Decisions discussed in the Case Law Report for 2014

I.

PATENTABILITY

A.

Exceptions to patentability

1.

Breaches to "ordre public" or morality

T 2221/10 3.3.08 04.02.14

19

2.

Embryonic stem cells

T 1441/13 3.3.08 09.09.14

20, 58

3.

Essentially biological processes

T 1729/06 3.3.04 17.09.14

G 2/12 25.03.15

G 2/13 25.03.15

21

9, 22, 24, 25

9, 22, 24, 25

4.

Therapeutic methods

T 1075/09 3.3.04 21.10.13

25

B.

Novelty

1.

Information retrieved from the internet: proof of the date of availability

T 286/10 3.5.06 21.05.14

T 1961/13 3.5.07 16.09.14

26

28

2.

Content of prior art – taking drawings into account

T 1488/10 3.4.03 25.09.14

29

3.

Ascertaining differences – functional features

T 872/09 3.4.02 08.04.14

30, 142

4.

Second medical use

4.1

Reproducibility of the content of the disclosure

T 1457/09 3.3.04 17.01.14

31

4.2

Purpose-limited product claims and Swiss-type claims

T 1780/12 3.3.04 30.01.14

T 1570/09 3.3.02 16.05.14

32, 68, 69

33

C.

Inventive step

1.

Problem and solution approach

T 1437/09 3.4.02 28.02.14

34

2.

Closest prior art

R 5/13 10.02.14

34, 151

2.1

Similarity of the technical problem

T 25/13 3.2.08 20.11.14

36

2.2

Speculative character of closest prior art

T 1764/09 3.4.02 08.01.14

37

3.

Technical problem

T 632/10 3.5.06 06.12.13

37

3.1

Formulation of the technical problem

T 2044/09 3.3.02 11.02.14

38

4.

Skilled person

4.1

Identification of the skilled person in the case of computer-implemented inventions

T 407/11 3.5.05 10.04.14

39

4.2

Neighbouring field

T 1910/11 3.5.05 04.06.14

40

5.

Assessment of inventive step

5.1

Treatment of technical and non-technical features

T 2035/11 3.5.07 25.07.14

41

5.2

Problem inventions

T 764/12 3.3.09 18.02.14

42

5.3

Examples of the denial of inventive step

T 405/13 3.4.02 09.04.14

T 1493/09 3.3.04 01.10.14

42

43

D.

Industrial application

T 533/09 3.4.01 11.02.14

44

II.

PATENT APPLICATION AND AMENDMENTS

A.

Claims

1.

Restrictions on generalising the technical information and examples adduced in the description

T 2231/09 3.5.04 23.04.14

45

B.

Unity of invention

1.

Unsearched subject-matter – subject-matter searched in divisional application

T 2289/09 3.4.03 03.06.14

46

C.

Sufficiency of disclosure

1.

Knowledge of skilled person relevant for assessing sufficiency of disclosure

1.1

The disclosure is aimed at the skilled person

T 419/12 3.3.05 14.10.14

47, 141

1.2

References may also enable a skilled person to carry out an invention

T 521/10 3.5.05 05.09.13

48

2.

Clarity and completeness of disclosure

2.1

Parameters

T 2403/11 3.3.09 30.04.14

T 1697/12 3.3.09 18.09.14

48

49, 144

3.

Reproducibility

3.1

Reproducibility without undue burden

3.1.1

Chemical compounds

T 544/12 3.3.09 22.11.13

49, 121

4.

The requirement of sufficiency of disclosure in the biotechnology field

4.1

Clarity and completeness of disclosure

4.1.1

Repeatability

T 657/10 3.3.08 19.12.13

51

4.2

Level of disclosure required for medical use

T 1616/09 3.3.02 27.08.14

51

5.

The relationship between Article 83 and Article 84 EPC

5.1

Article 83 EPC and clarity of claims

T 430/10 3.3.05 28.02.14

52

D.

Priority

1.

First application

1.1

Identity of applicant

T 1933/12 3.2.08 21.02.14

53

2.

