4.01

Decision date

8.3.2022

Proc. language

FR

IPC

A61N 1/05
A61N 1/372

Application no.

12187052.1

Catchword

Le fait que la chambre ait retenu un argument nouveau (absence d'effet technique clairement identifiable) dans la chaîne argumentaire conduisant au constat provisoire d'absence d'activité inventive ne saurait être ignoré. Il justifie
que les requêtes qui visent et se limitent à remédier à cette objection soient admises.

Keywords

Priorité - base dans le document de priorité (oui)
Activité inventive - (non)
Requêtes subsidiaires produites tardivement - recevable (oui)

Application title

Microsonde de détection/stimulation, implantable dans des réseaux veineux, artériels ou lymphatiques

European Case Law Identifier

ECLI:EP:BA:2022:T119017.20220308

Distribution

D

Decision

Texte de la décision en FR (PDF, 465 KB)
T 0809/21 () of 5.7.2022

Online on

13.07.2022

Board

3.4.03

Decision date

5.7.2022

Proc. language

EN

IPC

G03G 21/16
G03G 21/18
H04L 25/49

Application no.

07831774.0

Catchword

In a case where the patent is not opposed in its entirety, the opposition being directed at certain claims only, and where the Opposition Division decides that all of the proprietor's requests in relation to the opposed claims must fail, only the unopposed claims, which are not part of any opposition proceedings, are left standing.
Hence, provided the requirements of Rule 82(1) EPC are met (either during oral proceedings or, in a written procedure, by means of a separate communication), the patent may be maintained on the basis of the unopposed claims, irrespective of whether the proprietor has filed an explicit request for this during the proceedings. Such a request would, in fact, be superfluous, since the unopposed claims have been granted and are not the subject of any opposition. The unopposed claims of the granted patent are therefore always available to the proprietor as the minimum basis on which the patent may be maintained (Reasons, point 5.2).

Keywords

Extent of opposition
Reimbursement of appeal fee - substantial procedural violation (yes)

Application title

COMMUNICATION DEVICE, IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND CARTRIDGE

European Case Law Identifier

ECLI:EP:BA:2022:T080921.20220705

Distribution

C

Decision

Decision text in EN (PDF, 406 KB)
T 3000/19 (Searching data with registered applications/BLACKBERRY) of 6.7.2022

Online on

12.07.2022

Board

3.5.07

Decision date

6.7.2022

Proc. language

EN

IPC

G06F 17/30

Application no.

11741809.5

Catchword

When a video retrieved from the internet is used as prior-art evidence for refusing a patent application, its content, in a form suitable for reviewing the decision, and metadata evidence demonstrating when and how it was made available to the public should be preserved and made accessible over time to interested parties and judicial bodies.

Keywords

Appealed decision - sufficiently reasoned (no)
Remittal to the department of first instance
Remittal - fundamental deficiency in first instance proceedings (yes)
Prior-art evidence - accessibility over time
Council of Europe: "Electronic evidence in civil and administrative proceedings - Guidelines and explanatory memorandum"July 2019

Application title

Devices and methods for searching data on data sources associated with registered applications

European Case Law Identifier

ECLI:EP:BA:2022:T300019.20220706

Distribution

B

Decision

Decision text in EN (PDF, 354 KB)
T 1042/18 () of 11.5.2022

Online on

11.07.2022

Board

3.2.02

Decision date

11.5.2022

Proc. language

DE

IPC

A61B 5/00
A61M 1/36
A61B 5/1455

Application no.

13167902.9

Catchword

1.) Im Beschwerdeverfahren bestehen Beschränkungen neuen Vorbringens sowohl durch die Rechtsprechung der Großen Beschwerdekammer in G 10/91, G 1/95 und G 7/95 zur Berücksichtigung neuer Einspruchsgründe, als auch durch die den Kammern in Artikel 114 (2) EPÜ und der Verfahrensordnung der Beschwerdekammern eingeräumte Möglichkeit, verspätetes Vorbringen nicht zuzulassen. Diese Beschränkungen bestehen unabhängig voneinander und wirken kumulativ (Nr. 4.5 der Gründe).
2.) Vorbringen, das nicht auf die in der Beschwerdebegründung oder Erwiderung enthaltenen Anträge, Tatsachen, Einwände, Argumente und Beweismittel gerichtet ist, bewirkt eine Änderung des Beschwerdevorbringens im Sinne des Artikel 13 (2) VOBK (J 14/19, Nr. 1.4 der Gründe). In diesem Zusammenhang stellt sowohl eine neue Kombination von Tatsachenelementen (z.B. die Wahl einer anderen Entgegenhaltung oder einer anderen Textstelle einer Entgegenhaltung als Ausgangspunkt für einen Einwand erfinderischer Tätigkeit) als auch eine neue Kombination von Tatsachen- und Rechtselementen (z.B. die Bezugnahme auf ein Dokument oder eine Textstelle in einem anderen rechtlichen Zusammenhang) eine Änderung des Beschwerdevorbringens dar. Ein in der mündlichen Verhandlung vor der Beschwerdekammer erstmals vorgetragener Einwand mangelnder erfinderischer Tätigkeit ausgehend von einer Entgegenhaltung, die zuvor lediglich Gegenstand eines Neuheitseinwandes war, stellt somit regelmäßig eine Änderung des Beschwerdevorbringens gemäß Artikel 13 (2) VOBK 2020 dar (Nr. 4.9 der Gründe).

Keywords

Neuheit - (ja)
Erfinderische Tätigkeit - (ja)
Spät eingereichte Beweismittel - eingereicht mit der
Beschwerdebegründung - zugelassen (nein)
Änderung nach Ladung - außergewöhnliche Umstände (nein)
stichhaltige Gründe (nein) - berücksichtigt (nein)
Vorlage an die Große Beschwerdekammer - (nein)

Application title

Medizinisches Gerät zur extrakorporalen Blutbehandlung mit mehreren Sensoreinheiten

European Case Law Identifier

ECLI:EP:BA:2022:T104218.20220511

Distribution

D

Decision

Text der Entscheidung in DE (PDF, 705 KB)
T 0355/19 (Additif alimentaire/PANCOSMA) of 8.4.2022

Online on

11.07.2022

Board

3.3.09

Decision date

8.4.2022

Proc. language

FR

IPC

A23K 20/111
A23K 10/30
A23K 10/37
A23K 50/10

Application no.

06709242.9

Catchword

Modification des moyens selon l'article 13(2) RPCR ; recevabilité de requêtes dans lesquelles certaines revendications indépendantes sont supprimées ; échelonnement des requêtes subsidiaires déposées tout au long de la procédure de recours qui donne lieu à une approche "par tâtonnements" ou une tactique par élimination (tactique du "salami") (voir points 2 et 3 des motifs).

Keywords

Requête principale: matière ajoutée - (oui)
Requêtes subsidiaires 1 et 2 - recevabilité (non)
Requête subsidiaire 3 - recevabilité (oui); matière ajoutée (non); suffisance de l'exposé (oui), activité inventive (oui)

Application title

ADDITIF ALIMENTAIRE POUR RUMINANTS A BASE D'EUGENOL ET DE CINNAMALDEHYDE

European Case Law Identifier

ECLI:EP:BA:2022:T035519.20220408

Distribution

D

Decision

Texte de la décision en FR (PDF, 500 KB)
T 0920/20 (Schwalbenschwanzzahn/MARTINREA HONSEL GERMANY GMBH) of 23.6.2022

Online on

07.07.2022

Board

3.2.01

Decision date

23.6.2022

Proc. language

DE

IPC

B23B 27/06
B23B 27/14
B23B 29/034
B23B 41/12
C23C 4/02
F16J 10/04
B24B 33/08

Application no.

09776027.6

Catchword

Artikel 12(4) VOBK 2020 enthält keine Einschränkung dahin, dass sich jede Partei in der Beschwerde nur auf diejenigen Gegenstände des Vorverfahrens beziehen dürfte, die sie selbst dort "in zulässiger Weise vorgebracht" hat. Daher erscheint es legitim, sich auch auf Angriffslinien zu beziehen, die von anderen Beteiligten ins Einspruchsverfahren eingeführt worden waren. Geschieht dies, liegt insoweit daher keine zulassungsbedürftige Änderung des Vorbringens vor (siehe Punkt 4.4).

Keywords

Änderungen - Zwischenverallgemeinerung Hauptantrag (ja)
Änderungen - Zwischenverallgemeinerung Hilfsanträge 2 bis 4 (ja)
Änderung nach Ladung - Hilfsantrag 1
Änderung nach Ladung - außergewöhnliche Umstände (nein)
Änderung des Beschwerdevorbringens (ja)
Änderung des Beschwerdevorbringens - Änderung der Verfahrensökonomie abträglich (ja)
Änderung des Beschwerdevorbringens - Eignung der Änderung zur Lösung der aufgeworfenen Fragen (nein)
Änderung des Beschwerdevorbringens - Änderung gibt Anlass zu neuen Einwänden (ja)

Application title

VERFAHREN UND WERKZEUG ZUR ERZEUGUNG EINER OBERFLÄCHE VORBESTIMMTER RAUHEIT

European Case Law Identifier

ECLI:EP:BA:2022:T092020.20220623

Distribution

C

Decision

Text der Entscheidung in DE (PDF, 489 KB)
T 0755/16 () of 2.2.2022

Online on

06.07.2022

Board

3.3.02

Decision date

2.2.2022

Proc. language

EN

IPC

C07K 16/00
C07K 1/34

Application no.

08784774.5

Catchword

A request not to admit a certain document, this request having been filed for the first time during oral proceedings before the board, may constitute an amendment of the appeal case the admittance of which is governed by Article 13(2) RPBA 2020 (point 3 of the reasons)

Keywords

Inventive step
Amendment to appeal case
Amendment after summons
Late-filed facts
Late-filed objection

Application title

VARIABLE TANGENTIAL FLOW FILTRATION

European Case Law Identifier

ECLI:EP:BA:2022:T075516.20220202

Distribution

C

Decision

Decision text in EN (PDF, 430 KB)
J 0008/20 (Designation of inventor/DABUS) of 21.12.2021

Online on

05.07.2022

Board

3.1.01

Decision date

21.12.2021

Proc. language

EN

IPC

B65D 6/02
B65D 8/00
B65D 6/00
B65D 13/02
B65D 21/02
B65D 1/02

Application no.

