UPC_CFI_636/2025

The Mannheim Local Division issued a procedural order under R. 333 RoP reviewing the earlier rejection of Centripetal Limited's saisie application against Palo Alto Networks concerning EP 3 281 580 (network security), upholding the rejection for failure to submit sufficient facts about the infringing system.

The Mannheim Local Division granted Palo Alto Networks' request to review and revoked the ex-parte saisie (evidence preservation) order of 3 June 2025 (amended 9 July 2025) issued in favour of Centripetal Limited concerning EP 3 281 580. The Court found that the saisie order should not have been issued because it was not apparent from the ex-ante perspective that the Munich branch office premises (a co-working sales space) contained staff with access to the technical network security system Centripetal sought to inspect. The Court held that a saisie order cannot require a defendant to increase employee access rights or bring equipment not ordinarily present at the premises. The Court also noted that Centripetal had an ongoing duty of candour to update the Court on new material facts. Confidentiality measures from the original order remained in force.

Mannheim Local Division (upon referral from Court of Appeal) granted Centripetal Limited's application for preservation of evidence (saisie) against Palo Alto Networks' network security solution for alleged infringement of EP 3 281 580 B1. An independent court expert (Prof. Dr. Christoph Krauß) was appointed to monitor and examine the defendant's systems at its premises.