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UPC CFI 315/2023

Sep 12, 2023·EP3504991 · VAPORIZATION DEVICE SYSTEMS AND METHODS

Action number: ACT 571801/2023

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Case details
Status
Case Closed (Patent upheld as granted)
Action
Revocation
Category
Main revocation action
Parties
Claimants
Representatives
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
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)

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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
  • 2024-11-05
    Revocation ActionPublic

    Summary: Paris Central Division (Section 1) dismissed NJOY's revocation action against EP 3 504 991 B1 (Juul Labs - vaping device cartridge). The Court found the patent valid, holding that novelty and inventive step requirements were met. NJOY as the unsuccessful party was ordered to bear Juul Labs' costs.

    Show the legal issues (4)
    • Novelty and inventive step (Art. 54, 56 EPC)
    • Objective approach to inventive step
    • Late filing of facts and evidence (front-loading)
    • Person skilled in the art
Documents
Document titleDatePublic
Outcome of the Order2025-03-30Not public
close workflow2025-03-30Public
Receipt2024-12-18Not public
Exhibit MWE 582024-12-18Not public
Response to Defendant's submission of 13 December 20242024-12-18Not 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 of appointment2024-10-08Public
Receipt2024-10-08Not public
Application for access to recording of oral hearing2024-10-07Not public
Outcome of the Order2024-10-07Not public
close workflow2024-10-07Public
Outcome of the Order2024-10-07Not public
close workflow2024-10-07Public
Outcome of the Order2024-10-07Not public
close workflow2024-10-07Public
Outcome of the Order2024-10-07Not public
close workflow2024-10-07Public
Outcome of the Order2024-10-07Not public
access to tapes2024-10-07Public
access to tapes2024-10-07Not public
Receipt2024-10-01Not public
Application for access to recording of oral hearing2024-09-30Not public
Oral Hearing 12 September 20242024-09-26Not public
Oral Hearing 12 September 20242024-09-26Not public
Receipt2024-09-04Not public
UPC_CFI_315_2023 - ACT_571801_2023 - EP 991 - 20 Page Summary TuP_signed2024-09-03Not public
Receipt2024-09-03Not public
Summary of Claimant's pleading2024-09-03Not public
Receipt2024-09-03Not public
Request for admission of additional persons to courtroom2024-09-03Not public
Receipt2024-08-20Not public
EP 991 Auxiliary Requests I to XIII - reduced used for oral hearing_highlighted marked-up_14 August 20242024-08-14Not public
Application for filing reduced number of auxiliary requests with highlighted marked-up - EP991 - UPC_CFI_315_2023 - 14 A2024-08-14Not public
interimProcedureClosure2024-07-27Not public
summons2024-07-27Not public
summons2024-07-27Public
Hearing-Dates2024-07-27Not public
value litigation2024-07-25Public
Receipt2024-07-22Not public
52210-508D08EP - DRAFT Application to reduce the number of auxiliary requests - EP991 - UPC_CFI_315_2023- signed2024-07-19Not public
EP991 Auxiliary Requests I to XIII - reduced for oral hearing2024-07-19Not public
Outcome of the Order2024-07-16Not public
closing workflow after druckexemplar2024-07-16Public
UPC_CFI_315_2023_Comments on litigation value - EP991_TP_signed2024-07-12Not public
Comments on litigation value2024-07-12Not public
Receipt2024-06-28Not public
Submission of Druckexemplar (printing copy)2024-06-28Not public
MWE57 Druckexemplar2024-06-28Not public
order after interim conference2024-06-26Not public
Hearing Reference2024-06-26Not public
Hearing Reference2024-06-26Not public
Outcome of the Order2024-06-21Not public
receipt and close app2024-06-21Public
Outcome of the Order2024-06-07Not public
receipt and close app2024-06-07Public
Outcome of the Order2024-06-07Not public
receipt and close app2024-06-07Public
Fix-Interim-Conference-Date2024-06-07Not public
interimConferenceDecision2024-06-07Not public
writtenProcedureClosure2024-06-07Not public
Receipt2024-06-03Not public
UPC_CFI_315_2023 - ACT_571801_2023 - EP 991 -Response to further submission of NJOY and summary of topics for interim co2024-05-31Not public
Receipt2024-05-31Not public
Summary of suggested topics for the Interim Conference2024-05-31Not public
closure written proceedings2024-05-24Public
Hearing date confirmation2024-05-16Public
Template-Order2024-05-16Not public