18275163.6

Catchword

A machine is not an inventor within the meaning of the EPC

Keywords

Designation of inventor - artificial intelligence

Application title

FOOD CONTAINER

European Case Law Identifier

ECLI:EP:BA:2021:J000820.20211221

Distribution

B

Decision

Decision text in EN (PDF, 529 KB)

June 2022

T 2117/18 () of 17.5.2022

Online on

29.06.2022

Board

3.2.03

Decision date

17.5.2022

Proc. language

EN

IPC

B21B 45/02

Application no.

06823437.6

Catchword

In order to substantiate an objection in the appeal proceedings which the Opposition Division did not consider convincing, it is necessary to provide specific reasons why the finding and the reasoning in the decision under appeal is supposedly incorrect with regard to this objection (Reasons 2.2.2-2.2.11).
As a rule, in appeal proceedings general references to submissions made in the proceedings before the departments of first instance are not taken into account due to a lack of substantiation. Attaching the notice of opposition to the statement of grounds of appeal is to be considered equivalent to such a general reference to previous submissions (Reasons 2.2.13-2.2.14). An objection is to be considered to have been validly submitted only at the time on which sufficient substantiation is provided (Reasons 2.2.17).

Keywords

Statement of grounds of appeal - party's complete case
Statement of grounds of appeal - insufficient substantiation of objection
Late-filed objection - exceptional circumstances (no)
Inventive step - (yes)

Application title

COOLING APPARATUS FOR HOT ROLLED STEEL BAND AND METHOD OF COOLING THE STEEL BAND

European Case Law Identifier

ECLI:EP:BA:2022:T211718.20220517

Distribution

C

Decision

Decision text in EN (PDF, 428 KB)
T 2920/18 () of 30.3.2022

Online on

27.06.2022

Board

3.3.03

Decision date

30.3.2022

Proc. language

EN

IPC

C08F 10/02
C08L 23/06
C08J 5/18

Application no.

13731746.7

Catchword

Amendment of a set of claims by deletion of claims. Admittance of said amended set of claims pursuant to Article 13(2) RPBA 2020: see points 3.1 to 3.16 of the Reasons for the Decision.

Keywords

Grounds for opposition - insufficiency of disclosure (yes: main request; no: auxiliary request)
Novelty - auxiliary request (yes)
Inventive step - auxiliary request (yes)
Amendment after summons - taken into account (yes and no)
Amendment after summons - deletion of claims
Amendment after summons - exceptional circumstances (yes)

Application title

FILM COMPOSITION

European Case Law Identifier

ECLI:EP:BA:2022:T292018.20220330

Distribution

C

Decision

Decision text in EN (PDF, 617 KB)
T 0752/19 (Ticagrelor, acetylsalicylic acid and a computer program/INTELLECTUAL … of 4.4.2022

Online on

27.06.2022

Board

3.5.05

Decision date

4.4.2022

Proc. language

EN

IPC

G06F 19/00

Application no.

12702463.6

Catchword

Improved patient compliance to a pharmaceutical formulation cannot be used to establish an overall technical effect if it is the result of a "broken technical chain", namely an alleged chain of technical effects starting with information provided to a patient which is then broken by the patient's mental activities (see points 2.4 and 2.5).

Keywords

Inventive step - main request (no)
Late-filed request - submitted with the statement of grounds of appeal
Late-filed request - admitted (no)
Late-filed request - should have been submitted in first-instance proceedings (yes)

Application title

PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCT AND COMMUNICATION TOOL

European Case Law Identifier

ECLI:EP:BA:2022:T075219.20220404

Distribution

C

Decision

Decision text in EN (PDF, 305 KB)
T 0043/18 () of 1.6.2022

Online on

23.06.2022

Board

3.3.02

Decision date

1.6.2022

Proc. language

EN

IPC

C07D 489/00
C07D 489/08
A61K 9/00
A61K 31/485

Application no.

10011792.8

Catchword

Novelty - purity: decision T 1085/13 followed

Keywords

Novelty
Remittal

Application title

Pharmaceutical dosage form comprising oxycodone hydrochloride having less than 25 ppm 14-hydroxycodeinone

European Case Law Identifier

ECLI:EP:BA:2022:T004318.20220601

Distribution

D

Decision

Decision text in EN (PDF, 350 KB)
T 2295/19 () of 6.4.2022

Online on

20.06.2022

Board

3.3.03

Decision date

6.4.2022

Proc. language

DE

IPC

C08G 65/00
C08G 75/20
C08G 65/26
C08K 3/26
C08G 65/334
C08G 65/337

Application no.

14724351.3

Catchword

Änderung eines Anspruchssatzes durch Streichung von Ansprüchen. Zur Frage seiner Zulassung unter Artikel 13 (2) RPBA 2020 siehe Entscheidungsgründe Nr. 3.4.1 bis 3.4.14.

Keywords

Neuheit - Hauptantrag, Hilfsanträge 1, 2, 2a, 3, 3a, 4, 4a (nein)
Zulassung - Hilfsantrag 5 (ja)
Einspruchsgründe - mangelhafte Offenbarung (nein)
Erfinderische Tätigkeit - (ja)
Änderung nach Ladung - Streichung von Ansprüchen
Änderung nach Ladung - außergewöhnliche Umstände (ja)

Application title

POLYARYLETHERSULFONCOPOLYMERE

European Case Law Identifier

ECLI:EP:BA:2022:T229519.20220406

Distribution

C

Decision

Text der Entscheidung in DE (PDF, 452 KB)
T 0071/21 (Berichtigung des Formblatts 1038 (nein)) of 28.4.2022

Online on

14.06.2022

Board

3.2.03

Decision date

28.4.2022

Proc. language

DE

IPC

F24D 17/00
C02F 1/00

Application no.

13000618.2

Catchword

Berichtigung der Erklärung betreffend die Methode für die Entrichtung der Beschwerdegebühr im Formblatt 1038
- Ermittelung der ursprünglichen Absicht bei der Auswahl der Zahlungsmethode, siehe Entscheidungsgründe 6.4

Keywords

Berichtigung von Mängeln - (nein)
Berichtigung von Mängeln - sofort erkennbar dass nichts anderes beabsichtigt sein konnte (nein)
Zulässigkeit der Beschwerde - Beschwerdegebühr (nicht entrichtet)
Zulässigkeit der Beschwerde - Beschwerde gilt als nicht eingelegt
Vorlage an die Große Beschwerdekammer (nein)

Application title

Anlage sowie Verfahren zur Erwärmung von Trinkwasser

European Case Law Identifier

ECLI:EP:BA:2022:T007121.20220428

Distribution

D

Decision

Text der Entscheidung in DE (PDF, 402 KB)
T 0955/20 (Query translation/GOOGLE) of 2.2.2022

Online on

10.06.2022

Board

3.5.07

Decision date

2.2.2022

Proc. language

EN

IPC

G06F 17/27

Application no.

09151235.0

Catchword

1. A request for reimbursement of the appeal fee under Rule 103(1)(a) EPC can no longer be filed after the department of first instance has granted interlocutory revision (Reasons 2).
2. If the department of first instance grants interlocutory revision only to refine the written reasons which already complied with Rule 111(2) EPC, this may constitute a substantial procedural violation (Reasons 1).
3. Such a substantial procedural violation may justify the reimbursement under Rule 103(1)(a) of the appeal fee paid for a subsequent appeal (Reasons 3.1 and 3.2).

Keywords

Inventive step - main request (no)
Interlocutory revision - substantial procedural violation (yes)
Reimbursement of appeal fee - first appeal fee (no)
Reimbursement of appeal fee - second appeal fee (yes)
Remittal to the department of first instance
Remittal - (yes)

Application title

Systems and methods for searching using queries written in a different character-set and/or language from the target pages

European Case Law Identifier

ECLI:EP:BA:2022:T095520.20220202

Distribution

C

Decision

Decision text in EN (PDF, 418 KB)
W 0005/03 () of 11.6.2003

Online on

02.06.2022

Board

3.2.02

Decision date

11.6.2003

Proc. language

EN

IPC

-

Application no.

-

Headnote

Non-unity of invention

Keywords

Lack of unity (yes, in part)

Application title

Apparatus and method for sculpting the surface of a joint

European Case Law Identifier

ECLI:EP:BA:2003:W000503.20030611

Distribution

C

Decision

Decision text in EN (PDF, 592 KB)

May 2022

T 0857/20 (Nicht mitbeanspruchte Gegenstruktur/BRITAX RÖMER) of 23.2.2022

Online on

30.05.2022

Board

3.2.01

Decision date

23.2.2022

Proc. language

DE

IPC

B60N 2/28

Application no.

12008259.9

Catchword

Neuheitsschädlich sind nur solche Vorrichtungen, deren offenbarte Merkmale all jene der Erfindung vorwegnehmen, einschließlich etwaiger Strukturen und Funktionalitäten, die durch ein Verfahrensmerkmal bedingt sind.
Wenn eine Vorrichtung ihre beanspruchte Funktionalität im Zusammenwirken mit einer nicht mitbeanspruchten Gegenstruktur entfalten kann, so ist auch diese Erfindung nur neuheitsschädlich vorweggenommen, wenn ihre strukturellen und funktionalen Merkmale bereits vor dem Anmeldetag unmittelbar und eindeutig offenbart worden sind.
Auch wenn die Gegenstruktur nicht mitbeansprucht ist, erscheint es im Rahmen der Prüfung von Artikel 54 EPÜ unzulässig, sich eine beliebige Struktur auszudenken, die für die Erreichung der Funktionalität eingesetzt werden könnte, wenn eine solche im Stand der Technik nirgends auch nur ansatzweise gezeigt ist.
(Siehe Gründe 3.5 bis 4.2)

Keywords

Neuheit - (ja)
Neuheit - frühere Offenbarung
Neuheit - Merkmale nicht beschränkend (nein)
Erfinderische Tätigkeit - (ja)

Application title

Kindersitz mit Seitenaufprallschutz

European Case Law Identifier

ECLI:EP:BA:2022:T085720.20220223

Distribution

D

Decision

Text der Entscheidung in DE (PDF, 703 KB)
T 2440/16 () of 17.5.2022

Online on

20.05.2022

Board

-

Decision date

17.5.2022

Proc. language

DE

IPC

-

Application no.

