T 0075/09 () of 13.9.2011

European Case Law Identifier: ECLI:EP:BA:2011:T007509.20110913
Date of decision: 13 September 2011
Case number: T 0075/09
Application number: 03771970.5
IPC class: C08K 3/04
A47J 36/02
Language of proceedings: EN
Distribution: B
Download and more information:
Decision text in EN (PDF, 120 KB)
Documentation of the appeal procedure can be found in the Register
Bibliographic information is available in: EN
Versions: Unpublished
Title of application: Ovenware for microwave oven
Applicant name: E.I. DU PONT DE NEMOURS AND COMPANY
Opponent name: -
Board: 3.3.03
Headnote: -
Relevant legal provisions:
European Patent Convention Art 83
European Patent Convention Art 84
European Patent Convention Art 123(2)
Keywords: Insufficiency of disclosure - Main and First Auxiliary Requests (yes)
Amendments - added subject-matter (Second Auxiliary Request (yes))
Examination procedure - requirements of the European patent application to be dealt with prior to the question of patentability
Catchwords:

Where - as in the present case - there are multiple requests and a feature common to all requests is held not to meet the requirements of Article 84 EPC, as a consequence of which higher ranking requests are refused, all lower ranking requests retaining this feature have to be refused for the same reason.

The fact that in a lower ranking request the offending feature no longer has to be relied upon to establish a distinction over the prior art does not overcome the defect pursuant to Article 84 EPC. Nor does it give the deciding body the discretion to disregard the deficiency.

In particular it has to be borne in mind that the significance of a feature may become apparent only at a later stage in the life of a patent, eg in opposition or revocation proceedings (cf. Nos. 2.7 to 2.9 of the reasons).

Cited decisions:
G 0009/91
T 0301/87
T 0172/99
T 0690/00
T 0133/03
Citing decisions:
T 0054/17

8 references found.

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EPC Articles

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

Case Law of the Enlarged Board

General Case Law