Receipt2024-04-22Not public
Reply to the Rejoinder and Reply to Defendant's Application to amend the Patent in suit2024-04-19Not public
Exhibit MWE 552024-04-19Not public
Exhibit MWE 522024-04-19Not public
Exhibit MWE 35a2024-04-19Not public
Exhibit MWE 532024-04-19Not public
Exhibit MWE 34a2024-04-19Not public
Exhibit MWE 562024-04-19Not public
Exhibit MWE 512024-04-19Not public
Exhibit MWE 542024-04-19Not public
Acknowledgement-of-lodging2024-03-19Not public
Exhibit TP-13 CV Ramon Alarcon2024-03-19Not public
UPC_CFI_315_2023 - ACT_571801_2023 EP 991 - FINAL Rejoinder 19.03.2024_signed2024-03-19Not public
Exhibit TP-12 - Declaration of Ramon Alarcon - Counter opinion to Hajalogol declaration2024-03-19Not public
Hearing-Dates2024-03-18Not public
date setting2024-03-18Public
Acknowledgement-of-lodging2024-02-19Not public
Exhibit MWE 452024-02-19Not public
Exhibit MWE 292024-02-19Not public
Exhibit MWE 362024-02-19Not public
Exhibit MWE 292024-02-19Not public
Exhibit MWE 252024-02-19Not public
Exhibit MWE 432024-02-19Not public
Exhibit MWE 472024-02-19Not public
Exhibit MWE 482024-02-19Not public
Exhibit MWE 262024-02-19Not public
Exhibit MWE 242024-02-19Not public
Exhibit MWE 372024-02-19Not public
Exhibit MWE 332024-02-19Not public
Exhibit MWE 422024-02-19Not public
Exhibit MWE 302024-02-19Not public
Exhibit MWE 442024-02-19Not public
Exhibit MWE 282024-02-19Not public
Exhibit MWE 352024-02-19Not public
Exhibit MWE 272024-02-19Not public
Exhibit MWE 382024-02-19Not public
Exhibit MWE 412024-02-19Not public
Exhibit MWE 322024-02-19Not public
Exhibit MWE 462024-02-19Not public
Exhibit MWE 502024-02-19Not public
Exhibit MWE 312024-02-19Not public
Exhibit MWE 392024-02-19Not public
Exhibit MWE 232024-02-19Not public
Exhibit MWE 492024-02-19Not public
Reply to Defence to Revocation2024-02-19Not public
Exhibit MWE 342024-02-19Not public
Exhibit MWE 402024-02-19Not public
exhibit 1 - MLD - ACT 459987_2023 - Conflicting Hearing Dates - first request by MLD2024-02-12Not public
exhibit 2 - MLD - ACT 459987_2023 - Conflicting Hearing Dates - first summons by MLD2024-02-12Not public
exhibit 3 - MLD - ACT 459987_2023 - Conflicting Hearing-Dates - second request by MLD2024-02-12Not public
Reply to Preliminary Order Rule 28 RoP - 12 Feb 20242024-02-12Not public
Reply to Order 28 RoP re date setting2024-02-09Not public
Outcome of the Order2024-01-26Not public
rule 92024-01-26Not public
preliminary date setting2024-01-26Not public
Hearing-Dates2024-01-26Not public
Receipt2024-01-08Not public
Application re confirmation of deadline for Claimant's Reply2024-01-03Not public
Acknowledgement-of-lodging2023-12-18Not public
Formal-checks_Notification-of-positive-outcome2023-12-18Not public
TP-7 John Collins CV2023-12-12Not public
TP-10 WO2015100361A1 (grandparent application)2023-12-12Not public
UPC_CFI_315_2023 - ACT_571801_2023 - EP991 - Formal response to the request for amendments_signed2023-12-12Not public
Statement of Defence2023-12-12Not public
TP-5 Notice of appeal as filed2023-12-12Not public
TP-6 Collins Expert Report2023-12-12Not public
TP-9 Parent application 18000692.62023-12-12Not public
TP-4 Decision of the Opposition Division regarding patent in suit2023-12-12Not public
UPC_CFI_315_2023 - ACT_571801_2023 - EP991 - Corrected Statement of Defence of 27 November 2023_signed2023-12-12Not public
TP-11 Claim sets for Auxiliary Requests2023-12-12Not public
TP-8 Merriam Webster Compartment2023-12-12Not public
order closing app (ORD_586959_2023)2023-11-28Not public
order closing application (ORD_583828_2023)2023-11-28Not public
Formal-checks_Request-for-correction2023-11-28Not public
Acknowledgement-of-lodging2023-11-27Not public
Statement of Defence2023-11-27Not public
TP-10 WO2015100361A1 (grandparent application)2023-11-27Not public
TP-8 Merriam Webster Compartment2023-11-27Not public
TP-5 Notice of appeal as filed2023-11-27Not public
TP-4 Decision of the Opposition Division regarding patent in suit2023-11-27Not public
TP-11 Claim sets for Auxiliary Requests2023-11-27Not public
TP-7 John Collins CV2023-11-27Not public
TP-6 Collins Expert Report2023-11-27Not public
TP-9 Parent application 18000692.62023-11-27Not public
Outcome of the Order2023-11-13Not public
final order closing app2023-11-13Not public
Outcome of the Order2023-11-13Not public
final order closing app2023-11-13Not public
Outcome of the Order2023-11-13Not public
final order closing app2023-11-13Not public