-

Catchword

Ablehnung wegen Besorgnis der Befangenheit
- Zum notwendigen Inhalt einer dienstlichen Äußerung gemäß Artikel 3 (2) VOBK 2020 (Ziffer 1.4.3).
- Die Stellung eines Antrags und die Einlassung zur Sache sind Verfahrenshandlungen im Sinne von Artikel 24 (3) Satz 2 EPÜ (Ziffer 1.5.2).
- Ein Spruchkörper ist nicht generell verpflichtet, in der mündlichen Verhandlung Erklärungen oder Begründungen für die Auffassung der Kammer zu geben. Das Fehlen einer solchen Begründung rechtfertigt in der Regel nicht die Besorgnis der Befangenheit (Ziffer 2.3.1).
- Die Einleitung der durch ein Beratungsergebnis bedingten notwendigen weiteren Verfahrensschritte rechtfertigt nicht die Besorgnis der Befangenheit (Ziffer 2.3.2).

Keywords

Teilweise Unzulässigkeit des Ablehnungsantrags wegen offensichtlich falscher Auslegung verfahrensrechtlicher Pflichten-ja
Teilweise Unzulässigkeit des Ablehnungsantrags wegen Vornahme weiterer Verfahrenshandlungen - ja
Tatsächliche Befangenheit - nein
Besorgnis der Befangenheit - nein
Dienstliche Äußerung nach Artikel 3 (2) VOBK 2020 - notwendiger Inhalt

Application title

xxx

European Case Law Identifier

ECLI:EP:BA:2022:T244016.20220517

Distribution

D

Decision

Text der Entscheidung in DE (PDF, 486 KB)
T 2766/17 () of 17.3.2022

Online on

18.05.2022

Board

3.2.02

Decision date

17.3.2022

Proc. language

EN

IPC

A61J 3/07
A61K 8/02
B65B 25/06
A61Q 11/00
B65B 11/50
A61K 9/70

Application no.

03748966.3

Catchword

Statements in the description contradicting the plain claim wording may cast doubts as to the intended meaning of this wording. Under such circumstances an objection under Article 84 EPC has to be raised.

Keywords

Amendment occasioned by ground for opposition - (yes)
Remittal - special reasons for remittal
Remittal - (no)
Amendments - added subject-matter (no)
Novelty - (yes)
Inventive step - (yes)
Adaptation of the description (yes)

Application title

PACKAGING AND DISPENSING OF RAPID DISSOLVE DOSAGE FORM

European Case Law Identifier

ECLI:EP:BA:2022:T276617.20220317

Distribution

C

Decision

Decision text in EN (PDF, 339 KB)
T 1891/20 (Request for correction of the minutes/THALES) of 16.5.2022

Online on

18.05.2022

Board

3.5.03

Decision date

16.5.2022

Proc. language

EN

IPC

H04W 8/18

Application no.

14824813.1

Catchword

If a party considers that the "essentials of the oral proceedings" or "relevant statements" within the meaning of Rule 124(1) EPC are incorrect or missing in the minutes of oral proceedings, they must file a request for correction of the minutes in the shortest time possible after their receipt. This ensures that the relevant facts and submissions are still fresh in the minds of the members of the deciding body and, if applicable, the other party or parties (Reasons 9.2).
Waiting for the written decision before submitting a request for correction of the minutes is incompatible with a party's obligation to request correction of the minutes in the shortest time possible after their receipt (Reasons 9.3).

Keywords

Correction of the minutes - (no): present minutes include essentials of the oral proceedings and the parties' relevant statements

Application title

Method for accessing a service and a corresponding device

European Case Law Identifier

ECLI:EP:BA:2022:T189120.20220516

Distribution

D

Decision

Decision text in EN (PDF, 401 KB)
T 1370/18 (Entropy coding/FRAUNHOFER GESELSCHAFT) of 2.12.2021

Online on

16.05.2022

Board

3.5.07

Decision date

2.12.2021

Proc. language

EN

IPC

H03M 7/30

Application no.

09776891.5

Catchword

An encoding or compression algorithm contributes to the technical character of the claimed compression method if it is used for the purpose of reducing the amount of data to be stored or transmitted (reasons 7).

Keywords

Claims - clarity after amendment (yes)
Amendments - added subject-matter (no)
Inventive step - (yes)
Remittal

Application title

Method for encoding a symbol, method for decoding a symbol, method for transmitting a symbol from a transmitter to a receiver, encoder, decoder and system for transmitting a symbol from a transmitter to a receiver

European Case Law Identifier

ECLI:EP:BA:2021:T137018.20211202

Distribution

D

Decision

Decision text in EN (PDF, 339 KB)
T 0339/19 (Film for stand-up-pouches/DOW) of 29.3.2022

Online on

16.05.2022

Board

3.3.06

Decision date

29.3.2022

Proc. language

EN

IPC

B32B 27/32
B65D 75/00

Application no.

14166395.5

Catchword

"Exceptional circumstances" in Rule 13(2) RPBA interpreted as those that compromise neither the procedural rights of the other party, nor procedural economy.

Keywords

Amendment after summons - exercise of discretion
Amendment after summons - taken into account (yes)
Inventive step - main request (yes)
Amendment to appeal case - amendment detrimental to procedural economy (no)
Amendment to appeal case - amendment overcomes issues raised (yes)
General principles

Application title

Single polymer film structures for use in stand-up-pouches

European Case Law Identifier

ECLI:EP:BA:2022:T033919.20220329

Distribution

D

Decision

Decision text in EN (PDF, 397 KB)
T 1791/19 () of 16.3.2022

Online on

13.05.2022

Board

3.2.04

Decision date

16.3.2022

Proc. language

EN

IPC

F04D 29/22
F04D 7/04
F04D 29/42

Application no.

12705877.4

Catchword

Reasons 7

Keywords

Inventive step - (no)
Amendments - allowable (no)
Referral to the Enlarged Board of Appeal - (no)
Appeal decision - remittal to the department of first instance (no)

Application title

FREE-FLOW PUMP

European Case Law Identifier

ECLI:EP:BA:2022:T179119.20220316

Distribution

C

Decision

Decision text in EN (PDF, 418 KB)
T 2622/19 (Deep-in-the-canal hearing device/INSOUND) of 7.4.2022

Online on

11.05.2022

Board

3.5.03

Decision date

7.4.2022

Proc. language

EN

IPC

H04R 25/00

Application no.

12795674.6

Catchword

As to the application of the problem-solution approach, in particular the determination of the objective technical problem and the choice of the "second document", see
points 6.3.2 and 6.3.4 of the Reasons.

Keywords

Sufficiency of disclosure - (yes)
Added subject-matter - (no)
Novelty - (yes)
Inventive step - (yes): problem-solution approach with partial problems
Inventive step - ex post facto analysis

Application title

CIC hearing device

European Case Law Identifier

ECLI:EP:BA:2022:T262219.20220407

Distribution

D

Decision

Decision text in EN (PDF, 500 KB)
T 0727/19 () of 1.4.2022

Online on

10.05.2022

Board

3.2.04

Decision date

1.4.2022

Proc. language

EN

IPC

A47J 31/44
A47J 31/46

Application no.

11772975.6

Catchword

1. The Guidelines, Part E, Chapter XI, set out the procedure whereby the reasons of a responsible superior's decision rejecting a challenge to the impartiality of a division can be appealed. This procedure does not make the responsible superior's decision formally appealable (Reasons 2.3 and 2.4)
2. The unexplained omission of the reasons of the responsible superior's decision from the final decision of the division justifies the suspicion of partiality and constitutes a substantial procedural violation (Reasons 2.9 and 2.15)
3. The principle of the prohibition of "reformatio in peius" is not applicable where a case is to be remitted to a division in a new composition because of a suspicion of partiality (Reasons 5.5 and 5.6)

Keywords

Justified suspicion of partiality (yes)
Substantial procedural violation - (yes)
Remittal - fundamental deficiency in first-instance proceedings (yes)
Remittal - re-examination of the case ab initio
New composition of the first-instance department ordered
Prohibition of reformatio in peius (no)
Reimbursement of appeal fee - (yes)

Application title

BEVERAGE MACHINE FOR DIFFERENT SPATIAL ENVIRONMENTS

European Case Law Identifier

ECLI:EP:BA:2022:T072719.20220401

Distribution

B

Decision

Decision text in EN (PDF, 446 KB)
T 0318/14 (Doppelpatentierung) of 7.2.2019

Online on

06.05.2022

Board

3.3.01

Decision date

7.2.2019

Proc. language

EN

IPC

A61K 35/74
A23L 1/30
A61P 37/08
A61P 1/12

Application no.

10718590.2

Catchword

Der Großen Beschwerdekammer werden folgende Rechtsfragen vorgelegt:
1. Kann eine europäische Patentanmeldung nach Artikel 97 (2) EPÜ zurückgewiesen werden, wenn sie denselben Gegenstand beansprucht wie ein demselben Anmelder erteiltes europäisches Patent, das nicht zum Stand der Technik nach Artikel 54 (2) und (3) EPÜ gehört?
2.1 Wenn die erste Frage bejaht wird, welches sind dann die Bedingungen für eine solche Zurückweisung, und gelten unterschiedliche Bedingungen je nachdem, ob die zu prüfende europäische Patentanmeldung
a) am Anmeldetag oder
b) als europäische Teilanmeldung (Artikel 76 (1) EPÜ) zu oder
c) unter Inanspruchnahme der Priorität (Artikel 88 EPÜ) einer europäischen Patentanmeldung eingereicht wurde, auf deren Grundlage demselben Anmelder ein europäisches Patent erteilt wurde?
2.2 Hat insbesondere im letztgenannten Fall ein Anmelder ein legitimes Interesse an der Erteilung eines Patents auf die (spätere) europäische Patentanmeldung, weil nach Artikel 63 (1) EPÜ der Anmeldetag und nicht der Prioritätstag maßgeblich für die Berechnung der Laufzeit des europäischen Patents ist?

