Updates on EPC, PCT, EPO case law and the e-EQE

EP 2 905 794 B1 relates to a static contact support for a small circuit breaker.  

Brief outline of the procedure

The OD held that claim 1 as granted lacked of N of over a PPU submitted by the opponent. The same applied to ARI+III-VI+VIII.

EP 3 399 191 B1 relates to a screw compressor with multilayer rotor screw coating.

Brief outline of the case

The patent was revoked and the proprietor appealed.

The board decided that the OD was partial and remitted the case for further prosecution with a differently composed OD.

Those two decisions have taken place on 22.11.2022 (T1158/20) and on 13.12.2022 (T 1624/20), but have only been published recently.

Both cases are interesting in the way they dealt with the requests for OP of the parties.

T 1158/20

The patent relates to “a method of controlling mass flow in the form of multi-layer stream of rod-shaped articles,

Brief outline of the procedure

The appellant/opponent appealed the OD’s decision to reject the opposition.

By letter dated 29.06.22, the opponent requested that the OP be held in person instead of by ViCo.

Opponent’s representative is based in Munich. Respondent’s/proprietor’s opponent is based in Wiesbaden.