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UPC CFI 43/2025

Jan 21, 2025·EP2437696: SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CONTROLLING POSITION

Case details
Status
Case Closed
Action
Infringement
Category
Main Infringement Action
Parties
Claimants
Reps: Wim Maas; Faziel Abdul; Naomi Kannekens
Respondents
Reps: Michael Ras; Hendrik Pastink; Arie Jan Willem Tol; Ceren Okat; Roeland Grijpink
Division
The Hague LD
Judges
Technology
Medical Devices · Diagnostics · Pharmaceutical & Medical
Language
English
First decided
Mar 3, 2026
Claims
At issue1, 2, 4
Revoked1, 2, 4
Notes: EP 2 437 696 B2 revoked; claims 1 and 2 found invalid over JP748; claim 4 (adaptive feedback) also obvious; auxiliary request also invalid; infringement action dismissed.
Decisions
  • 2026-03-03
    RevokedInfringement meritsInfringement Action

    The Hague Local Division revoked Advanced Brain Monitoring's EP 2 437 696 B2 (position therapy device for sleep disorders) as lacking inventive step over JP748 prior art. The counterclaim for revocation by Philips succeeded and the infringement action was dismissed.

    Legal issues:RevocationInventive stepPosition therapy deviceSleep disordersCounterclaim for revocation
Documents
Document titleDatePublic
action.phaseChange.caseClose2026-03-03Not public
action.issueDecision.decision2026-03-03Not public
Decision2026-03-03Public
Other Documents2026-01-28Not public
action.phaseChange.oralPhaseOpen2026-01-12Not public
action.phaseChange.interimPhaseClose2026-01-12Not public
Cover sheet2025-12-11Not public
Further pleadings2025-12-11Not public
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Receipt2025-12-11Not public
Cover sheet2025-12-10Not public
Further pleadings2025-12-10Not public
Receipt2025-12-10Not public
Cover sheet2025-11-28Not public
Further pleadings2025-11-28Not public
Receipt2025-11-28Not public
action.issueOrder.order2025-11-21Not public
Order2025-11-21Not public
action.phaseChange.interimPhaseOpen2025-11-19Not public
action.phaseChange.writtenPhaseClose2025-11-19Not public
Acknowledgement-of-lodging2025-09-08Not public
Rejoinder and Reply to Defence counterclaim2025-09-08Not public
Acknowledgement-of-lodging2025-09-08Not public
Rejoinder and Reply to Defence counterclaim2025-09-08Not public
Acknowledgement-of-lodging2025-09-08Not public
Exhibit P18 book "microcontrollers fundamentals"2025-09-08Not public
Exhibit P21 screenshots video2025-09-08Not public
Exhibit P16 NE 555 datasheet2025-09-08Not public
Exhibit P19 front page video2025-09-08Not public
Exhibit P20 transcript video P192025-09-08Not public
Exhibit P23 updated NightBalance webpages2025-09-08Not public
Rejoinder and Reply to Defence counterclaim2025-09-08Not public
Exhibit P22 preliminary opinion Board of Appeal2025-09-08Not public
Exhibit P15 CMOS 4017 datasheet2025-09-08Not public
Exhibit P17 book "introduction to Microcontrollers"2025-09-08Not public
Exhibit P19 video2025-09-08Not public
Exhibit P24 screenshots Snorflex webpage2025-09-08Not public
Outcome of the Order2025-08-04Not public
R.263 order2025-08-04Public
R.263 order2025-08-04Not public
Response RoP2632025-07-22Not public
Panel-Appointment2025-07-16Not public
opportunity to comment2025-07-10Not public
Receipt2025-07-10Not public
Annex TW032025-07-09Not public
Annex TW022025-07-09Not public
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Annex TW012025-07-09Not public
2025.07.09 - Application to amend the case and amend the claims - EP 696 (FINAL) - Signed WM2025-07-09Not public
Acknowledgement-of-lodging2025-07-09Not public
Annex TW322025-07-09Not public
Annex TW30 - Part 12025-07-09Not public
Annex TW30 - Part 22025-07-09Not public
Annex TW252025-07-09Not public
Annex TW282025-07-09Not public
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Annex TW242025-07-09Not public
Annex TW312025-07-09Not public
2025.07.09 - Reply to the Statement of Defense and Defense to the Counterclaim - Signed WM2025-07-09Not public
Annex TW292025-07-09Not public
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Acknowledgement-of-lodging2025-07-09Not public
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Annex TW262025-07-09Not public
Annex TW30 - Part 22025-07-09Not public
Annex TW282025-07-09Not public
2025.07.09 - Reply to the Statement of Defense and Defense to the Counterclaim - Signed WM2025-07-09Not public
Annex TW342025-07-09Not public
Annex TW30 - Part 12025-07-09Not public
Annex TW332025-07-09Not public
