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UPC CFI 138/2025

Feb 24, 2025·EP2323858: VARIABLE SURFACE AREA TIRE TREAD

Case details
Status
Written Phase
Action
Infringement
Category
Main Infringement Action
Parties
Claimants
Reps: Grégoire Desrousseaux (August Debouzy)
Respondents
Reps: Thierry Lautier (Bird & Bird LLP)
Division
Paris LD
Judges
Technology
Automotive · Tyres · Automotive
Language
English
First decided
Apr 16, 2026
Claims
At issue1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14
Revoked1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14
Notes: Claim 1 found not novel over KUNUGI (Art. 54 EPC). Dependent claims 2–14 revoked as Michelin provided no independent validity arguments. All 14 auxiliary requests (AR1–AR14) dismissed — features F1, F2 and F4 did not overcome the lack of novelty; F3 inadmissible for added matter; F5 lacked inventive step. The court also noted it had jurisdiction over both UPC_CFI_138/2025 (infringement) and UPC_CFI_522/2025 (counterclaim for revocation).
Decisions
  • 2026-04-16
    RevokedInfringement meritsInfringement Action

    The Paris Local Division entirely revoked European patent EP2323858 (Michelin's 'Variable surface area tire tread' patent), finding Claim 1 lacked novelty over prior art document KUNUGI (JP 2001/063323), and that dependent claims and all 14 auxiliary requests likewise failed to overcome the invalidity. Consequently, Michelin's infringement claims against Goodyear were dismissed, and Michelin was ordered to bear the legal costs.

