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UPC CFI 338/2023
Sep 27, 2023·EP4074373: MRI-SAFE DISK MAGNET FOR IMPLANTS
- Case details
- StatusCase ClosedActionRevocationCategoryMain Revocation Action
- Parties
- ClaimantsReps: Miriam Kiefer (Kather Augenstein); Carsten Plaga (Kather Augenstein); Benedikt Walesch (Kather Augenstein); Laura Ramsay (Dehns); Bernhard Thum (Thum & Partner)RespondentsReps: Michael Rüberg (Boehmert & Boehmert); Andreas Lucke (Boehmert & Boehmert); Michael Lohse (Boehmert & Boehmert)
- Division
- Paris CD
- Technology
- Medical Devices · Implants · Pharmaceutical & Medical
- Language
- English
- First decided
- Dec 26, 2024
Claims
At issue1, 2, 4
Amendedall
Notes: EP 4 074 373 B1 maintained in amended form (Auxiliary Request 0a); claims 1, 2, and 4 specifically discussed; added matter overcome by amendment; lack of inventive step of amended claim 1 not proven.
Decisions
- 2024-12-26Patent amendedRevocation meritsRevocation Action
The Paris Central Division dismissed Advanced Bionics' revocation actions (main and counterclaims) against MED-EL's EP 4 074 373 B1 (MRI-safe disk magnet for cochlear implants), maintaining the patent in the amended version of Auxiliary Request 0a after overcoming added-matter objections; costs were allocated 70% to the claimants and 30% to the defendant.
Legal issues:revocation for insufficiency of disclosureadded matter Art. 123(2) EPClack of inventive stepinventor as witness Art. 181 RoPexpedited issue ordering on most accessible ground
Documents
| Document title | Date | Public |
|---|---|---|
| Outcome of the Order | 2025-04-22 | Not public |
| procedural order | 2025-04-22 | Public |
| procedural order (ORD_64519_2024) | 2025-04-10 | Not public |
| procedural order | 2025-04-10 | Public |
| Outcome of the Order | 2025-04-10 | Not public |
| procedural order | 2025-04-10 | Public |
| Final order - 12056-2025 - 28.03.2025 | 2025-03-28 | Not public |
| procedural order | 2025-03-28 | Public |
| Outcome of the Order | 2025-03-28 | Not public |
| procedural order | 2025-03-28 | Public |
| Outcome of the Order | 2025-03-28 | Not public |
| procedural order | 2025-03-28 | Public |
| procedural order | 2025-03-28 | Not public |
| Receipt | 2025-03-17 | Not public |
| BBR02 | 2025-03-12 | Not public |
| BBR01 | 2025-03-12 | Not public |
| UPC_CFI_338_2023_ UPC_CFI_410_2023_Recovery of overpaid witness advance_12032025 | 2025-03-12 | Not public |
| BBR03 | 2025-03-12 | Not public |
| procedural order | 2025-02-06 | Not public |
| Reimbursement order anonymized - 06.02.2025 | 2025-02-06 | Not public |
| reimbursement | 2025-02-06 | Public |
| reimbursement | 2025-02-06 | Not public |
| Receipt | 2025-01-28 | Not public |
| 2025-01-27 Request AB for rectification of decisions R. 353 RoP_signed | 2025-01-27 | Not public |
| Decision on the merits - anonymized - 26.12.2024 | 2024-12-27 | Not public |
| DecisionOutcome | 2024-12-26 | Not public |
| Decision | 2024-12-26 | Not public |
| Decision | 2024-12-26 | Public |
| Outcome of the Order | 2024-12-19 | Not public |
| procedural prder | 2024-12-19 | Public |
| Outcome of the Order | 2024-12-19 | Not public |
| procedural order | 2024-12-19 | Public |
| Receipt | 2024-12-17 | Not public |
| 2024-12-17 Request AB re EPO decision on EP 169_signed | 2024-12-17 | Not public |
| Exhibit KAP 09 - EN | 2024-12-17 | Not public |
| Outcome of the Order | 2024-12-12 | Not public |