Keywords

Vorlage an die Große Beschwerdekammer - (bejaht)

Application title

-

European Case Law Identifier

ECLI:EP:BA:2019:T031814.20190207

Distribution

A

Decision

Text der Entscheidung in DE (PDF, 259 KB)
T 0318/14 (Double patenting) of 7.2.2019

Online on

06.05.2022

Board

3.3.01

Decision date

7.2.2019

Proc. language

EN

IPC

A61K 35/74
A23L 1/30
A61P 37/08
A61P 1/12

Application no.

10718590.2

Catchword

The following questions are referred to the Enlarged Board of Appeal:
1. Can a European patent application be refused under Article 97(2) EPC if it claims the same subject-matter as a European patent which was granted to the same applicant and does not form part of the state of the art pursuant to Article 54(2) and (3) EPC?
2.1 If the answer to the first question is yes, what are the conditions for such a refusal, and are different conditions to be applied depending on whether the European patent application under examination was filed
a) on the same date as, or
b) as a European divisional application (Article 76(1) EPC) in respect of, or
c) claiming the priority (Article 88 EPC) in respect of a European patent application on the basis of which a European patent was granted to the same applicant?
2.2 In particular, in the last of these cases, does an applicant have a legitimate interest in the grant of a patent on the (subsequent) European patent application in view of the fact that the filing date and not the priority date is the relevant date for calculating the term of the European patent under Article 63(1) EPC?

Keywords

Referral to the Enlarged Board of Appeal - (yes)

Application title

PREVENTION AND TREATMENT OF ALLERGIC DIARRHOEA

European Case Law Identifier

ECLI:EP:BA:2019:T031814.20190207

Distribution

A

Decision

Decision text in EN (PDF, 908 KB)
T 0318/14 (Double protection par brevet) of 7.2.2019

Online on

06.05.2022

Board

3.3.01

Decision date

7.2.2019

Proc. language

EN

IPC

A61K 35/74
A23L 1/30
A61P 37/08
A61P 1/12

Application no.

10718590.2

Catchword

Les questions suivantes sont soumises à la Grande Chambre de recours :
1. Une demande de brevet européen peut-elle être rejetée au titre de l'article 97(2) CBE si elle revendique le même objet qu'un brevet européen qui a été délivré au même demandeur et n'est pas compris dans l'état de la technique au sens de l'article 54(2) et (3) CBE ?
2.1 S'il est répondu par l'affirmative à la première question, quelles sont les conditions d'un tel rejet et faut-il appliquer des conditions différentes suivant que la demande de brevet européen faisant l'objet de l'examen :
a) a été déposée à la même date qu'une demande de brevet européen sur la base de laquelle un brevet européen a été délivré au même demandeur,
b) a été déposée en tant que demande divisionnaire européenne (article 76(1) CBE) relative à une telle demande, ou
c) revendique la priorité d'une telle demande (article 88 CBE) ?
2.2 En particulier, dans ce dernier cas, un demandeur a-t-il un intérêt légitime à obtenir la délivrance d'un brevet sur la base de la demande de brevet européen (ultérieure) étant donné que la date déterminante pour calculer la durée du brevet européen en vertu de l'article 63(1) CBE est la date de dépôt et non la date de priorité ?

Keywords

Saisine de la Grande Chambre de recours - (oui)

Application title

-

European Case Law Identifier

ECLI:EP:BA:2019:T031814.20190207

Distribution

A

Decision

Texte de la décision en FR (PDF, 308 KB)
T 2293/18 () of 31.3.2022

Online on

04.05.2022

Board

3.5.02

Decision date

31.3.2022

Proc. language

DE

IPC

H01R 9/24
B41J 1/00

Application no.

11763583.9

Catchword

Stützung der Ansprüche durch die Beschreibung, s. Punkt 3.3.5

Keywords

Zulässigkeit der Beschwerde - Beschwerdeschrift
Zulässigkeit der Beschwerde - Antrag in dem Beschwerdegegenstand festgelegt wird (ja)
Spät eingereichte Tatsachen - Hauptantrag hätte bereits im erstinstanzlichen Verfahren vorgebracht werden können (ja)
Hilfsantrag 1 - Klarheit (ja) - Stützung der Ansprüche durch die Beschreibung (nein)
Hilfsantrag 2 - Erweiterung über den Inhalt der Anmeldung in der eingereichten Fassung hinaus (nein)
Hilfsantrag 2 - Stützung der Ansprüche durch die Beschreibung und Klarheit (ja)
Hilfsantrag 2 - Neuheit (ja)
Hilfsantrag 2 - Erfinderische Tätigkeit - nicht naheliegende Lösung

Application title

Kennzeichnungsmatte zur Kennzeichnung elektrischer Bauelemente und Verfahren zur Herstellung einer solchen Kennzeichnungsmatte

European Case Law Identifier

ECLI:EP:BA:2022:T229318.20220331

Distribution

C

Decision

Text der Entscheidung in DE (PDF, 566 KB)
T 1362/19 (Implicit disclosure of abstract concepts / Wai-Lin) of 31.3.2022

Online on

04.05.2022

Board

3.4.03

Decision date

31.3.2022

Proc. language

EN

IPC

G09G 5/00
H03M 11/00

Application no.

05782186.0

Catchword

If an abstract feature is not defined in more concrete terms either in the relevant claim or in the description of the application, it has to be understood in a broad sense. This may be important when assessing the implicit disclosure of a document of the state of the art. In particular, for this assessment it may be irrelevant whether there are several alternatives for implementing the abstract feature in concrete terms (Reasons 2.3.7).

Keywords

Novelty - main request (no)
Novelty - auxiliary request (no)
Novelty - implicit disclosure (yes)

Application title

VIRTUAL KEYPAD INPUT DEVICE

European Case Law Identifier

ECLI:EP:BA:2022:T136219.20220331

Distribution

D

Decision

Decision text in EN (PDF, 372 KB)

April 2022

G 0004/19 (Doppelpatentierung) of 22.6.2021

Online on

29.04.2022

Board

EBA

Decision date

22.6.2021

Proc. language

EN

IPC

A61K 35/74
A23L 1/30
A61P 37/08
A61P 1/12

Application no.

10718590.2

Headnote

1. Eine europäische Patentanmeldung kann nach den Artikeln 97 (2) und 125 EPÜ zurückgewiesen werden, wenn sie denselben Gegenstand beansprucht wie ein demselben Anmelder erteiltes europäisches Patent, das nicht zum Stand der Technik nach Artikel 54 (2) und (3) EPÜ gehört.
2. Die Anmeldung kann auf dieser Rechtsgrundlage zurückgewiesen werden, unabhängig davon, ob sie
a) am Anmeldetag oder
b) als frühere Anmeldung oder Teilanmeldung (Artikel 76 (1) EPÜ) zu oder
c) unter Inanspruchnahme der Priorität (Artikel 88 EPÜ) der europäischen Patentanmeldung eingereicht worden ist, die zu dem bereits erteilten europäischen Patent geführt hat.

Keywords

Zulässigkeit der Vorlagen (bejaht)
Auslegung des Artikels 125 EPÜ
Keine Verfahrensvorschrift im Übereinkommen
Ergänzende Auslegungsmittel nach dem Wiener Übereinkommen über das Recht der Verträge
Rechtsgrundlage für eine Zurückweisung nach Artikel 97 (2) EPÜ wegen Doppelpatentierung

Application title

-

European Case Law Identifier

ECLI:EP:BA:2021:G000419.20210622

Distribution

A

Decision

Text der Entscheidung in DE (PDF, 184 KB)
G 0004/19 (Double protection par brevet) of 22.6.2021

Online on

29.04.2022

Board

EBA

Decision date

22.6.2021

Proc. language

EN

IPC

A61K 35/74
A23L 1/30
A61P 37/08
A61P 1/12

Application no.

10718590.2

Headnote

1. Une demande de brevet européen peut être rejetée au titre des articles 97(2) et 125 CBE si elle revendique le même objet qu'un brevet européen qui a été délivré au même demandeur et n'est pas compris dans l'état de la technique au sens de l'article 54(2) et (3) CBE.
2. La demande en question peut être rejetée sur cette base juridique, indépendamment de la question de savoir
a) si elle a été déposée à la même date que la demande de brevet européen à l'origine du brevet européen déjà délivré, ou
b) si elle constitue une demande antérieure ou une demande divisionnaire (article 76(1) CBE) relative à une telle demande, ou encore
c) si elle revendique la même priorité (article 88 CBE) qu'une telle demande.

Keywords

Interprétation de l'article 125 CBE
Absence d'une disposition de procédure dans la Convention
Moyens complémentaires d'interprétation en vertu de la Convention de Vienne sur le droit des traités
Base juridique d'un rejet au titre de l'article 97(2) CBE pour cause de double protection par brevet

Application title

-

European Case Law Identifier

ECLI:EP:BA:2021:G000419.20210622

Distribution

A

Decision

Texte de la décision en FR (PDF, 207 KB)
T 0250/19 () of 17.2.2022

Online on

28.04.2022

Board

3.2.02

Decision date

17.2.2022

Proc. language

FR

IPC

A61B 17/16

Application no.

11188050.6

Catchword

L'impossibilité d'utiliser un tableau blanc ou un « flip chart » physiques lors d'une procédure orale tenue par visioconférence ne viole pas le droit d'une partie d'être entendue selon l'article 113 CBE (point 9.5.8 des motifs).
La conformité d'une procédure orale sous forme de visioconférence avec le droit d'une partie d'être entendue selon l'article 113 CBE ne dépend pas de l'accord de cette partie à ce que la procédure orale se tienne par visioconférence mais uniquement du fait si cette partie a suffisamment la possibilité de prendre position et de présenter son cas (point 10.8 des motifs).

Keywords

Activité inventive - (oui)
Modifications - extension de la protection (non)
Faits produits tardivement - requête aurait pu être produite en première instance (oui)
Objection soumise tardivement - recevable (non)
Preuves produites tardivement - requête aurait pu être produite en première instance (oui)
Droit d'être entendu - procédure orale sous forme de visioconférence

Application title

Fraiseuse orthopédique de préparation osseuse, en particulier de préparation glénoïdienne

European Case Law Identifier

ECLI:EP:BA:2022:T025019.20220217

Distribution

C

Decision

Texte de la décision en FR (PDF, 720 KB)
T 2201/19 (BEDIENSYSTEM BEI EINEM SCHIENENFAHRZEUG / Siemens Mobility) of 2.3.2022

Online on

26.04.2022

Board

3.5.05

Decision date

2.3.2022

Proc. language

DE

IPC

B61L 15/00

Application no.

