UPClytics
EnglishDeutsch
Sign inSign up
View all cases

UPC CFI 310/2023

Sep 12, 2023·EP3613453: VAPORIZER

Case details
Status
Case Closed
Action
Revocation
Category
Main Revocation Action
Parties
Claimants
Reps: Henrik Holzapfel (McDermott Will & Schulte); Laura Woll (McDermott Will & Schulte); Diana Pisani (McDermott Will & Schulte); Lisa Nassi (McDermott Will & Schulte); Mathias Karlhuber (Cohausz & Florack)
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, 2025
Claims
At issue1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 11
Revoked1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 11
Maintained6, 7, 8
Notes: Claim 1 lacked inventive step; dependent claims 2-5 and 11 also invalid; claims 6, 7, and 8 independently valid and maintained in combination with claim 1 as granted.
Decisions
  • 2025-01-22
    Partially revokedRevocation meritsRevocation Action

    The Paris Central Division partially revoked EP 3 613 453 B1, finding that claim 1 lacked inventive step; the patent was maintained in amended form based on the independent validity of claims 6, 7 and 8 in combination with claim 1 as granted. Each party bore its own costs.

    Legal issues:Inventive stepCommon general knowledgeLate filed documentsValidity of dependent claimsAuxiliary requests
Documents
Document titleDatePublic
Receipt2026-02-09Not public
Cover sheet2026-02-09Not public
Application document Applicant2026-02-09Not public
Outcome of the Order2025-03-28Not public
procedural order2025-03-28Public
Decision anonymized - 571730 - 22.01.20252025-01-22Not public
DecisionOutcome2025-01-22Not public
Decision2025-01-22Not public
Decision2025-01-22Public
Template-Order2025-01-22Not public
Template-Order2025-01-22Not public
Hearing recording2024-12-03Not public
Hearing recording2024-12-03Not public
Receipt2024-11-28Not public
UPC_CFI_310_2023_EP 453 - response to NJOY's submission_TP_Nov 28_signed2024-11-28Not public
Outcome of the Order2024-11-26Not public
Procedural order2024-11-26Public
Exhibit MWE 552024-09-29Not public
Comments on Defendants Auxiliary Requests2024-09-29Not public
Exhibit MWE 592024-09-29Not public
Exhibit MWE 572024-09-29Not public
Exhibit MWE 582024-09-29Not public
Exhibit MWE 562024-09-29Not public
Outcome of the Order2024-09-09Not public
procedural order2024-09-09Public
Outcome of the Order2024-09-09Not public
procedural order2024-09-09Public
Outcome of the Order2024-08-24Not public
procedural order2024-08-24Public
procedural order2024-08-24Not public
Receipt2024-07-31Not public
Receipt2024-07-31Not public
Receipt2024-07-31Not public
Comments regarding litigaiton value2024-07-30Not public
Application regarding reduced number of ARs_signed2024-07-30Not public
Selected Auxiliary Requests EP 453 - final2024-07-30Not public
Exhibit TP-9 - Information about the result of the oral proceedings at the EPO2024-07-30Not public
Exhibit TP-11 -DRAFT- Amended description paragraphs according to AR I and II2024-07-30Not public
Subsequent Request to amend the patent2024-07-30Not public
Exhibit TP-10 - Claim sets for Auxiliary Requests I and II2024-07-30Not public
Receipt2024-07-30Not public
Comments on litigation value2024-07-30Not public
interimProcedureClosure2024-07-29Not public
summons2024-07-29Not public
procedural order2024-07-29Public
Hearing-Dates2024-07-29Not public
Final procedural order2024-07-09Public
Hearing Reference2024-07-02Not public
Hearing Reference2024-07-02Not public
402D03EP_UPC_CFI_310_2023 - ACT_571730_2023 EP 453 - further submissions - TuP 3 May 2024_signed2024-05-03Not public
Outcome of the Order2024-04-25Not public
procedural order2024-04-24Public
Procedural order2024-04-23Not public
Receipt2024-04-22Not public
Exhibit MWE 522024-04-22Not public
Exhibit MWE 542024-04-22Not public
Exhibit MWE 29a2024-04-22Not public
Exhibit MWE 502024-04-22Not public
Exhibit MWE 492024-04-22Not public
Exhibit MWE 30a2024-04-22Not public
Exhibit MWE 532024-04-22Not public
Exhibit MWE 512024-04-22Not public
Reply to the Rejoinder and Reply to Defendant's Application to amend the Patent2024-04-22Not public
Fix-Interim-Conference-Date2024-04-11Not public
Final order setting dates2024-04-11Public