Outcome of the Order2023-11-05Not public
order time ext 9912023-11-05Not public
Receipt2023-11-03Not public
Application re Defendant's request for extension of deadline2023-11-03Not public
Preliminary_Objection_DecisionOutcome2023-11-03Not public
Final Order PO 315 20232023-11-03Not 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 581176-20232023-10-27Not public
commentPreliminaryObjection2023-10-25Not public
Comment on Preliminary objection under Rule 19 ROP2023-10-25Not public
preliminaryObjection2023-10-24Not public
Receipt2023-10-24Not public
Application re Defendant's request for extension of deadline2023-10-23Not public
Exhibit TP-1 to Preliminary Objection2023-10-20Not public
Preliminary Objection according to R. 19 RoP2023-10-20Public
Receipt2023-10-20Not public
Receipt2023-10-20Not public
Application for time extension2023-10-19Not public
Application for file inspection2023-10-18Not public
Notification Of Service2023-09-22Not public
Panel-Appointment2023-09-22Not public
Acknowledgement of access to case2023-09-20Not 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
Corrected Statement of claim for revocation of EP 3 504 9912023-09-15Not public
Exhibit MWE 17 Thompson2023-09-15Not public
Exhibit MWE 19 Monsees2023-09-15Not public
Exhibit MWE 112023-09-15Not public
Exhibit MWE 15 Cohen2023-09-15Not public
Exhibit MWE 2a2023-09-15Not public
Exhibit MWE 82023-09-15Not public
Exhibit MWE 222023-09-15Not public
Exhibit MWE 52023-09-15Not public
Exhibit MWE 14 Chen2023-09-15Not public
Exhibit MWE 22023-09-15Not public
Exhibit MWE 21 Cross2023-09-15Not public
Exhibit MWE 72023-09-15Not public
Exhibit MWE 20 Lee2023-09-15Not public
Revocation Action EP 3 504 9912023-09-15Not public
Exhibit MWE 122023-09-15Not public
Exhibit MWE 132023-09-15Not public
Exhibit MWE 18 Pan2023-09-15Not public
Corrected Statement of claim for revocation of EP 3 504 9912023-09-15Not public
Exhibit MWE 62023-09-15Not public
Exhibit MWE 16 Tucker2023-09-15Not public
Exhibit MWE 32023-09-15Not public
Exhibit MWE 92023-09-15Not public
Exhibit MWE 42023-09-15Not public
Exhibit MWE 20 Lee2023-09-15Not public
Exhibit MWE 102023-09-15Not public
Exhibit MWE 12023-09-15Not public
Exhibit MWE 14 Chen2023-09-15Not public
Formal-checks_Request-for-correction2023-09-14Not public
Exhibit MWE 15 Cohen2023-09-14Not public
Exhibit MWE 82023-09-14Not public
Exhibit MWE 18 Pan2023-09-14Not public
Exhibit MWE 132023-09-14Not public
Exhibit MWE 21 Cross2023-09-14Not public
Exhibit MWE 14 Chen2023-09-14Not public
Exhibit MWE 19 Monsees2023-09-14Not public
Exhibit MWE 62023-09-14Not public
Exhibit MWE 72023-09-14Not public
Exhibit MWE 102023-09-14Not public
Exhibit MWE 92023-09-14Not public
Corrected Statement of claim for revocation of EP 3 504 9912023-09-14Not public
Exhibit MWE 17 Thompson2023-09-14Not public
Exhibit MWE 112023-09-14Not public
Exhibit MWE 222023-09-14Not public
Exhibit MWE 16 Tucker2023-09-14Not public
Exhibit MWE 42023-09-14Not public
Exhibit MWE 14 Chen2023-09-14Not public
Exhibit MWE 52023-09-14Not public
Exhibit MWE 20 Lee2023-09-14Not public
Exhibit MWE 32023-09-14Not public
Revocation Action EP 3 504 9912023-09-14Not public
Exhibit MWE 12023-09-14Not public
Exhibit MWE 2a2023-09-14Not public
Exhibit MWE 22023-09-14Not public
Exhibit MWE 20 Lee2023-09-14Not public
Exhibit MWE 122023-09-14Not public
Formal-checks_Request-for-correction2023-09-12Not public
Exhibit MWE 22023-09-11Not public
Exhibit MWE 12023-09-11Not public
Exhibit MWE 42023-09-11Not public
Exhibit MWE 14 Chen2023-09-11Not public
Revocation Action EP 3 504 9912023-09-11Not public
Exhibit MWE 16 Tucker2023-09-11Not public
Exhibit MWE 122023-09-11Not public
Exhibit MWE 21 Cross2023-09-11Not public
Exhibit MWE 2a2023-09-11Not public
Exhibit MWE 32023-09-11Not public
Exhibit MWE 92023-09-11Not public
Exhibit MWE 102023-09-11Not public
Exhibit MWE 14 Chen2023-09-11Not public
Exhibit MWE 52023-09-11Not public
Exhibit MWE 18 Pan2023-09-11Not public
Exhibit MWE 17 Thompson2023-09-11Not public
Exhibit MWE 132023-09-11Not public
Exhibit MWE 15 Cohen2023-09-11Not public
Exhibit MWE 82023-09-11Not public
Exhibit MWE 62023-09-11Not public
Exhibit MWE 20 Lee2023-09-11Not public
Exhibit MWE 20 Lee2023-09-11Not public
Exhibit MWE 112023-09-11Not public
Exhibit MWE 222023-09-11Not public
Exhibit MWE 72023-09-11Not public
Exhibit MWE 19 Monsees2023-09-11Not public
Plain-English summary