| Receipt | 2024-12-12 | Not public |
| procedural order | 2024-12-12 | Public |
| Outcome of the Order | 2024-12-12 | Not public |
| procedural order | 2024-12-12 | Public |
| ACT 576555/2023 Letter 12.12.2024 | 2024-12-12 | Not public |
| Exhibit BB38 | 2024-12-12 | Not public |
| Receipt | 2024-12-09 | Not public |
| Exhibit KAP 09 - EN | 2024-12-06 | Not public |
| 2024-12-06 Request AB re EPO preliminary opinion_signed | 2024-12-06 | Not public |
| Outcome of the Order | 2024-12-05 | Not public |
| procedural order | 2024-12-05 | Public |
| Outcome of the Order | 2024-12-05 | Not public |
| procedrral order | 2024-12-05 | Public |
| Outcome of the Order | 2024-12-05 | Not public |
| procedural order | 2024-12-05 | Public |
| Receipt | 2024-12-03 | Not public |
| 2024_12_03_ACT_576555/2023 Letter | 2024-12-03 | Not public |
| Exhibit BB29 | 2024-12-03 | Not public |
| Receipt | 2024-11-21 | Not public |
| Appl_No_ 60131_2024_Reply to submission of 7 November 2024_2024-11-21_M35723EP-NP | 2024-11-21 | Not public |
| Receipt | 2024-11-21 | Not public |
| Outcome of the Order | 2024-11-20 | Not public |
| procedural order | 2024-11-20 | Public |
| Confirmation of appointment - 576555/2023 15513/2024 | 2024-11-20 | Not public |
| Outcome of the Order | 2024-11-20 | Not public |
| Confirmation of appointment - case 576555/2023 | 2024-11-20 | Public |
| Confirmation of appointment - case 576555/2023 | 2024-11-20 | Not public |
| Receipt | 2024-11-19 | Not public |
| Act_576555_2023_Request ME regarding access of audio recording_2024-11-08_M35723EP-NP | 2024-11-19 | Not public |
| Redacted confirmation of appointment | 2024-11-18 | Not public |
| Outcome of the Order | 2024-11-18 | Not public |
| Confirmation of appointment - cases 576555-2023 and 15513-2024 | 2024-11-18 | Public |
| Confirmation of appointment - cases 576555-2023 and 15513-2024 | 2024-11-18 | Not public |
| Receipt | 2024-11-15 | Not public |
| Reply AB regarding Rule 333 | 2024-11-15 | Not public |
| Receipt | 2024-11-15 | Not public |
| Request AB regarding access of audio recording | 2024-11-14 | Not public |
| Act_576555_2023_Request ME regarding access of audio recording_2024-11-08_M35723EP-NP | 2024-11-08 | Not public |
| Receipt | 2024-11-07 | Not public |
| 2024-11-07 Statement AB regarding expert examination_signed | 2024-11-07 | Not public |
| Exhibit KAP 08 - EN | 2024-11-07 | Not public |
| Act_576555_2023_App_58663_2024_Additional auxiliary requests_2024-11-05_M35723EP-NP | 2024-11-05 | Not public |
| procedural order | 2024-10-30 | Not public |
| Hearing Reference | 2024-10-30 | Not public |
| Hearing Reference | 2024-10-30 | Not public |
| Hearing Reference | 2024-10-30 | Not public |
| Hearing Reference | 2024-10-30 | Not public |
| Hearing Reference | 2024-10-30 | Not public |
| Hearing Reference | 2024-10-30 | Not public |
| Acknowledgement-of-lodging | 2024-10-30 | Not public |
| Exhibit KAP R 1 - proof of payment | 2024-10-28 | Not public |
| 2024-10-28 Request R. 333 AB re order on auxiliary requests_signed | 2024-10-28 | Not public |
| Outcome of the Order | 2024-10-25 | Not public |
| procedural order | 2024-10-25 | Public |
| Outcome of the Order | 2024-10-25 | Not public |
| Procedural order | 2024-10-25 | Public |
| Receipt | 2024-10-25 | Not public |
| Receipt | 2024-10-25 | Not public |
| 2024-10-25 Statement AB_signed | 2024-10-25 | Not public |
| Act_576555_2023_additional auxiliary requests_2024-10-25_signed | 2024-10-25 | Not public |
