UPClytics
ENDE
Sign inStart trial
View all cases

UPC CFI 309/2023

Sep 12, 2023·EP3498115 · VAPORIZATION DEVICE SYSTEMS AND METHODS

Action number: ACT 571669/2023

Follow
Case details
Status
Case Closed (Patent revoked)
Action
Revocation
Category
Main revocation action
Parties
Respondents
Representatives
Division
Paris CD
Judges
Technology
  • Electrical engineering
    Electrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • Instruments
    Medical technology
  • Other fields
    Other consumer goods
Language
English
First decided
Nov 5, 2024
Last decision
Jun 9, 2025
EPO Opposition
How this compares
The court's record for this kind of case, counted in first-instance rulings. A figure in brackets is the number of rulings a rate rests on.
Patent revokedMedian days to first decision
All UPC37% (34/91)124
Paris CDLockedLocked
Judge François ThomasLockedLocked
Judge Maximilian HaedickeLockedLocked
Judge Max TilmannLockedLocked

At the UPC: Altria Group (45 cases)·Juul Labs Group (33 cases)

Start 14-day free trialAlready a user? Sign in
Related cases
All proceedings on this patent

This dispute contains 17 other proceedings

UPC CFI 531/2026·UPC CFI 537/2026·UPC CFI 538/2026·UPC CoA 328/2025·UPC CFI 298/2025 and 12 more

5 other defendants litigating the same or a related patent

UPC CFI 330/2023·APL 588420/2023·APL 588422/2023·APL 588423/2023·APL 588426/2023

Start a free trial to see how each one ended.

More cases: Paris CD·2023

Decisions
  • 2025-06-09
    Public

    Summary: Order of the Central Division (Paris Seat) on an application by Meissner Bolte law firm for access to written pleadings and evidence filed in revocation proceedings (ACT_571669/2023) between NJOY Netherlands B.V. and Juul Labs International, Inc. concerning EP 3 498 115. The Court granted the access request under Rule 262.1(b) RoP, finding that once first-instance proceedings have ended, the general public interest in understanding the decision outweighs confidentiality concerns.

    Show the legal issues (3)
    • Public access to pleadings Rule 262.1(b) RoP
    • Balance of interests between transparency and integrity of proceedings
    • Access post first-instance decision
  • 2024-11-05
    Revocation ActionPublic

    Summary: Paris Central Division (Section 1) revoked European Patent EP 3 498 115 B1 (Juul Labs - vaping device cartridge) in full, with effect for Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Latvia, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal and Sweden. The Court found the patent invalid for added matter (Art. 138(1)(c) / Art. 123(2) EPC). All of Juul Labs' auxiliary requests to amend the patent were rejected. Juul Labs ordered to bear costs.