    Legal issues:Novelty (Art. 54 EPC) — anticipation of Claim 1 by prior art KUNUGI (JP 2001/063323)Probative value of party-affiliated 'expert' affidavits treated as witness statementsClaim construction of 'tread element' and 'spacing between lateral sipes'Admissibility and validity of 14 auxiliary requests (added matter, clarity, inventive step)Reasonable number of auxiliary requests under R. 30.1 RoPRevocation of dependent claims 2–14 following invalidity of independent Claim 1
Documents
Document titleDatePublic
action.phaseChange.caseClose2026-04-22Not public
action.phaseChange.oralPhaseClose2026-04-16Not public
action.issueDecision.decision2026-04-16Not public
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Further pleadings2026-03-04Not public
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action.phaseChange.interimPhaseClose2026-02-20Not public
action.phaseChange.writtenPhaseClose2026-02-20Not public
action.issueOrder.order2026-02-20Not public
Order2026-02-20Public
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Receipt2026-02-06Not public
Cover sheet2026-02-06Not public
Exhibit document Claimant2026-02-06Not public
Further pleadings2026-02-06Not public
action.communication.general2026-02-04Not public
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action.communication.general2026-01-29Not public
Receipt2026-01-28Not public
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Further pleadings2026-01-28Not public
Cover sheet2025-11-13Not public
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Further pleadings2025-11-13Not public
Receipt2025-11-13Not public
Cover sheet2025-10-13Not public
Statement of rejoinder2025-10-13Not public
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Exhibit2025-10-13Not public
Receipt2025-10-13Not public
Acknowledgement-of-lodging2025-08-14Not public
CL09 LD Paris 13 November 2024 UPC CFI 358 20232025-08-14Not public
Exhibit 0425 Official letter dated 30 June 2025 sent by Michelin to Goodyear regarding the purchase of Fuelmax D Gen 22025-08-14Not public
CL31 Bundesgerichtshof 17 June 2025 X ZR 78 232025-08-14Not public
CL44 Board of Appeal of the European Patent Office 15 September 2016 T0320152025-08-14Not public
CL47 Extract from the Case Law of the Board of Appeal Eleventh Edition I C 4 22025-08-14Not public
CL16 LD Munich 25 November 2024 UPC CFI 443 20242025-08-14Not public
CL22 CD Paris 26 December 2024 UPC CFI 338 20232025-08-14Not public
Exhibit 0434 Fuelmax D Gen 2 Purchase attempts no 32025-08-14Not public
CL36 Italian Supreme Court 4 January 2022 no 18521 20172025-08-14Not public
Exhibit 0427 Cutting operations report of 29 July 2025 Fuelmax D Gen 22025-08-14Not public
Exhibit 0609 Auxiliary request 92025-08-14Not public
Exhibit 0435 Tire as a service promotional webpage on Goodyear s website2025-08-14Not public
CL32 CA Paris Pole 5 Chambre 1 24 May 2023 RG 21 084682025-08-14Not public
CL33 bis LD Mannheim 6 June 2025 UPC CFI 471 2023 free machine translation2025-08-14Not public
Exhibit 0426bis Physical samples issued from the moulding operations2025-08-14Not public
Exhibit 0429 Fuelmax D Gen 2 tires in other sizes2025-08-14Not public
CL30 LD The Hague 22 November 2024 UPC CFI 239 20232025-08-14Not public
CL28 LD Munich 4 April 2025 UPC CFI 501 20232025-08-14Not public
Exhibit 0606 Auxiliary request 62025-08-14Not public
CL39 Extract from the EPO guidelines F IV 4 102025-08-14Not public
CL08 CD Paris 30 April 2025 UPC CFI 230 20252025-08-14Not public
Exhibit 0608 Auxiliary request 82025-08-14Not public
Exhibit 0610 Auxiliary request 102025-08-14Not public
Exhibit 0415 bis Table listing Goodyear Infringing Products models and sizes updated2025-08-14Not public
CL14 LD Dusseldorf 10 April 2025 UPC CFI 50 20242025-08-14Not public
Exhibit 0605 Auxiliary request 52025-08-14Not public
Exhibit 0611 Auxiliary request 112025-08-14Not public
Exhibit 0427bis Physical samples issued from the cutting operations Fuelmax D Gen22025-08-14Not public
CL45 Enlarged Board of Appeal of the European Patent Office 23 March 2025 G2 212025-08-14Not public
CL46 Extract from the Case Law of the Board of Appeal Eleventh Edition I D 3 92025-08-14Not public
Exhibit 0602 Auxiliary request 22025-08-14Not public
Exhibit 0433 X LINE ENERGY page on the Michelin website2025-08-14Not public
CL49 French Supreme Court 15 September 2009 no 08 14 7412025-08-14Not public
