T 0097/94 (Procedural timetable) of 15.7.1997

European Case Law Identifier: ECLI:EP:BA:1997:T009794.19970715
Date of decision: 15 July 1997
Case number: T 0097/94
Application number: 86402042.5
IPC class: C08G 18/08
Language of proceedings: FR
Distribution: A
Download and more information:
Decision text in EN (PDF, 32 KB)
Documentation of the appeal procedure can be found in the Register
Bibliographic information is available in: DE | EN | FR
Versions: OJ
Title of application: Improved two-component polyurethanes
Applicant name: CECA S.A
Opponent name: Bayer AG
Grace GmbH
Board: 3.3.03
Headnote: 1. If, in accordance with decision G 6/95, Rule 71a(1) EPC is not binding on the boards of appeal in the sense that it gives them full scope in the preparation of oral proceedings, it is nevertheless binding on the parties. Thus, when a board of appeal decides to send the parties a communication under Rule 71a(1) EPC, the latter are obliged to comply with it, in particular as far as the final date for reply is concerned (reasons, 3.5.1).
2. If an attorney is replaced at a late stage in the proceedings for reasons other than force majeure, the new representative is obliged to continue the proceedings from the stage they had reached when he took over from his predecessor. This change may not be used by a party, in the present instance a respondent/opponent, as an opportunity to adopt a new defence strategy based on a hearing of witnesses which was unforeseeable in the light of the arguments and requests previously submitted (reasons, 3.5.3).
3. Where public prior use is cited, the assessment of probability which normally underlies the boards' opinion must cede to a stricter criterion close to absolute conviction. In other words, there should be a degree of certainty which is beyond all reasonable doubt (reasons, 5.1).
Relevant legal provisions:
European Patent Convention 1973 Art 54
European Patent Convention 1973 Art 114(2)
European Patent Convention 1973 Art 117(1)(d)
European Patent Convention 1973 R 71a(1)
European Patent Convention 1973 R 72(1)
European Patent Convention 1973 R 72(2)
Keywords: Late designation of witnesses - request for hearing refused
Public prior use (no) - insufficient probative value of evidence submitted - missing links in the chain of evidence submitted
Catchwords:

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Cited decisions:
G 0001/92
G 0004/95
G 0006/95
T 0194/86
T 0093/89
T 0270/90
T 0939/90
T 0207/91
T 0685/91
T 0713/91
T 0141/92
T 0472/92
T 0848/94
Citing decisions:
T 0249/93
T 0048/96
T 0494/96
T 0785/96
T 0611/97
T 0037/98
T 0176/98
T 0552/98
T 0895/98
T 1029/98
T 0012/00
T 0505/00
T 0805/00
T 0019/01
T 0284/01
T 0060/02
T 0339/02
T 0972/02
T 0225/03
T 0120/04
T 0442/04
T 0738/04
T 0313/05
T 0736/05
T 1210/05
T 1335/05
T 1600/06
T 1469/08
T 0071/09
T 0918/11
T 2451/13
T 0057/14

38 references found.

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EPO Guidelines - E General Procedural Matters

Offical Journal of the EPO

Case Law Book: I Patentability

Case Law Book: III Amendments

Case Law Book: V Priority

Case Law of the Enlarged Board

General Case Law