Annex TW252025-07-09Not public
Acknowledgement-of-lodging2025-07-09Not public
Annex TW242025-07-09Not public
Annex TW262025-07-09Not public
Annex TW342025-07-09Not public
Annex TW30 - Part 22025-07-09Not public
Annex TW292025-07-09Not public
Annex TW252025-07-09Not public
Annex TW282025-07-09Not public
Annex TW30 - Part 12025-07-09Not public
Annex TW322025-07-09Not public
2025.07.09 - Reply to the Statement of Defense and Defense to the Counterclaim - Signed WM2025-07-09Not public
Annex TW312025-07-09Not public
Annex TW272025-07-09Not public
Annex TW332025-07-09Not public
Hearing-Dates2025-07-03Not public
R.37.2 and R.28 order2025-07-03Public
Hearing-Dates2025-07-03Not public
R.37.2 order2025-07-02Public
Comment pursuant to RoP2642025-06-30Not public
comments re. Art33(3) UPCA2025-06-30Not public
comments re. Art33(3) UPCA2025-06-30Not public
comments re. Art33(3) UPCA2025-06-30Not public
opportunity to comment2025-06-27Not public
Acknowledgement-of-lodging2025-05-06Not public
Formal-checks_Notification-of-positive-outcome2025-05-06Not public
Acknowledgement-of-lodging2025-05-06Not public
Formal-checks_Notification-of-positive-outcome2025-05-06Not public
Acknowledgement-of-lodging2025-05-06Not public
Formal-checks_Notification-of-positive-outcome2025-05-06Not public
Statement of Defence and Counterclaim for Revocation2025-05-06Not public
Corrected Statement of Defence2025-05-06Not public
Acknowledgement-of-change-of-a-representative2025-05-06Not public
Corrected Statement of Defence2025-05-06Not public
Statement of Defence and Counterclaim for Revocation2025-05-06Not public
Exhibit P132025-05-06Not public
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Corrected Statement of Defence2025-05-06Not public
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Statement of Defense and Counterclaim for Revocation2025-05-06Not public
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Application-RoP293-Receipt2025-05-01Not public
Formal-checks_Notification-of-positive-outcome2025-05-01Not public
Application-RoP2932025-04-29Not public
2024PJT01328 Application for change of representative2025-04-29Not public
Formal-checks_Request-for-correction2025-04-29Not public
Formal-checks_Request-for-correction2025-04-29Not public
Formal-checks_Request-for-correction2025-04-29Not public
Acknowledgement-of-lodging2025-04-29Not public
Statement of Defence and Counterclaim for Revocation2025-04-29Not public
Acknowledgement-of-lodging2025-04-29Not public
Statement of Defence and Counterclaim for Revocation2025-04-29Not public
Acknowledgement-of-lodging2025-04-29Not public
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Exhibit P132025-04-29Not public
Exhibit P062025-04-29Not public
Statement of Defense and Counterclaim for Revocation2025-04-29Not public
Exhibit P092025-04-29Not public
Exhibit P112025-04-29Not public
Exhibit P082025-04-29Not public
Exhibit P022025-04-29Not public
Acknowledgement of access to case2025-02-18Not public
Notification Of Service2025-02-18Not public
2025_02_17 ACT_3301_2025 UPC_CFI_43_2025 Confirmation of Service Philips RS North America LLC2025-02-18Not public
Notification Of Service2025-02-06Not public
2025_02_03 ACT_3301_2025 UPC_CFI_43_2025 Confirmation of Service Respironics Deutschland GmbH Co KG2025-02-06Not public
Panel-Appointment2025-02-06Not public
Acknowledgement of access to case2025-02-04Not public
Acknowledgement of access to case2025-02-03Not public
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Notification Of Service2025-02-03Not public
2025-02-03 ACT_3301_2025 UPC_CFI_43_2025 Confirmation of Service2025-02-03Not public
Letter-for-Service2025-01-30Not public
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Letter-for-Service2025-01-30Not public
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communicationCheck2025-01-28Not public
Document from EPO2025-01-28Not public
Panel-Appointment2025-01-24Not public
EPO-Request-for-case-pending2025-01-24Not public
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Formal-checks_Notification-of-positive-outcome2025-01-24Not public
Acknowledgement-of-lodging2025-01-21Not public
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Annex TW022025-01-21Not public
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Statement of Claim2025-01-21Not public
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Annex TW232025-01-21Not public
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Plain-English summary