Exhibit 0431 Goodyear 2024 annual report2025-08-14Not public
Exhibit 0607 Auxiliary request 72025-08-14Not public
CL12 LD Paris 24 April 2025 UPC CFI 440 20232025-08-14Not public
CL21 Tribunal judiciaire de Paris 8 November 2024 RG no 21 002082025-08-14Not public
CL33 LD Mannheim 6 June 2025 UPC CFI 471 20232025-08-14Not public
CL25 CD Paris 29 July 2024 UPC CFI 263 20232025-08-14Not public
Exhibit 0612 Auxiliary request 122025-08-14Not public
CL23 CD Paris 26 December 2024 UPC CFI 410 20232025-08-14Not public
CL41 Extract from the Italian Industrial property Code2025-08-14Not public
Exhibit 0603 Auxiliary request 32025-08-14Not public
CL40 LD Brussels 17 January 2025 UPC CFI 376 20232025-08-14Not public
Exhibit 0615 Table of auxiliary requests submitted by Michelin2025-08-14Not public
CL31 bis Bundesgerichtshof 17 June 2025 X ZR 78 23 free machine translation2025-08-14Not public
Exhibit 0305 Pdf file gathering all computations made from Kunugi and EP8582025-08-14Not public
CL27 CA Paris Pole 5 Chambre 2 27 May 2022 RG no 20 074262025-08-14Not public
Exhibit 0426 Moulding and measurement report of 25 June 2025 Fuelmax D Gen 22025-08-14Not public
Exhibit 0432 Michelin press release announcing the launch of equivalent products2025-08-14Not public
CL20 Enlarged Board of Appeal of the European Patent Office 18 June 2025 G1 242025-08-14Not public
CL34 CA Paris Pole 5 Chambre 1 8 February 20232025-08-14Not public
CL48 Extract from the Case Law of the Board of Appeal Eleventh Edition I D 62025-08-14Not public
Exhibit 0428 Photography of the Fuelmax D Gen 2 analyzed by Michelin2025-08-14Not public
CL10 CD Milan 8 July 2025 UPC CFI 513 20242025-08-14Not public
CL13 CD Milan 22 July 2025 UPC CFI 597 20242025-08-14Not public
14547-00201-250813-Defence to the counterclaim for revocation final_Partie2 PDFA signed2025-08-14Not public
CL35 Bundesgerichtshof 14 June 2016 X ZR 29 152025-08-14Not public
CL07 LD Dusseldorf 18 octobre 2023 UPC CFI 177 20232025-08-14Not public
CL41 bis Extract from the Italian Industrial property Code free machine translation2025-08-14Not public
Exhibit 0613 Auxiliary request 132025-08-14Not public
Exhibit 0304 Docteur Agnes POULBOTs second affidavit dated 5 August 20252025-08-14Not public
CL11 LD Dusseldorf 16 June 2025 UPC CFI 140 20242025-08-14Not public
CL38 Extract from the EPO guidelines G VI 72025-08-14Not public
Exhibit 0305bis Excel file table computation spreadsheet communicated by email2025-08-14Not public
CL17 LD Lisbon 15 October 2024 UPC CFI 317 20242025-08-14Not public
CL26 LD Munich 21 May 2024 UPC CFI 443 20232025-08-14Not public
Exhibit 0604 Auxiliary request 42025-08-14Not public
CL35 bis Bundesgerichtshof 14 June 2016 X ZR 29 15 free machine translation2025-08-14Not public
CL18 CD Paris 29 May 2025 UPC CFI 202 20242025-08-14Not public
CL36 bis Italian Supreme Court 4 January 2022 no 18521 2017 free machine translation2025-08-14Not public
Exhibit 0430 Press release on the launch of EQMAX and EXMAX ULTRA tires2025-08-14Not public
14547-00201-250813-Defence to the counterclaim for revocation final_Partie1 PDFA signed2025-08-14Not public
Exhibit 0303 Press articles regarding IntelliMax Groove technology and Fuelmax tires2025-08-14Not public
CL15 LD Mannheim 20 December 2024 UPC CFI 541 20242025-08-14Not public
CL29 CD Paris 21 July 2025 UPC CFI 231 20242025-08-14Not public
CL19 UPC CoA 26 February 2024 UPC CoA 335 20232025-08-14Not public
Exhibit 0601 Auxiliary request 12025-08-14Not public
CL24 CD Paris 21 January 2025 in the revocation action No 571745 2023 UPC CFI 311 20232025-08-14Not public
CL43 Extract from the EPO Guidelines G VII 5 12025-08-14Not public
CL40 bis LD Brussels 17 January 2025 UPC CFI 376 2023 free machine translation2025-08-14Not public
CL06 LD Mannheim 11 March 2025 UPC CFI 162 20242025-08-14Not public
CL42 Board of Appeal of the European Patent Office 01 March 2006 T1170022025-08-14Not public
Exhibit 0614 Auxiliary request 142025-08-14Not public
CL37 RD Nordic Baltic 31 July 2025 UPC CFI 9 20242025-08-14Not public
Exhibit 0426 Moulding and measurement report of 25 June 2025 Fuelmax D Gen 22025-08-14Not public
CL18 CD Paris 29 May 2025 UPC CFI 202 20242025-08-14Not public
CL41 bis Extract from the Italian Industrial property Code free machine translation2025-08-14Not public
CL19 UPC CoA 26 February 2024 UPC CoA 335 20232025-08-14Not public
