T 0051/87 (Starting compounds) of 8.12.1988

European Case Law Identifier: ECLI:EP:BA:1988:T005187.19881208
Date of decision: 08 December 1988
Case number: T 0051/87
Application number: 78300831.1
IPC class: C07D 493/22
Language of proceedings: EN
Distribution: A
Download and more information:
Decision text in EN (PDF, 604 KB)
Documentation of the appeal procedure can be found in the Register
Bibliographic information is available in: EN
Versions: OJ | Published
Title of application: -
Applicant name: Merck
Opponent name: -
Board: 3.3.02
Headnote: 1. If a document necessary for carrying out the invention is not mentioned in the application as originally filed, the invention may nevertheless sufficiently be disclosed (Art. 83 EPC) if the document is part of the common general knowledge (following decision T 11/82, "Control circuit/LANSING BAGNALL", OJ EPO 1983, 479-492, at point 22).
2. Where the starting compounds are highly elaborated microbial metabolites, opening a field of research which is so new that technical knowledge is not yet available from textbooks, special considerations prevail on whether or not the common general knowledge of the man skilled in the art may include a patent specification (in contrast to the situation in the classical field as in T 171/84, "Redox Catalyst", OJ EPO 1986, 95 and T 206/83, "Herbicides", OJ EPO 1987, 5).
2. If a document is part of the common general knowledge and is the closest prior art, it may have to be introduced into the description (Rule 27(1)c) EPC). Article 123(2) EPC is not thereby contravened (following decision T 11/82).
Relevant legal provisions:
European Patent Convention 1973 Art 83
European Patent Convention 1973 Art 123(2)
European Patent Convention 1973 R 27(1)(c)
Keywords: Relevant background art - inclusion in the description
Catchwords:

-

Cited decisions:
-
Citing decisions:
T 0475/88
T 0772/89
T 0148/91
T 0676/94
T 0450/97
T 0469/99
T 0890/02
T 0412/03
T 0596/11
T 1347/11
T 1000/12
T 1449/17

Source: http://www.epo.org/law-practice/case-law-appeals/recent/t870051ex1.html

Date retrieved: 17 May 2021

18 references found.

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EPO Guidelines - F The European Patent Application

EPO Guidelines - G Patentability

Offical Journal of the EPO

Case Law Book: I Patentability

Case Law Book: II Conditions to be met by an Application

General Case Law