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UPC CFI 308/2023

Sep 12, 2023·EP3456214 +1 more: VAPORIZER

Case details
Status
Case Closed
Action
Revocation
Category
Main Revocation Action
Parties
Claimants
Reps: Henrik Holzapfel (McDermott Will & Schulte)
Respondents
Reps: Bernhard Thum (Thum & Partner); Jonas Weickert (Thum & Partner); Andreas Mötsch (Thum & Partner); Tobias Wuttke (Bardehle Pagenberg)
Division
Paris CD
Judges
Technology
Consumer Goods · E-Cigarettes · Pharmaceutical & Medical
Language
English
First decided
Jan 22, 2024
Claims
At issue1, 13, 14
Revokedall
Notes: EP 3 456 214 revoked entirely; claims 13 and 14 specifically discussed and found obvious; defendant's request for partial maintenance rejected as insufficiently substantiated.
Decisions
  • 2024-11-27
    RevokedRevocation meritsRevocation Action

    The Central Division Paris revoked European patent EP 3 456 214 (relating to a vaporizer/e-cigarette device) in its entirety. The patent was found to lack inventive step over the prior art. All auxiliary requests for partial maintenance were rejected as either unsubstantiated or unreasonable in number. The defendant (patent proprietor VMR Products LLC) was ordered to bear the litigation costs.

    Legal issues:Front-loaded procedure and admission of new evidence in revocationClaim interpretation and common general knowledgeInventive step assessmentAdmission of new invalidity groundsReasonableness of number of auxiliary requests under Rule 30(1)(c) RoP
  • 2024-01-22
    Revocation Action

    The Paris Central Division issued a procedural order in the NJOY v. VMR Products revocation action, ruling on the date of service of VMR's defence to revocation, determining that service was effected on 13 December 2023 when the Registry notified the corrected defence to NJOY.