CL36 Italian Supreme Court 4 January 2022 no 18521 20172025-08-14Not public
CL08 CD Paris 30 April 2025 UPC CFI 230 20252025-08-14Not public
CL33 bis LD Mannheim 6 June 2025 UPC CFI 471 2023 free machine translation2025-08-14Not public
Exhibit 0432 Michelin press release announcing the launch of equivalent products2025-08-14Not public
Exhibit 0603 Auxiliary request 32025-08-14Not public
Exhibit 0426bis Physical samples issued from the moulding operations2025-08-14Not public
Exhibit 0435 Tire as a service promotional webpage on Goodyear s website2025-08-14Not public
Exhibit 0434 Fuelmax D Gen 2 Purchase attempts no 32025-08-14Not public
CL40 LD Brussels 17 January 2025 UPC CFI 376 20232025-08-14Not public
Exhibit 0614 Auxiliary request 142025-08-14Not public
CL31 bis Bundesgerichtshof 17 June 2025 X ZR 78 23 free machine translation2025-08-14Not public
CL36 bis Italian Supreme Court 4 January 2022 no 18521 2017 free machine translation2025-08-14Not public
CL30 LD The Hague 22 November 2024 UPC CFI 239 20232025-08-14Not public
Exhibit 0613 Auxiliary request 132025-08-14Not public
CL26 LD Munich 21 May 2024 UPC CFI 443 20232025-08-14Not public
14547-00201-250813-Defence to the counterclaim for revocation final_Partie1 PDFA signed2025-08-14Not public
CL39 Extract from the EPO guidelines F IV 4 102025-08-14Not public
Exhibit 0427 Cutting operations report of 29 July 2025 Fuelmax D Gen 22025-08-14Not public
CL06 LD Mannheim 11 March 2025 UPC CFI 162 20242025-08-14Not public
Exhibit 0608 Auxiliary request 82025-08-14Not public
Exhibit 0615 Table of auxiliary requests submitted by Michelin2025-08-14Not public
CL22 CD Paris 26 December 2024 UPC CFI 338 20232025-08-14Not public
CL31 Bundesgerichtshof 17 June 2025 X ZR 78 232025-08-14Not public
CL11 LD Dusseldorf 16 June 2025 UPC CFI 140 20242025-08-14Not public
CL49 French Supreme Court 15 September 2009 no 08 14 7412025-08-14Not public
CL29 CD Paris 21 July 2025 UPC CFI 231 20242025-08-14Not public
CL40 bis LD Brussels 17 January 2025 UPC CFI 376 2023 free machine translation2025-08-14Not public
Exhibit 0431 Goodyear 2024 annual report2025-08-14Not public
Exhibit 0601 Auxiliary request 12025-08-14Not public
Exhibit 0611 Auxiliary request 112025-08-14Not public
Exhibit 0425 Official letter dated 30 June 2025 sent by Michelin to Goodyear regarding the purchase of Fuelmax D Gen 22025-08-14Not public
Exhibit 0415 bis Table listing Goodyear Infringing Products models and sizes updated2025-08-14Not public
CL32 CA Paris Pole 5 Chambre 1 24 May 2023 RG 21 084682025-08-14Not public
Exhibit 0612 Auxiliary request 122025-08-14Not public
CL13 CD Milan 22 July 2025 UPC CFI 597 20242025-08-14Not public
Exhibit 0303 Press articles regarding IntelliMax Groove technology and Fuelmax tires2025-08-14Not public
Exhibit 0304 Docteur Agnes POULBOTs second affidavit dated 5 August 20252025-08-14Not public
CL25 CD Paris 29 July 2024 UPC CFI 263 20232025-08-14Not public
Exhibit 0430 Press release on the launch of EQMAX and EXMAX ULTRA tires2025-08-14Not public
CL20 Enlarged Board of Appeal of the European Patent Office 18 June 2025 G1 242025-08-14Not public
Exhibit 0606 Auxiliary request 62025-08-14Not public
Exhibit 0610 Auxiliary request 102025-08-14Not public
Exhibit 0429 Fuelmax D Gen 2 tires in other sizes2025-08-14Not public
CL24 CD Paris 21 January 2025 in the revocation action No 571745 2023 UPC CFI 311 20232025-08-14Not public
Exhibit 0609 Auxiliary request 92025-08-14Not public
CL10 CD Milan 8 July 2025 UPC CFI 513 20242025-08-14Not public
CL46 Extract from the Case Law of the Board of Appeal Eleventh Edition I D 3 92025-08-14Not public
CL44 Board of Appeal of the European Patent Office 15 September 2016 T0320152025-08-14Not public
CL17 LD Lisbon 15 October 2024 UPC CFI 317 20242025-08-14Not public
CL23 CD Paris 26 December 2024 UPC CFI 410 20232025-08-14Not public
CL41 Extract from the Italian Industrial property Code2025-08-14Not public
CL09 LD Paris 13 November 2024 UPC CFI 358 20232025-08-14Not public
CL47 Extract from the Case Law of the Board of Appeal Eleventh Edition I C 4 22025-08-14Not public
Exhibit 0602 Auxiliary request 22025-08-14Not public
CL42 Board of Appeal of the European Patent Office 01 March 2006 T1170022025-08-14Not public
CL21 Tribunal judiciaire de Paris 8 November 2024 RG no 21 002082025-08-14Not public
Exhibit 0433 X LINE ENERGY page on the Michelin website2025-08-14Not public
