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UPC CFI 448/2024

Jul 29, 2024·EP3215288 · SINTERED METAL PREPARATION AND ITS USE FOR JOINING COMPONENTS

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Case details
Status
Case Closed (Patent upheld as amended)
Action
Counterclaim for revocation
Category
Counterclaim for revocation
Parties
Claimants
Representatives
Respondents
Representatives
Division
Munich LD
Judges
Technology
  • Electrical engineering
    Semiconductors
  • Chemistry
    Materials, metallurgy
Language
German
First decided
Feb 26, 2025
Last decision
Oct 10, 2025
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
Munich LDLockedLocked
Judge Matthias ZigannLockedLocked
Judge Edger BrinkmanLockedLocked
Judge Tobias PichlmaierLockedLocked
Judge Graham AshleyLockedLocked

At the UPC: Vibrantz GmbH (10 cases)·Heraeus Precious Metals GmbH & Co. KG (7 cases)

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Related cases
All proceedings on this patent

This dispute contains 6 other proceedings

UPC CFI 114/2024·UPC APP 16059/2025·UPC APP 2369/2025·UPC APP 33728/2024·UPC APP 43938/2024 and 1 more

2 other defendants litigating the same or a related patent

UPC CoA 919/2025·UPC CoA 920/2025

Start a free trial to see how each one ended.

More cases: Munich LD·2024

Decisions
  • 2025-10-10
    Counterclaim for revocationPublic

    Summary: The Munich Local Division issued the same decision (same panel) as UPC_CFI_114/2024 for the associated counterclaim proceedings, finding infringement action dismissed and patent EP 3 215 288 partially revoked.

    Show the legal issues (3)
    • Partial revocation counterclaim
    • Binding effect of national nullity judgment
    • Private prior use right
  • 2025-02-26
    Public

    Summary: Procedural order of the Munich Local Division in infringement and revocation counterclaim proceedings concerning a metal sintering preparation patent. The order addresses: (1) correction of a prior order of 2 December 2024 by adding an operative clause ordering the substitution of the counter-claimant in the revocation proceedings from Heraeus Precious Metals to Heraeus Electronics; (2) request for review by the panel under R. 333 RoP; and (3) a claimant application regarding the counterclaim under R. 362 RoP concerning the German designation of the patent.

