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UPC CFI 433/2024

Jul 25, 2024·EP2671173 +1 more: METHOD AND MEANS FOR BROWSING BY WALKING

Parent infringement case:UPC CFI 164/2024

Case details
Status
Oral Phase
Action
Counterclaim for revocation
Category
Counter Claim for Revocation
Parties
Claimants
Reps: Tilman Müller-Stoy (Bardehle Pagenberg); Nadine Westermeyer (Bardehle Pagenberg)
Respondents
Reps: Petri Eskola (Backström & Co)
Division
Paris CD
Judges
Technology
Software & Computing · Mobile Apps/UX · Computing & AI
Language
English
First decided
Jan 7, 2026
Claims
At issue1, 6, 10, 12
Revokedall
Notes: EP 2 671 173 entirely revoked; claim 1 invalid for added subject-matter and lack of inventive step; Auxiliary Request I (amending claims 6, 10, 12) could not remedy defect; ARs II-XVII inadmissible.
Decisions
  • 2026-01-07
    RevokedRevocation meritsCounterclaim for revocation

    Decision of the Paris Central Division (Panel 2) dated 7 January 2026 on Microsoft Corporation's counterclaim for revocation of EP 2 671 173 (mobile location-based search technology) owned by Suinno Mobile & AI Technologies Licensing Oy. The court found the patent invalid for lack of inventive step over prior art documents BP07 and BP08. Auxiliary Requests I through further auxiliary requests were examined: Auxiliary Request I was found inadmissible or failed on added subject-matter; subsequent auxiliary requests lacked clarity or were inadmissible. The patent was thus revoked. The decision also addresses the requirements for admissible patent amendment applications under R. 30 RoP.

