T 0450/97 (Shampoo composition) of 5.2.1998 | XEPC: EPC and PCT resource

European Case Law Identifier:

ECLI:EP:BA:1998:T045097.19980205

Date of decision:

05 February 1998

Case number:

T 0450/97

Application number:

85308142.0

IPC class:

A61K 7/08

Language of proceedings:

Distribution:

Download and more information:

Decision text in EN (PDF, 37Â KB)
Documentation of the appeal procedure can be found in the Register
Bibliographic information is available in:	EN
Versions:	OJ \| Published

Title of application:

Shampoo compositions

Applicant name:

The Procter & Gamble Company

Opponent name:

Henkel KGaA
Unilever PLC
L'Oreal

Board:

3.3.02

Headnote:

I. The mere addition of a reference to prior art does not contravene Article 123(2) EPC (following T 11/82, T 51/87).
II. After limitation of the claims, also at the opposition stage, a document which subsequently proves not only to be the closest state of the art, but also to be essential for understanding the invention in the meaning of Rule 27(1)(b) is to be introduced in the amended description (see point 4. of the reasons).

Relevant legal provisions:

European Patent Convention 1973 Art 123(2)
European Patent Convention 1973 Art 112(1)(a)
European Patent Convention 1973 R 27(1)(b)
European Patent Convention 1973 R 27(1)(c)
European Patent Convention 1973 R 89

Keywords:

Adaptation of the description after remittal - acknowledgement of the closest prior art document
Rule 27(1), (b) (yes) - Article 123(2) (yes)

Catchwords:

Cited decisions:

T 0011/82
T 0051/87
T 0843/91
T 0598/92
T 0692/93

Citing decisions:

T 0453/95
T 0694/01
T 0619/15
T 0506/16

Source: http://www.epo.org/law-practice/case-law-appeals/recent/t970450ex1.html

Date retrieved: 17 May 2021