    Show the legal issues (4)
    • Correction of order (R. 353 RoP)
    • Substitution of party in revocation counterclaim (R. 25.1, R. 42.2, R. 305.1(c) RoP)
    • Panel review (R. 333 RoP)
    • Prior use right defence
Documents
Document titleDatePublic
Receipt2026-10-16Not public
Cover sheet2026-10-16Not public
Application Respondent2026-10-16Not public
Application Respondent2026-10-16Not public
Case closed2025-12-15Not public
Publication of decision2025-10-10Not public
Oral procedure closed2025-10-10Not public
Decision2025-10-10Not public
Decision2025-10-10Not public
Decision2025-10-10Public
hearing reference2025-08-08Not public
hearing reference2025-08-08Not public
Panel-Appointment2025-07-17Not public
Interim-Procedure-Closure2025-06-17Not public
Summon-Oral-Hearing2025-06-04Not public
R 105.5 RoP2025-06-04Public
Hearing-Dates2025-06-04Not public
R 105.5 RoP2025-06-04Public
13227-2024_43919-2024_IC_MUN-LOC-UPC2025052810AM2025-05-28Not public
13227-2024_43919-2024_IC_MUN-LOC-UPC2025052810AM2025-05-28Not public
Rejoin-Amend-Patent-Defence2025-05-22Not public
Erwiderung JD im Verletzungs- und Nichtigkeitsverfahren - 22.5.20252025-05-22Not public
Anlage JD 94 - Rechtsgutachten Rumänien 22025-05-22Not public
Anlage NiK 4 - Zweites ergänzendes Gutachten Dr. Kempf2025-05-22Not public
Receipt2025-04-23Not public
Reply-Amend-Patent-Defence2025-04-22Not public
Anlage NiB 25 - Wissenschaftliche Stellungnahme Prof. Eisele2025-04-22Not public
Nichtigkeitsduplik - CBH v. 22.04.20252025-04-22Not public
Anlage NiB 25 - Wissenschaftliche Stellungnahme Prof. Eisele2025-04-22Not public
Replik auf Erwiderung auf Antrag auf Änderung des Patents - zugleich Nichtigkeitsduplik - CBH v. 22.04.20252025-04-22Not public
Receipt2025-03-17Not public
Acknowledgement-of-lodging2025-03-14Not public
Anlage NiK 1 - Buchauszug German Sintering2025-03-14Not public
Anlage NiK 2 - ergänzendes Gutachten Dr. Kempf2025-03-14Not public
Replik Nichtigkeitswiderklage - JD v. 14.3.20252025-03-14Not public
Anlage NiK 3 - Messwerte historische Chargen SF70A SF65 SF302025-03-14Not public
Replik Nichtigkeitswiderklage - JD v. 14.3.20252025-03-14Not public
Anlage NiK 2 - ergänzendes Gutachten Dr. Kempf2025-03-14Not public
Anlage NiK 3 - Messwerte historische Chargen SF70A SF65 SF302025-03-14Not public
Anlage NiK 1 - Buchauszug German Sintering2025-03-14Not public
Headnote-and-Keywords2025-03-04Not public
Outcome of the Order2025-03-04Not public
Headnote-and-Keywords2025-03-04Not public
R 3532025-03-04Public
R 3622025-03-04Public
Stellungnahme zur Rechtskraft sowie zum Austausch der Widerbeklagten - CBH v. 14.02.20252025-02-14Not public
JD Stellungnahme Parteiersetzung2025-02-14Not public
R 362 - comments2025-01-30Not public
R 362 - comments2025-01-30Not public
JD Stellungnahme App 2369/20252025-01-30Not public
Fix-Interim-Conference-Date2025-01-24Not public
Interim-Conference-Decision2025-01-24Not public
Written-Procedure-Closure2025-01-24Not public
Hearing-Dates2025-01-24Not public
Acknowledgement-of-lodging2025-01-16Not public
Formal-checks_Notification-of-positive-outcome2025-01-16Not public
Terminierung2025-01-15Public
Hearing-Dates2025-01-15Not public
IC and R 362 - Stellungnahme2025-01-15Not public
Receipt2025-01-15Not public
Formal-checks_Notification-of-positive-outcome2025-01-14Not public
Acknowledgement-of-lodging2025-01-14Not public
Erwiderung auf Nichtigkeitswiderklage - CBH v. 14.01.20252025-01-14Not public
Antrag auf Änderung des Patents - CBH v. 14.01.20252025-01-14Not public
Anlage NiB 23 - Hilfsanträge2025-01-14Not public
Antrag auf Zurückweisung der Widerklage wegen absolutem Verfahrenshindernis2025-01-14Not public
Formal-checks_Notification-of-positive-outcome2025-01-14Not public
Acknowledgement-of-lodging2025-01-14Not public
Anlage NiB 162025-01-14Not public
Anlage NiB 42025-01-14Not public
Anlage NiB 202025-01-14Not public
Anlage NiB 12025-01-14Not public
Anlage NiB 222025-01-14Not public
Anlage NiB 142025-01-14Not public
Anlage NiB 242025-01-14Not public
Erwiderung auf Nichtigkeitswiderklage - CBH v. 14.01.20252025-01-14Not public
Anlage NiB 62025-01-14Not public
Anlage NiB 102025-01-14Not public
Anlage NiB 192025-01-14Not public
Anlage NiB 152025-01-14Not public
Anlage NiB 212025-01-14Not public
Anlage NiB 112025-01-14Not public
Anlage NiB 182025-01-14Not public
Anlage NiB 82025-01-14Not public
Anlage NiB 52025-01-14Not public
Anlage NiB 22025-01-14Not public
Anlage NiB 32025-01-14Not public
Anlage NiB 23 - Hilfsanträge2025-01-14Not public
Anlage NiB 122025-01-14Not public
Anlage NiB 92025-01-14Not public
Anlage NiB 132025-01-14Not public
Anlage NiB 172025-01-14Not public
Anlage NiB 72025-01-14Not public
Outcome of the Order2024-12-09Not public
R 333 final signed2024-12-09Public
Outcome of the Order2024-12-09Not public
R 333 final signed2024-12-09Public
Outcome of the Order2024-12-09Not public
R 333 final signed2024-12-09Public
Order 262 A - final2024-12-03Not public
Order 262 A - final2024-12-03Not public
Outcome of the Order2024-11-14Not public
R 262 A final2024-11-14Not public
R 262 A final2024-11-14Public
R 262 A final2024-11-14Public