    Legal issues:Date of service of defence to revocationRule 9 RoP: court declaration on procedural time limits
Documents
Document titleDatePublic
Receipt2026-01-29Not public
Cover sheet2026-01-29Not public
Application document Applicant2026-01-29Not public
Decision anonymized - 27.11.20242024-11-28Not public
Headnote-and-Keywords2024-11-27Not public
DecisionOutcome2024-11-27Not public
decision2024-11-27Public
decision2024-11-27Not public
Confirmation of appointment - audio record2024-11-04Not public
Outcome of the Order2024-11-04Not public
Confirmation of appointment - audio record 576515-20232024-11-04Not public
Confirmation of appointment - audio record 576515-20232024-11-04Public
Receipt2024-10-22Not public
Application for access to recording of oral hearing2024-10-19Not public
Hearing Reference2024-10-16Not public
Hearing Reference2024-10-16Not public
interimProcedureClosure2024-10-09Not public
summons2024-10-09Not public
rule 1082024-10-09Public
rule 1082024-10-09Not public
rule 1082024-10-09Not public
Outcome of the Order2024-10-09Not public
closing workflow2024-10-09Public
Receipt2024-09-30Not public
VMR-19891-KPN-UPC_Application to reduce the number of axiliary requests EP 214_UPC_CFI_308_2023_20240930_signed2024-09-30Not public
VMR-19891-KPN-UPC_Selected Auxiliary Requests EP 214_UPC_CFI_308_2023_202409302024-09-30Not public
Outcome of the Order2024-06-12Not public
closing workflow2024-06-12Public
Outcome of the Order2024-06-12Not public
closing workflow2024-06-12Public
Outcome of the Order2024-06-12Not public
closing workflow2024-06-12Public
Hearing-Dates2024-06-12Not public
rule 1052024-06-12Public
Receipt2024-05-15Not public
UPC_571565_2023 - EP214 - Submission regarding the value of the case_14 May 2024_signed2024-05-14Not public
Receipt2024-05-14Not public
Comments on litigation value2024-05-14Not public
Hearing Reference2024-05-13Not public
Hearing Reference2024-05-13Not public
Fix-Interim-Conference-Date2024-05-06Not public
rule 352024-05-06Public
interimConferenceDecision2024-05-06Not public
writtenProcedureClosure2024-05-06Not public
Receipt2024-05-06Not public
UPC_CFI_308_2023 - ACT_571565_2023 - EP 214 - Response to further submission of NJOY_TuP_signed2024-05-02Not public
Outcome of the Order2024-04-19Not public
closing workflow2024-04-19Public
Receipt2024-04-15Not public
Exhibit MWE 452024-04-15Not public
Exhibit MWE 442024-04-15Not public
Exhibit MWE 462024-04-15Not public
Reply to the Rejoinder and Reply to Defendant's Application to amend the patent2024-04-15Not public
Exhibit MWE 25a2024-04-15Not public
Exhibit MWE 26a2024-04-15Not public
Exhibit MWE 412024-04-15Not public
Exhibit MWE 422024-04-15Not public
Exhibit MWE 432024-04-15Not public
Hearing-Dates2024-04-09Not public
rule 282024-04-09Public
UPC_CFI_308_2023 - UPC_CFI_311_2023 - TuP - Reply to Order Rule 28 RoP - 3 April 2024 - confirmation of hearing dates -2024-04-03Not public
Exhibit Summons for oral proceedings on 17 Oct 20242024-04-02Not public
Reply to Order 28 RoP re date setting2024-04-02Not public
rule 282024-03-27Not public
Acknowledgement-of-lodging2024-03-13Not public
UPC_CFI_308_2023 - ACT_571565_2023 EP 214 - Rejoinder - TuP_signed2024-03-13Not public
Exhibit TP-9 - Counter opinion of Dr. Collins responsive to Hajaligol Declaration - TuP2024-03-13Not public
Exhibit TP-10 - CV of Dr. Collins - TuP2024-03-13Not public
Reply to Order 28 RoP re date setting2024-03-11Not public
UPC_CFI_308_2023 - ACT_571565_2023 EP 214 - Request for rescheduling main oral hearing - TuP - 8 March 2024_Signed2024-03-08Not public
Exhibit TP-7 - summons of the Board of Appeal for 10 October 2024 (1)2024-03-08Not public
Exhibit TP-8 - summons of the District Court of Munich for 9 Oktober 20242024-03-08Not public
rule 282024-03-06Not public
Hearing-Dates2024-03-06Not public
Acknowledgement-of-lodging2024-02-13Not public
Exhibit MWE 322024-02-13Not public
Exhibit MWE 372024-02-13Not public
Exhibit MWE 242024-02-13Not public
Exhibit MWE 182024-02-13Not public
Exhibit MWE 332024-02-13Not public
Exhibit MWE 392024-02-13Not public
Exhibit MWE 312024-02-13Not public
Exhibit MWE 182024-02-13Not public
Exhibit MWE 272024-02-13Not public
Exhibit MWE 302024-02-13Not public
Exhibit MWE 352024-02-13Not public
Exhibit MWE 232024-02-13Not public
Reply to Defence to revocation2024-02-13Not public
Exhibit MWE 402024-02-13Not public
Exhibit MWE 172024-02-13Not public
Exhibit MWE 212024-02-13Not public
Exhibit MWE 222024-02-13Not public
Exhibit MWE 192024-02-13Not public
Exhibit MWE 262024-02-13Not public
Exhibit MWE 202024-02-13Not public
Exhibit MWE 292024-02-13Not public
Exhibit MWE 362024-02-13Not public
Exhibit MWE 382024-02-13Not public
Exhibit MWE 342024-02-13Not public
Exhibit MWE 352024-02-13Not public
Exhibit MWE 282024-02-13Not public
Exhibit MWE 30a2024-02-13Not public
Exhibit MWE 252024-02-13Not public
Outcome of the Order2024-01-22Not public
rule 92024-01-22Not public
Receipt2024-01-03Not public