NJOY Netherlands B.V. sought to revoke EP 3 504 991 B1 (Juul Labs International, a vaping device cartridge with dual condensation chambers) before the Paris Central Division, relying on Cohen, Chen, and Thompson as prior art. The court dismissed the revocation action, finding the patent novel and inventive; it declined to assess Chen/Thompson-based obviousness attacks not raised by NJOY as the revocation scope is defined by the claimant. The court also reaffirmed that inventive step is an objective inquiry and that parties may substantiate initial arguments when challenged by the opponent.

Accepted arguments
What the court agreed with — by party.

  • Inventive step must be evaluated objectively; subjective knowledge of inventors or parties is irrelevant

    RespondentLegal basis: Art. 56 EPC

    Note: Paris Central Division held that inventive step under Art. 56 EPC is an objective inquiry; the 'person skilled in the art' reference excludes subjective considerations.

  • Court does not evaluate revocation reasons not raised by the claimant

    RespondentLegal basis: Art. 76(1) UPCA

    Note: Claimant defines scope of revocation evaluation; court applied dispositive principle and declined to assess obviousness over Chen/Thompson as starting points since claimant had not raised this.

  • Patent valid for novelty and inventive step over asserted prior art

    RespondentLegal basis: Art. 54, 56 EPC

    Note: Court dismissed revocation action, finding the claimed vaping cartridge (with dual condensation chambers and specified mouthpiece configuration) novel and inventive.

  • Party may further substantiate initial argument in second submission where opponent challenged it in reply

    RespondentLegal basis: RoP Preamble para. 5

    Note: Court balanced front-loading obligation with fairness: if a party raises an argument in its first submission and the opponent challenges it, the first party may further substantiate in its second submission.

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

  • EP 3 504 991 B1 lacks novelty over Cohen

    ClaimantLegal basis: Art. 54 EPC

    Reason: Features 1.2–1.8 of claim 1 disputed between parties; court found it unnecessary to fully resolve whether Cohen discloses all disputed features because inventive step finding sufficed; revocation action dismissed.

  • Claim 1 invalid for lack of inventive step

    ClaimantLegal basis: Art. 56 EPC

    Reason: Claim 1 involves an inventive step; dependent claims 2–11 also involve inventive step via dependency on claim 1 or 3.

Key legal principles
Doctrines and rules cited in the reasoning.
Inventive step assessment is objective — subjective knowledge of inventors or parties irrelevantDispositive principle: court evaluates only revocation grounds actually raised by claimant (Art. 76(1) UPCA)Front-loading obligation balanced by fairness: further substantiation of initial argument permitted in response to opponent's challengeProblem-solution approach: motivation to combine prior art must be establishedDependent claim validity follows claim 1 where claimant raises no specific dependent-claim arguments

Browse other cases on this principle.

Prior art relied on
References cited and the role they played.
  • CohenNovelty-destroying
  • Chen (CN 101843368 A)Background
  • Thompson (US 2013/0192617 A1)Background
Claim construction notes

Claim 1 covers a vaping cartridge with specified features including a fluid storage compartment (1.2), an air inlet passage portion (1.3), a heater chamber, a first condensation chamber (1.6) in fluid communication with the heater chamber, a second condensation chamber (1.7) in fluid communication with the first, and a mouthpiece (1.8) affixed to a second end of the cartridge with an aerosol outlet in fluid communication with the second condensation chamber. The court evaluated which of these features are present in Cohen.