UPC CFI 16/2024
Jan 18, 2024·EP3466498 · SEARCH DEVICE FOR AVALANCHE VICTIMS AND METHOD FOR OPERATING A SEARCH DEVICE FOR AVALANCHE VICTIMS
Action number: ACT 2379/2024
- Case details
- StatusCase Closed (Patent infringed)ActionInfringementCategoryMain infringement action
- Parties
- Claimants
- Ortovox Sportartikel GmbHOperating co.
Representatives- Miriam Kiefer-Kather Augenstein
- Robert Knaps-Kather Augenstein
- Michael Siebelsupporting-Hofstetter, Schurack & Partner
Respondents- Mammut Sports Group AGOperating co.
- Mammut Sports Group GmbHOperating co.
Representatives- Oliver Jan Jüngst-Bird & Bird LLP
- Moritz Schroeder-Bird & Bird LLP
- Alexander Bothe-Bird & Bird LLP
- Fabian Leimgrubersupporting-Thomann Fischer
- Division
- Dusseldorf LD
- Technology
- Other fieldsConsumer products
- Language
- German
- First decided
- Jan 14, 2025
| Infringement found | Median days to first decision | |
|---|---|---|
| All UPC | 53% (62/117) | 124 |
| Dusseldorf LD | Locked | Locked |
| Judge Ronny Thomas | Locked | Locked |
| Judge Berenice Thom | Locked | Locked |
| Judge Walter Schober | Locked | Locked |
| Judge Erwin Wismeth | Locked | Locked |
At the UPC: Ortovox Sportartikel GmbH (22 cases)·Mammut Group (22 cases)
This dispute contains 19 other proceedings
UPC CoA 216/2025·UPC CoA 217/2025·UPC CoA 228/2025·UPC CFI 121/2025·UPC CFI 124/2025 and 14 more
Start a free trial to see how each one ended.
More cases: Dusseldorf LD·2024
- 2025-01-14Infringement ActionPublic
Summary: Final decision in infringement action (with counterclaim for revocation) concerning an avalanche transceiver patent. The Düsseldorf Local Division found direct and indirect infringement by the Mammut defendants, granted an injunction, ordered recall and removal from distribution channels, ordered provision of accounts, and declared liability for damages (with EUR 3,000 preliminary damages awarded). The counterclaim for revocation was dismissed. Costs were split: claimant to bear 80%, each defendant 10% of infringement action costs; defendants to bear costs of revocation counterclaim.
Show the legal issues (8)
- Direct patent infringement
- Indirect patent infringement
- Novelty
- Inventive step
- Destruction of infringing goods
- Recall from distribution channels
- Publication of decision (Art. 80 UPCA)
- Activation of patented features by end users
| Document title | Date | Public |
|---|---|---|
| Case Closure Formal Check | 2025-09-12 | Not public |
| Gelegenheit zur Stellungnahme | 2025-01-22 | Not public |
| Receipt | 2025-01-22 | Not public |
| Receipt | 2025-01-22 | Not public |
| 2025-01-21 Berichtigungsantrag Ortovox | 2025-01-21 | Not public |
| 2025-01-21 Ortovox Mitteilung Vollstreckungsabsicht | 2025-01-21 | Not public |
| Headnote-and-Keywords | 2025-01-14 | Not public |
| DecisionOutcome | 2025-01-14 | Not public |
| Entscheidung | 2025-01-14 | Public |
| Verlegung Termin zur Verkündung einer Entscheidung | 2024-12-18 | Public |
| 2379-2024_OH_DUS-LOC_UPC202411260930AM_S03 | 2024-11-27 | Not public |
| 2379-2024_OH_DUS-LOC_UPC202411260930AM_S01 | 2024-11-27 | Not public |
| 2379-2024_OH_DUS-LOC_UPC202411260930AM_S01 | 2024-11-27 | Not public |
| 2379-2024_OH_DUS-LOC_UPC202411260930AM_S02 | 2024-11-27 | Not public |
| 2379-2024_OH_DUS-LOC_UPC202411260930AM_S02 | 2024-11-27 | Not public |
| 2379-2024_OH_DUS-LOC_UPC202411260930AM_S03 | 2024-11-27 | Not public |
| Receipt | 2024-11-26 | Not public |
| 2024-11-25 Schriftsatz Ortovox | 2024-11-25 | Not public |
| Interim-Procedure-Closure | 2024-11-22 | Not public |
| Summon-Oral-Hearing | 2024-11-22 | Not public |
| R. 108 VerfO - Erneuter Upload der Ladungsanordnung | 2024-11-22 | Public |
| Hearing-Dates | 2024-11-22 | Not public |
| Anlage KAP 29 | 2024-11-22 | Not public |
| Anlage KAP 30 | 2024-11-22 | Not public |
| Anlage KAP 26 | 2024-11-22 | Not public |