| Auxiliary Request 3a-Star clean | 2024-10-25 | Not public |
| Auxiliary Request 0a-Star | 2024-10-25 | Not public |
| Auxiliary Request 3a-Star | 2024-10-25 | Not public |
| Auxiliary Request 0a-Star clean | 2024-10-25 | Not public |
| Hearing-Dates | 2024-10-08 | Not public |
| procedural order | 2024-10-08 | Public |
| Hearing-Dates | 2024-10-08 | Not public |
| procedural order | 2024-10-08 | Public |
| Outcome of the Order | 2024-09-25 | Not public |
| procedural prder | 2024-09-25 | Public |
| Act_576555_2023_App_45564_2024_App_Witness_Hearing_23_08_2024_M35723EP_NP | 2024-08-23 | Not public |
| Outcome of the Order | 2024-08-20 | Not public |
| procedural order | 2024-08-20 | Public |
| Outcome of the Order | 2024-08-20 | Not public |
| Confirmation of appointment | 2024-08-20 | Public |
| Receipt | 2024-08-20 | Not public |
| ACT_576555_2023_ Request_re_access_to_the_recording_M35723EP_NP | 2024-08-20 | Not public |
| Receipt | 2024-08-19 | Not public |
| ACT_576555_2023_ CFI_338_2023_Application Audio Recording_M35723EP_NP | 2024-08-16 | Not public |
| procedural order | 2024-08-09 | Not public |
| Receipt | 2024-08-07 | Not public |
| 2024-08-06 Submission AB according to R176 re Prof Parker_signed | 2024-08-07 | Not public |
| Annex KAP E 01 - EN | 2024-08-07 | Not public |
| interimProcedureClosure | 2024-07-29 | Not public |
| summons | 2024-07-29 | Not public |
| procedural order | 2024-07-29 | Public |
| Hearing-Dates | 2024-07-29 | Not public |
| procedural order | 2024-07-29 | Public |
| procedural order | 2024-07-29 | Not public |
| Case 576555/2023 - Parties :Advanced Bionics AG/MED-EL Elektromedizinische Type of hearing : IC (interim conference) | 2024-07-29 | Not public |
| Case 576555/2023 - Parties :Advanced Bionics AG/MED-EL Elektromedizinische Type of hearing : IC (interim conference) | 2024-07-29 | Not public |
| Fix-Interim-Conference-Date | 2024-07-29 | Not public |
| interimConferenceDecision | 2024-07-17 | Not public |
| 2024-07-11 M35723EP-NP Response | 2024-07-11 | Not public |
| Exhibit BB28 | 2024-07-11 | Not public |
| procedural order | 2024-07-09 | Not public |
| Receipt | 2024-07-08 | Not public |
| 2024-07-05 Application AB regarding case management hearing_R.336_signed | 2024-07-06 | Not public |
| Outcome of the Order | 2024-07-05 | Not public |
| Procedura; order | 2024-07-05 | Public |
| writtenProcedureClosure | 2024-05-15 | Not public |
| Hearing-Dates | 2024-05-15 | Not public |
| procedural order | 2024-05-15 | Public |
| M35723EP-NP_ACT_576555_2023_Letter_07_05_2024 | 2024-05-07 | Not public |
| 2024-05-06 Confirmation hearing date AB_signed | 2024-05-06 | Not public |
| preliminary order | 2024-05-03 | Not public |
| Receipt | 2024-04-30 | Not public |
| Exhibit KAP 07 - DE | 2024-04-30 | Not public |
| 2024-04-29 Rejoinder AB regarding Application to amend the patent_ | 2024-04-30 | Not public |
| 2024-04-29 Statement AB re hearing dates_ | 2024-04-30 | Not public |
| 576555_2023_Availabilities_2024_04_24_M35723EP_NP | 2024-04-24 | Not public |
| Procedural order | 2024-04-19 | Not public |
| Hearing-Dates | 2024-04-19 | Not public |
| Acknowledgement-of-lodging | 2024-03-28 | Not public |
| BB24 | 2024-03-28 | Not public |
| BB21b | 2024-03-28 | Not public |
| BB27 | 2024-03-28 | Not public |
| BB22 | 2024-03-28 | Not public |
| BB20 | 2024-03-28 | Not public |
| BB21d | 2024-03-28 | Not public |