    Show the legal issues (4)
    • Revocation for added matter (Art. 123(2) EPC / Art. 138(1)(c) EPC)
    • Claim interpretation (Art. 65.3 UPCA)
    • Application to amend patent
    • Person skilled in the art
Documents
Document titleDatePublic
Receipt2026-02-09Not public
Cover sheet2026-02-09Not public
Application document Applicant2026-02-09Not public
Outcome of the Order2025-03-17Not public
order2025-03-17Public
Outcome of the Order2025-03-17Not public
order2025-03-17Public
Template-Order2025-03-17Not public
Headnote-and-Keywords2024-11-06Not public
order on patent2024-11-06Public
DecisionOutcome2024-11-05Not public
order on patent2024-11-05Public
Outcome of the Order2024-10-08Not public
Confirmation appointment 17-10-20242024-10-08Public
Receipt2024-10-08Not public
Application for access to recording of oral hearing2024-10-07Not public
Receipt2024-10-01Not public
Application for access to recording of oral hearing2024-09-30Not public
Oral Hearing 10 September 20242024-09-26Not public
Oral Hearing 10 September 20242024-09-26Not public
Interim Conference 27 June 20242024-09-26Not public
Interim Conference 27 June 20242024-09-26Not public
interimProcedureClosure2024-09-06Not public
Outcome of the Order2024-09-04Not public
order closing workflow2024-09-04Public
Outcome of the Order2024-09-04Not public
order closing workflows2024-09-04Public
summons2024-09-03Not public
order2024-09-03Public
Template-Order2024-09-03Not public
Hearing-Dates2024-09-03Not public
order on value2024-09-03Public
Receipt2024-09-03Not public
Request for admission of additional persons to courtroom2024-09-03Not public
Receipt2024-09-02Not public
Receipt2024-09-02Not public
UPC_CFI_309_2023 - ACT_571669_2023 - EP 115 - 20 pages summary - final_signed2024-08-30Not public
Summary of Claimant's pleading2024-08-30Not public
order on value2024-08-23Public
EP115 Auxiliary Requests I to XII - reduced for oral hearing_final2024-07-22Not public
UPC_CFI_309_2023 - Application to reduce the number of auxiliary requests - EP115 - signed2024-07-22Not public
UPC_CFI_309_2023_Comments on litigation value - EP115_TP_signed2024-07-22Not public
Comments on litigation value2024-07-20Not public
Comments on litigation value2024-07-20Not public
Outcome of the Order2024-07-16Not public
order closing workflow after Druckexemplar2024-07-16Public
order after IC2024-07-09Not public
writtenProcedureClosure2024-07-09Not public
order after interim conference2024-07-05Not public
Outcome of the Order2024-07-04Not public
closing workflow2024-07-04Public
Outcome of the Order2024-07-04Not public
closing workflow2024-07-04Public
Receipt2024-07-02Not public
Exhibit MWE 51 Druckexemplar2024-07-02Not public
Filing Druckexemplar2024-07-02Not public
Outcome of the Order2024-06-28Not public
closing workflow2024-06-28Public
Receipt2024-05-31Not public
UPC_CFI 309_2023 - ACT_571669_2023 - EP 115 - Response to further submission of NJOY and summary of topics for interim2024-05-31Not public
Receipt2024-05-31Not public
Summary of suggested topics for the Interim Conference2024-05-31Not public
order2024-05-24Public
Hearing-Dates2024-05-13Not public
order2024-05-13Public
Receipt2024-04-23Not public
Exhibit MWE 502024-04-22Not public
Reply to the Rejoinder and Reply to Defendant's Application to amend the Patent2024-04-22Not public
Exhibit MWE 31a2024-04-22Not public
Exhibit MWE 472024-04-22Not public
Exhibit MWE 482024-04-22Not public
Exhibit MWE 30a2024-04-22Not public
Exhibit MWE 492024-04-22Not public
Exhibit MWE 462024-04-22Not public
Exhibit MWE 452024-04-22Not public
TuP - Reply to Preliminary Order Rule 28 RoP - 25 March 2024 - confirmation of hearing dates for Juul cases_signed2024-03-25Not public
Acknowledgement-of-lodging2024-03-22Not public
Exhibit TP-10 - Decision of the EPO Opposition Division with grounds2024-03-22Not public
Exhibit TP-11 - Notice of appeal and EPO receipt acknowledgement2024-03-22Not public
Exhibit TP-13 - CV Ramon Alarcon2024-03-22Not public
UPC_CFI_309_2023 - ACT_571669_2023 - EP 115 - Rejoinder TuP_ signed2024-03-22Not public