interimConferenceDecision2024-04-11Not public
writtenProcedureClosure2024-04-11Not public
Hearing-Dates2024-04-11Not public
UPC_CFI_307_2023 - UPC_CFI_310_2023 - TuP - Reply to Order Rule 28 RoP - 8 April 2024 - confirmation of hearing dates_S2024-04-08Not public
Reply to Preliminary Order re date setting2024-04-05Not public
order_RoP 282024-04-03Public
Acknowledgement-of-lodging2024-03-21Not public
Exhibit TP-7 - Counter opinion of Dr. Collins responsive to Hajaligol Declaration - TuP2024-03-21Public
UPC_CFI_310_2023 - ACT_571730_2023 - EP 453 - Rejoinder - TuP_signed2024-03-21Public
Exhibit TP-8 - CV of Dr. Collins - TuP2024-03-21Public
Reply to Order 28 RoP re date setting2024-03-11Not public
Exhibit TP-8 - VMR-19908-KPN-UPC_5715372023_preliminary order RoP 28_571537_23_signed2024-03-08Not public
Exhibit TP-7 - PCD summons in EP825 central revocation action for 7 June 20242024-03-08Not public
UPC_CFI_310_2023 - ACT_571730_2023 EP 453 - Request for rescheduling interim conference - TuP - 8 March 2024_Signed2024-03-08Not public
Preliminary Order2024-03-06Not public
Hearing-Dates2024-03-06Not public
Outcome of the Order2024-02-26Not public
Procedural order2024-02-26Public
Receipt2024-02-23Not public
Reply to Statement of Defence2024-02-21Not public
Acknowledgement-of-lodging2024-02-21Not public
Exhibit MWE 442024-02-21Not public
Exhibit MWE 372024-02-21Not public
Exhibit MWE 332024-02-21Not public
Exhibit MWE 222024-02-21Not public
Exhibit MWE 382024-02-21Not public
Exhibit MWE 482024-02-21Public
Exhibit MWE 232024-02-21Not public
Exhibit MWE 292024-02-21Not public
Exhibit MWE 252024-02-21Not public
Exhibit MWE 402024-02-21Not public
Exhibit MWE 212024-02-21Not public
Reply to Statement of Defence2024-02-21Public
Exhibit MWE 392024-02-21Not public
Exhibit MWE 242024-02-21Not public
Exhibit MWE 272024-02-21Not public
Exhibit MWE 432024-02-21Not public
Exhibit MWE 262024-02-21Not public
Exhibit MWE 422024-02-21Not public
Exhibit MWE 422024-02-21Not public
Exhibit MWE 302024-02-21Not public
Exhibit MWE 282024-02-21Not public
Exhibit MWE 462024-02-21Not public
Exhibit MWE 322024-02-21Not public
Exhibit MWE 472024-02-21Public
Exhibit MWE 362024-02-21Not public
Exhibit MWE 452024-02-21Not public
Exhibit MWE 412024-02-21Not public
Exhibit MWE 342024-02-21Not public
Exhibit MWE 222024-02-21Not public
Exhibit MWE 352024-02-21Not public
Exhibit MWE 312024-02-21Not public
Outcome of the Order2024-01-16Not public
Procedural order2024-01-16Not public
Receipt2024-01-03Not public
Application re confirmation of deadline for Claimant's Reply2024-01-03Not public
Acknowledgement-of-lodging2023-12-21Not public
Formal-checks_Notification-of-positive-outcome2023-12-21Not public
Exhibit TP-2 - CV Ramon Alarcon2023-12-20Not public
Exhibit TP-4 - Parent Application 18201373.02023-12-20Not public
Exhibit TP-5 - Grandparent Application 14159709.62023-12-20Not public
UPC_CFI_310_2023 - ACT_571730_2023 - EP453 - Statement of Defence_TuP_signed2023-12-20Not public
UPC_CFI_310_2023 - ACT_571730_2023 - EP453 - Corrected Statement of Defence of 6 December 2023_signed2023-12-20Not public
Exhibit TP-3 - Amendment to description2023-12-20Not public
Exhibit TP-6 - Claim Sets for Auxiliary Requests2023-12-20Not public
UPC_CFI_310_2023 - ACT_571730_2023_Formal response to request for amendments_signed2023-12-20Not public
Exhibit TP-1 - Expert Opinion Ramon Alarcon -VMR UPC2023-12-20Not public
Formal-checks_Request-for-correction2023-12-08Not public
Acknowledgement-of-lodging2023-12-06Not public
Exhibit TP-6 - Claim Sets for Auxiliary Requests2023-12-06Not public
UPC_CFI_310_2023 - ACT_571730_2023 - EP453 - Statement of Defence_TuP_signed2023-12-06Not public
Exhibit TP-4 - Parent Application 18201373.02023-12-06Not public
Exhibit TP-2 - CV Ramon Alarcon2023-12-06Not public
Exhibit TP-3 - Amendment to description2023-12-06Not public
Exhibit TP-5 - Grandparent Application 14159709.62023-12-06Not public
Exhibit TP-1 - Expert Opinion Ramon Alarcon -VMR UPC2023-12-06Not public
Final order (ORD_585232_2023)2023-11-15Not public
Outcome of the Order2023-11-04Not public
Procedural order2023-11-04Not public
Outcome of the Order2023-11-04Not public
