- Case details
- StatusCase Closed (No infringement)ActionInfringementCategoryMain infringement action
- Parties
- Respondents
- Guccio Gucci S.p.A.Operating co.
- Marbella Pellami S.p.A.Operating co.
- G Commerce Europe S.p.A.Operating co.
- Gucci Logistica S.p.A.Operating co.
- GG Luxury Goods GmbHOperating co.
- Gucci France SASOperating co.
- GG FRANCE SERVICES SASOperating co.
- Gucci Belgium SAOperating co.
- Gucci Sweden ABOperating co.
Representatives- Benjamin Schröer-Hogan Lovells International LLP
- Division
- Hamburg LD
- Technology
- ChemistryBasic materials chemistry
- Mechanical engineeringTextile and paper machines
- Language
- English
- First decided
- Oct 4, 2023
- Last decision
- Apr 30, 2025
| Infringement found | Median days to first decision | |
|---|---|---|
| All UPC | 53% (62/117) | 124 |
| Hamburg LD | Locked | Locked |
| Judge Sabine Klepsch | Locked | Locked |
| Judge Stefan Schilling | Locked | Locked |
| Judge Camille Lignières | Locked | Locked |
| Judge Laure Sarlin | Locked | Locked |
At the UPC: AGFA NV (12 cases)·Guccio Gucci S.p.A. (3 cases)
This dispute contains 11 other proceedings
UPC CoA 582/2025·UPC CoA 590/2025·UPC CoA 591/2025·UPC CoA 592/2025·UPC CoA 593/2025 and 6 more
Start a free trial to see how each one ended.
More cases: Hamburg LD·2023
- 2025-04-30Infringement ActionPublic
Summary: The Hamburg Local Division dismissed AGFA NV's infringement action against Gucci entities finding that the accused leather goods did not infringe EP 3 170 670 (a patent concerning inkjet-decorated leather), specifically because the ivory-coloured base coat did not constitute a perfect achromatic colour as required by the patent claims; it also dismissed the defendants' counterclaim for revocation.
Show the legal issues (4)
- Claim interpretation (achromatic colour, base coat)
- Feature analysis of inkjet-decorated leather patent
- Counterclaim for revocation dismissed
- Late filed validity attack (R. 25 RoP)
- 2024-08-09Application RoP262APublic
Summary: Hamburg Local Division issued a confidentiality order under R.262A RoP protecting supply chain and trade secret information submitted by Gucci defendants in their Statement of Defence and Rejoinder. Access was restricted to named representatives of AGFA NV. The order replaced a preliminary order of 2 July.
Show the legal issues (3)
- Confidentiality order under R.262A RoP
- Trade secrets – supply chain information
- Access restrictions to confidential documents
- 2023-10-04Infringement ActionPublic
Summary: The Hamburg Local Division issued an order granting extension of deadlines for multiple defendants (Gucci entities) to file their defence, aligning deadlines and addressing the appointment of a common electronic service representative, in an infringement action involving Guccio Gucci S.p.A. and related entities.
Show the legal issues (3)
- Extension of deadlines (Rules 19.1, 23 RoP)
- Multiple defendants
- Electronic service
- —revocation counterclaim
Summary: I. The infringement action is dismissed. II. The counterclaim for revocation is dismissed. III. The Claimant shall bear 40% and the Defendants shall bear 60% of the costs of the proceedings.
| Document title | Date | Public |
|---|---|---|
| Receipt | 2026-06-01 | Not public |
| Cover sheet | 2026-06-01 | Not public |
| Fee | 2026-06-01 | Not public |
| Proof of payment | 2026-06-01 | Not public |
| Application document Applicant | 2026-06-01 | Not public |
| Exhibit Applicant | 2026-06-01 | Not public |
| Exhibit Applicant | 2026-06-01 | Not public |
| Exhibit Applicant | 2026-06-01 | Not public |
| Exhibit Applicant | 2026-06-01 | Not public |
| Exhibit Applicant | 2026-06-01 | Not public |
AGFA NV sued Gucci entities for infringement of its inkjet-decorated leather patent EP 3 170 670, asserting that ivory-coloured base coats on Gucci leather goods met the 'perfect achromatic colour' requirement of claim 1. The Hamburg Local Division dismissed the infringement action, finding that ivory is not a perfect achromatic colour, so the key claim feature was not satisfied. Both the infringement action and Gucci's invalidity counterclaim were dismissed, with costs split 40% (AGFA) / 60% (Gucci) reflecting each side's partial failure.
Ivory-coloured base coat does not constitute a 'perfect achromatic colour' as required by claim 1 of the patent
RespondentLegal basis: Art. 69 EPCNote: The Hamburg Local Division found that the ivory base coat on Gucci's leather goods is not a perfect achromatic colour (black, white, or grey), defeating infringement of claim feature 1.1.1.
Patent's 'own lexicon' interpretation principle is limited to description parts related to the specific feature in question
RespondentLegal basis: Art. 69 EPCNote: The court held that a patent may serve as its own lexicon only for description parts directly relating to the feature at issue; description specifications inconsistent with the granted claims cannot support a broad claim interpretation.
Counterclaimant cannot introduce new invalidity grounds or new novelty-destroying documents for the first time at the oral hearing
ClaimantLegal basis: Rule 25 RoPNote: The court confirmed that new invalidity documents cannot be introduced at oral hearing stage for the first time, preserving procedural fairness.
Gucci's leather goods (Pikarar Padlock Bag and Loafers) infringe claim 1 and claim 10 of AGFA's patent
ClaimantLegal basis: Art. 69 EPCReason: The ivory-coloured base coat does not satisfy claim feature 1.1.1 (perfect achromatic colour), and without this feature neither claim 1 nor dependent claim 10 is infringed; accordingly the Gillette/private prior use defence was also not reached.
Counterclaim for revocation of the patent should succeed
RespondentLegal basis: Art. 65 UPCAReason: The court dismissed the invalidity counterclaim; excerpts do not detail the specific grounds rejected but the counterclaim was unsuccessful.
Browse other cases on this principle.
The central claim construction issue was the meaning of 'achromatic colour' in EP 3 170 670 (inkjet-decorated leather). The court interpreted 'perfect achromatic colour' as requiring true black, white, or grey, not ivory. It rejected AGFA's attempt to use description passages inconsistent with the granted claims to broaden this term, applying the principle that the patent's own-lexicon role is limited to description parts directly relating to the feature at issue.