| BB19 | 2024-03-28 | Not public |
| BB21a | 2024-03-28 | Not public |
| BB18 | 2024-03-28 | Not public |
| BB16 | 2024-03-28 | Not public |
| BB21 | 2024-03-28 | Not public |
| ACT_576555_2023_2024-03-28_Reply to defense to application to amend_signed | 2024-03-28 | Not public |
| BB26 | 2024-03-28 | Not public |
| BB21c | 2024-03-28 | Not public |
| BB25 | 2024-03-28 | Not public |
| BB23 | 2024-03-28 | Not public |
| BB17 | 2024-03-28 | Not public |
| BB21e | 2024-03-28 | Not public |
| ACT_576555_2023_2024-03-28_Rejoinder to reply to defence to revocation_Reply to defense to application to amend_signed | 2024-03-28 | Not public |
| Acknowledgement-of-lodging | 2024-03-05 | Not public |
| 2024-03-04 Reply AB | 2024-03-05 | Not public |
| Exhibit KAP D26 | 2024-03-05 | Not public |
| Exhibit KAP D24 | 2024-03-05 | Not public |
| Exhibit KAP D21 | 2024-03-05 | Not public |
| Exhibit KAP D23 | 2024-03-05 | Not public |
| Exhibit KAP D22 | 2024-03-05 | Not public |
| Exhibit KAP D16 | 2024-03-05 | Not public |
| Exhibit KAP D19 | 2024-03-05 | Not public |
| Exhibit KAP 04 | 2024-03-05 | Not public |
| Exhibit KAP 05 | 2024-03-05 | Not public |
| Exhibit KAP D18 | 2024-03-05 | Not public |
| Exhibit KAP D20 | 2024-03-05 | Not public |
| Exhibit KAP D25 | 2024-03-05 | Not public |
| Exhibit KAP 06 | 2024-03-05 | Not public |
| Exhibit KAP D17 | 2024-03-05 | Not public |
| 2024-03-04 Defence to the application to amend the patent | 2024-03-05 | Not public |
| Acknowledgement-of-lodging | 2024-01-02 | Not public |
| Formal-checks_Notification-of-positive-outcome | 2024-01-02 | Not public |
| Auxiliary Request 2 marked-up | 2023-12-22 | Not public |
| Exhibit BB10 | 2023-12-22 | Not public |
| Auxiliary Request 0a clean | 2023-12-22 | Not public |
| Auxiliary Request 0b marked-up | 2023-12-22 | Not public |
| Exhibit BB2 | 2023-12-22 | Not public |
| Defence to Revocation | 2023-12-22 | Not public |
| Exhibit BB8 | 2023-12-22 | Not public |
| Exhibit BB11B | 2023-12-22 | Not public |
| Auxiliary Request 5a marked-up | 2023-12-22 | Not public |
| Auxiliary Request 6 marked-up | 2023-12-22 | Not public |
| Exhibit BB15 | 2023-12-22 | Not public |
| Auxiliary Request 1 marked up | 2023-12-22 | Not public |
| Exhibit BB11A | 2023-12-22 | Not public |
| Exhibit BB14 | 2023-12-22 | Not public |
| Exhibit BB13 | 2023-12-22 | Not public |
| Auxiliary Request 0c clean | 2023-12-22 | Not public |
| Exhibit BB5 | 2023-12-22 | Not public |
| Auxiliary Request 4 clean | 2023-12-22 | Not public |
| Auxiliary Request 3 clean | 2023-12-22 | Not public |
| Auxiliary Request 3 marked-up | 2023-12-22 | Not public |
| Application to Amend | 2023-12-22 | Not public |
| Auxiliary Request 2 clean | 2023-12-22 | Not public |
| Auxiliary Request 0b clean | 2023-12-22 | Not public |
| Auxiliary Request 3a marked-up | 2023-12-22 | Not public |
| Auxiliary Request 1a clean | 2023-12-22 | Not public |
| Exhibit BB4 | 2023-12-22 | Not public |
| Auxiliary Request 4a marked-up | 2023-12-22 | Not public |
| Auxiliary Request 1a marked-up | 2023-12-22 | Not public |
| Exhibit BB9 | 2023-12-22 | Not public |
| Auxiliary Request 0a marked-up | 2023-12-22 | Not public |
| Correction of Formalities | 2023-12-22 | Not public |
| Exhibit BB1 | 2023-12-22 | Not public |
| Auxiliary Request 2a clean | 2023-12-22 | Not public |
| Auxiliary Request 5 clean | 2023-12-22 | Not public |
| Auxiliary Request 2a marked-up | 2023-12-22 | Not public |