Procedural order2023-11-04Not public
Outcome of the Order2023-11-04Not public
Procedural order2023-11-04Not public
Outcome of the Order2023-11-04Not public
Procedural order2023-11-04Not 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 Order2023-11-01Not public
Generic Procedural Order2023-11-01Not 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
Acknowledgement of access to case2023-09-29Not public
Notification Of Service2023-09-29Not public
Panel-Appointment2023-09-20Not public
epoUploadDocumentsWorkflow2023-09-19Not public
Document from EPO2023-09-18Not public
EPO-Request-for-case-pending2023-09-15Not public
Acknowledgement-of-lodging2023-09-15Not public
Formal-checks_Notification-of-positive-outcome2023-09-15Not public
Exhibit MWE 42023-09-15Not public
Exhibit MWE 1b2023-09-15Not public
Exhibit MWE 17 Thompson2023-09-15Not public
Exhibit MWE 202023-09-15Not public
Exhibit MWE 7 Weigensberg2023-09-15Not public
Exhibit MWE 9 Robinson2023-09-15Not public
Exhibit MWE 12023-09-15Not public
Exhibit MWE 16 Monsees2023-09-15Not public
Exhibit MWE 1a2023-09-15Not public
Revocation Action EP 3 613 4532023-09-15Not public
Exhibit MWE 13 Conley2023-09-15Not public
Exhibit MWE 22023-09-15Not public
Exhibit MWE 6 Cross2023-09-15Not public
Exhibit MWE 32023-09-15Not public
Exhibit MWE 14 Pan2023-09-15Not public
Exhibit MWE 15 Lee2023-09-15Not public
Exhibit MWE 10 Cohen2023-09-15Not public
Corrected Statement of claim for revocation of EP 3 613 4532023-09-15Not public
Exhibit WWE 192023-09-15Not public
Exhibit MWE 8 Trescher2023-09-15Not public
Exhibit MWE 11 Griffin2023-09-15Not public
Exhibit MWE 12 Griffith2023-09-15Not public
Corrected Statement of claim for revocation of EP 3 613 4532023-09-15Not public
Exhibit MWE 15 Lee2023-09-15Not public
Exhibit MWE 52023-09-15Not public
Exhibit MWE 182023-09-15Not public
Exhibit MWE 8 Trescher2023-09-15Not public
Formal-checks_Request-for-correction2023-09-14Not public
Exhibit MWE 11 Griffin2023-09-14Not public
Exhibit MWE 1b2023-09-14Not public
Exhibit MWE 13 Conley2023-09-14Not public
Exhibit MWE 15 Lee2023-09-14Not public
Exhibit MWE 42023-09-14Not public
Exhibit MWE 52023-09-14Not public
Exhibit MWE 10 Cohen2023-09-14Not public
Exhibit MWE 1a2023-09-14Not public
Exhibit MWE 8 Trescher2023-09-14Not public
Corrected Statement of claim for revocation of EP 3 613 4532023-09-14Not public
Exhibit MWE 16 Monsees2023-09-14Not public
Exhibit MWE 7 Weigensberg2023-09-14Not public
Exhibit MWE 14 Pan2023-09-14Not public
Exhibit MWE 15 Lee2023-09-14Not public
Exhibit MWE 8 Trescher2023-09-14Not public
Exhibit MWE 182023-09-14Not public
Exhibit MWE 22023-09-14Not public
Revocation Action EP 3 613 4532023-09-14Not public
Exhibit MWE 6 Cross2023-09-14Not public
Exhibit MWE 9 Robinson2023-09-14Not public
Exhibit MWE 202023-09-14Not public
Exhibit WWE 192023-09-14Not public
Exhibit MWE 12023-09-14Not public
Exhibit MWE 12 Griffith2023-09-14Not public
Exhibit MWE 32023-09-14Not public
Exhibit MWE 17 Thompson2023-09-14Not public
Formal-checks_Request-for-correction2023-09-12Not public
Exhibit MWE 6 Cross2023-09-11Not public
Exhibit MWE 52023-09-11Not public
Exhibit WWE 192023-09-11Not public
Exhibit MWE 16 Monsees2023-09-11Not public
Exhibit MWE 1a2023-09-11Not public
Exhibit MWE 9 Robinson2023-09-11Not public
Exhibit MWE 32023-09-11Not public
Exhibit MWE 17 Thompson2023-09-11Not public
Exhibit MWE 15 Lee2023-09-11Not public
Exhibit MWE 8 Trescher2023-09-11Not public
Exhibit MWE 12 Griffith2023-09-11Not public
Exhibit MWE 42023-09-11Not public
Exhibit MWE 13 Conley2023-09-11Not public
Exhibit MWE 8 Trescher2023-09-11Not public
Revocation Action EP 3 613 4532023-09-11Not public
Exhibit MWE 22023-09-11Not public
Exhibit MWE 202023-09-11Not public
Exhibit MWE 10 Cohen2023-09-11Not public
Exhibit MWE 1b2023-09-11Not public
Exhibit MWE 14 Pan2023-09-11Not public
Exhibit MWE 182023-09-11Not public
Exhibit MWE 7 Weigensberg2023-09-11Not public
Exhibit MWE 12023-09-11Not public
Exhibit MWE 11 Griffin2023-09-11Not public
Exhibit MWE 15 Lee2023-09-11Not public
Coverage: Partial.Reasoning extracted with partial coverage — some sections may be incomplete.
Plain-English summary