    Legal issues:Inventive step assessmentApplication to amend the patent – admissibility requirements under R. 30 RoPAdded subject-matter under Art. 123(2) EPCClarity of auxiliary requests
Documents
Document titleDatePublic
action.phaseChange.caseClose2026-03-31Not public
Receipt2026-02-09Not public
Cover sheet2026-02-09Not public
Application document Applicant2026-02-09Not public
Application document Applicant2026-02-09Not public
action.publishOrderDecision.decision2026-01-07Not public
action.issueDecision.decision2026-01-07Not public
Decision2026-01-07Public
action.phaseChange.oralPhaseClose2026-01-07Not public
Other Documents2025-10-31Not public
action.issueOrder.order2025-09-30Not public
Order2025-09-30Not public
action.issueOrder.order2025-09-25Not public
Order2025-09-25Not public
20250918_Response_Hearing_date_ Microsoft_EN_signed2025-09-18Not public
preliminary order2025-09-16Not public
01_20250814_Exhibit_BP42_Microsoft2025-08-14Not public
00_20250814_Comments_to_Order_re_continue_proceeding_Microsoft_EN2025-08-14Not public
rule 92025-07-28Public
rule 92025-07-28Not public
Comment_and_time_extension_request2025-07-24Not public
rule 92025-07-14Public
rule 92025-07-14Not public
Template-Order2025-07-14Not public
20250602_Re-scheduling_oral_hearing_Microsoft2025-06-02Not public
Exhibit_BP41_Microsoft2025-06-02Not public
Response to Procedural Order2025-05-30Not public
Outcome of the Order2025-05-27Not public
closing workflow2025-05-27Public
rule 92025-05-27Public
Receipt2025-05-23Not public
Request_Rescheduling_oral_hearing_Microsoft_signed2025-05-23Not public
Exhibit_BP40_Microsoft2025-05-23Not public
Interim-Procedure-Closure2025-05-20Not public
Summon-Oral-Hearing2025-05-20Not public
rule 1082025-05-20Public
Hearing-Dates2025-04-21Not public
rule 1052025-04-21Public
Hearing Reference2025-04-16Not public
Hearing Reference2025-04-16Not public
Outcome of the Order2025-04-05Not public
closing workflow2025-04-05Public
Outcome of the Order2025-04-05Not public
closing workflow2025-04-05Public
Outcome of the Order2025-04-05Not public
closing workflow2025-04-05Public
Fix-Interim-Conference-Date2025-04-05Not public
rule 352025-04-05Public
Interim-Conference-Decision2025-04-05Not public
Written-Procedure-Closure2025-04-05Not public
Receipt2025-03-31Not public
Brief re. interim conference and default judgment_en_signed2025-03-31Not public
Acknowledgement-of-change-of-a-representative2025-03-28Not public
Application-RoP293-Receipt2025-03-28Not public
Formal-checks_Notification-of-positive-outcome2025-03-28Not public
Application-RoP2932025-03-28Not public
Appointing AA Mr. Petri Eskola as the new representative SMAITL Oy2025-03-28Not public
Appointing AA Petri Eskola as representative, ratifying earlier submitted documents.2025-03-28Not public
Final order - 8391-2025 - 03.03.20252025-03-05Not public
rule 92025-03-03Not public
rule 92025-03-03Public
20250228_Admissibility_of_Representation_Brief_of_Microsoft2025-02-28Not public
Income Statement & Balance Sheet2025-02-27Not public
Comments regarding representation2025-02-27Not public
rule 92025-02-19Not public
Final order anonymized 12.02.20252025-02-12Not public
Hearing-Dates2025-02-12Not public
rule 282025-02-12Not public
rule 282025-02-12Public
Hearing-Dates2025-02-12Not public
Rejoin-Amend-Patent-Defence2025-01-16Not public
20250116_Rejoinder_to_Reply_Microsoft2025-01-16Not public
Exhibit_BP37 - Microsoft2025-01-16Not public
Order 61821-2024 anonymized bis2025-01-07Not public
Order 61821-2024 anonymized2025-01-07Not public
Order 61820-2024 anonymized bis2025-01-07Not public
Order 61820-2024 anonymized2025-01-07Not public
Outcome of the Order2025-01-07Not public
closing workflow2025-01-07Not public
closing workflow2025-01-07Public
rule 262 (A)2025-01-07Not public
rule 262 (A)2025-01-07Public
Outcome of the Order2025-01-07Not public
closing workflow2025-01-07Not public
closing workflow2025-01-07Public
rule 262 (A)2025-01-07Not public
rule 262 (A)2025-01-07Public
Reply-Amend-Patent-Defence2024-12-16Not public
Main Request per claim numbering in Exhibit B2024-12-16Not public
Main Request for publication2024-12-16Not public
Rejoinder+amendment patent2024-12-16Not public
Defining what Internet Search Engine is2024-12-16Not public
Auxiliary requests written out2024-12-16Not public
Acknowledgement-of-lodging2024-12-16Not public
past damages2024-12-16Not public
Claims of Main Request per numbering in Exhibit B2024-12-16Not public
Device delivery status Annex 122024-12-16Not public
Microsoft negotiation -part I2024-12-16Not public
Rejoinder2024-12-16Not public
What an Internet Search engine is2024-12-16Not public
Microsoft negotiation -part I2024-12-16Not public
Microsoft negotiation part II2024-12-16Not public
Rejoinder2024-12-16Not public
Microsoft GIPLG negotiation part 32024-12-16Not public
auxiliary requests written out2024-12-16Not public
Linear patent lifetime damages2024-12-16Not public
Microsoft GIPLG negotiation part 32024-12-16Not public
Annex 15-Revenue recognition of license fees2024-12-16Not public
Claimant Income Statement2024-12-16Not public
Main Request renumbered for publication2024-12-16Not public
Microsoft negotiation part II2024-12-16Not public
Acknowledgement-of-lodging2024-12-13Not public
Order anonymized - 43494- 04.12.20242024-12-04Not public