| Exhibit BB6 | 2023-12-22 | Not public |
| Exhibit BB3 | 2023-12-22 | Not public |
| Auxiliary Request 3a clean | 2023-12-22 | Not public |
| Auxiliary Request 6a clean | 2023-12-22 | Not public |
| Auxiliary Request 6a marked-up | 2023-12-22 | Not public |
| Auxiliary Request 0c marked-up | 2023-12-22 | Not public |
| Auxiliary Request 6 clean | 2023-12-22 | Not public |
| Correction of Formalities | 2023-12-22 | Not public |
| Auxiliary Request 1 clean | 2023-12-22 | Not public |
| Auxiliary Request 4 marked-up | 2023-12-22 | Not public |
| Auxiliary Request 5a clean | 2023-12-22 | Not public |
| Exhibit BB7 | 2023-12-22 | Not public |
| Exhibit BB12 | 2023-12-22 | Not public |
| Auxiliary Request 5 marked-up | 2023-12-22 | Not public |
| Auxiliary Request 4a clean | 2023-12-22 | Not public |
| Formal-checks_Request-for-correction | 2023-12-20 | Not public |
| Acknowledgement-of-lodging | 2023-12-18 | Not public |
| Auxiliary Request 5a marked-up | 2023-12-18 | Not public |
| Exhibit BB10 | 2023-12-18 | Not public |
| Auxiliary Request 1 clean | 2023-12-18 | Not public |
| Auxiliary Request 0c marked-up | 2023-12-18 | Not public |
| Auxiliary Request 5 marked-up | 2023-12-18 | Not public |
| Auxiliary Request 6 marked-up | 2023-12-18 | Not public |
| Application to Amend | 2023-12-18 | Not public |
| Auxiliary Request 2 clean | 2023-12-18 | Not public |
| Defence to Revocation | 2023-12-18 | Not public |
| Exhibit BB11B | 2023-12-18 | Not public |
| Auxiliary Request 4 clean | 2023-12-18 | Not public |
| Exhibit BB14 | 2023-12-18 | Not public |
| Exhibit BB8 | 2023-12-18 | Not public |
| Auxiliary Request 6a clean | 2023-12-18 | Not public |
| Auxiliary Request 4a marked-up | 2023-12-18 | Not public |
| Auxiliary Request 5a clean | 2023-12-18 | Not public |
| Auxiliary Request 4a clean | 2023-12-18 | Not public |
| Auxiliary Request 6a marked-up | 2023-12-18 | Not public |
| Auxiliary Request 2 marked-up | 2023-12-18 | Not public |
| Auxiliary Request 0b marked-up | 2023-12-18 | Not public |
| Exhibit BB1 | 2023-12-18 | Not public |
| Exhibit BB7 | 2023-12-18 | Not public |
| Exhibit BB13 | 2023-12-18 | Not public |
| Auxiliary Request 1 marked up | 2023-12-18 | Not public |
| Exhibit BB11A | 2023-12-18 | Not public |
| Auxiliary Request 3 clean | 2023-12-18 | Not public |
| Auxiliary Request 3 marked-up | 2023-12-18 | Not public |
| Exhibit BB2 | 2023-12-18 | Not public |
| Exhibit BB15 | 2023-12-18 | Not public |
| Auxiliary Request 4 marked-up | 2023-12-18 | Not public |
| Auxiliary Request 6 clean | 2023-12-18 | Not public |
| Auxiliary Request 1a clean | 2023-12-18 | Not public |
| Auxiliary Request 1a marked-up | 2023-12-18 | Not public |
| Exhibit BB6 | 2023-12-18 | Not public |
| Auxiliary Request 2a marked-up | 2023-12-18 | Not public |
| Exhibit BB3 | 2023-12-18 | Not public |
| Exhibit BB5 | 2023-12-18 | Not public |
| Auxiliary Request 3a clean | 2023-12-18 | Not public |
| Auxiliary Request 0c clean | 2023-12-18 | Not public |
| Auxiliary Request 0b clean | 2023-12-18 | Not public |
| Auxiliary Request 3a marked-up | 2023-12-18 | Not public |
| Exhibit BB4 | 2023-12-18 | Not public |
| Exhibit BB12 | 2023-12-18 | Not public |
| Auxiliary Request 0a clean | 2023-12-18 | Not public |
| Exhibit BB9 | 2023-12-18 | Not public |
| Auxiliary Request 0a marked-up | 2023-12-18 | Not public |
| Auxiliary Request 5 clean | 2023-12-18 | Not public |
| Auxiliary Request 2a clean | 2023-12-18 | Not public |