R 262 A final2024-11-14Not public
Stellungnahme zum Antrag auf Erweiterung der Widerklage2024-10-11Not public
Stellungnahme zum Antrag auf Erweiterung der Widerklage2024-10-11Not public
R 305.1 (c) - Stellungnahme2024-10-07Not public
Receipt2024-10-07Not public
R. 305.1 (c) - Antrag auf Austausch der Widerbeklagten - CBH v. 07.10.20242024-10-07Not public
R 263 (Rumänien) - Stellungnahme2024-10-02Not public
Receipt2024-10-02Not public
Antrag auf Klageerweiterung der Widerklage2024-10-01Not public
Headnote-and-Keyword-Translated2024-10-01Not public
Headnote-and-Keywords2024-09-25Not public
Preliminary_Objection_DecisionOutcome2024-09-25Not public
R 361, 363 - final2024-09-25Public
Vibrantz Erwiderung zu Passivlegitimation Widerklage2024-09-25Not public
Widerklage2024-09-25Not public
Template-Order2024-09-25Not public
Notification Of Service2024-09-23Not public
Zustellbeleg - E-Mail2024-09-23Not public
commentPreliminaryObjection2024-09-10Not public
Stellungnahme zur Passivlegitimation2024-09-10Not public
Receipt2024-08-28Not public
preliminaryObjection2024-08-28Not public
Einspruch CBH vom 27.08.20242024-08-27Not public
Anträge CBH zu Passivlegitimation und Fristenlauf vom 27.08.20242024-08-27Not public
epoUploadDocumentsWorkflow2024-08-01Not public
Document from EPO2024-08-01Not public
Acknowledgement of access to case2024-07-30Not public
Notification Of Service2024-07-30Not public
Letter for Service2024-07-30Not 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
Receipt2024-07-29Not public
Antrag gem. RoP262.22024-07-29Not public
Anlage ASt 1- Zeugenaussage Herr Matthias Metzner2024-07-29Not public
Anlage ASt 1- Zeugenaussage Herr Matthias Metzner2024-07-29Not public
Antrag gem. RoP262A2024-07-29Not public
Anlage JD 25 - US 2012/0153012 A12024-07-29Not public
Anlage JD 37 - Publikation „Metallforschung und Entwicklung am Degussa Forschungszentrum Wolfgang“, 19912024-07-29Not public
Anlage JD 29 - DOWA - Presentation of Ag Powder, 20092024-07-29Not public
Anlage JD 76 - Antrag Geheimhaltung gem. Regel 262.2 und 262A2024-07-29Not public
Anlage JD 18 - Menz W. et al., Mikrosystemtechnik für Ingenieure, 20052024-07-29Not public
Anlage JD 30 - Datenblätter (Certificate of Analysis) zu SF 30 (Charge 661229 und 639537)2024-07-29Not public
Anlage JD 20 - Moschytz G., From printed circuit boards to systems-on-a-chip, 20102024-07-29Not public
Anlage JD 01 - Inhaltsverzeichnis2024-07-29Not public
Anlage JD 12 - DIN EN ISO 3252 – Pulvermetallurgie (Begriffe), Februar 20112024-07-29Not public
Anlage JD 27 - DIN ISO 92772024-07-29Not public
Anlage JD 05 - Tabelle Unterlagen zur Widerklage2024-07-29Not public
Anlage JD 22 - E-Mail von Michael Marx und Michael Schäfer vom 2. Februar 20122024-07-29Not public
Anlage JD 19 - Holmes P.J. and Loasby R.G., Handbook of Thick Film Technology, 19762024-07-29Not public
Anlage JD 08 - Merkmalsanalyse Ansprüche in FR, IT2024-07-29Not public
Anlage JD 14 - DIN EN ISO 787-11: 1995-102024-07-29Not public
Widerklage auf Nichtigerklärung2024-07-29Not public
Anlage JD 23 - Datenblatt zu ,,Silver Flake #77A", 13.08.20082024-07-29Not public
Anlage JD 06 - Auszüge Patentregister DE, FR, IT2024-07-29Not public
Anlage JD 26 - Stieß, Mechanische Verfahrenstechnik – Partikeltechnologie 1, 20092024-07-29Not public
Anlage JD 75 - Zeugenaussage Herr Matthias Metzner2024-07-29Not public
Anlage JD 36 - Gutachten Vergleichsversuche2024-07-29Not public
Anlage JD 15 - Präsentation von Ferro: FERRO Metal Powder products, Juni 20112024-07-29Not public
Anlage JD 33 - Sachverständigengutachten Dr. Kempf2024-07-29Not public
Anlage JD 04 - Formal Checks zur Widerklage2024-07-29Not public
Anlage JD 11 (Teil 2) - German, R.: Sintering Theory and Practice, 19962024-07-29Not public
Anlage JD 13 - ASTM Designation: B 527-93 (Reapproved 2000)2024-07-29Not public
Anlage JD 17 - Mertens, C.: Die Niedertemperatur-Verbindungstechnik der Leistungselektronik, 20042024-07-29Not public
Anlage JD 34 - Zeugenaussage Herr Michael Marx2024-07-29Not public
Anlage JD 10 - Schatt, W.: Sintervorgänge Grundlagen, 19922024-07-29Not public
Anlage JD 31 - Sinterpasten Lieferung an Philips 20092024-07-29Not public
Anlage JD 21 - Dorbath, B. et al: Pasten und Pulver fur die Elektronik, 19912024-07-29Not public
Anlage JD 11 (Teil 1) - German, R.: Sintering Theory and Practice, 19962024-07-29Not public
Anlage JD 28 - Schatt, W. et al: Pulvermetallurgie, 20072024-07-29Not public
Anlage JD 31 - Sinterpasten Lieferung an Philips 20092024-07-29Not public
Anlage JD 32 - Datenblatt zu ,,63800015 Low Temp Bonding Paste", 18. Februar 20092024-07-29Not public
Widerklage auf Nichtigerklärung2024-07-29Not public
Anlage JD 09 - Merkmalsanalyse Ansprüche in DE2024-07-29Not public
Anlage JD 07 - HR-Auszug zu Firmenänderung Heraeus2024-07-29Not public
Anlage JD 24 - WO 2011/026623 A12024-07-29Not public
Anlage JD 35 - Versuchsbericht Vergleichsversuche2024-07-29Not public
Anlage JD 16 - Auszug aus Edelmetall-Taschenbuch, 19952024-07-29Not public
Coverage: Partial.Reasoning extracted with partial coverage — some sections may be incomplete.
Plain-English summary