Exhibit TP-12 - Declaration of Ramon Alarcon - Counter opinion to Hajalogol declaration2024-03-22Not public
Reply to Order 28 RoP re date setting2024-03-22Not public
order date setting2024-03-18Not public
order date setting2024-03-18Not public
order date setting2024-03-18Not public
Acknowledgement-of-lodging2024-02-22Not public
Exhibit MWE 262024-02-22Not public
Exhibit MWE 422024-02-22Not public
Exhibit MWE 432024-02-22Not public
Exhibit MWE 292024-02-22Not public
Exhibit MWE 392024-02-22Not public
Exhibit MWE 352024-02-22Not public
Exhibit MWE 252024-02-22Not public
Exhibit MWE 232024-02-22Not public
Exhibit MWE 382024-02-22Not public
Exhibit MWE 322024-02-22Not public
Exhibit MWE 272024-02-22Not public
Exhibit MWE 372024-02-22Not public
Exhibit MWE 212024-02-22Not public
Exhibit MWE 222024-02-22Not public
Exhibit MWE 402024-02-22Not public
Exhibit MWE 282024-02-22Not public
Exhibit MWE 252024-02-22Not public
Exhibit MWE 442024-02-22Not public
Exhibit MWE 362024-02-22Not public
Exhibit MWE 302024-02-22Not public
Reply to Statement of defence2024-02-22Not public
Exhibit MWE 312024-02-22Not public
Exhibit MWE 192024-02-22Not public
Exhibit MWE 342024-02-22Not public
Exhibit MWE 242024-02-22Not public
Exhibit MWE 202024-02-22Not public
Exhibit MWE 332024-02-22Not public
Exhibit MWE 412024-02-22Not public
exhibit 1 - MLD - ACT 459987_2023 - Conflicting Hearing Dates - first request by MLD2024-02-12Not public
Reply to Preliminary Order Rule 28 RoP - 12 Feb 2024 - Juul cases_BT_signed2024-02-12Not public
exhibit 3 - MLD - ACT 459987_2023 - Conflicting Hearing-Dates - second request by MLD2024-02-12Not public
exhibit 2 - MLD - ACT 459987_2023 - Conflicting Hearing Dates - first summons by MLD2024-02-12Not public
Reply to Order 28 RoP re date setting2024-02-09Not public
preliminary order2024-01-26Not public
Hearing-Dates2024-01-26Not public
Outcome of the Order2024-01-22Not public
order2024-01-22Not public
Receipt2024-01-08Not public
Application re confirmation of deadline for Claimant's Reply2024-01-03Not public
Acknowledgement-of-lodging2023-12-22Not public
Formal-checks_Notification-of-positive-outcome2023-12-22Not public
Exhibit TP-9 - Document containing claim sets for Auxiliary Requests 1 to 572023-12-21Not public
UPC_CFI_309_2023 - ACT_571669_2023 - EP115 - Application pursuant to RgR16.1 (b)_signed2023-12-21Not public
Exhibit TP-8 - International publication WO 2015100361 A1 (grandparent)2023-12-21Not public
UPC_CFI_309_2023 - ACT_571669_2023 - EP115 - Corrected Statement of Defence of 4 December 2023_signed2023-12-21Not public
Exhibit TP-7 - European patent application 18000692.6 (parent application)2023-12-21Not public
Exhibit TP-4 - Expert opinion of Dr. John Collins2023-12-21Not public
Exhibit TP-6 - Merriam Webster Compartment2023-12-21Not public
Exhibit TP-5 - CV of Dr. John Collins2023-12-21Not public
UPC_CFI_309_2023 - ACT_571669_2023 - EP115 Statement of Defence_TuP_signed2023-12-21Not public
UPC_CFI_309_2023 - ACT_571669_2023 - EP115 - Formal response to request for amendments_signed2023-12-21Not public
UPC_CFI_309_2023 - ACT_571669_2023 - EP115 - Application pursuant to RgR16.1 (b)_signed2023-12-21Not public
Formal-checks_Request-for-correction2023-12-08Not public
Acknowledgement-of-lodging2023-12-04Not public
Exhibit TP-5 - CV of Dr. John Collins2023-12-04Not public
Exhibit TP-7 - European patent application 18000692.6 (parent application)2023-12-04Not public
Exhibit TP-9 - Document containing claim sets for Auxiliary Requests 1 to 572023-12-04Not public
Exhibit TP-8 - International publication WO 2015100361 A1 (grandparent)2023-12-04Not public
Exhibit TP-4 - Expert opinion of Dr. John Collins2023-12-04Not public
UPC_CFI_309_2023 - ACT_571669_2023 - EP115 Statement of Defence_TuP_signed2023-12-04Not public
Exhibit TP-6 - Merriam Webster Compartment2023-12-04Not public
re-upload order case 581180 (ORD_583805_2023)2023-11-24Not public
Outcome of the Order2023-11-06Not public
final order 581436/20232023-11-06Not public
Outcome of the Order2023-11-06Not public
final order 581436/20232023-11-06Not public
