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UPC CFI 454/2023
Nov 30, 2023·EP2196231 · System for ambulatory drug infusion comprising a filling apparatus for flexible containers
Action number: ACT 589997/2023
- Case details
- StatusCase Closed (Patent upheld as granted)ActionRevocationCategoryMain revocation action
- Parties
- Claimants
- Tandem Diabetes Care, Inc.Operating co.
- Tandem Diabetes Care Europe B.V.Operating co.
Representatives- Christian Dekoninck-Taylor Wessing
- Charlotte Garnitsch-Taylor Wessing
- Wim Maas-Taylor Wessing
- Alexander Rubusch-Taylor Wessing
- George Seezink-AOMB
- Pauline Springorum-Taylor Wessing
Respondents- Roche Diabetes Care GmbHOperating co.
Representatives- Christof Augenstein-Kather Augenstein
- Katharina Brandt-Kather Augenstein
- Thomas Kronberger-Grünecker Patent- und Rechtsanwälte PartGmbH
- Robert Knaps-Kather Augenstein
- Division
- Paris CD
- Technology
- InstrumentsMedical technology
- Language
- English
- First decided
- Feb 20, 2024
- Last decision
- Dec 18, 2024
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 revoked | Median days to first decision | |
|---|---|---|
| All UPC | 37% (34/91) | 124 |
| Paris CD | Locked | Locked |
| Judge Paolo Catallozzi | Locked | Locked |
| Judge Tatyana Zhilova | Locked | Locked |
| Judge Giorgio Checcacci | Locked | Locked |
At the UPC: Tandem Diabetes Care Group (18 cases)·Roche Group (29 cases)
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Related cases
All proceedings on this patentThis dispute contains 9 other proceedings
UPC CoA 120/2025·UPC CFI 11/2025·UPC CFI 88/2024·UPC CFI 455/2023·UPC APP 3514/2024 and 4 more
1 other defendants litigating the same or a related patent
Decisions
- 2024-12-18Revocation ActionPublic
Summary: The Paris Central Division dismissed Tandem Diabetes Care's revocation action against Roche's EP 2 196 231 B1 (ambulatory drug infusion system), maintaining the patent as granted and ordering the claimants to bear the costs of proceedings, finding the grounds for invalidity (including lack of inventive step over prior art Diaz/Robertson/Glejboel) were not proven.
Show the legal issues (3)
- revocation action lack of inventive step
- standstill clause breach as admissibility issue
- ambulatory drug infusion patent validity
- —revocation
Summary: a) dismisses the revocation action filed by [redacted] and against [redacted] b) maintains the European patent EP n° 2 196 231 B1 as granted; c) orders that the costs of the proceedings shall be borne by the claimants.
Documents
| Document title | Date | Public |
|---|---|---|
| Final order anonymized - 18.02.2025 | 2025-02-19 | Not public |
| Outcome of the Order | 2025-02-18 | Not public |
| rule 353 | 2025-02-18 | Public |
| rule 353 | 2025-02-18 | Not public |
| Acknowledgement-of-change-of-a-representative | 2025-02-14 | Not public |
| Acknowledgement-of-change-of-a-representative | 2025-02-14 | Not public |
| Comments on Rectification Merits Decision | 2025-01-30 | Not public |
| Comments on Rectification Merits Decision | 2025-01-30 | Not public |
| preliminary order | 2025-01-23 | Not public |
| preliminary order | 2025-01-23 | Not public |
| Receipt | 2025-01-20 | Not public |
| 2025-01-20 Application to rectify decision R 353 | 2025-01-20 | Not public |
| Final order anonymized - 18.12.2024 | 2024-12-19 | Not public |
| Headnote-and-Keywords | 2024-12-18 | Not public |
| DecisionOutcome | 2024-12-18 | Not public |
| decision | 2024-12-18 | Public |
| decision | 2024-12-18 | Not public |
| Application-RoP293-Receipt | 2024-12-13 | Not public |
| Formal-checks_Notification-of-positive-outcome | 2024-12-13 | Not public |
| Application-RoP293-Receipt | 2024-12-13 | Not public |
| Formal-checks_Notification-of-positive-outcome | 2024-12-13 | Not public |
| Application-RoP293 | 2024-12-11 | Not public |
| Notification Pursuant to Rule 293 RoP (Change of Representative) | 2024-12-11 | Not public |
| Application-RoP293 | 2024-12-11 | Not public |
| Notification Pursuant to Rule 293 RoP (Change of Representative) | 2024-12-11 | Not public |