Advanced Brain Monitoring Inc.'s infringement action against Koninklijke Philips N.V. and related entities concerning EP 2 437 696 B2 (wearable position therapy device for sleep disorders) was dismissed by The Hague Local Division after Philips' counterclaim for revocation succeeded. The Court found claim 1 anticipated by JP748 (1990s Japanese PTD using a mercury switch), and the Auxiliary Request obvious over JP748 because the EU mercury prohibition in force from 2006 made accelerometers the obvious replacement for mercury switches in such devices at the 2009 priority date, supported by common general knowledge from standard engineering handbooks.

Accepted arguments
What the court agreed with — by party.

  • EP 2 437 696 B2 lacks inventive step over JP748 (Japanese patent on position therapy device)

    RespondentLegal basis: Art. 56 EPC

    Note: Court found that all features of claim 1 were disclosed in JP748 except the accelerometer; replacing the mercury switch angle sensor in JP748 with an accelerometer was obvious at the 2009 priority date given mandatory EU prohibition of mercury from 2006 and common general knowledge that accelerometers were standard components in this field.

  • JP748 is a realistic starting point for inventive step analysis

    RespondentLegal basis: Art. 56 EPC; problem-solution approach

    Note: Court dismissed ABM's belated challenge at oral hearing that JP748 was not a realistic starting point, noting JP748 relates to the same technical field and solves the same perceived problems as the patent.

  • Claim 1 of the Auxiliary Request is also obvious over JP748 with accelerometer modification

    RespondentLegal basis: Art. 56 EPC

    Note: Limiting claim 1 to an accelerometer-based position detector in the AR did not save the patent because the skilled person in 2009 was forced to replace the mercury switch with an accelerometer given EU mercury prohibition, and accelerometers were common general knowledge for such applications.

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

  • ABM's belated (oral hearing) challenge that JP748 is not a realistic starting point for inventive step

    ClaimantLegal basis: Art. 56 EPC

    Reason: JP748 relates to the same technical field (position therapy for sleep disorders) and addresses the same perceived problems; it was properly identified as a realistic starting point. The belated timing of the challenge was also noted.

  • Dependent claim 2 (adaptive feedback) saves the patent

    ClaimantLegal basis: Art. 56 EPC

    Reason: Adaptive feedback (claim 2) requiring a more advanced microcontroller was obvious at the priority date given common general knowledge of contemporary microprocessors; claim 2 also disclosed in JP748 so it cannot save the patent.

  • Infringement of EP 2 437 696 B2 by Philips' sleep therapy devices

    ClaimantLegal basis: Art. 65 UPCA

    Reason: As the patent was found entirely invalid, the infringement action failed and all ABM requests were dismissed without reaching the infringement merits.

Key legal principles
Doctrines and rules cited in the reasoning.
problem-solution approach: realistic starting point must address same technical field and problemsinventive step: regulatory constraints (EU mercury prohibition from 2006) as factor forcing skilled person toward alternativecommon general knowledge of accelerometers in wearable devices at 2009 priority datebelated challenges to starting point rejectedcomplete invalidity leads to automatic failure of infringement action without further examinationpartial opt-out withdrawal: patent must have been opted out first, then withdrawn to confer UPC jurisdiction

Browse other cases on this principle.

Prior art relied on
References cited and the role they played.
  • JP748 (Japanese patent on position therapy device, circa 1990/1991)Novelty-destroying
  • P25 (Handbook of Modern Sensors, 2003)Background
  • P28 (textbook for sleep medicine, evidencing accelerometers in wrist actigraphy)Background
Claim construction notes

Claim 1 of EP 2 437 696 B2 (as maintained in B2 form after EPO opposition proceedings) covers a wearable position therapy device (PTD) with a position detector to detect patient position and provide feedback to discourage sleeping in the wrong position. The contested feature distinguishing over JP748 was the accelerometer (in the Auxiliary Request); the Court construed the position detector in the main claim broadly enough to be anticipated by JP748's mercury tilt switch, and found the accelerometer substitution obvious.