Partial priority

T 571/10 3.3.07 03.06.14

54

E.

Amendments

1.

Article 123(2) EPC – added subject-matter

1.1

Implicit disclosure

T 598/12 3.3.02 05.11.13

56

1.2

Intermediate generalisation – non-disclosed combinations

T 1644/11 3.3.05 04.04.14

57

1.3

Disclaimer

T 1441/13 3.3.08 09.09.14

20, 58

1.4

Addition of limiting feature without technical contribution – legal fiction of compliance with Article 123(2) EPC – G 1/93

T 1779/09 3.5.07 21.05.14

60

2.

2.1

Interpretation of scope of protection

T 287/11 3.3.10 01.04.14

61

3.

Relationship between Article 123(2) EPC and Article 123(3), and interpretation under Article 69 EPC

T 1736/09 3.4.03 30.01.14

61

F.

Divisional applications

1.

Added subject-matter

1.1

Omission of feature

T 558/13 3.5.04 04.11.13

62

1.2

Isolation of one species

T 1919/11 3.3.02 15.05.13

64

1.3

Arbitrary selection of upper and lower limits – jurisprudence on "ranges" not applicable

T 1919/11 3.3.02 15.05.13

64

1.4

Selection from lists

T 1799/12 3.2.07 26.03.14

65

2.

Final decision on subject-matter in the parent application – res judicata

T 2084/11 3.3.06 15.01.14

T 1155/13 3.2.02 07.05.14

66

67

3.

Double patenting

3.1

Swiss-type claim and claim under Article 54(5) EPC

T 1780/12 3.3.04 30.01.14

T 879/12 3.3.08 27.08.14

32, 68, 69

32, 69

3.2

Product, use, and method claims – not the same subject-matter

T 1765/13 3.3.05 24.04.14

70

3.3

Overlap of scope of protection – internal priority

T 2461/10 3.3.08 26.03.14

70

III.

RULES COMMON TO ALL PROCEEDINGS BEFORE THE EPO

A.

Legitimate expectations

T 1448/09 3.4.01 18.02.14

72, 73

B.

Right to be heard

1.

Non-attendance at oral proceedings

T 1367/09 3.4.01 11.12.13

T 1448/09 3.4.01 18.02.14

73, 135

72, 73

C.

Oral proceedings

1.

Continuation of oral proceedings on the next day

T 1674/12 3.2.04 10.10.13

74, 86

2.

Location of oral proceedings

T 1142/12 3.3.03 08.04.14

75

3.

Handwritten amendments during oral proceedings before the board

T 1635/10 3.2.07 02.04.14

76

D.

Re-establishment of rights

1.

Error in making payment

T 1355/09 3.3.07 10.09.13

77

2.

Isolated mistake by representative not excusable

R 18/13 17.03.14

78

3.

Representative's secondary responsibility

J 5/13 3.1.01 17.01.14

78

4.

Request for re-establishment of rights redundant – statement of grounds minimally late-filed

T 2317/13 3.3.04 14.04.14

79

5.

Reimbursement of fee for re-establishment

T 2017/12 3.5.06 24.02.14

80

E.

Law of evidence

1.

Witness testimonies and expert opinions

T 86/12 3.2.08 24.04.14

T 1028/11 3.3.04 05.03.14

T 8/13 3.2.06 10.12.13

T 30/12 3.2.01 26.09.14

81

81

83, 98

83

2.

Evaluation of evidence

T 2357/12 3.3.05 28.11.13

G 1/12 30.04.14

84, 108

8, 85, 114, 115, 127, 148

3.

Burden of proof

J 3/14 3.1.01 08.09.14

85

F.

Suspected partiality

1.

Suspected partiality of members of the opposition division – objections under Article 24(1) EPC

T 1674/12 3.2.04 10.10.13

74, 86

2.

Suspected partiality of members of the boards of appeal – admissibility under Article 24(3), second sentence, EPC

T 49/11 3.3.09 25.03.14

87

3.