| Anlage KAP 27 | 2024-11-22 | Not public |
| Anlage KAP 25 | 2024-11-22 | Not public |
| 2024-11-22 Stellungnahme Ortovox Zwischenverfahren_signed | 2024-11-22 | Not public |
| Anlage KAP 28 | 2024-11-22 | Not public |
| Signiert 241122 SS an UPC - 2379-2024.pdf | 2024-11-22 | Not public |
| Signiert 241122 SS an UPC - 2379-2024.pdf | 2024-11-22 | Not public |
| Anordnung im Zwischenverfahren | 2024-11-19 | Public |
| Headnote-and-Keywords | 2024-10-30 | Not public |
| Outcome of the Order | 2024-10-30 | Not public |
| Zurückweisung Antrag R. 36 VerfO | 2024-10-30 | Public |
| Receipt | 2024-10-30 | Not public |
| Anlage KAP 22 | 2024-10-29 | Not public |
| 2024-10-29 Antrag Ortovox Schriftsatznachlass | 2024-10-29 | Not public |
| Anlage KAP 23 | 2024-10-29 | Not public |
| Abschluss des schriftlichen Verfahrens | 2024-10-28 | Public |
| Written-Procedure-Closure | 2024-10-28 | Not public |
| Headnote-and-Keywords | 2024-09-27 | Not public |
| Outcome of the Order | 2024-09-27 | Not public |
| Zurückweisung Antrag auf Zulassung weiterer Schriftsätze | 2024-09-27 | Public |
| Receipt | 2024-09-27 | Not public |
| 240926 Schriftsatz ROP 9 | 2024-09-26 | Not public |
| Panel-Appointment | 2024-09-04 | Not public |
| Hearing-Dates | 2024-09-03 | Not public |
| Ladung zur mündlichen Verhandlung (R. 108 VerfO) | 2024-09-03 | Public |
| Acknowledgement-of-lodging | 2024-08-05 | Not public |
| BB16 | 2024-08-05 | Not public |
| BB17 | 2024-08-05 | Not public |
| 240805 Duplik an das UPC | 2024-08-05 | Not public |
| Acknowledgement-of-lodging | 2024-08-05 | Not public |
| 240805 Duplik an das UPC - 2379/2024 | 2024-08-05 | Not public |
| BB17 | 2024-08-05 | Not public |
| BB16 | 2024-08-05 | Not public |
| Acknowledgement-of-lodging | 2024-06-03 | Not public |
| 2024-06-03 Replik Ortovox_signed | 2024-06-03 | Not public |
| Acknowledgement-of-lodging | 2024-06-03 | Not public |
| Anlage KAP 17 - DE | 2024-06-03 | Not public |
| 2024-06-03 Replik Ortovox_signed | 2024-06-03 | Not public |
| Hearing-Dates | 2024-05-22 | Not public |
| Bestimmung eines Termins zur mündlichen Verhandlung (R. 28 VerfO) | 2024-05-22 | Public |
| 2024-05-22 Erneute Stellungnahme Ortovox zur Terminabstimmung_signed | 2024-05-22 | Not public |
| 240521 SS an UPC re Bestätigung Termin | 2024-05-21 | Not public |
| 240521 SS an UPC Bestätigung Termin | 2024-05-21 | Not public |
| Möglichkeit der Stellungnahme zum Alternativtermin R. 28 VerfO | 2024-05-17 | Not public |
| Template-Order | 2024-05-17 | Not public |
| Anlage KAP 16 - EN | 2024-05-17 | Not public |
| 2024-05-16 Stellungnahme Ortovox wegen Terminierung_signed | 2024-05-17 | Not public |
| 240513 Stellungnahme re Terminierung | 2024-05-13 | Not public |
| 240513 Stellungnahme re Terminierung | 2024-05-13 | Not public |
| R. 28 VerfO - Bestimmung Termin zur mündlichen Verhandlung | 2024-05-06 | Not public |
| Hearing-Dates | 2024-05-06 | Not public |
| Panel-Appointment | 2024-04-17 | Not public |
| Headnote-and-Keywords | 2024-04-15 | Not public |
| R. 37.2 RoP Order | 2024-04-15 | Public |
| R. 37.2 RoP Order | 2024-04-15 | Not public |
| 2024-04-12 Stellungnahme Ortovox zur vorl Verfahrensanordnung_ | 2024-04-12 | Not public |
| 240409 SS an UPC | 2024-04-09 | Not public |
| 240409 SS an UPC | 2024-04-09 | Not public |
| Anhörung R. 37.2 VerfO | 2024-04-05 | Not public |
| Formal-checks_Notification-of-positive-outcome | 2024-04-03 | Not public |
| Formal-checks_Notification-of-positive-outcome | 2024-04-03 | Not public |
| Acknowledgement-of-lodging | 2024-04-02 | Not public |
| Acknowledgement-of-lodging | 2024-04-02 | Not public |
| 02-04-2024 Klageerwiderung | 2024-04-02 | Not public |
| Beilage 20 | 2024-04-02 | Not public |
| Beilage 42 | 2024-04-02 | Not public |
| Beilage 17 | 2024-04-02 | Not public |
| Beilage 18-12 | 2024-04-02 | Not public |