CL35 bis Bundesgerichtshof 14 June 2016 X ZR 29 15 free machine translation2025-08-14Not public
Exhibit 0427bis Physical samples issued from the cutting operations Fuelmax D Gen22025-08-14Not public
CL28 LD Munich 4 April 2025 UPC CFI 501 20232025-08-14Not public
Exhibit 0305bis Excel file table computation spreadsheet communicated by email2025-08-14Not public
CL43 Extract from the EPO Guidelines G VII 5 12025-08-14Not public
Exhibit 0605 Auxiliary request 52025-08-14Not public
Exhibit 0428 Photography of the Fuelmax D Gen 2 analyzed by Michelin2025-08-14Not public
CL45 Enlarged Board of Appeal of the European Patent Office 23 March 2025 G2 212025-08-14Not public
CL15 LD Mannheim 20 December 2024 UPC CFI 541 20242025-08-14Not public
CL35 Bundesgerichtshof 14 June 2016 X ZR 29 152025-08-14Not public
CL14 LD Dusseldorf 10 April 2025 UPC CFI 50 20242025-08-14Not public
CL12 LD Paris 24 April 2025 UPC CFI 440 20232025-08-14Not public
Exhibit 0305 Pdf file gathering all computations made from Kunugi and EP8582025-08-14Not public
14547-00201-250813-Defence to the counterclaim for revocation final_Partie2 PDFA signed2025-08-14Not public
CL37 RD Nordic Baltic 31 July 2025 UPC CFI 9 20242025-08-14Not public
CL38 Extract from the EPO guidelines G VI 72025-08-14Not public
CL27 CA Paris Pole 5 Chambre 2 27 May 2022 RG no 20 074262025-08-14Not public
Exhibit 0604 Auxiliary request 42025-08-14Not public
CL33 LD Mannheim 6 June 2025 UPC CFI 471 20232025-08-14Not public
CL48 Extract from the Case Law of the Board of Appeal Eleventh Edition I D 62025-08-14Not public
CL16 LD Munich 25 November 2024 UPC CFI 443 20242025-08-14Not public
CL34 CA Paris Pole 5 Chambre 1 8 February 20232025-08-14Not public
Exhibit 0607 Auxiliary request 72025-08-14Not public
CL07 LD Dusseldorf 18 octobre 2023 UPC CFI 177 20232025-08-14Not public
Panel-Appointment2025-07-21Not public
Formal-checks_Notification-of-positive-outcome2025-06-17Not public
Formal-checks_Notification-of-positive-outcome2025-06-17Not public
Acknowledgement-of-lodging2025-06-17Not public
Authorisation to file submissions and exhibits in a single workflow2025-06-17Not public
Acknowledgement-of-lodging2025-06-17Not public
Authorisation to file submissions and exhibits in a single workflow2025-06-17Not public
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Statement of Defence and Counterclaim for Revocation2025-06-16Not public
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G0412025-06-16Not public
Panel-Appointment2025-04-10Not public
Outcome of the Order2025-04-02Not public
order R9 exemption transaltion2025-04-02Public
Comments on application for exemption of translation2025-03-28Not public
PO exemption from translation2025-03-18Not public
Notification Of Service2025-03-14Not public
AR goodyear operations sa2025-03-14Not public
Notification Of Service2025-03-14Not public
AR goodyear sa2025-03-14Not public
Notification Of Service2025-03-14Not public
AR Goodyear France SAS2025-03-14Not public
Acknowledgement of access to case2025-03-11Not public
Acknowledgement of access to case2025-03-11Not public
Acknowledgement of access to case2025-03-11Not public
Letter-for-Service2025-03-06Not public
Letter-for-Service2025-03-06Not public
Letter-for-Service2025-03-06Not public
communicationCheck2025-03-04Not public
communicationCheck2025-03-04Not public
communicationCheck2025-03-04Not public
Document from EPO2025-03-04Not public
Document from EPO2025-03-04Not public
Document from EPO2025-03-04Not public
Document from EPO2025-03-04Not public
Panel-Appointment2025-02-28Not public
EPO-Request-for-case-pending2025-02-28Not public
Receipt2025-02-28Not public
Formal-checks_Notification-of-positive-outcome2025-02-28Not public
Receipt2025-02-24Not public
Request R9 - exemption from translation (signed)2025-02-21Not public
Acknowledgement-of-lodging2025-02-21Not public
Exhibit 0206 Communication of the examiner of 5 September 20112025-02-21Not public
CL4 Bundesgerichtshof 16 May 2017 X ZR 12052025-02-21Not public
CL5 UPC CoA 14 February 2025 UPC CoA 38220242025-02-21Not public
Exhibit 0201 PCTUS2008075940 filed on 11 September 20082025-02-21Not public
Exhibit 0408 1001pneusfr sale page for Fuelmax D Endurance2025-02-21Not public
Exhibit 0422 Report of cutting operations part 22025-02-21Not public
Exhibit 0103 Goodyear France SAS kbis extract2025-02-21Not public
Exhibit 0422 Report of cutting operations part 12025-02-21Not public