| Acknowledgement of access to case | 2023-12-04 | Not public |
| epoUploadDocumentsWorkflow | 2023-10-20 | Not public |
| Document from EPO | 2023-10-19 | Not public |
| Notification Of Service | 2023-10-17 | Not public |
| AR MED EL ELEKTROMEDIZINISCHE GERATE GmbH | 2023-10-17 | Not public |
| Letter for Service | 2023-10-05 | Not public |
| Panel-Appointment | 2023-10-05 | Not public |
| EPO-Request-for-case-pending | 2023-09-28 | Not public |
| Acknowledgement-of-lodging | 2023-09-28 | Not public |
| Formal-checks_Notification-of-positive-outcome | 2023-09-28 | Not public |
| Exhibit KAP D 03 - Part 1 | 2023-09-27 | Not public |
| Exhibit KAP D 03 - Part 4 | 2023-09-27 | Not public |
| Exhibit KAP D 03 - Part 2 | 2023-09-27 | Not public |
| Exhibit KAP D 10 | 2023-09-27 | Not public |
| Exhibit KAP D 14 | 2023-09-27 | Not public |
| Exhibit KAP D 04 | 2023-09-27 | Not public |
| Exhibit KAP D 15 - Part 2 | 2023-09-27 | Not public |
| Exhibit KAP D 05 | 2023-09-27 | Not public |
| Exhibit KAP D 07 | 2023-09-27 | Not public |
| Exhibit KAP D 15 - Part 1 | 2023-09-27 | Not public |
| 2023-09-27 Correction of formalities | 2023-09-27 | Not public |
| Exhibit KAP D 13 | 2023-09-27 | Not public |
| Exhibit KAP D 09 | 2023-09-27 | Not public |
| Exhibit KAP D 11 | 2023-09-27 | Not public |
| Exhibit KAP D 02 | 2023-09-27 | Not public |
| Exhibit KAP D 15 - Part 3 | 2023-09-27 | Not public |
| Exhibit KAP 03 | 2023-09-27 | Not public |
| Exhibit KAP D 01 | 2023-09-27 | Not public |
| Exhibit KAP 04 | 2023-09-27 | Not public |
| Exhibit KAP D 08 | 2023-09-27 | Not public |
| Exhibit KAP D 06 | 2023-09-27 | Not public |
| Exhibit KAP D 15 - Part 4 | 2023-09-27 | Not public |
| Exhibit KAP D 03 - Part 3 | 2023-09-27 | Not public |
| 2023-09-27 Revocation Action Advanced Bionics | 2023-09-27 | Not public |
| Exhibit KAP D 12 | 2023-09-27 | Not public |
| Exhibit KAP 02 | 2023-09-27 | Not public |
| Exhibit KAP 01 | 2023-09-27 | Not public |
| Formal-checks_Request-for-correction | 2023-09-27 | Not public |
| Exhibit KAP D 15 - Part 2 | 2023-09-27 | Not public |
| Exhibit KAP D 03 - Part 3 | 2023-09-27 | Not public |
| Exhibit KAP D 15 - Part 3 | 2023-09-27 | Not public |
| Exhibit KAP D 01 - Part 1 | 2023-09-27 | Not public |
| Exhibit KAP D 15 - Part 4 | 2023-09-27 | Not public |
| Exhibit KAP D 15 - Part 1 | 2023-09-27 | Not public |
| Exhibit KAP D 11 | 2023-09-27 | Not public |
| Exhibit KAP D 03 - Part 4 | 2023-09-27 | Not public |
| Exhibit KAP D 03 - Part 2 | 2023-09-27 | Not public |
| Exhibit KAP 04 | 2023-09-27 | Not public |
| Exhibit KAP D 08 | 2023-09-27 | Not public |
| Exhibit KAP D 07 | 2023-09-27 | Not public |
| Exhibit KAP D 14 | 2023-09-27 | Not public |
| 2023-09-27 Revocation Action Advanced Bionics | 2023-09-27 | Not public |
| Exhibit KAP D 02 | 2023-09-27 | Not public |
| Exhibit KAP 03 | 2023-09-27 | Not public |
| Exhibit KAP D 06 | 2023-09-27 | Not public |
| Exhibit KAP D 12 | 2023-09-27 | Not public |
| Exhibit KAP D 05 | 2023-09-27 | Not public |
| Exhibit KAP D 09 | 2023-09-27 | Not public |
| Exhibit KAP D 01 | 2023-09-27 | Not public |
| Exhibit KAP D 13 | 2023-09-27 | Not public |
| Exhibit KAP 02 | 2023-09-27 | Not public |
| Exhibit KAP D 04 | 2023-09-27 | Not public |
| Exhibit KAP 01 | 2023-09-27 | Not public |
| Exhibit KAP D 10 | 2023-09-27 | Not public |
Coverage: Partial.Reasoning extracted with partial coverage — some sections may be incomplete.