| Beilage 9 | 2024-04-02 | Not public |
| Beilage 19 Teil 7 | 2024-04-02 | Not public |
| Beilage 36 | 2024-04-02 | Not public |
| Beilage 18-14 | 2024-04-02 | Not public |
| Beilage 12 | 2024-04-02 | Not public |
| Anlagenkonvolut BB 1 | 2024-04-02 | Not public |
| Beilage 52 | 2024-04-02 | Not public |
| Beilage 29 | 2024-04-02 | Not public |
| Beilage 19 Teil 5 | 2024-04-02 | Not public |
| Beilage 39 | 2024-04-02 | Not public |
| Beilage 4 | 2024-04-02 | Not public |
| Beilage 19 Teil 1 | 2024-04-02 | Not public |
| Beilage 18-10 | 2024-04-02 | Not public |
| Beilage 1 | 2024-04-02 | Not public |
| Beilage 19 Teil 8 | 2024-04-02 | Not public |
| Beilage 18-5 | 2024-04-02 | Not public |
| Beilage 49 | 2024-04-02 | Not public |
| Beilage 28 | 2024-04-02 | Not public |
| Beilage 47 | 2024-04-02 | Not public |
| Beilage 48 | 2024-04-02 | Not public |
| Beilage 41 | 2024-04-02 | Not public |
| Beilage 45 | 2024-04-02 | Not public |
| Beilage 57 | 2024-04-02 | Not public |
| Beilage 21 | 2024-04-02 | Not public |
| Beilage 40 | 2024-04-02 | Not public |
| Beilage 18-15 | 2024-04-02 | Not public |
| Beilage 35 | 2024-04-02 | Not public |
| Beilage 43 | 2024-04-02 | Not public |
| Beilage 19 Teil 2 | 2024-04-02 | Not public |
| Beilage 18-9 | 2024-04-02 | Not public |
| Beilage 14 | 2024-04-02 | Not public |
| Beilage 32 | 2024-04-02 | Not public |
| Beilage 10 | 2024-04-02 | Not public |
| Beilage 54 | 2024-04-02 | Not public |
| Beilage 18-3 | 2024-04-02 | Not public |
| Beilage 27 | 2024-04-02 | Not public |
| Beilage 55 | 2024-04-02 | Not public |
| Beilage 6 | 2024-04-02 | Not public |
| Beilage 13 | 2024-04-02 | Not public |
| Anlage BB 3 | 2024-04-02 | Not public |
| Beilage 18-11 | 2024-04-02 | Not public |
| Beilage 8 | 2024-04-02 | Not public |
| Beilage 38 | 2024-04-02 | Not public |
| Beilage 31 | 2024-04-02 | Not public |
| Beilage 33 | 2024-04-02 | Not public |
| Beilage 18-1 | 2024-04-02 | Not public |
| Beilage 22 | 2024-04-02 | Not public |
| Beilage 50 | 2024-04-02 | Not public |
| Beilage 30 | 2024-04-02 | Not public |
| Anlage BB 2 | 2024-04-02 | Not public |
| Anlage BB4 | 2024-04-02 | Not public |
| Beilage 19 Teil 3 | 2024-04-02 | Not public |
| Beilage 19 Teil 4 | 2024-04-02 | Not public |
| Beilage 7 | 2024-04-02 | Not public |
| Beilage 18-2 | 2024-04-02 | Not public |
| Beilage 18-7 | 2024-04-02 | Not public |
| Beilage 18-13 | 2024-04-02 | Not public |
| Beilage 15 | 2024-04-02 | Not public |
| Beilage 25 | 2024-04-02 | Not public |
| Beilage 34 | 2024-04-02 | Not public |
| Beilage 2 | 2024-04-02 | Not public |
| Beilage 26 | 2024-04-02 | Not public |
| Beilage 37 | 2024-04-02 | Not public |
| Anlage BB5 | 2024-04-02 | Not public |
| Beilage 11 | 2024-04-02 | Not public |
| Beilage 59 | 2024-04-02 | Not public |
| Beilage 18-4 | 2024-04-02 | Not public |
| Beilage 44 | 2024-04-02 | Not public |
| Beilage 24 | 2024-04-02 | Not public |
| Beilage 5 | 2024-04-02 | Not public |
| Beilage 23 | 2024-04-02 | Not public |
| Beilage 16 | 2024-04-02 | Not public |
| Beilage 51 | 2024-04-02 | Not public |
| Beilage 46 | 2024-04-02 | Not public |
| Beilage 58 | 2024-04-02 | Not public |
| Beilage 18-6 | 2024-04-02 | Not public |
| 02-04-2024 Klageewiderung | 2024-04-02 | Not public |
| Beilage 53 | 2024-04-02 | Not public |
| Beilage 3 | 2024-04-02 | Not public |
| Beilage 18-8 | 2024-04-02 | Not public |
| Beilage 56 | 2024-04-02 | Not public |
| Beilage 19 Teil 6 | 2024-04-02 | Not public |
| Confirmation of notification of appointment | 2024-02-19 | Not public |
| B2_postal service | 2024-02-19 | Not public |
| Confirmation of notification of appointment | 2024-02-19 | Not public |
| B1_Postal service | 2024-02-19 | Not public |
| Acknowledgement of access to case | 2024-02-14 | Not public |
| Acknowledgement of access to case | 2024-02-07 | Not public |