Outcome of the Order2024-12-04Not public
closing workflow2024-12-04Public
closing workflow2024-12-04Not public
closing workflow2024-12-04Public
Receipt2024-11-19Not public
Receipt2024-11-19Not public
Confidentiality application pursuant to R. 262A RoP2024-11-19Not public
Confidentiality application pursuant to R. 262A RoP2024-11-19Not public
Acknowledgement-of-lodging2024-11-19Not public
Request for default judgment2024-11-19Not public
Request for default judgment2024-11-19Not public
Defence to Application to amend2024-11-19Not public
Defence to Application to amend2024-11-19Not public
Exhibit BP 342024-11-19Not public
Reply to Defence to CfR2024-11-19Not public
Exhibit BP 342024-11-19Not public
Reply to Defence to CfR2024-11-19Not public
Acknowledgement-of-lodging2024-09-23Not public
Formal-checks_Notification-of-positive-outcome2024-09-23Not public
Formal-checks_Notification-of-positive-outcome2024-09-20Not public
Acknowledgement-of-lodging2024-09-20Not public
Payment receipt from ERP software going out 23rd Sept.2024-09-20Not public
Annex 72024-09-20Not public
Annex 42024-09-20Not public
Annex 52024-09-20Not public
Annex 32024-09-20Not public
Annex 22024-09-20Not public
Annex 12024-09-20Not public
Response to Revocation Counterclaim2024-09-20Not public
Annex 62024-09-20Not public
Annex 52024-09-20Not public
Annex 42024-09-20Not public
Annex 72024-09-20Not public
Annex 12024-09-20Not public
Conditional Application to amend claims2024-09-20Not public
Annex 22024-09-20Not public
Annex 32024-09-20Not public
Annex 62024-09-20Not public
Notification Of Service2024-08-12Not public
Electronic service - 07.08.20242024-08-12Not public
Acknowledgement of access to case2024-08-08Not public
Letter for Service2024-08-07Not public
epoUploadDocumentsWorkflow2024-08-05Not public
Document from EPO2024-08-01Not public
Panel-Appointment2024-07-30Not public
EPO-Request-for-case-pending2024-07-30Not public
Acknowledgement-of-lodging2024-07-30Not public
Formal-checks_Notification-of-positive-outcome2024-07-30Not public
Exhibit_BP26_Microsoft2024-07-30Not public
Exhibit_BP10_Microsoft2024-07-30Not public
Exhibit_BP00_Microsoft2024-07-30Not public
Exhibit_BP24_Microsoft2024-07-30Not public
Exhibit_BP15_Microsoft2024-07-30Not public
Exhibit_BP18_Microsoft2024-07-30Not public
Exhibit_BP25_Microsoft2024-07-30Not public
Exhibit_BP13_Microsoft2024-07-30Not public
Exhibit BP19 Microsoft updated2024-07-30Not public
Exhibit_BP19_Microsoft2024-07-30Not public
Exhibit_BP14_Microsoft2024-07-30Not public
Exhibit_BP20_Microsoft2024-07-30Not public
Exhibit_BP12_Microsoft2024-07-30Not public
Exhibit_BP27_Microsoft2024-07-30Not public
Re-Submission of Exhibits2024-07-30Not public
Exhibit_BP01_Microsoft_en2024-07-30Not public
Exhibit_BP05_Microsoft2024-07-30Not public
Exhibit BP17 Microsoft updated2024-07-30Not public
Counterclaim for Revocation2024-07-30Not public
Exhibit_BP03_Microsoft2024-07-30Not public
Exhibit_BP29_Microsoft2024-07-30Not public
Exhibit_BP08_Microsoft2024-07-30Not public
Exhibit_BP21_Microsoft2024-07-30Not public
Exhibit_BP11_Microsoft2024-07-30Not public
Exhibit_BP09_Microsoft2024-07-30Not public
Exhibit_BP06_Microsoft2024-07-30Not public
Exhibit_BP04_Microsoft2024-07-30Not public
Exhibit BP29 Microsoft updated2024-07-30Not public
Exhibit_BP07_Microsoft2024-07-30Not public
Exhibit_BP02_Microsoft2024-07-30Not public
Exhibit_BP23_Microsoft2024-07-30Not public
Exhibit_BP16_Microsoft2024-07-30Not public
Exhibit_BP30_Microsoft2024-07-30Not public
Exhibit BP18 Microsoft updated2024-07-30Not public
Exhibit_BP28_Microsoft2024-07-30Not public
Exhibit_BP17_Microsoft2024-07-30Not public
Exhibit BP21 Microsoft updated2024-07-30Not public
Exhibit_BP22_Microsoft2024-07-30Not public
Formal-checks_Request-for-correction2024-07-25Not public
Application2024-07-25Not public
Exhibit_BP08_Microsoft2024-07-25Not public
Exhibit_BP01_Microsoft_en2024-07-25Not public
Exhibit_BP16_Microsoft2024-07-25Not public
Exhibit_BP13_Microsoft2024-07-25Not public
Exhibit_BP21_Microsoft2024-07-25Not public
Exhibit_BP14_Microsoft2024-07-25Not public
Exhibit_BP06_Microsoft2024-07-25Not public
Exhibit_BP30_Microsoft2024-07-25Not public
Exhibit_BP23_Microsoft2024-07-25Not public
Counterclaim for Revocation2024-07-25Not public
Exhibit_BP10_Microsoft2024-07-25Not public
Exhibit_BP29_Microsoft2024-07-25Not public
Exhibit_BP24_Microsoft2024-07-25Not public
Exhibit_BP05_Microsoft2024-07-25Not public
Exhibit_BP22_Microsoft2024-07-25Not public
Exhibit_BP02_Microsoft2024-07-25Not public
Exhibit_BP07_Microsoft2024-07-25Not public
Exhibit_BP18_Microsoft2024-07-25Not public
Counterclaim for Revocation2024-07-25Not public
Exhibit_BP11_Microsoft2024-07-25Not public
Exhibit_BP17_Microsoft2024-07-25Not public
Exhibit_BP04_Microsoft2024-07-25Not public
Exhibit_BP09_Microsoft2024-07-25Not public
Exhibit_BP20_Microsoft2024-07-25Not public
Exhibit_BP12_Microsoft2024-07-25Not public
Exhibit_BP15_Microsoft2024-07-25Not public
Exhibit_BP26_Microsoft2024-07-25Not public
Exhibit_BP03_Microsoft2024-07-25Not public
Exhibit_BP28_Microsoft2024-07-25Not public
Exhibit_BP19_Microsoft2024-07-25Not public
Exhibit_BP27_Microsoft2024-07-25Not public
Exhibit_BP00_Microsoft2024-07-25Not public
Exhibit_BP25_Microsoft2024-07-25Not public
Plain-English summary