13771411.9

Catchword

Ein nach der Ladung zur mündlichen Verhandlung eingereichter neuer Hilfsantrag, der nur noch einen bereits im von der Einspruchsabteilung aufrechterhaltenen Hauptantrag enthaltenen unabhängigen Verfahrensanspruch enthält, während alle anderen vorrangigen (Produkt-)Ansprüche gestrichen wurden, kann dann nicht als grundsätzlich unberücksichtigt bleibende Änderung des Beschwerdevorbringens im Sinne des Artikels 13(2) VOBK 2020 angesehen werden, wenn das bisherige Vorbringen der Beteiligten bereits eine hinreichende Grundlage zur Entscheidung über den neuen Hilfsantrag bietet (abweichend von T
2091/18, vgl. Punkt 5 der Gründe).

Keywords

Änderung veranlasst durch Einspruchsgrund - Hauptantrag
Änderung veranlasst durch Einspruchsgrund - (nein)
Spät eingereichte Hilfsanträge - Wechsel des Gegenstandes
Spät eingereichte Hilfsanträge - Hilfsanträge 1-3
Spät eingereichte Hilfsanträge - (ja)
Spät eingereichte Hilfsanträge - Wechsel des Gegenstandes
Spät eingereichte Hilfsanträge - Hilfsantrag 4 (nein)

Application title

BEDIENSYSTEM ZUR BEDIENUNG VON FUNKTIONSEINHEITEN BEI EINEM SCHIENENFAHRZEUG

European Case Law Identifier

ECLI:EP:BA:2022:T220119.20220302

Distribution

C

Decision

Text der Entscheidung in DE (PDF, 387 KB)
J 0014/21 () of 13.4.2022

Online on

20.04.2022

Board

3.1.01

Decision date

13.4.2022

Proc. language

EN

IPC

A61M 21/00
A61B 5/00
G06F 3/01

Application no.

19749424.8

Catchword

The PCT Assembly may be considered the legislator for the PCT Regulations. See reasons 16.
"Understandings" of the PCT Assembly expressed in relation to a newly amended rule together with the adoption of this rule are an expression of the legislator's intention. See reasons 17 and 18.
The delegates of the PCT Contracting States in the PCT Assembly agreed, in the "understandings" related to R. 49ter.2(b)(i) PCT, on how this rule should be applied. As an act of authentic interpretation by the legislator this agreement may be taken into account when assessing the context for
the purpose of interpreting the new provision
. See reasons
19.
In the case in hand, when applying R. 49ter.2(b)(i) PCT in the light of the understandings of the PCT Assembly, the request and the payment for restoration of the right of priority were made in time. See reasons 23.

Keywords

International (PCT) application - restoration of the right of priority - admissibility
Request for further processing
Failure to observe time limits for restoration of the right of priority and for entering in the European phase
"Understandings relating to certain provisions" adopted by PCT Assembly as legislator
Authentic interpretation of PCT Rules by PCT Assembly
Time limit ending on Easter Monday
Primary object of appeal proceedings to review decision
"Eventualmaxime"
Factual basis of impugned decision on restoration of the right of priority may not be changed in appeal proceedings
Re-establishment of rights - (no)
Re-establishment of rights - all due care (no)
Re-establishment of rights - due care on the part of the professional representative
Professional representative's failure to clarify client's instructions
No substitution during absence of professional representative

Application title

METHOD OF DEVELOPMENT OF CONCENTRATIONS AND DEVICE PRK-1U FOR ITS IMPLEMENTATION

European Case Law Identifier

ECLI:EP:BA:2022:J001421.20220413

Distribution

C

Decision

Decision text in EN (PDF, 636 KB)
T 1474/19 (Payment by debit order/SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC) of 6.4.2022

Online on

12.04.2022

Board

3.5.07

Decision date

6.4.2022

Proc. language

EN

IPC

G06F 17/30

Application no.

11771337.0

Catchword

I. A debit order has to be interpreted on its substance, according to the (objectively) clear intention of the appellant expressed therein to pay a fee in the applicable amount.
II. Under the Arrangements for deposit accounts valid as from 1 December 2017 (ADA 2017), a debit order having the clear purpose of paying a particular fee (here: the appeal fee) authorises the EPO to debit that fee in the applicable amount.

Keywords

Appeal fee (paid) - appeal deemed to have been filed

Application title

METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR PROVIDING ACCESS TO DATA AND MEASUREMENTS IN A MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

European Case Law Identifier

ECLI:EP:BA:2022:T147419.20220406

Distribution

B

Decision

Decision text in EN (PDF, 737 KB)
T 0489/14 (Pedestrian simulation/BENTLEY SYSTEMS) of 26.11.2021

Online on

08.04.2022

Board

3.5.07

Decision date

26.11.2021

Proc. language

EN

IPC

G06F 17/50

Application no.

03793825.5

Catchword

Application of decision G 1/19 to
- simulation methods (Reasons, point 2)
- design methods (Reasons, point 4)
- measurement methods (Reasons, point 7)

Keywords

Inventive step - main request, first to fifth, seventh and eighth auxiliary requests (no)
Late-filed request - ninth, tenth and eleventh auxiliary requests (not admitted)

Application title

Simulation of the movement of an autonomous entity through an environment

European Case Law Identifier

ECLI:EP:BA:2021:T048914.20211126

Distribution

B

Decision

Decision text in EN (PDF, 457 KB)
T 0960/15 (Radiotherapeutic treatment plan adaptation / Philips) of 22.12.2021

Online on

06.04.2022

Board

3.4.01

Decision date

22.12.2021

Proc. language

EN

IPC

A61N 5/00
G06K 9/00

Application no.

05779771.4

Catchword

The Boards of Appeal may review discretionary decisions. There are, however, limits on the extent of review that reflect the discretion accorded to the deciding body. In the present case, the Opposition Division decided to consider document D8 and the review of this decision is a primary object of the appeal proceedings (Article 12(2) RPBA 2020) - see Reasons 1 - 9.

Keywords

Positive discretionary decision - legal basis for review (yes)
Positive discretionary decision - set aside (no)
Inventive step (main request, auxiliary requests I, IV')
Inventive step - (no); (auxiliary request II')
Inventive step - effect not made credible within the whole scope of claim
Claims - clarity
Claims - (auxiliary requests I, I', II, II', III, III', IV) (no)
Amendment to appeal case (auxiliary requests I',I'', II'', II''', III'')
Amendment to appeal case - suitability of amendment to resolve issues raised (no)

Application title

RADIOTHERAPEUTIC TREATMENT PLAN ADAPTATION

European Case Law Identifier

ECLI:EP:BA:2021:T096015.20211222

Distribution

C

Decision

Decision text in EN (PDF, 467 KB)
T 2361/18 (Objective function/GLOBAL NUCLEAR FUEL-AMERICAS) of 31.3.2022

Online on

06.04.2022

Board

3.5.07

Decision date

31.3.2022

Proc. language

EN

IPC

G06F 17/50

Application no.

03255772.0

Catchword

If a request for oral proceedings is withdrawn after a date for oral proceedings has been set but before the notification of a communication issued in preparation for the oral proceedings, the withdrawal occurs "within one month of notification" for the purpose of Rule 103(4)(c) EPC.

Keywords

Amendments - extension beyond the content of the application as filed (yes)
Reimbursement of appeal fee (yes)

Application title

Method and apparatus for adaptively determining weight factors within the context of an objective function

European Case Law Identifier

ECLI:EP:BA:2022:T236118.20220331

Distribution

D

Decision

Decision text in EN (PDF, 307 KB)
T 1869/18 () of 31.3.2022

Online on

05.04.2022

Board

3.4.03

Decision date

31.3.2022

Proc. language

EN

IPC

H01L 21/04
H01L 29/16
H01L 29/45

Application no.

05803665.8

Catchword

While objections raised by the Board for the first time in a communication under Article 15(1) RPBA 2020 may be considered to give rise to exceptional circumstances within the meaning of Article 13(2) RPBA 2020, and may possibly justify the filing of amendments which specifically respond to the new objections, this does not open the door to additional amendments which are unrelated to the new objections, and for which no exceptional circumstances exist (Reasons, point 3.10).

Keywords

Main request - amendment after summons - admitted into the proceedings (no)
Right to be heard - opportunity to comment (yes)
Claims - clarity
Claims - auxiliary requests (no)

Application title

METHOD OF PRODUCING SILICON-RICH NICKEL-SILICIDE OHMIC CONTACTS FOR SIC SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES

European Case Law Identifier

ECLI:EP:BA:2022:T186918.20220331

Distribution

C

Decision

Decision text in EN (PDF, 392 KB)
T 2843/19 () of 9.2.2022

Online on

05.04.2022

Board

3.2.01

Decision date

9.2.2022

Proc. language

DE

IPC

B60G 17/052
B60G 17/015

Application no.

