T 0378/86 (Change of category) of 21.10.1987

European Case Law Identifier: ECLI:EP:BA:1987:T037886.19871021
Date of decision: 21 October 1987
Case number: T 0378/86
Application number: 80105926.2
IPC class: B29F 3/00
Language of proceedings: DE
Distribution:
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Documentation of the appeal procedure can be found in the Register
Bibliographic information is available in: DE | EN | FR
Versions: OJ
Title of application: -
Applicant name: Moog
Opponent name: -
Board: 3.2.02
Headnote: 1. A change of category after a patent has been granted is admissible, having regard to Article 123(3) EPC, only in exceptional cases.
2. Where the granted patent relates to a method of working, its subsequent conversion into an apparatus patent is such an exceptional case if the extent of protection conferred by the process patent (Article 69 EPC) encompasses the apparatus for carrying out the method of working. However, it is then necessary for the means of carrying out the process to be described in such detail and so comprehensively that an anverage skilled person can, without undue effort, deduce fully and clearly the apparatus suitable for carrying out the protected process from the technical teaching defined in the process patent.
Relevant legal provisions:
European Patent Convention 1973 Art 123
European Patent Convention 1973 R 58(4)
Keywords: Opposition proceedings - admissibility of change of category
Method of working
Apparatus
Conversion of a process patent into an apparatus patent
Catchwords:

-

Cited decisions:
-
Citing decisions:
T 0082/93
T 0015/94
T 0329/94
T 0597/95
T 0056/99
T 0619/02
T 0779/08

Source: http://www.epo.org/law-practice/case-law-appeals/recent/t860378ep1.html

Date retrieved: 17 May 2021

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