Microsoft Corporation filed a counterclaim for revocation of Suinno Mobile & AI Technologies Licensing Oy's EP 2 671 173 (location-based mobile search / browsing by walking) at the Paris Central Division. The court found claim 1 invalid for added subject-matter (Art. 123(2) EPC) and independently for lack of inventive step over BP07 combined with BP08; all auxiliary requests either failed to remedy the defects or were inadmissible for non-compliance with R. 30 RoP because the scope of proposed amendments was insufficiently clear for the court to understand without subjective reconstruction.

Accepted arguments
What the court agreed with — by party.

  • Claim 1 as granted lacks inventive step over EP 2 264 662 A1 (BP07) combined with US 2006/0253409 (BP08)

    Claimant

    Note: BP07 discloses all features of claim 1 except the local area receiver and short-range search; BP08 teaches exactly that combination to solve the objective technical problem of increasing location-contextual relevance of search results.

  • Auxiliary Requests II–XVII are inadmissible for failure to comply with R. 30(1) RoP (unclear scope of proposed amendments)

    ClaimantLegal basis: R. 30(1) RoP

    Note: Court found the proposed amendments left the court unable to unambiguously understand the scope of the claims without subjective reconstruction.

  • Patent as granted also contains added subject-matter in claim 1 (features 1.2 and 1.4)

    ClaimantLegal basis: Art. 123(2) EPC

    Note: Court found the patent invalid for added subject-matter; Auxiliary Request I failed to remedy this defect.

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

  • Auxiliary Requests I–XVII save the patent from the invalidity attacks

    RespondentLegal basis: R. 30(1) RoP; Art. 123(2) EPC

    Reason: Auxiliary Request I did not remedy the added-matter defect; Requests II–XVII were inadmissible for failure to submit full sets of claims enabling unambiguous understanding of the proposed amendments.

Key legal principles
Doctrines and rules cited in the reasoning.
Problem-solution approach: objective technical problem must be identified from the distinguishing features before assessing obviousnessPatent amendment application must comply with R. 30 RoP (filing deadline, at least one amendment, official language, clarity, full claim set for substantive amendments)Court cannot assist parties in drafting amendments; amendments must be immediately intelligible without subjective reconstructionRequirements of R. 30(1) that are objective (deadline, language, inclusion of amendments) cause inadmissibility if not met; those that are discretionary (clarity, number, explanation) may lead to non-examinationAdded subject-matter assessed under Art. 123(2) EPC: features 1.2 and 1.4 not directly and unambiguously derivable from application as filed

Browse other cases on this principle.

Prior art relied on
References cited and the role they played.
  • EP 2 264 662 A1 (BP07)Obviousness combination
  • US 2006/0253409 (BP08)Obviousness combination
  • WO 2012/104474 (application as filed of EP 2 671 173)Background
Claim construction notes

The court construed claim 1 of EP 2 671 173 (method for browsing by walking) around features including a mobile station configured to receive information pages via short-range communication links and to search received pages (features 1.5-1.6). The court found these distinguishing features over BP07 are taught by BP08 to solve the problem of increasing location-contextual relevance of search results.