10767937.5

Catchword

Zur Notwendigkeit einer rechtzeitigen Replik:
1. Unter der seit 1. Januar 2020 geltenden Verfahrensordnung der Beschwerdekammern (VOBK 2020) obliegt es den Parteien, ihren Vortrag so rechtzeitig im Verfahren zu bringen, dass die Beschwerdekammer ihn bereits bei Abfassung des Ladungsbescheids berücksichtigen kann.
2. Soweit die Beschwerdeführerin einen Teil ihres Vortrags nicht, wie es Artikel 12 Abs. 3 VOBK 2020 eigentlich fordert, bereits in der Beschwerdebegründung unterbreiten kann, weil es sich um die Antwort auf Angriffe bzw. Hilfsanträge handelt, die nicht bereits Gegenstand der angegriffenen Entscheidung waren, sondern von der Beschwerdegegnerin in der Beschwerdeerwiderung unterbreitet wurden, stellt eine Replik hierauf für die Beschwerdeführerin das geeignete Mittel der Wahl dar, um ihre Antwort rechtzeitig vorzubringen. Gerade aus diesem Grund sieht Artikel 15 (1) VOBK 2020 vor, dass die Kammer sich bemüht, nicht früher als zwei Monate nach Erhalt der Beschwerdeerwiderung (gemäß Artikel 12 (1) c) VOBK 2020) die Ladung zu versenden.
3. Das Argument, es sei nicht zumutbar, Kaskaden von Argumentationslinien im Hinblick auf jede denkbare Einschätzung der Kammer vortragen zu müssen, greift nicht. Im zweiseitigen Beschwerdeverfahren trifft die Parteien die Pflicht zur sorgfältigen und beförderlichen Verfahrensführung, aus Gründen der Fairness gegenüber der anderen Partei, aber auch um das Verfahren innerhalb einer angemessenen Verfahrensdauer zum Abschluss zu bringen. Artikel 13 (2) VOBK 2020 sanktioniert diese Pflicht zur Verfahrensförderung.
4. Das Argument der Beschwerdeführerin, es sei der Kammer und auch der Patentinhaberin zumutbar, sich in der mündlichen Verhandlung mit der Diskussion eines einfachen neuen Sachverhaltes zu beschäftigen, lässt den Einfluss auf den weiteren Verfahrensverlauf außer Acht. Die erstmalige Diskussion einer Argumentationslinie in der mündlichen Verhandlung mag zu einer Situation führen, in der die andere Partei ihre Verteidigungslinie erstmalig in der mündlichen Verhandlung überdenken und ggf. anpassen muss, was zu einer deutlichen Verzögerung des Verfahrens führen und eine sachgerechte Entscheidung in der mündlichen Verhandlung erschweren oder unmöglich machen kann.

Keywords

Erfinderische Tätigkeit - Hauptantrag (ja)
Neuer Einspruchsgrund Neuheit - zugelassen (nein)
Neuer Einwand nach Ladung - außergewöhnliche Umstände (nein)

Application title

VENTILEINRICHTUNG FÜR EINE LUFTFEDERUNGSANLAGE

European Case Law Identifier

ECLI:EP:BA:2022:T284319.20220209

Distribution

C

Decision

Text der Entscheidung in DE (PDF, 445 KB)
T 0689/20 () of 22.3.2022

Online on

05.04.2022

Board

3.2.04

Decision date

22.3.2022

Proc. language

DE

IPC

A47L 15/42
A47L 15/44

Application no.

06819808.4

Catchword

Gründe 3

Keywords

Wesentlicher Verfahrensmangel - angefochtene Entscheidung ausreichend begründet (nein)
Wesentlicher Verfahrensmangel - Verletzung des rechtlichen Gehörs (ja)
Zurückverweisung - (ja)
Rückzahlung der Beschwerdegebühr - (ja)

Application title

GESCHIRRSPÜLMASCHINE MIT VERBESSERTER ANORDNUNG DER ZUGABEEINRICHTUNG IN DER TÜR

European Case Law Identifier

ECLI:EP:BA:2022:T068920.20220322

Distribution

C

Decision

Text der Entscheidung in DE (PDF, 305 KB)
T 1117/19 (Lückenfüller bei TV-Live-Ereignissen/NOVOMATIC) of 18.3.2022

Online on

01.04.2022

Board

3.5.03

Decision date

18.3.2022

Proc. language

DE

IPC

H04H 20/18
H04H 20/42

Application no.

10726906.0

Catchword

Die Verbesserung der Nutzerzufriedenheit z. B. bei einer TV-Live-Übertragung ist im Allgemeinen eine nicht-technische, administrative Aufgabe, für die üblicherweise ein TV-Stationsmanager als Fachperson zuständig ist (siehe Gründe 5.6 der Entscheidung).

Keywords

Neuheit - Hauptantrag, Hilfsanträge I, Ia (nein)
Erfinderische Tätigkeit - Hilfsanträge II, IIa, IIb, III, II', IIa', IIb, III (nein)

Application title

Verfahren und Vorrichtung zur Übertragung von Ereignisdaten wobei zumindest ein Teil der Daten über zumindest einen Übertragungskanal höherer Bandbreite und zumindest ein Teil der Daten über zumindest einen Übertragungskanal niedrigerer Bandbreite übertragen werden

European Case Law Identifier

ECLI:EP:BA:2022:T111719.20220318

Distribution

D

Decision

Text der Entscheidung in DE (PDF, 439 KB)

March 2022

T 1024/18 () of 1.3.2022

Online on

29.03.2022

Board

3.2.06

Decision date

1.3.2022

Proc. language

EN

IPC

A61F 13/15

Application no.

12183745.4

Catchword

Necessity to adapt the description (Reasons 3)

Keywords

Novelty - public prior use
Novelty - obligation to maintain secrecy (no)
Amendments - auxiliary requests 1 and 3
Amendments - added subject-matter (yes)
Claims - support in the description (no)

Application title

Apparatus and method for forming absorbent cores

European Case Law Identifier

ECLI:EP:BA:2022:T102418.20220301

Distribution

C

Decision

Decision text in EN (PDF, 650 KB)
T 2660/18 (Developing rod patterns in nuclear reactors/GLOBAL NUCLEAR FUEL- … of 7.12.2021

Online on

29.03.2022

Board

3.5.07

Decision date

7.12.2021

Proc. language

EN

IPC

G06F 17/50
G21C 5/02

Application no.

03257922.9

Catchword

In case T 625/11, the board concluded that the determination, as a limit value, of the value of a first operating parameter conferred a technical character to the claim which went beyond the mere interaction between the numerical simulation algorithm and the computer system. The nature of the parameter thus identified was, in fact, "intimately linked to" the operation of a nuclear reactor, independently of whether the parameter was actually used in a nuclear reactor (T 625/11, Reasons 8.4).
The board is of the opinion that, in the case at hand, no technical effect is achieved by the method's functionality as the method merely produces a test rod pattern (i.e. a fuel bundle configuration) design and data "indicative of limits that were violated by the proposed test rod pattern design during the simulation".
Contrary to case T 625/11, no parameter is identified that is "intimately linked to" the operation of a nuclear reactor.
A rod pattern design appears to have non-technical uses such as for study purposes. These are "relevant uses other than the use with a technical device", and therefore a technical effect is not achieved over substantially the whole scope of the claimed invention (G 1/19, points 94 and 95).
The data "indicative of limits that were violated by the proposed test rod pattern design during the simulation" do even not, or at least do not entirely, reflect the physical behaviour of a real system underlying the simulation (see G 1/19, point 128).
The board notes that, due to the breadth of the wording of claim 1 of the main request, the obtained rod pattern design might violate any number of limits by an almost unlimited amount.
Hence, this is not an "exceptional case" in which calculated effects can be considered implied technical effects (see decision G 1/19, points 94, 95 and 128).

Keywords

Inventive step - main, first and second auxiliary requests (no)

Application title

Method and arrangement for developing rod patterns in nuclear reactors

European Case Law Identifier

ECLI:EP:BA:2021:T266018.20211207

Distribution

D

Decision

Decision text in EN (PDF, 433 KB)
T 1641/18 (Verbundscheibe/SCHOTT) of 31.1.2022

Online on

18.03.2022

Board

3.3.06

Decision date

31.1.2022

Proc. language

DE

IPC

B32B 17/10
E04B 1/94
C03C 27/12

Application no.

11179998.7

Catchword

Während eine Fachperson im Allgemeinen Dokumente nicht kombinieren würde, wenn dies zu einem Verzicht auf eine wesentliche Funktion der Erfindung im nächstliegenden Stand der Technik führen würde, gilt dies in der Regel nicht für Kombinationen, bei denen ein wesentliches Merkmal durch ein dieselbe Funktion erfüllendes alternatives Merkmal ersetzt wird (Punkte 1.3.2 und 1.3.3 der Gründe).

Keywords

Erfinderische Tätigkeit - naheliegende Kombination bekannter Merkmale

Application title

Verbundscheibe

European Case Law Identifier

ECLI:EP:BA:2022:T164118.20220131

Distribution

D

Decision

Text der Entscheidung in DE (PDF, 420 KB)
T 2120/18 () of 2.2.2022

Online on

18.03.2022

Board

3.4.03

Decision date

2.2.2022

Proc. language

EN

IPC

H05K 3/24
H01L 23/488

Application no.

10175344.0

Catchword

1. An opposition division's rejection of a request for extension of the time limit indicated in its communication under Rule 79(1) EPC does not terminate the opposition proceedings. Therefore, a patent proprietor is in a position to respond to the notice of opposition beyond the expired time limit or, at least, request the rejection of the opposition as well as oral proceedings. The patent proprietor must anticipate that an opposition division may issue its decision after expiration of the time limit (see Reasons 4.5, 4.6 and 4.9).
2. There is no legal basis for a duty on the part of the opposition division to notify the patent proprietor in advance of its intention to reach a decision, even if that decision concerns the revocation of the patent (see Reasons 4.8, 4.10 and 4.11).
3. If a patent proprietor chooses not to file any submissions during the opposition proceedings but to present them only with its statement of grounds of appeal, this amounts to bringing an entirely fresh case in appeal proceedings. This is at odds with the primary object of the appeal proceedings to review the decision under appeal in a judicial manner. Consequently, a board has the discretion under Article 12(4) RPBA 2007 not to admit the patent proprietor's defence submissions into the appeal proceedings. This does, however, not necessarily lead to revocation of the patent. The decision under appeal is still to be reviewed by the board, which might overturn the impugned decision, for example if it is not convinced by the reasons given by the opposition division or in the event of a substantial procedural violation (see Reasons 5.5 and 5.6).

Keywords

Substantial procedural violation - (no)
Remittal to the opposition division for further prosecution
Remittal - (no)
Novelty - claim 1 as granted
Novelty - (no)
Auxiliary request could and should have been filed during the opposition proceedings - admitted (no)

Application title

Terminal structure, printed wiring board, module substrate, and electronic device

European Case Law Identifier

ECLI:EP:BA:2022:T212018.20220202

Distribution

C

Decision

Decision text in EN (PDF, 441 KB)
T 0550/14 (Catastrophe relief/SWISS RE) of 14.9.2021

Online on

16.03.2022

Board

3.5.01

Decision date

14.9.2021

Proc. language

EN

IPC

G06Q 40/00

Application no.