Heraeus Electronics GmbH & Co. KG brought an infringement action against Vibrantz GmbH for EP 3 215 288 (sintered metal preparation for joining components) at the Munich Local Division; Vibrantz counterclaimed for revocation. The court partially revoked the patent (maintaining amended claims in the order), dismissed the infringement action, and apportioned costs 60% to Heraeus and 40% to Vibrantz. A notable principle established: the binding effect of prior national invalidity judgments on UPC proceedings is determined by national law under Art. 24.1(e) UPCA.

Accepted arguments
What the court agreed with — by party.

  • Binding effect of a national revocation judgment on UPC proceedings must be assessed by reference to national law in the absence of specific UPCA provisions

    ClaimantLegal basis: Art. 24.1(e) UPCA

    Note: Court held that since UPCA contains no special rules on the res judicata effect of national invalidity judgments, national law governs this question.

  • EP 3 215 288 (sintered metal preparation) is partially invalid

    Claimant

    Note: The revocation counterclaim succeeded in part; certain claims were revoked while others were maintained; infringement action was dismissed.

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

  • Private prior use right (in DE, FR, IT, RO) precludes infringement finding

    Respondent

    Reason: The private prior use right arguments were addressed but did not change the overall outcome; infringement action was dismissed on other grounds related to partial invalidity of the patent.

Key legal principles
Doctrines and rules cited in the reasoning.
Res judicata effect of national invalidity judgments on UPC proceedings governed by national law (Art. 24.1(e) UPCA)Private prior use rights in DE, FR, IT, RO are available defences in UPC infringement proceedingsPartial revocation of patent may result in dismissal of infringement action where remaining valid claims are not infringedCosts apportioned proportionally to partial success: 40% claimant, 60% respondent

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