Application re confirmation of deadline for Claimant's Reply2024-01-03Not public
Outcome of the Order2023-12-21Not public
closing workflow2023-12-21Not public
Template-Order2023-12-21Not public
closing workflow2023-12-21Not public
Template-Order2023-12-21Not public
closing workflow2023-12-20Not public
Template-Order2023-12-20Not public
Acknowledgement-of-lodging2023-12-13Not public
Formal-checks_Notification-of-positive-outcome2023-12-13Not public
Exhibit TP-5 Parent Application 14159709.62023-12-11Not public
Exhibit TP-2 Expert Opinion Ramon Alarcon -VMR UPC2023-12-11Not public
Exhibit TP-3 CV Ramon Alarcon2023-12-11Not public
UPC_CFI_308_2023 - ACT_571565_2023 - EP214 - Corrected Exhibit TP-5 Parent Application 14159709.62023-12-11Not public
UPC_CFI_308_2023 - ACT_571565_2023 - EP214 - Corrected Statement of Defence of 27 November 2023_signed2023-12-11Not public
Statement of Defence2023-12-11Not public
Exhibit TP-4 Feature analysis of caim 12023-12-11Not public
UPC_CFI_308_2023 - ACT_571565_2023 - EP214 - Formal response to the request for amendments_signed2023-12-11Not public
Exhibit TP-1 B2 Publication of patent in suit EP3456214B22023-12-11Not public
Exhibit TP-6 Claim sets of Auxiliary Requests 1 to 352023-12-11Not public
Formal-checks_Request-for-correction2023-11-27Not public
Acknowledgement-of-lodging2023-11-27Not public
Exhibit TP-4 Feature analysis of caim 12023-11-27Not public
Exhibit TP-1 B2 Publication of patent in suit EP3456214B22023-11-27Not public
Exhibit TP-6 Claim sets of Auxiliary Requests 1 to 352023-11-27Not public
Exhibit TP-5 Parent Application 14159709.62023-11-27Not public
Statement of Defence2023-11-27Not public
Exhibit TP-3 CV Ramon Alarcon2023-11-27Not public
Exhibit TP-2 Expert Opinion Ramon Alarcon -VMR UPC2023-11-27Not public
Receipt2023-11-23Not public
Comments on third-party request for access to files2023-11-22Not public
Outcome of the Order2023-11-10Not public
closing workflow2023-11-10Not public
Outcome of the Order2023-11-10Not public
closing workflow2023-11-10Not public
Template-Order2023-11-10Not public
Outcome of the Order2023-11-10Not public
closing workflow2023-11-10Not public
Outcome of the Order2023-11-10Not public
request for time extension2023-11-10Not public
request for time extension2023-11-10Not public
Receipt2023-11-03Not public
Application re Defendant's request for extension of deadline2023-11-03Not public
Receipt2023-11-02Not public
Submission reactive to Claimant's comments on request for time extension2023-11-02Not public
Outcome of the Order2023-10-31Not public
request for file inspection2023-10-31Not public
Receipt2023-10-23Not public
Application re Defendant's request for extension of deadline2023-10-23Not public
Receipt2023-10-20Not public
Application for time extension2023-10-19Not public
Receipt2023-10-19Not public
Application for file inspection2023-10-18Not public
epoUploadDocumentsWorkflow2023-09-26Not public
Document from EPO2023-09-26Not public
Notification Of Service2023-09-22Not public
Panel-Appointment2023-09-22Not public
Acknowledgement of access to case2023-09-20Not public
EPO-Request-for-case-pending2023-09-14Not public
Acknowledgement-of-lodging2023-09-14Not public
Formal-checks_Notification-of-positive-outcome2023-09-14Not public
Exhibit MWE 14 Thompson2023-09-14Not public
Exhibit MWE 62023-09-14Not public
Exhibit MWE 12 Monsees2023-09-14Not public
Exhibit MWE 82023-09-14Not public
Revocation Action EP 3 456 2142023-09-14Not public
Exhibit MWE 52023-09-14Not public
Exhibit MWE 10 Cross2023-09-14Not public
Exhibit MWE 12023-09-14Not public
Exhibit MWE 2a2023-09-14Not public
Exhibit MWE 13 Kofford2023-09-14Not public
Exhibit MWE 162023-09-14Not public
Corrected Statement for revocation of EP 3 456 2142023-09-14Not public
Exhibit MWE 152023-09-14Not public
Exhibit MWE 72023-09-14Not public
Exhibit MWE 11 Lee2023-09-14Not public
Exhibit MWE 22023-09-14Not public
Exhibit MWE 9 Pan2023-09-14Not public
Exhibit MWE 42023-09-14Not public
Exhibit MWE 11 Lee2023-09-14Not public
Exhibit MWE 32023-09-14Not public
Formal-checks_Request-for-correction2023-09-12Not public
Exhibit MWE 82023-09-11Not public
Exhibit MWE 12023-09-11Not public
Exhibit MWE 72023-09-11Not public
Exhibit MWE 62023-09-11Not public
Exhibit MWE 42023-09-11Not public
Exhibit MWE 32023-09-11Not public
Exhibit MWE 13 Kofford2023-09-11Not public
Exhibit MWE 152023-09-11Not public
Exhibit MWE 9 Pan2023-09-11Not public
Exhibit MWE 11 Lee2023-09-11Not public
Exhibit MWE 11 Lee2023-09-11Not public
Exhibit MWE 22023-09-11Not public
Exhibit MWE 52023-09-11Not public
Exhibit MWE 14 Thompson2023-09-11Not public
Revocation Action EP 3 456 2142023-09-11Not public
Exhibit MWE 2a2023-09-11Not public
Exhibit MWE 10 Cross2023-09-11Not public
Exhibit MWE 12 Monsees2023-09-11Not public
Exhibit MWE 162023-09-11Not public
Coverage: Partial.Reasoning extracted with partial coverage — some sections may be incomplete.
Plain-English summary