09710436.8

Catchword

The appellant's wish for the Board to define criteria that the examining division should use to prove that a feature is not technical is tantamount to defining the term technical, which the Boards have consistently declined to do. However, as stated in e.g. T 2314/16 - Distributing rewards/RAKUTEN at points 2.6 to 2.8, over the years the case law has provided guidance on the issue of technicality. Recently, the Board has tended to use the framework for discussion given in the CardinalCommerce decision (T 1463/11 - Universal merchant platform/CardinalCommerce) to help classify whether borderline features of a claim are on the technical or the non-technical side.
It is thus clear that some discussion can and ought to take place. However, rather like objections against added subject-matter, one is essentially trying to prove a negative which tends to be a rather short exercise. On the other hand, the appellant is trying to prove a positive which involves more argument. Thus an objection from the division should probably start with a prima facie assertion that the feature in question is non-technical, perhaps because it is in one of the exclusions listed in Article 52(2) EPC, or a related or analogous field. If this is uncontested then this would be enough. However the Board considers that it is then up to the appellant to provide arguments why there is a technical effect or that some technical considerations are involved. The division should consider these arguments and give reasons why they are not convincing. As mentioned above, the Board is satisfied that this happened in the present case.
One final piece of advice for examining divisions would be where possible to search for and start from a document that already discloses some of the alleged non-technical features, thus avoiding the discussion for these features (see for example, T 756/06 - Displaying a schedule/FUJITSU, point 5 or T 368/05 - Integrated account/CITIBANK, point 8).
(See points 3.3 to 3.5 of the reasons)

Keywords

Inventive step - parametric triggering of payments (no
Inventive step - not technical)

Application title

COMPUTER SYSTEM AND COMPUTER-IMPLEMENTED METHOD FOR MANAGING FUNDING OF CATASTROPHE RELIEF EFFORTS

European Case Law Identifier

ECLI:EP:BA:2021:T055014.20210914

Distribution

B

Decision

Decision text in EN (PDF, 381 KB)
T 0288/19 (notional business person) of 17.2.2022

Online on

16.03.2022

Board

3.4.03

Decision date

17.2.2022

Proc. language

EN

IPC

G06Q 40/08
G08G 5/00

Application no.

12735847.1

Catchword

The business person sets the framework of the problem to be solved by their business model (insurance conditions) and thus reduces - by setting specific boundary conditions - the degrees of freedom of the skilled computer specialist. The technically skilled person, who has to solve the objective technical problem of implementation, therefore has no latitude in selecting the corresponding (physical) parameters (reasons 3.6.10).

Keywords

Inventive step - mixture of technical and non-technical features
Inventive step - skilled person
Inventive step - reformulation of the technical problem
Inventive step - main request (no)
Inventive step - auxiliary request (no)

Application title

AVIONIC SYSTEM FOR EMERGENCY INTERCEPTION IN CASE OF IMMINENT DAMAGES OF AIRCRAFT FLEETS FOLLOWING NATURAL DISASTER EVENTS

European Case Law Identifier

ECLI:EP:BA:2022:T028819.20220217

Distribution

D

Decision

Decision text in EN (PDF, 504 KB)
T 1234/17 (Customization based on physiological data/ADIDAS AG) of 4.3.2022

Online on

15.03.2022

Board

3.5.01

Decision date

4.3.2022

Proc. language

EN

IPC

G06Q 30/06
G06F 3/01
A63B 24/00

Application no.

12196928.1

Catchword

However, the question is whether the mere idea of mapping this acceleration data to gait category is technical, involving any technical considerations or having any overall technical effect. This question arises in many inventions that involve mappings and algorithms.
In T 1798/13 (Forecasting the value of a structured financial product/SWISS REINSURANCE COMPANY LTD), points 2.7 to 2.9, the present Board essentially held that it was not enough that an algorithm makes use of a technical quantity in the form of a measured physical parameter (weather data). What matters is whether the algorithm reflects any additional technical considerations about the parameter, such as its measurement. In that case there were none. This was contrasted with T 2079/10 (Steuerung von zellulär aufgebauten Alarmsystemen/SWISSRE) where the invention was seen to lie in the improvement of the measurement technique itself, which involved technical considerations about the sensors and their positions.
Such a situation is conceivable in the present case, if the algorithm were to somehow enhance the input data using considerations of e.g. the placement of the sensors. However, the claim only specifies that the data "includes a time series of acceleration vectors" and that this data is "analyzed". There are no further details that could constitute technical considerations about the data or the sensors.
(See points 2.11 to 2.13 of the reasons)

Keywords

Inventive step - customisation of footwear are based on human gait (no
Inventive step - no technical features)
Inventive step - mapping acceleration data to human gait (no
Inventive step - not technical)

Application title

Customization based on physiological data

European Case Law Identifier

ECLI:EP:BA:2022:T123417.20220304

Distribution

B

Decision

Decision text in EN (PDF, 358 KB)
T 2632/18 (ON/OFF triggering event/SMAPPEE) of 15.2.2022

Online on

15.03.2022

Board

3.5.03

Decision date

15.2.2022

Proc. language

EN

IPC

H04Q 9/00
H02J 13/00

Application no.

14733605.1

Catchword

That a "new" objection was raised by a board in appeal proceedings
cannot
per se
amount to "exceptional circumstances" within the meaning of Article 13(2) RPBA 2020 (see point 4.3 of the Reasons).

Keywords

Inventive step - main request and 1st auxiliary request (no): obvious selection from equally likely alternatives
Admittance of claim request filed after summons - 2nd auxiliary request (no): no exceptional circumstances

Application title

Energy management system

European Case Law Identifier

ECLI:EP:BA:2022:T263218.20220215

Distribution

D

Decision

Decision text in EN (PDF, 436 KB)
T 0184/19 () of 13.12.2021

Online on

11.03.2022

Board

3.2.04

Decision date

13.12.2021

Proc. language

EN

IPC

F03D 7/04

Application no.

11716807.0

Catchword

Reasons 6.2 to 6.4

Keywords

Admissibility of appeal - appeal sufficiently substantiated (yes)
Novelty - main request (no)
Inventive step - auxiliary requests (no)
Claims - clarity
Claims - auxiliary request (no)
Amendments - intermediate generalisation
Appeal decision - remittal to the department of first instance (no)
Prohibition of reformatio in peius - not applicable

Application title

A WIND TURBINE

European Case Law Identifier

ECLI:EP:BA:2021:T018419.20211213

Distribution

C

Decision

Decision text in EN (PDF, 1 MB)
T 2125/18 () of 18.1.2022

Online on

09.03.2022

Board

3.2.06

Decision date

18.1.2022

Proc. language

EN

IPC

D06F 37/22

Application no.

11003983.1

Catchword

Notification of the statement of grounds of appeal is not a Rule 100(2) EPC communication (Reasons 1.4)
Article 13(2) RPBA - "in principle" (Reasons 2.1)

Keywords

Amendment after summons - exceptional circumstances (no)

Application title

Drum type washing machine

European Case Law Identifier

ECLI:EP:BA:2022:T212518.20220118

Distribution

C

Decision

Decision text in EN (PDF, 707 KB)
T 2626/17 () of 19.1.2022

Online on

08.03.2022

Board

3.5.02

Decision date

19.1.2022

Proc. language

EN

IPC

H01B 3/56
H02B 13/055

Application no.

09783565.6

Catchword

The identification of potential problems of an idea in a prior art document does not necessarily prejudice the public availability of this idea.

Keywords

Novelty - (no)
Novelty - inherent features
Inventive step - (no)
Inventive step - choice of the less ambitious of two known alternatives
Amendment after summons - taken into account (no)
Amendment after summons - exceptional circumstances (no)

Application title

Encapsulated Switchgear

European Case Law Identifier

ECLI:EP:BA:2022:T262617.20220119

Distribution

D

Decision

Decision text in EN (PDF, 436 KB)
T 0750/18 () of 20.12.2021

Online on

07.03.2022

Board

3.3.02

Decision date

20.12.2021

Proc. language

EN

IPC

C07D 489/12

Application no.

09789380.4

Catchword

The requirement under Article 12(2) RPBA 2007 to present a complete case does not imply that an appellant/opponent, impugning a decision to maintain a patent in granted or amended form, has to raise objections against all dependent claims (point 4.2 of the reasons).

Keywords

Correction of error - (no)
Amendments - added subject-matter (yes)
Statement of grounds of appeal - complete case (yes)
Statement of grounds of appeal - No need to raise objections against all dependent claims
Late-filed test results - admitted (no)
Inventive step - auxiliary request 5 (no)
Reply to grounds of appeal - complete case (no) - auxiliary request not substantiated
Amendment of the case after summons - exceptional circumstances (no) - auxiliary request 6 admitted (no)

Application title

PROCESSES FOR THE ALKYLATION OF NORBUPRENORPHINE WITH REDUCED IMPURITY FORMATION

European Case Law Identifier

ECLI:EP:BA:2021:T075018.20211220

Distribution

D

Decision

Decision text in EN (PDF, 722 KB)

February 2022

T 0582/18 () of 30.11.2021

Online on

28.02.2022

Board

3.2.05

Decision date

30.11.2021

Proc. language

EN

IPC

F16P 3/14
G01S 17/02
G05B 19/18

Application no.

13175585.2

Catchword

Public availability of a master's thesis, see point 3.1 of the reasons.

Keywords

Late-filed evidence - admitted (yes)
Novelty - document made availabe to the public (yes)
Novelty - main request (no)
Prohibition of reformatio in peius - auxiliary request 1 (yes)

Application title

Monitoring system and method

European Case Law Identifier

ECLI:EP:BA:2021:T058218.20211130

Distribution

D

Decision

Decision text in EN (PDF, 610 KB)
T 1265/17 (Nanocellulose/Kemira Oyj) of 16.12.2021

Online on

14.02.2022

Board

3.3.06

Decision date

16.12.2021

Proc. language

EN

IPC

D21H 21/10

Application no.

09174967.1

Catchword

If a claim is unduly broadened with respect to the scope of the examples used to illustrate a technical effect, particularly when this broadening concerns the feature/s allegedly providing that effect, the burden of proof might shift back to the proprietor to prove that the effect observed in the examples would also be obtained throughout the entire scope of the claims. If no evidence is provided in this respect, a conclusion may have to be drawn on the basis of plausibility arguments (reasons 2.2.5-2.2.7).