Suspected partiality of members of the Enlarged Board of Appeal

R 19/12 25.04.14

R 2/14 17.02.15

10, 88, 90, 91

10, 90

G.

Formal aspects of decisions of EPO departments

1.

Composition of the competent departments of first instance

1.1

Examining division

T 1207/09 3.4.01 15.05.14

92

2.

Form of decisions

2.1

Reasons for the decision

2.1.1

Legal requirement for reasoned decisions under Rule 111(2) EPC

T 2352/13 3.2.01 04.03.14

93

2.1.2

Examples of non-compliance with the requirements of Rule 111(2) EPC

T 405/12 3.2.01 05.06.14

93

H.

Correction of errors in decisions – Rule 140 EPC

T 1869/12 3.2.07 13.12.13

94

I.

Stay of proceedings

J 17/12 3.1.01 13.11.13

J 15/13 3.1.01 09.05.14

95

95

J.

Rules relating to Fees

1.

Ten-day fail-safe arrangement – small amounts lacking

J 25/12 3.1.01 22.07.14

97

K.

Representation

1.

Oral submissions by an accompanying person

T 8/13 3.2.06 10.12.13

T 1458/11 3.3.05 23.10.14

83, 98

99

IV.

PROCEEDINGS BEFORE THE EPO

A.

Preliminary and formalities examination

1.

Accordance of a date of filing

1.1

Requirements for according a date of filing

J 1/12 3.1.01 23.10.13

101

1.2

Corrections under Rule 139 EPC

1.2.1

No replacement of invention

J 16/13 3.1.01 22.05.14

102, 125

B.

Examination procedure

1.

Amendments under Rule 137(3) EPC

T 158/12 3.2.06 25.10.13

103

2.

Additional searches during examination

T 2299/10 3.5.05 31.03.14

103

3.

Amendments relating to unsearched subject-matter

T 333/10 3.5.04 17.07.14

104

C.

Special features of opposition and appeal proceedings

1.

Transfer of party status

1.1

Change of address

T 786/11 3.5.05 12.06.14

106

1.2

Opponent status

T 531/11 3.2.06 28.11.14

107

1.3

Evidence

T 2357/12 3.3.05 28.11.13

84, 108

2.

Withdrawal of opposition

T 46/10 3.4.03 01.04.14

108

3.

Apportionment of costs

J 22/12 3.1.01 07.11.13

T 493/11 3.2.07 03.12.13

T 1361/09 3.3.10 11.06.13

109, 124

110

110

D.

Opposition procedure

1.

Admissibility of opposition

1.1

General

G 1/13 25.11.14

8, 112, 126, 149

1.2

Correction of opponent's name

T 1551/10 3.5.03 18.10.13

T 1269/11 3.2.01 17.09.14

113

114

2.

Scope of examination in the case of amendments

T 616/12 3.2.06 23.01.14

T 373/12 3.2.08 02.04.14

G 3/14 24.03.15

115

116

8, 116, 117

3.

Correction of error (in claim) in opposition

T 657/11 3.3.09 08.11.13

120

4.

Late-filed facts and evidence in opposition proceedings

4.1

Opposition division's exercise of discretion

T 544/12 3.3.09 22.11.13

49, 121

5.

Fresh grounds for opposition

T 2449/12 3.2.08 28.10.14

122

E.

Appeal procedure

1.

Filing and admissibility of appeal

T 895/13 3.3.04 28.03.14

123

1.1

Appealable decisions

1.1.1

Decisions

J 22/12 3.1.01 07.11.13

109, 124

1.2

Board competent to hear a case

G 1/11 19.03.14

J 16/13 3.1.01 22.05.14

7, 125

102, 125

1.3

Form and time limit of appeal

1.3.1

Form and content of notice of appeal (Rule 99(1) EPC)

G 1/13 25.11.14

G 1/12 30.04.14

T 2045/09 3.3.04 14.05.14

T 620/13 3.2.04 22.05.14

8, 112, 126, 149

8, 85, 114, 115, 127, 148

128

128

1.4

Statement of grounds of appeal

1.4.1

Form of statement of grounds

T 74/12 3.3.05 25.02.14

129

1.4.2

General principles

T 501/09 3.3.04 25.06.13

T 727/09 3.5.04 06.11.13

T 1915/09 3.3.01 27.06.13

T 899/13 3.5.04 29.01.14

T 395/13 3.5.02 12.11.14

130

130

131

132

132

1.4.3

New case raised by opponent (appellant)

T 27/13 3.2.07 29.01.14

133

2.