Exhibit 0406 Mouldings operations report2025-02-21Not public
Exhibit 0301 JP200106323 Kunugi D12025-02-21Not public
Exhibit 0401 Fuelmax D Endurance promotional page on the Goodyear website2025-02-21Not public
Exhibit 0214 Decision to grant of 21 February 20132025-02-21Not public
Exhibit 0302 Docteur Agnes POULBOT s affidavit dated February 20th 20252025-02-21Not public
Exhibit 0421 Measurement report2025-02-21Not public
Statement of Claim Michelin c. Goodyear2025-02-21Not public
Exhibit 0105 Goodyear SA extract from Luxembourg Trade and Companies register2025-02-21Not public
Exhibit 0407 Allopneuscom sale page for Fuelmax D Endurance2025-02-21Not public
Exhibit 0210 Letter to the examiner of 21 September 2012 together with amended claim 112025-02-21Not public
Exhibit 0410 1001pneusfr sale page for Fuelmax D Gen 22025-02-21Not public
Exhibit 0107 Michelin cease and desist letter to Goodyear dated 27 July 20242025-02-21Not public
Exhibit 0207 Letter to the examiner of 29 February 2012 together with amended claims2025-02-21Not public
Exhibit 0416 Fuelmax D Gen 2 Purchase attempts no12025-02-21Not public
CL4 Bundesgerichtshof 16 May 2017 X ZR 12052025-02-21Not public
Exhibit 0501 Proof of wire transfer on UPC s bank account2025-02-21Not public
CL2 LD Munich 27 August 2024 UPC CFI 20120242025-02-21Not public
CL3 French Supreme Court 5 July 2017 n15205542025-02-21Not public
Exhibit 0424 Extract from Vrakking tires website2025-02-21Not public
Exhibit 0415 Table listing Goodyear Infringing Products models and sizes2025-02-21Not public
Exhibit 0404 Fuelmax D Gen 2 sales brochure2025-02-21Not public
Exhibit 0102 Compagnie Generale des Etablissements Michelin kbis extract2025-02-21Not public
Exhibit 0414 Goodyear technical sheet for truck tires2025-02-21Not public
Exhibit 0217 Us grant procedure2025-02-21Not public
Exhibit 0205 Supplementary European search report of 5 August 20112025-02-21Not public
CL1 LD Dusseldorf 31 October 2024 UPC CFI 36820242025-02-21Not public
Exhibit 0211 Letter to the examiner of 11 October 20122025-02-21Not public
Exhibit 0106 Goodyear 2023 annual report2025-02-21Not public
Exhibit 0412 EPREL Product Information Sheet Fuelmax D Endurance2025-02-21Not public
Exhibit 0422 Report of cutting operations part 32025-02-21Not public
Exhibit 0413 EPREL Product Information sheet Fuelmax D Gen 22025-02-21Not public
Exhibit 0104 Goodyear Operations SA extract from Luxembourg Trade and Companies register2025-02-21Not public
Exhibit 0423 Fuelmax D Endurance tire other sizes2025-02-21Not public
Exhibit 0101 Extract from the Michelin website2025-02-21Not public
Exhibit 0108 Goodyear s reply of 19 September 2024 to Michelin s cease and desist letter2025-02-21Not public
Exhibit 0417 Fuelmax D Gen 2 Purchase attempts no22025-02-21Not public
Exhibit 0419 Contact webpage on Goodyear Website2025-02-21Not public
Exhibit 0202 International search report 18 November 20082025-02-21Not public
Exhibit 0213 Letter to the examiner of 31 January 2013 and annexes2025-02-21Not public
Exhibit 0301 JP200106323 Kunugi D12025-02-21Not public
Exhibit 0422 Report of cutting operations part 42025-02-21Not public
Exhibit 0418 Terms and conditions of use of Goodyear website2025-02-21Not public
Exhibit 0216 Patent EP 2 323 8582025-02-21Not public
Exhibit 0405 Online bailiff report on the Goodyear website2025-02-21Not public
Exhibit 0203 Request for entry into the European phase of 4 March 20112025-02-21Not public
Exhibit 0204 Amended claims filed on 4 March 20112025-02-21Not public
Exhibit 0402 Fuelmax Gen 2 promotional page on the Goodyear website2025-02-21Not public
Exhibit 0403 Fuelmax D Endurance sales brochure2025-02-21Not public
Exhibit 0411 autodocfr sale page for Fuelmax D Gen 22025-02-21Not public
Exhibit 0409 allopneuscom sale page for Fuelmax D Gen 22025-02-21Not public
Exhibit 0208 Letter to the examiner of 2 March 20122025-02-21Not public
Exhibit 0215 Communication regarding the expiry of opposition period of 24 January 20142025-02-21Not public
Exhibit 0209 Notification of intention to grant of 21 May 20122025-02-21Not public
Exhibit 0420 Extract from the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website2025-02-21Not public
Exhibit 0212 Notification of intention to grant of 23 October 2012 together with text intende2025-02-21Not public
Accepted arguments
What the court agreed with — by party.