NJOY Netherlands challenged VMR Products' EP 3 613 453 (vaporizer/e-cigarette device) before the Paris Central Division. The court found claim 1 and dependent claims 2-5 invalid for lack of inventive step over prior art (Pan, Cross, Griffith and common general knowledge), but maintained the patent in part based on the independent inventive step of dependent claims 6, 7, and 8 in combination with claim 1 as granted. Each party bore its own costs given partial success on each side.

Accepted arguments
What the court agreed with — by party.

  • Claim 1 of EP 3 613 453 lacks inventive step over prior art

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

    Note: The Paris Central Division found claim 1 obvious; dependent claims 2-5 also independently lacked inventive step.

  • Dependent claims 6, 7 and 8 individually possess inventive step and can acquire independent validity in combination with claim 1 as granted

    RespondentLegal basis: Art. 65(3) UPCA

    Note: The court upheld the patent in part based on these claims, even though claim 1 was invalid.

  • Defendant's alternative request to maintain the patent with respect to one or more dependent claims is a sufficiently clear request even if no specific claim combination is specified, and requires the court to examine which claims remain valid

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

    Note: This headnote principle required the court to conduct a full dependent-claim analysis.

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

  • Patent should be maintained as granted (claim 1 valid)

    RespondentLegal basis: Art. 56 EPC

    Reason: Claim 1 found to lack inventive step; the prior art document 'Pan' or 'Cross' in combination with 'Griffith' or common general knowledge rendered claim 1 obvious.

  • Auxiliary requests to amend the patent overcome invalidity of claim 1

    RespondentLegal basis: Art. 56 EPC

    Reason: The auxiliary requests did not overcome the invalidity of claim 1.

  • Dependent claims 2, 3, 4 and 5 have independent validity

    RespondentLegal basis: Art. 56 EPC

    Reason: These claims also independently lacked inventive step.

Key legal principles
Doctrines and rules cited in the reasoning.
Defendant's alternative request for partial maintenance without specifying a particular claim is admissible and obliges the court to examine which dependent claims remain valid (Art. 65(3) UPCA)Dependent claims can acquire independent validity in combination with an invalid independent claimCommon general knowledge of on/off switches and activation buttons in electronic devices supports obviousness of such features

Browse other cases on this principle.

Prior art relied on
References cited and the role they played.
  • Pan (prior art document — e-cigarette/vaporizer with airflow sensor activation)Obviousness combination
  • Cross (prior art document — vaporizer device with microcontroller and user activation switch)Obviousness combination
  • Griffith (prior art document — electronic smoking device with pushbutton activation)Obviousness combination