NJOY Netherlands brought a revocation action against VMR Products' EP 3 456 214 (a vaporizer/e-cigarette device patent) before the Paris Central Division. The court found the entire patent invalid for lack of inventive step over 'Pan' and related prior art, rejected all auxiliary requests as either unsubstantiated or unreasonable in number, and revoked the patent in its entirety across all Contracting Member States. VMR Products was ordered to bear the litigation costs.

Accepted arguments
What the court agreed with — by party.

  • EP 3 456 214 lacks inventive step over the prior art

    ClaimantLegal basis: Art. 56 EPC; Art. 138(1)(a) EPC

    Note: The Central Division Paris found all claims (including those in auxiliary requests) obvious over 'Pan' and other prior art; the patent was revoked in its entirety.

  • New invalidity grounds and new novelty-destroying documents may not be introduced in subsequent written acts beyond the Statement of Revocation

    ClaimantLegal basis: R. 30(1) RoP; front-loaded procedure principles

    Note: This procedural headnote limits the defendant's ability to introduce new prior art after the initial pleading phase.

Rejected arguments
What the court did not agree with — and why.

  • Patent valid: claim 1 and all dependent claims are not obvious

    RespondentLegal basis: Art. 56 EPC

    Reason: All claims found obvious; dependent claims 13 and 14 were also anticipated or obvious over 'Pan'.

  • Partial maintenance: patent should be maintained to the extent of one or more dependent claims in combination with claim 1 of proposed amendments

    RespondentLegal basis: Art. 65(3) UPCA; R.30(1)(c) RoP; R.50(2) RoP

    Reason: Request was not substantiated (no explanation why particular combinations would support validity) and was unreasonable in number under R.30(1)(c) and R.50(2) RoP.

Key legal principles
Doctrines and rules cited in the reasoning.
Front-loaded procedure: claimant in revocation must specify all invalidity grounds and prior art in the Statement of Revocation; new grounds and novelty-destroying documents may not be introduced in subsequent briefs unless responsive to defendant's defenceProportionality and procedural efficiency: parties should not be burdened with overly detailed allegations of undisputed mattersPatent specification or published patent application can indicate common general knowledge when the author states the teaching is widely knownPartial maintenance request must be substantiated and reasonable in number; bare unsubstantiated reference to combinations is insufficient (R.30(1)(c), R.50(2) RoP)

Browse other cases on this principle.

Prior art relied on
References cited and the role they played.
  • Pan (prior art document — vaporizer/e-cigarette with airflow sensor and liquid)Novelty-destroying