T 0017/91 () of 26.8.1992

European Case Law Identifier: ECLI:EP:BA:1992:T001791.19920826
Date of decision: 26 August 1992
Case number: T 0017/91
Application number: 83903805.6
IPC class: B26B 21/56
Language of proceedings: EN
Distribution: B
Download and more information:
Decision text in EN (PDF, 585 KB)
Documentation of the appeal procedure can be found in the Register
Bibliographic information is available in: EN
Versions: Unpublished
Title of application: Razor blades
Applicant name: The Gillette Company
Opponent name: Wilkinson Sword GmbH
Board: 3.2.02
Headnote: -
Relevant legal provisions:
European Patent Convention 1973 Art 56
European Patent Convention 1973 Art 114(2)
Keywords: Late submission of public prior use
Inventive step - yes
Catchwords:

An assertion of public prior use, based on the opponent's own activities and submitted after the expiry of the opposition period and in the absence of good reasons for the delay, represents an abuse of the proceedings and a breach of the principle of "good faith" which all parties are expected to observe. Therefore, this kind of assertion cannot be deemed to have been submitted in due time, and it is to be disregarded under Article 114(2) EPC irrespective of its potential relevance. As soon as evidence is in the possession of the opponent and it is recognisable that it could be highly relevant to the validity of the patent it should be submitted in the proceedings (cf. point 5 of the Reasons).

Cited decisions:
-
Citing decisions:
T 0089/91
T 0951/91
T 0985/91
T 1002/92
T 1019/92
T 0847/93
T 0389/95
T 0503/96
T 0218/97
T 0176/98
T 0718/98
T 0947/99
T 0037/00
T 0481/00
T 0349/02
T 0596/02
T 0152/03
T 1126/04
T 1440/04
T 1209/05
T 0298/07
T 0426/08
T 0815/14
T 0884/14
T 1880/15
T 0552/18

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