Plain-English summary
Advanced Bionics challenged MED-EL's EP 4 074 373 (MRI-safe disk magnet for cochlear and other implants) by revocation action and counterclaim before the Paris Central Division. The court found the patent as granted contained added matter under Art. 123(2) EPC but maintained the patent in amended form (Auxiliary Request 0a), which restricted the claims to specific implant types with a rotatable disc-shaped attachment magnet; insufficiency and inventive-step attacks against the amended claims were also rejected. Costs were allocated 70% to Advanced Bionics and 30% to MED-EL.
Accepted arguments
What the court agreed with — by party.
Patent valid as amended by Auxiliary Request 0a: claim 1 restricted to cochlear/middle ear/vestibular/laryngeal pacemaker implant systems with a rotatable disc-shaped attachment magnet in the implant coil housing
RespondentLegal basis: Art. 65 UPCA; Art. 138 EPCNote: The added-matter objection applicable to the patent as granted was overcome by Auxiliary Request 0a; insufficiency and lack of inventive step were also not proven.
Insufficiency of disclosure not proven
RespondentLegal basis: Art. 83 EPC; Art. 138(1)(b) EPCNote: Panel found the disclosure sufficient even applying a strict reading.
Lack of inventive step of Auxiliary Request 0a not proven
RespondentLegal basis: Art. 56 EPCNote: Advanced Bionics' inventive step attack against the amended claim was rejected.
Rejected arguments
What the court did not agree with — and why.
Patent as granted is invalid for added matter (Art. 123(2) EPC)
ClaimantLegal basis: Art. 123(2) EPCReason: The added-matter objection was found valid for the patent as granted but overcome by the amendment in Auxiliary Request 0a; the panel resolved the case on the basis of the amended claim.
Inventor should be heard as a witness or expert
ClaimantLegal basis: R. 181(1) RoPReason: The inventor may have a direct interest in the outcome and does not meet the R.181(1)(a)(b) requirements of impartiality, objectivity and independence for witnesses or experts.
Invalidity on grounds of insufficiency of disclosure and lack of inventive step against Auxiliary Request 0a
ClaimantLegal basis: Arts. 83, 56 EPCReason: Both grounds found not proven against the amended claims.
Key legal principles
Doctrines and rules cited in the reasoning.
Court may decide the case by resolving a logically subordinate issue first if that issue is more easily determinable (procedural efficiency principle)Inventor is not eligible to serve as witness or expert due to potential direct interest in outcome (R.181(1) RoP requirements of impartiality, objectivity and independence)Added matter overcome by narrowing amendment; remaining invalidity grounds then assessed against amended claimCosts partially attributable to patentee where patent required amendment: here 70% to claimants / 30% to defendant
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Claim construction notes
The amended Claim 1 (Auxiliary Request 0a) requires: a planar implant coil housing containing a signal receiver coil; a rotatable first attachment magnet within the coil housing plane with a magnetic dipole parallel to the plane; and that the implant system is specifically one of a cochlear, middle ear, vestibular, or laryngeal pacemaker implant. The disc shape or cut-away disc shape of the magnet is also specified. These restrictions were key to overcoming the added-matter objection to the granted claims.