  • KUNUGI (JP 2001/063323) is a relevant prior art document because it is the only prior art cited in EP'858's description, which expressly states that KUNUGI discloses a tire tread according to the preamble of Claim 1; the different technical problem (air-pumping noise vs. water drainage) is irrelevant for a product claim defined by structural features only

    RespondentLegal basis: Art. 54 EPC; Art. 69 EPC; Protocol on Interpretation of Art. 69 EPC

  • Fig. 1 and paragraphs [0012]–[0013] of KUNUGI disclose the 'alternating arrangement of lateral grooves' (feature 7 of Claim 1), because the sipes on each side of the longitudinal sipe are visually offset in Fig. 1 and [0013] confirms they 'may be arranged independently, at any positions on each side', meaning a non-aligned (alternating) configuration

    RespondentLegal basis: Art. 54 EPC

  • Dependent claims 2–14 are invalid because Michelin provided no substantiated arguments that they would be valid independently of Claim 1

    RespondentLegal basis: Art. 54 EPC; Art. 56 EPC; Art. 138(1) EPC

  • Auxiliary request features F1 and F2 (water channelling / surface void) do not overcome the lack of novelty over KUNUGI because they add no structural limitation absent from KUNUGI

    RespondentLegal basis: Art. 54 EPC; Art. 123(2) EPC

  • Auxiliary request feature F3 (height H20 between 100% and 200% of Do20) introduces added matter not supported by the application as filed (WO 276)

    RespondentLegal basis: Art. 123(2) EPC

  • Auxiliary request feature F5 (spacing between lateral sipes 5–20 mm) does not confer inventive step over KUNUGI as the spacing selection is arbitrary and would result from routine testing

    RespondentLegal basis: Art. 56 EPC
Rejected arguments
What the court did not agree with — and why.

  • KUNUGI is not relevant prior art because it addresses a different technical problem (air-pumping noise) rather than water drainage

    ClaimantLegal basis: Art. 54 EPC

  • KUNUGI's 'bulges' would never be exposed at the tread surface, so they cannot anticipate the 'submerged grooves' that become exposed in Claim 1

    ClaimantLegal basis: Art. 54 EPC

  • KUNUGI's bulges lack the capacity to drain water unlike the grooves in EP'858

    ClaimantLegal basis: Art. 54 EPC

  • KUNUGI does not disclose an alternating arrangement of lateral grooves (feature 7 of Claim 1)

    ClaimantLegal basis: Art. 54 EPC

  • All relevant features of Claim 1 are not disclosed within a single embodiment of KUNUGI

    ClaimantLegal basis: Art. 54 EPC