Substantive examination of the appeal

2.1

Binding effect of requests – no reformatio in peius

2.1.1

Opponent as sole appellant

T 111/10 3.3.02 24.06.14

134

2.2

Patentability requirements under examination in ex parte proceedings

2.2.1

Ex parte proceedings

T 1367/09 3.4.01 11.12.13

73, 135

2.3

Facts under examination – applying Article 114 EPC in appeal proceedings

2.3.1

Boards to examine facts of own motion

T 1574/11 3.2.04 19.03.14

135

3.

Remittal to the department of first instance

3.1

General

T 1343/12 3.3.06 10.10.14

136

3.2

Remittal following filing or late submission of relevant new document

3.2.1

Ex parte appeal proceedings

T 963/09 3.5.07 05.06.14

136

4.

Late submission in appeal proceedings

4.1

Article 12(4) RPBA – submission of new arguments on appeal

T 607/10 3.4.03 10.04.14

T 1941/10 3.2.07 17.12.13

T 216/10 3.3.05 21.01.14

137

138

138

4.2

Submission of new documents

4.2.1

Justified reaction to the opposition division's decision

T 241/10 3.5.04 07.05.14

138

4.2.2

Late submission of public prior use

T 691/12 3.2.03 21.01.14

T 444/09 3.3.05 26.06.14

139

139

5.

Filing of amended claims in appeal proceedings

5.1

Amendments after arrangement of the oral proceedings

T 1732/10 3.2.07 19.12.13

T 1836/12 3.2.07 05.03.14

139, 140

140

5.2

Article 12(4) RPBA – requests not examined at first instance

5.2.1

General principles

T 419/12 3.3.05 14.10.14

47, 141

5.2.2

Request not submitted by proprietor in opposition proceedings

T 872/09 3.4.02 08.04.14

T 1400/11 3.2.07 03.07.14

T 1616/10 3.2.06 04.12.13

30, 142

142

142

5.2.3

Resubmission of requests withdrawn at opposition stage

T 2599/11 3.2.05 26.11.13

T 1697/12 3.3.09 18.09.14

143

49, 144

5.2.4

Amendments justified by the normal development of the proceedings

T 2485/11 3.3.01 15.01.14

T 2244/11 3.3.01 05.03.14

144

145

5.2.5

Consideration of amended claims – number of auxiliary requests

T 280/11 3.2.01 01.07.14

146

6.

Reimbursement of appeal fees

6.1

Referral G 1/14

T 1553/13 3.2.06 20.02.14

146

6.2

Reimbursement must be equitable

T 2106/10 3.3.04 04.02.14

147

7.

Proceedings before the Enlarged Board of Appeal

7.1

Referral under Article 112 EPC – admissibility

G 1/12 30.04.14

G 1/13 25.11.14

8, 85, 114, 115, 127, 148

8, 112, 126, 149

7.2

Petition for review under Article 112a EPC

7.2.1

objection not complying with Rule 106 EPC

R 18/12 10.12.13

149

7.2.2

Fundamental violation of Article 113 EPC

R 16/12 15.11.13

R 3/13 30.01.14

R 5/13 10.02.14

150

150

34, 151

V.

PROCEEDINGS BEFORE THE DISCIPLINARY BOARD OF APPEAL

1.

Appeals against decisions of the Examination Board

1.1

Objective review of the marks awarded

D 3/14 01.09.14

152

VI.

INSTITUTIONAL MATTERS

1.

Amendments to the Rules of Procedure of the Boards of Appeal – legislative power with the Administrative Council

T 1100/10 3.3.08 18.03.14

154