| epoUploadDocumentsWorkflow | 2024-01-25 | Not public |
| Document from EPO | 2024-01-25 | Not public |
| Letter for Service | 2024-01-19 | Not public |
| Letter for Service | 2024-01-19 | Not public |
| Panel-Appointment | 2024-01-19 | Not public |
| EPO-Request-for-case-pending | 2024-01-19 | Not public |
| Receipt | 2024-01-19 | Not public |
| Formal-checks_Notification-of-positive-outcome | 2024-01-19 | Not public |
| Acknowledgement-of-lodging | 2024-01-17 | Not public |
| Anlage KAP 06 - DE | 2024-01-17 | Not public |
| Anlage KAP 01 - DE | 2024-01-17 | Not public |
| Anlage KAP 03 - DE | 2024-01-17 | Not public |
| Anlage KAP 09 - DE | 2024-01-17 | Not public |
| Anlage KAP 07 - DE | 2024-01-17 | Not public |
| Anlage KAP 04 - DE | 2024-01-17 | Not public |
| Anlage KAP 13 - DE | 2024-01-17 | Not public |
| Anlage KAP 15 - FR | 2024-01-17 | Not public |
| Anlage KAP 05 - DE | 2024-01-17 | Not public |
| Anlage KAP 11 - DE | 2024-01-17 | Not public |
| 2024-01-17 Klage Ortovox | 2024-01-17 | Not public |
| Anlage KAP 10 - DE | 2024-01-17 | Not public |
| Anlage KAP 12 - DE | 2024-01-17 | Not public |
| Anlage KAP 08 - DE | 2024-01-17 | Not public |
| Anlage KAP 02 - DE | 2024-01-17 | Not public |
| Anlage KAP 14 - DE | 2024-01-17 | Not public |
Ortovox Sportartikel GmbH sued Mammut Sports Group AG and GmbH before the Düsseldorf Local Division for infringement of EP 3 466 498 B1, a patent for an avalanche search transceiver. The court found both direct and indirect infringement (including through customer-activated functions), granted a permanent injunction, ordered recall and removal from distribution channels, and declared Mammut's liability for damages (with EUR 3,000 preliminary award). The revocation counterclaim was dismissed and costs were split with claimant bearing 80% of infringement action costs and defendants bearing costs of the revocation counterclaim.
Direct and indirect infringement established: defendant must bear responsibility for customer activation of infringing functions where it instructs customers to activate and knowingly exploits such activation
ClaimantLegal basis: Art. 25, 26 UPCANote: The Düsseldorf Local Division held that where a device in its offered state requires customer activation of certain functions to realise all patent claim features, the infringer is liable where it instructs or knowingly exploits such activation; both direct and indirect infringement were established.
Destruction ordered rather than software deactivation; deactivation only acceptable if re-enabling to infringing state is impossible
ClaimantLegal basis: Art. 64 UPCANote: The court ordered destruction unless software deactivation would reliably and permanently prevent the device from being re-enabled in an infringing state.
Publication of decision not warranted where claimant's protection already addressed by other measures
RespondentLegal basis: Art. 80 UPCANote: The court exercised its discretion under Art. 80 UPCA and declined to order publication, finding that the claimant's interests were already adequately addressed by the injunction and other corrective measures.
Patent EP 3 466 498 is invalid (counterclaim for revocation) — novelty and inventive step
RespondentLegal basis: Art. 65 UPCA; Art. 54, 56 EPCReason: The revocation counterclaim was dismissed; the court found the patent valid, upholding novelty and inventive step.
Browse other cases on this principle.
The key claim construction issue concerned whether the accused avalanche transceiver in its offered state realised all features of the patent claim. The court held that where customer activation of certain functions is needed, liability attaches when the defendant instructs or knowingly exploits such activation, bridging the gap between the device as offered and the claimed device as fully realised.