Outcome of the Order2023-11-06Not public
final order 581436/20232023-11-06Not public
Outcome of the Order2023-11-06Not public
final order 581436/20232023-11-06Not public
final order 581436/20232023-11-06Not public
Receipt2023-11-03Not public
Preliminary_Objection_DecisionOutcome2023-11-03Not public
final order PO 309 20232023-11-03Not 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 Order2023-10-27Not public
order case 581180-20232023-10-27Not public
commentPreliminaryObjection2023-10-26Not public
Comment on Preliminary objection under Rule 19 ROP2023-10-26Not public
preliminaryObjection2023-10-25Not public
Preliminary Objection according to R. 19 RoP2023-10-25Not public
Exhibit TP-1 to Preliminary Objection2023-10-25Not public
Preliminary Objection according to R. 19 RoP2023-10-25Public
Exhibit TP-1 to Preliminary Objection2023-10-25Not public
Receipt2023-10-24Not public
Application re Defendant's request for extension of deadline2023-10-23Not public
Receipt2023-10-20Not public
Receipt2023-10-20Not public
Application for time extension2023-10-19Not public
Application for file inspection2023-10-18Not public
Acknowledgement of access to case2023-09-25Not public
Notification Of Service2023-09-25Not public
Panel-Appointment2023-09-22Not public
epoUploadDocumentsWorkflow2023-09-19Not public
Document from EPO2023-09-18Not 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 82023-09-13Not public
Exhibit MWE 14 Cross2023-09-13Not public
Revocation Action EP 3 498 1152023-09-13Not public
Exhibit MWE 18 Pan2023-09-13Not public
Exhibit MWE 16 Chen2023-09-13Not public
Corrected Revocation action against EP 3 498 1152023-09-13Not public
Corrected Statement of claim for revocation of EP 3 498 1152023-09-13Not public
Exhibit MWE 15 Thompson2023-09-13Not public
Exhibit MWE 132023-09-13Not public
Exhibit MWE 62023-09-13Not public
Exhibit MWE 12023-09-13Not public
Exhibit MWE 92023-09-13Not public
Exhibit MWE 102023-09-13Not public
Exhibit MWE 32023-09-13Not public
Exhibit MWE 16 Chen2023-09-13Not public
Exhibit MWE 2a2023-09-13Not public
Exhibit MWE 72023-09-13Not public
Exhibit MWE 22023-09-13Not public
Exhibit MWE 42023-09-13Not public
Exhibit MWE 112023-09-13Not public
Exhibit MWE 17 Tucker2023-09-13Not public
Exhibit MWE 122023-09-13Not public
Exhibit MWE 52023-09-13Not public
Formal-checks_Request-for-correction2023-09-12Not public
Exhibit MWE 72023-09-12Not public
Exhibit MWE 132023-09-12Not public
Exhibit MWE 102023-09-12Not public
Exhibit MWE 15 Thompson2023-09-12Not public
Exhibit MWE 112023-09-12Not public
Exhibit MWE 12023-09-12Not public
Exhibit MWE 16 Chen2023-09-12Not public
Exhibit MWE 42023-09-12Not public
Exhibit MWE 32023-09-12Not public
Exhibit MWE 92023-09-12Not public
Exhibit MWE 22023-09-12Not public
Exhibit MWE 52023-09-12Not public
Corrected Statement of claim for revocation of EP 3 498 1152023-09-12Not public
Exhibit MWE 62023-09-12Not public
Revocation Action EP 3 498 1152023-09-12Not public
Exhibit MWE 17 Tucker2023-09-12Not public
Exhibit MWE 2a2023-09-12Not public
Exhibit MWE 16 Chen2023-09-12Not public
Exhibit MWE 18 Pan2023-09-12Not public
Exhibit MWE 82023-09-12Not public
Exhibit MWE 122023-09-12Not public
Exhibit MWE 14 Cross2023-09-12Not public
Formal-checks_Request-for-correction2023-09-12Not public
Exhibit MWE 16 Chen2023-09-11Not public
Exhibit MWE 16 Chen2023-09-11Not public
Exhibit MWE 72023-09-11Not public
Exhibit MWE 122023-09-11Not public
Exhibit MWE 82023-09-11Not public
Exhibit MWE 42023-09-11Not public
Exhibit MWE 2a2023-09-11Not public
Exhibit MWE 62023-09-11Not public
Exhibit MWE 132023-09-11Not public
Exhibit MWE 92023-09-11Not public
Exhibit MWE 12023-09-11Not public
Revocation Action EP 3 498 1152023-09-11Not public
Exhibit MWE 17 Tucker2023-09-11Not public
Exhibit MWE 14 Cross2023-09-11Not public
Exhibit MWE 15 Thompson2023-09-11Not public
Exhibit MWE 22023-09-11Not public
Exhibit MWE 52023-09-11Not public
Exhibit MWE 32023-09-11Not public
Exhibit MWE 18 Pan2023-09-11Not public
Exhibit MWE 112023-09-11Not public
Exhibit MWE 102023-09-11Not public
Plain-English summary

