T 0552/91 (Chroman derivatives) of 3.3.1994 | XEPC: EPC and PCT resource

European Case Law Identifier:

ECLI:EP:BA:1994:T055291.19940303

Date of decision:

03 March 1994

Case number:

T 0552/91

Application number:

87118275.4

IPC class:

C07D 405/04

Language of proceedings:

Distribution:

Download and more information:

No PDF available
Documentation of the appeal procedure can be found in the Register
Bibliographic information is available in:	DE \| EN \| FR
Versions:	OJ

Title of application:

Applicant name:

MERCK PATENT

Opponent name:

Board:

3.3.01

Headnote:

1. Where a European patent application relates to chemical substances originally defined by an incorrect chemical structural formula, correction of which is not allowable under Rule 88 EPC, replacement of the incorrect formula by the correct one infringes Article 123(2) EPC. This applies even if evidence is provided that these substances are the inevitable unambiguous result of a method disclosed in full in the application as filed (points 4.2 and 4.3 of the reasons).
2. Nevertheless, the submission of a "product-by-process" claim is compatible with Article 123(2) EPC if it contains all the measures required to obtain this result (starting materials, reaction conditions, separation) (point 5.2 of the reasons).

Relevant legal provisions:

European Patent Convention 1973 Art 84
European Patent Convention 1973 Art 123(2)

Keywords:

Amendment of a structural formula subsequently found to be incorrect (no)
Product-by-process claims (allowed)

Catchwords:

Cited decisions:

G 0003/89
T 0012/81
T 0514/88

Citing decisions: