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UPC CFI 386/2024

Jul 3, 2024·EP2432351 +2 more: SYSTEM FOR SECURING SHELF ACCESSORIES TO A SHELF

Case details
Status
Case Closed
Action
Infringement
Category
Main Infringement Action
Parties
Claimants
Reps: Gertjan Kuipers
Respondents
Reps: Tjibbe Douma
Division
The Hague LD
Judges
Technology
Consumer Goods · Retail Fixtures · Furniture & Household
Language
English
First decided
Oct 10, 2025
Claims
At issueall
Maintainedall
Infringedall
Notes: EP 2 432 351 found valid and infringed (including indirect infringement) by Black Sheep Retail Products; specific claim numbers not enumerated in excerpt.
Decisions
  • 2025-10-10
    InfringedInjunction grantedInfringement meritsInfringement Action

    The Hague Local Division found HL Display's European Patent EP 2 432 351 B1 (shelf divider system) valid and infringed (including indirect infringement) by Black Sheep Retail Products. The Court granted an injunction, ordered BSRP to cease infringing activities across all territories where the patent is in force. A counterclaim for declaration of non-infringement regarding a revised product was declared inadmissible. Long-arm jurisdiction was established for sales outside the Netherlands.

    Legal issues:Patent infringement (shelf accessories/dividers)Indirect infringementValidity - added matter and inventive stepCounterclaim for declaration of non-infringement (admissibility, R. 61 RoP)Long-arm jurisdictionUPC-wide injunction
  • 2025-08-21
    Generic application

    The Hague Local Division dismissed Black Sheep Retail Products B.V.'s application to submit two physical objects (its old product and a new product) as exhibits in support of its rejoinder in infringement proceedings brought by HL Display AB concerning EP 2 432 351. The court found no explanation had been provided for why the objects could not have been filed earlier, notably with the Statement of Defence.

    Legal issues:Admission of late physical exhibitsTimeliness of evidence (R. 50 RoP)Infringement action and counterclaim for revocation
Documents
Document titleDatePublic
Receipt2026-02-23Not public
Cover sheet2026-02-23Not public
Application document Claimant2026-02-23Not public
Receipt2026-01-12Not public
Cover sheet2026-01-12Not public
Application document Claimant2026-01-12Not public
Cover sheet2025-12-03Not public
Application document Defendant2025-12-03Not public
Other document Defendant2025-12-03Not public
Receipt2025-12-03Not public
action.communication.general2025-11-26Not public
Cover sheet2025-11-25Not public
Application document Claimant2025-11-25Not public
Exhibit document Claimant2025-11-25Not public
Exhibit document Claimant2025-11-25Not public
Exhibit document Claimant2025-11-25Not public
Exhibit document Claimant2025-11-25Not public
Exhibit document Claimant2025-11-25Not public
Exhibit document Claimant2025-11-25Not public
Exhibit document Claimant2025-11-25Not public
Exhibit document Claimant2025-11-25Not public
Receipt2025-11-25Not public
action.phaseChange.caseClose2025-11-05Not public
action.communication.general2025-10-20Not public
Cover sheet2025-10-16Not public
Application2025-10-16Not public
Receipt2025-10-16Not public
action.publishOrderDecision.decision2025-10-10Not public
action.phaseChange.oralPhaseClose2025-10-10Not public
action.issueDecision.decision2025-10-10Not public
Final Order2025-10-10Public
action.communication.general2025-10-10Not public
action.communication.general2025-10-03Not public
1ORAL_HEARING_REFERENCING_39810_2024_OH_HAG_LOC_UPC2025082210am2025-09-10Not public
1ORAL_HEARING_REFERENCING_39810_2024_OH_HAG_LOC_UPC2025082210am2025-09-10Not public
Acknowledgement-of-lodging2025-08-26Not public
ORAL_HEARING_REFERENCING_39810_2025_OH_HAG_LOC_UPC2025082210am2025-08-22Not public
ORAL_HEARING_REFERENCING_39810_2025_OH_HAG_LOC_UPC2025082210am2025-08-22Not public
Application for Review R. 333 SIGNED2025-08-22Not public
Hearing-Dates2025-08-22Not public
PO R. 3332025-08-22Not public
Headnote-and-Keywords2025-08-22Not public
Headnote-and-Keywords2025-08-22Not public
Acknowledgement-of-lodging2025-08-21Not public
Annex 2 Email to Registry The Hague Local Division 24 February 20252025-08-21Not public
Application for Review R. 333 SIGNED2025-08-21Not public
Proof of Payment2025-08-21Not public
Annex 1 R.9 Application - Submission physical exhibit (signed)2025-08-21Not public
Outcome of the Order2025-08-21Not public
deposit of physical objects2025-08-21Public
Outcome of the Order2025-08-21Not public
deposit of physical objects2025-08-21Public
Headnote-and-Keywords2025-08-19Not public
Interim-Procedure-Closure2025-08-15Not public
Summon-Oral-Hearing2025-08-15Not public
Summons to OH2025-08-15Public
Hearing-Dates2025-08-15Not public
R. 105.5 order2025-08-15Public
preliminary R. 105.5 order2025-07-30Not public
ORAL_HEARING_REFERENCING_39810_2024_IC_HAG_LOC_UPC2025061710AM2025-06-24Not public
ORAL_HEARING_REFERENCING_39810_2024_IC_HAG_LOC_UPC2025061710AM2025-06-24Not public
Panel-Appointment2025-06-18Not public
HL Display comments on BSRP R9 application2025-06-17Not public
Preliminary order physical exhibit2025-06-12Not public
Fix-Interim-Conference-Date2025-06-12Not public
Interim-Conference-Decision2025-06-12Not public
Written-Procedure-Closure2025-06-12Not public
Receipt2025-06-06Not public
20250605- R.9 Application - Request submission physical exhibit (signed)2025-06-05Not public
Receipt2025-02-25Not public
R.9 Application - Submission physical exhibit (signed)2025-02-24Not public
Acknowledgement-of-lodging2025-02-20Not public
Exhibit BB37 Images of HL Display shelf products2025-02-20Not public
Exhibit BB35 US 5 803 276 (Vogler)2025-02-20Not public
Exhibit BB38 - Physical shelf with shelf dividers2025-02-20Not public
Exhibit BB34 US 2 316 892 (Saul Jr.)2025-02-20Not public
Exhibit BB33A Overview of innovative BSRP displays (part 1)2025-02-20Not public
Exhibit BB28 BSRP Out of the Box System2025-02-20Not public
Exhibit BB29B Chameleon system (part 2)2025-02-20Not public
Exhibit BB30B Ecocover system (part 2)2025-02-20Not public
Exhibit BB31 Energy-Bullets food packaging2025-02-20Not public
Exhibit BB39 Cease-and-desist undertaking BSRP Shelf Divider 12025-02-20Not public
Exhibit BB29A Chameleon system (part 1)2025-02-20Not public
Exhibit BB32 BSRP Highlight display2025-02-20Not public
BSRP Rejoinder in the claim, reply in the counterclaim, defence to AAP2025-02-20Not public
Exhibit BB30A Ecocover system (part 1)2025-02-20Not public
Exhibit BB33B Overview of innovative BSRP displays (part 2)2025-02-20Not public
Exhibit BB36 Further HL Display 2006 catalogue excerpt2025-02-20Not public
HL Display comments on BSRP's R. 9 application2025-02-04Not public
HL Display - Black Sheep PO opposition against equivalence argument2025-01-30Not public
Receipt2025-01-30Not public
29012025 R.9 Application BSRP (final signed)2025-01-29Not public
Annex 1 E-mail correspondence between the parties dated 26 June 2024 28 June2025-01-29Not public
Annex 2 Response letter BSRP dated 12 July 2024 and accompanying email2025-01-29Not public
setting IC and OH dates2025-01-03Public
order not to bifurcate2025-01-03Public
Hearing-Dates2025-01-03Not public
setting IC and OH dates2025-01-03Public
Hearing-Dates2025-01-03Not public
Acknowledgement-of-lodging2024-12-23Not public
Reply to Defence in infringement action2024-12-23Not public
Exhibit HL122024-12-23Not public
Exhibit HL132024-12-23Not public
BSRP comments2024-11-11Not public
Comments re unavailability dates and rule 37 RoP2024-11-11Not public
preliminary order blockage dates and R. 372024-11-04Not public
Formal-checks_Notification-of-positive-outcome2024-10-28Not public
Acknowledgement-of-lodging2024-10-28Not public
BSRP application2024-10-28Not public
Outcome of the Order2024-10-24Not public
SoD due date2024-10-24Public
SoD due date2024-10-24Not public
Acknowledgement-of-lodging2024-10-23Not public
Exhibit BB22 EP 1374744A2 (Haltenhof)2024-10-23Not public
Exhibit BB01B BSRP product brochures 2 of 42024-10-23Not public
Exhibit BB16 Examples of common general knowledge in patent(s) (applications)2024-10-23Not public
Exhibit BB17 CA 2549208A1 (Parshad)2024-10-23Not public
Exhibit BB18 US 20060186064A1 (Merit)2024-10-23Not public
Exhibit BB26B WO 03005863 (McElvaney) 2 of 22024-10-23Not public
Exhibit BB01C BSRP product brochures 3 of 42024-10-23Not public
Exhibit BB07 European Search Opinion EP 3512024-10-23Not public
Exhibit BB11 Amended claims after European Search Opinion and accompanying letter dated 9 September 20132024-10-23Not public
Exhibit BB20 English machine translation of DE 202005005910 U1 (Oechsle)2024-10-23Not public
Exhibit BB25 US 5971173 (Valiulis)2024-10-23Not public
Exhibit BB19 DE 202005005910 U1 (Oechsle)2024-10-23Not public
Exhibit BB21B WO 2004112549A1 (Josefsson) 2 of 22024-10-23Not public
BSRP SoD and CC2024-10-23Not public
Exhibit BB05 The BSRP Product 22024-10-23Not public
Exhibit BB08 SE 531 411 C2 (D2 or Linden)2024-10-23Not public
Exhibit BB01D BSRP product brochures 4 of 42024-10-23Not public
Exhibit BB26A WO 03005863 (McElvaney) 1 of 22024-10-23Not public
Exhibit BB06 WO 2010134883 (PCT application for EP 351)2024-10-23Not public
Exhibit BB24 US 6533131 (Bada)2024-10-23Not public
Exhibit BB10 WO 2005084498 A1 (D3 or Ahlund)2024-10-23Not public
Exhibit BB03 E-mail correspondence between the parties dated 26 June 2024 28 June2024-10-23Not public
Exhibit BB02 The BSRP Product2024-10-23Not public
Exhibit BB03 E-mail correspondence between the parties dated 26 June 2024 28 June2024-10-23Not public
Exhibit BB21A WO 2004112549A1 (Josefsson) 1 of 22024-10-23Not public
Exhibit BB12 Communication from the Examining Division dated 18 May 20172024-10-23Not public
Exhibit BB04 Response letter BSRP dated 12 July 2024 and accompanying email2024-10-23Not public
Exhibit BB15 HL Displays 2006 Product Catalogue2024-10-23Not public
Exhibit BB09 Machine translation of SE 531 411 C2 (D2 or Linden)2024-10-23Not public
Exhibit BB13 Further amended claims and accompanying letter dated 28 November 20172024-10-23Not public
Exhibit BB14 US 3067903 (D7 or Jones)2024-10-23Not public
Exhibit BB23 English machine translation of EP 1374744A2 (Haltenhof)2024-10-23Not public
Exhibit BB27 US 3308964 (Pistone)2024-10-23Not public
Exhibit BB01A BSRP product brochures 1 of 42024-10-23Not public
Receipt2024-10-18Not public
BSRP's Application under Rule 9 RoP2024-10-18Not public
Panel-Appointment2024-07-25Not public
epoUploadDocumentsWorkflow2024-07-25Not public
Acknowledgement of access to case2024-07-23Not public
Document from EPO2024-07-23Not public
Notification Of Service2024-07-22Not public
2024-07-22_ACT_39810-2024 UPC_CFI_386-2024_Confirmation of Service2024-07-22Not public
Letter for Service2024-07-17Not public
Panel-Appointment2024-07-16Not public
EPO-Request-for-case-pending2024-07-16Not public
Receipt2024-07-16Not public
Formal-checks_Notification-of-positive-outcome2024-07-16Not public
Statement of Claim2024-07-16Not public
Exhibit HL012024-07-16Not public
Formal response to invitation to correct formal deficiencies2024-07-16Not public
Exhibit HL062024-07-16Not public
Exhibit HL102024-07-16Not public
Exhibit HL082024-07-16Not public
Formal response to invitation to correct formal deficiencies2024-07-16Not public
Exhibit HL072024-07-16Not public
Exhibit HL092024-07-16Not public
Exhibit HL052024-07-16Not public
Exhibit HL112024-07-16Not public
Exhibit HL022024-07-16Not public
Exhibit HL032024-07-16Not public
Exhibit HL042024-07-16Not public
Formal-checks_Request-for-correction2024-07-09Not public
Exhibit HL092024-07-09Not public
Exhibit HL042024-07-09Not public
Exhibit HL032024-07-09Not public
Formal response to invitation to correct formal deficiencies2024-07-09Not public
Exhibit HL082024-07-09Not public
Exhibit HL112024-07-09Not public
Exhibit HL022024-07-09Not public
Exhibit HL072024-07-09Not public
Statement of Claim2024-07-09Not public
Exhibit HL052024-07-09Not public
Exhibit HL102024-07-09Not public
Exhibit HL062024-07-09Not public
Exhibit HL012024-07-09Not public
Formal-checks_Request-for-correction2024-07-08Not public
Acknowledgement-of-lodging2024-07-03Not public
Exhibit HL042024-07-03Not public
Exhibit HL052024-07-03Not public
Exhibit HL022024-07-03Not public
Statement of Claim2024-07-03Not public
Exhibit HL012024-07-03Not public
Exhibit HL032024-07-03Not public
Exhibit HL092024-07-03Not public
Exhibit HL062024-07-03Not public
Exhibit HL082024-07-03Not public
Exhibit HL072024-07-03Not public
Exhibit HL102024-07-03Not public
Exhibit HL112024-07-03Not public
Coverage: Partial.Reasoning extracted with partial coverage — some sections may be incomplete.
Plain-English summary

HL Display AB (Sweden) successfully sued Black Sheep Retail Products B.V. (Netherlands) for infringement of EP 2 432 351 B1, a patent for a shelf-divider securing system. The Hague Local Division found the patent valid (dismissing BSRP's revocation counterclaim on added matter and inventive step) and directly and indirectly infringed by BSRP Product 1, granting a pan-European injunction. BSRP's counterclaim for a declaration of non-infringement of a revised product was declared inadmissible for lack of a prior infringement assertion.

Accepted arguments
What the court agreed with — by party.

  • Patent EP 2 432 351 B1 is valid over added matter and inventive step attacks

    ClaimantLegal basis: Art. 65 UPCA; Art. 54, 56 EPC

    Note: Court upheld the patent's validity, rejecting challenges based on added matter and lack of inventive step raised in the counterclaim for revocation.

  • BSRP Product 1 directly infringes claim 1 of EP 2 432 351 B1

    ClaimantLegal basis: Art. 25 UPCA

    Note: Court found all claim features present in BSRP Product 1 after claim construction.

  • Indirect infringement: BSRP supplies shelf accessories that are essential means relating to the invention

    ClaimantLegal basis: Art. 26 UPCA

    Note: Court found indirect infringement in the supply of shelf accessory components for use in the infringing system.

  • Long-arm jurisdiction established for BSRP's sales outside the Netherlands

    ClaimantLegal basis: Art. 31 UPCA

    Note: Court accepted long-arm jurisdiction enabling it to order cessation of infringing acts in all UPC territories where the patent is in force.

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

  • Counterclaim for declaration of non-infringement of revised product (new product 2) is admissible

    RespondentLegal basis: R. 61.1 RoP

    Reason: Admissibility of a declaration of non-infringement requires prior written assertion of infringement or a refusal to acknowledge non-infringement (R. 61.1 RoP); mere invocation of the patent against a different product is insufficient, and failure to respond within 30 days to the counterclaim itself does not trigger R. 61.1(b) RoP.

  • Patent lacks inventive step / contains added matter (counterclaim for revocation)

    RespondentLegal basis: Art. 54, 56 EPC

    Reason: Counterclaim for revocation was dismissed in full; the patent was found valid.

  • Application to deposit three further physical objects (BB40A-C) as late exhibits

    RespondentLegal basis: R. 170 RoP

    Reason: No explanation given for why the objects could not have been filed earlier (with the statement of defence); request refused by judge-rapporteur.

Key legal principles
Doctrines and rules cited in the reasoning.
Declaration of non-infringement requires prior assertion of infringement or rejection of a written acknowledgment request (R. 61.1 RoP)Counterclaim for declaration of non-infringement inadmissible where no prior assertion of infringement for the specific productR. 61.1(b) RoP does not apply merely because the patent holder fails to respond to the counterclaim within 30 daysIndirect infringement under Art. 26 UPCA extends to supply of essential means for putting the invention into effectLong-arm jurisdiction covers infringing activities in territories beyond the local division's member state

Browse other cases on this principle.

Claim construction notes

The court construed the stop-face mechanism of claim 1 of EP 2 432 351 B1 (shelf securing system): 'first stop face' = forward-facing surface of the first arm; 'second stop face' = rearward-facing surface of the rear engagement member disposed in front of the front end of the third arm. Mutual overlapping in the vertical direction achieved by rotating the shelf accessory. BSRP Product 1 was found to embody all these structural features.