NJOY Netherlands B.V. successfully revoked EP 3 498 115 B1 (Juul Labs International vaping device cartridge patent) before the Paris Central Division on grounds of added matter under Art. 138(1)(c) EPC / Art. 123(2) EPC. All of Juul Labs' twelve auxiliary amendment requests were rejected — most for failing to overcome the added matter defect, and auxiliary request (2)d additionally for being unclear, exceeding a reasonable number, and lacking supporting argument. The court confirmed that Art. 65(3) UPCA does not require evaluating partial allowability of amendment requests.

Accepted arguments
What the court agreed with — by party.

  • Patent EP 3 498 115 B1 invalid for added matter under Art. 123(2) EPC

    ClaimantLegal basis: Art. 138(1)(c) EPC; Art. 123(2) EPC

    Note: Paris Central Division (Section 1) found the patent added matter not disclosed in the parent application; all of Juul Labs' auxiliary requests to amend the patent were rejected.

  • Court may limit patent by amendment and revoke only in part under Art. 65(3) UPCA without being obliged to evaluate if amendment can be allowed in part

    ClaimantLegal basis: Art. 65(3) UPCA; R. 50(2) RoP

    Note: Court held Art. 65(3) UPCA pertains only to the granted patent; within an amendment application, a claim set is either allowable as a whole or not — there is no obligation to evaluate partial allowability.

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

  • Auxiliary requests (2)a through (2)d to amend the patent to overcome added matter objection

    RespondentLegal basis: R. 50.2 RoP; R. 30.1(c) RoP; Art. 65(3) UPCA

    Reason: Most auxiliary requests rejected because the added matter defect was not overcome; auxiliary request (2)d was additionally rejected as unclear (no defined order for claim combinations), unreasonable in number (exceeding the 12-request limit treated as reasonable), and unsupported by argument.

Key legal principles
Doctrines and rules cited in the reasoning.
Added matter (Art. 123(2) EPC) as ground for revocation under Art. 138(1)(c) EPCArt. 65(3) UPCA applies only to granted patent; no obligation to assess partial allowability of amendment applicationAmendment claim set must be clear, precise, and reasonable in number (R. 50.2 RoP)Twelve conditional auxiliary requests treated as upper limit of reasonable numberClaim interpretation is a question of law for the court, performable at any stage

Browse other cases on this principle.

Claim construction notes

Claim interpretation identified as a question of law for the court at any stage of proceedings. The court construed the claims at issue to identify whether added matter was present by reference to the parent application European application 18000692.6.