Keywords

New explanation not regarded as an amended case
Sufficiency of disclosure - (yes)
Inventive step - reformulation of the technical problem
Inventive step - main request (no)
Inventive step - auxiliary request (yes)

Application title

Process for production of paper

European Case Law Identifier

ECLI:EP:BA:2021:T126517.20211216

Distribution

D

Decision

Decision text in EN (PDF, 453 KB)
T 0084/18 (Testing a distributed processing structure/TELECOM ITALIA) of 7.2.2022

Online on

11.02.2022

Board

3.5.07

Decision date

7.2.2022

Proc. language

EN

IPC

G06F 11/34

Application no.

05792039.9

Catchword

Case Law of the Boards of Appeal, 9th edition, 2019, III.C.4.3.2

Keywords

Novelty - Main request (no)
Inventive step - First auxiliary request (no)
Late-filed request - second and third auxiliary requests not admitted in first instance proceedings
Late-filed request - not admissible

Application title

A METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR AUTOMATICALLY TESTING PERFORMANCE OF APPLICATIONS RUN IN A DISTRIBUTED PROCESSING STRUCTURE AND CORRESPONDING COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT

European Case Law Identifier

ECLI:EP:BA:2022:T008418.20220207

Distribution

D

Decision

Decision text in EN (PDF, 466 KB)
T 1842/18 () of 10.12.2021

Online on

11.02.2022

Board

3.2.04

Decision date

10.12.2021

Proc. language

DE

IPC

F04D 13/06
H02K 5/22
H02K 11/33

Application no.

11195807.0

Catchword

Entscheidungsgründe 4

Keywords

Erfinderische Tätigkeit - (nein)
Erfinderische Tätigkeit - naheliegende Alternative
Erfinderische Tätigkeit - Hauptantrag (nein)
Erfinderische Tätigkeit - Hilfsantrag (nein)
Spät eingereichter Antrag - divergierende Anspruchsfassungen
Spät eingereichter Antrag - eingereicht in der mündlichen Verhandlung
Spät eingereichter Antrag - zugelassen (nein)

Application title

Pumpenaggregat

European Case Law Identifier

ECLI:EP:BA:2021:T184218.20211210

Distribution

C

Decision

Text der Entscheidung in DE (PDF, 403 KB)
T 0077/18 (Dental composite / KERR CORPORATION) of 21.1.2022

Online on

07.02.2022

Board

3.3.07

Decision date

21.1.2022

Proc. language

EN

IPC

A61K 6/00
A61K 6/083

Application no.

03254200.3

Catchword

The respondent's requests regarding the ground for opposition under Article 100 c) EPC confront the Board with the issue of admittance of a new ground for opposition which was raised during the oral proceedings before the opposition division but had deliberately not been decided upon by the opposition division. In the absence of a positive decision on admittance by the opposition division, the Board considers that the ground for opposition under Article 100 c) EPC should be treated as a fresh ground at the appeal stage and its admittance should be governed by the principles set forth in G 10/91, which require the proprietor's consent for its introduction in the appeal proceedings. In view of the appellant's refusal thereto, the ground for opposition under Article 100 c) is not to be introduced in the appeal proceedings.

Keywords

Novelty - implicit disclosure (no)
Inventive step - (yes)
Grounds for opposition - late-filed ground for opposition

Application title

Prepolymerized filler in dental restorative composite

European Case Law Identifier

ECLI:EP:BA:2022:T007718.20220121

Distribution

C

Decision

Decision text in EN (PDF, 385 KB)
T 1513/17 (Prolongation of survival of an allograft/ALEXION) of 28.1.2022

Online on

01.02.2022

Board

3.3.04

Decision date

28.1.2022

Proc. language

EN

IPC

C07K 16/18

Application no.

05779924.9 (consolidated with Case Number: T 2719/19 - 3.3.04)

Catchword

The following questions are referred to the Enlarged Board of Appeal:
I. Does the EPC confer jurisdiction on the EPO to determine whether a party validly claims to be a successor in title as referred to in Article 87(1)(b) EPC?
II. If question I is answered in the affirmative
Can a party B validly rely on the priority right claimed in a PCT-application for the purpose of claiming priority rights under Article 87(1) EPC
in the case where
1) a PCT-application designates party A as applicant for the US only and party B as applicant for other designated States, including regional European patent protection and
2) the PCT-application claims priority from an earlier patent application that designates party A as the applicant and
3) the priority claimed in the PCT-application is in compliance with Article 4 of the Paris Convention?

Keywords

Priority
Correction of error
Referral to the Enlarged Board of Appeal

Application title

Prolongation of survival of an allograft by inhibiting complement activity

European Case Law Identifier

ECLI:EP:BA:2022:T151317.20220128

Distribution

A

Decision

Decision text in EN (PDF, 456 KB)
T 2719/19 (Prolongation of survival of an allograft/ALEXION) of 28.1.2022

Online on

01.02.2022

Board

3.3.04

Decision date

28.1.2022

Proc. language

EN

IPC

A61K 39/395
C07K 16/18

Application no.

16160321.2 (consolidated with Case Number:T 1513/17 - 3.3.04)

Catchword

The following questions are referred to the Enlarged Board of Appeal:
I. Does the EPC confer jurisdiction on the EPO to determine whether a party validly claims to be a successor in title as referred to in Article 87(1)(b) EPC?
II. If question I is answered in the affirmative
Can a party B validly rely on the priority right claimed in a PCT-application for the purpose of claiming priority rights under Article 87(1) EPC
in the case where
1) a PCT-application designates party A as applicant for the US only and party B as applicant for other designated States, including regional European patent protection and
2) the PCT-application claims priority from an earlier patent application that designates party A as the applicant and
3) the priority claimed in the PCT-application is in compliance with Article 4 of the Paris Convention?

Keywords

Priority
Correction of error
Referral to the Enlarged Board of Appeal

Application title

Prolongation of survival of an allograft by inhibiting complement activity

European Case Law Identifier

ECLI:EP:BA:2022:T271919.20220128

Distribution

A

Decision

Decision text in EN (PDF, 385 KB)

January 2022

T 0988/17 () of 26.11.2021

Online on

17.01.2022

Board

3.2.02

Decision date

26.11.2021

Proc. language

DE

IPC

A61M 5/32

Application no.

04018070.5

Catchword

Weder Artikel 13(2) VOBK 2020 noch die erläuternden Bemerkungen dazu in CA/3/19 enthalten eine Erklärung, wie allgemein zu bestimmen ist, ob die Umstände "außergewöhnlich" sind. Die Erläuterungen der VOBK 2020 nennen als Beispiel für solche "außergewöhnlichen" Umstände allerdings den Fall, dass die Kammer einen Einwand erstmals in einer Mitteilung erhoben hat. In diesem Fall rechtfertige die veränderte Grundlage des Beschwerdeverfahrens ein verändertes Vorbringen. Die Frage, ob umgekehrt durch geändertes Vorbringen auch die Grundlage des Beschwerdeverfahrens verändert wird, stellt somit ein mögliches Kriterium dar, das für die Beurteilung der Außergewöhnlichkeit der Umstände heranzuziehen ist (Punkt 6.3 der Entscheidungsgründe).

Keywords

Ausreichende Offenbarung - (ja)
Änderungen - Erweiterung über den Inhalt der Anmeldung in der eingereichten Fassung hinaus (nein)
Neuheit - (ja)
Erfinderische Tätigkeit - (ja)
Spät vorgebrachte Argumente - zugelassen (ja)
Spät eingereichte Beweismittel - Umstände der Beschwerdesache rechtfertigen Zulassung (nein)
Angefochtene Entscheidung - ausreichend begründet (nein)
Wesentlicher Verfahrensmangel - Rückzahlung der Beschwerdegebühr (ja)

Application title

Nadelschutz für eine Glasspritze

European Case Law Identifier

ECLI:EP:BA:2021:T098817.20211126

Distribution

C

Decision

Text der Entscheidung in DE (PDF, 742 KB)
T 2759/17 () of 7.10.2021

Online on

17.01.2022

Board

3.3.02

Decision date

7.10.2021

Proc. language

EN

IPC

A01N 63/00
A01P 15/00
A01N 31/02

Application no.

07742566.8

Catchword

A disclosure within a prior art document can only be considered to represent a suitable starting point for assessing inventive step if the skilled person would have realistically started from it. An important consideration in this assessment generally is whether this disclosure aims at the same or a similar purpose or effect as that underlying the patent in question (see in particular 5.3 to 5.6 of the Reasons).

Keywords

Sufficiency of disclosure
Novelty
Inventive step

Application title

COMPOSITION OF BIOFILM CONTROL AGENT

European Case Law Identifier

ECLI:EP:BA:2021:T275917.20211007

Distribution

C

Decision

Decision text in EN (PDF, 459 KB)
T 2073/18 () of 10.1.2022

Online on

13.01.2022

Board

3.2.07

Decision date

10.1.2022

Proc. language

EN

IPC

B65D 83/10

Application no.

07799574.4

Catchword

Special reasons present in the sense of Article 11 (1) RPBA 2020 (see point 6 of the reasons for the decision)

Keywords

Decision in written proceedings without oral proceedings - (yes)
Novelty - (yes)
Inventive step - (yes)
Appeal decision - remittal to the department of first instance (yes)

Application title

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PACKAGING CUTTING BLADES

European Case Law Identifier

ECLI:EP:BA:2022:T207318.20220110

Distribution

D

Decision

Decision text in EN (PDF, 278 KB)
T 0494/18 (Manufacturing a multi-ply tissue paper/SCA Tissue France) of 15.10.2021

Online on

03.01.2022

Board

3.3.06

Decision date

15.10.2021

Proc. language

EN

IPC

D21H 27/02
D21H 27/30
D21H 27/00
B31F 1/07

Application no.

12305973.5

Catchword

A request in which some claims have been deleted compared to the requests that were filed previously with the grounds of appeal or the reply is, according to the systematic context of Article 12(3) RPBA 2020 and Article 13 RPBA 2020, a new request and thus usually amounts to an "amendment to the party's appeal case".

Keywords

Late-filed auxiliary request 8 filed during the oral proceedings before the Board - admittance (yes) - formally allowable (yes) - inventive step (yes)

Application title

Multi-ply tissue paper product and method for manufacturing the same

European Case Law Identifier

ECLI:EP:BA:2021:T049418.20211015

Distribution

D

Decision

Decision text in EN (PDF, 487 KB)

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