T 2357/12 (Universal succession) of 28.11.2013

European Case Law Identifier: ECLI:EP:BA:2013:T235712.20131128
Date of decision: 28 November 2013
Case number: T 2357/12
Application number: 01202177.0
IPC class: C04B 18/14
C04B 28/02
C04B 26/26
C22B 7/04
Language of proceedings: EN
Distribution: C
Download and more information:
Decision text in EN (PDF, 406 KB)
Documentation of the appeal procedure can be found in the Register
Bibliographic information is available in: EN
Versions: Unpublished
Title of application: Process for processing stainless steel slags
Applicant name: Trading and Recycling Company Sint Truiden
Opponent name: Harsco Minerals Canada Corporation
Board: 3.3.05
Headnote: -
Relevant legal provisions:
European Patent Convention Art 112(1)
European Patent Convention R 84(2)
European Patent Convention R 22(3)
European Patent Convention R 142(1)(a)
European Patent Convention R 152(9)
European Patent Convention Art 117(1)
Keywords: Admissibility of opposition - transfer of opponent status (yes) - prerequisites and effects of universal succession
Evidence - evaluation of evidence - probative force of private documents in inter partes proceedings
Referral to the Enlarged Board of Appeal - (no)
Catchwords:

1."Universal succession" as an exception to Rule 22(3) EPC is a concept of procedural law under the European Patent Convention and is to be construed autonomously by the EPO, independent from national law [cf. reasons 7, 10 to 12].

2. Under the case law of the Boards of Appeal, the main considerations for acknowledging that a universal succession has taken place are legal certainty as to the person of the successor and the need to avoid a legal vacuum [reasons 8, 9].

3. Under that case law, the transfer of all assets of an enterprise, immediately followed by its dissolution as a legal entity, may constitute a universal succession [reasons 13 to 15].

Cited decisions:
G 0004/88
G 0003/97
G 0002/04
J 0005/81
T 0349/86
T 0475/88
T 0659/92
T 0870/92
T 0353/95
T 0670/95
T 0019/97
T 0298/97
T 1137/97
T 0656/98
T 0711/99
T 0074/00
T 0015/01
T 0136/01
T 0413/02
T 1091/02
T 0085/03
T 0229/03
T 0261/03
T 0956/03
T 0006/05
T 0724/05
T 1421/05
T 1206/06
T 1514/06
T 1697/07
T 0384/08
T 0960/08
T 1877/08
T 0022/09
T 1032/10
T 1957/10
T 0184/11
Citing decisions:
T 0423/11
T 0854/12
T 1201/14
T 1755/14
T 0660/15
T 0445/16
T 1575/17

47 references found.

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EPC Articles

EPC Implementing Rules

Case Law Book: III Amendments

Case Law of the Enlarged Board

General Case Law