| Outcome of the Order | 2024-11-27 | Not public |
| closing workflow | 2024-11-27 | Public |
| Receipt | 2024-11-27 | Not public |
| Confirmation of appointment - anonymized | 2024-11-20 | Not public |
| Outcome of the Order | 2024-11-20 | Not public |
| Confirmation of appointment - case 589997/2023 | 2024-11-20 | Not public |
| Confirmation of appointment - case 589997/2023 | 2024-11-20 | Public |
| Receipt | 2024-11-15 | Not public |
| Annex E1 | 2024-11-15 | Not public |
| Application | 2024-11-15 | Not public |
| Annex E1 | 2024-11-14 | Not public |
| Request for access to audio recording | 2024-11-14 | Not public |
| Hearing Reference | 2024-11-06 | Not public |
| Hearing Reference | 2024-11-06 | Not public |
| Order Rule 333 - 04.11.2024 | 2024-11-04 | Not public |
| Outcome of the Order | 2024-11-04 | Not public |
| rule 333 | 2024-11-04 | Not public |
| rule 333 | 2024-11-04 | Public |
| Final order - 30.10.2024 | 2024-10-31 | Not public |
| Interim-Procedure-Closure | 2024-10-30 | Not public |
| Summon-Oral-Hearing | 2024-10-30 | Not public |
| rule 108 | 2024-10-30 | Public |
| rule 108 | 2024-10-30 | Not public |
| Template-Order | 2024-10-30 | Not public |
| Hearing-Dates | 2024-10-30 | Not public |
| Comments on definitions | 2024-10-29 | Not public |
| Comments on definitions | 2024-10-29 | Not public |
| Exhibit KAP 15 | 2024-10-29 | Not public |
| 2024-10-29 Submission Roche | 2024-10-29 | Not public |
| Acknowledgement-of-lodging | 2024-10-29 | Not public |
| Exhibit KAP 14 | 2024-10-25 | Not public |
| 2024-10-25 Application to review order R. 333 | 2024-10-25 | Not public |
| Final order - RoP105 | 2024-10-25 | Not public |
| Final order - RoP333 | 2024-10-25 | Not public |
| Outcome of the Order | 2024-10-25 | Not public |
| closing workflow | 2024-10-25 | Public |
| Outcome of the Order | 2024-10-21 | Not public |
| rule 333 | 2024-10-21 | Public |
| rule 333 | 2024-10-21 | Not public |
| Acknowledgement-of-lodging | 2024-10-21 | Not public |
| rule 9 | 2024-10-18 | Public |
| rule 9 | 2024-10-18 | Not public |
| Template-Order | 2024-10-18 | Not public |
| rule 9 | 2024-10-18 | Not public |
| Receipt | 2024-10-18 | Not public |
| Application to review | 2024-10-18 | Not public |
| Application for a stay | 2024-10-18 | Not public |
| Order Rule 105 - 10.10.2024 | 2024-10-14 | Not public |
| rule 105 | 2024-10-10 | Not public |
| rule 105 | 2024-10-10 | Public |
| Hearing Reference | 2024-09-11 | Not public |
| Hearing Reference | 2024-09-11 | Not public |
| Fix-Interim-Conference-Date | 2024-09-04 | Not public |
| rule 35 | 2024-09-04 | Public |
| rule 35 | 2024-09-04 | Not public |
| interimConferenceDecision | 2024-09-04 | Not public |
| writtenProcedureClosure | 2024-09-04 | Not public |
| Outcome of the Order | 2024-07-29 | Not public |
| rule 30 | 2024-07-29 | Public |
| Receipt | 2024-07-01 | Not public |
| Receipt | 2024-07-01 | Not public |
| Auxiliary Request 29.pdf | 2024-06-28 | Not public |
| Auxiliary Request 28.pdf | 2024-06-28 | Not public |
| 2024-06-28_new_auxiliary_requests_Roche_signed | 2024-06-28 | Not public |
| Auxiliary Request 27.pdf | 2024-06-28 | Not public |
| Auxiliary Request 30.pdf | 2024-06-28 | Not public |
| 2024-06-28_request_for_confidentiality_R_262_2_signed | 2024-06-28 | Not public |
| Acknowledgement-of-lodging | 2024-06-28 | Not public |
| 2024-06-28_rejoinder_Roche_signed | 2024-06-28 | Not public |
| 2024-06-28_rejoinder_Roche_signed | 2024-06-28 | Not public |
| Hearing-Dates | 2024-06-27 | Not public |
| rule 28 | 2024-06-27 | Public |
| Outcome of the Order | 2024-06-27 | Not public |
| time extension | 2024-06-27 | Public |
| Availability oral hearing | 2024-06-26 | Not public |
| Availability oral hearing | 2024-06-26 | Not public |
| 2024-06-26 Brief Roche regarding availability | 2024-06-26 | Not public |
| Receipt | 2024-06-25 | Not public |
| 2024-06-25 Request to extend deadline | 2024-06-25 | Not public |
| Exhibit KAP 13 | 2024-06-25 | Not public |
| Exhibit KAP 13 | 2024-06-25 | Not public |
| order | 2024-06-20 | Public |
| Acknowledgement-of-lodging | 2024-05-28 | Not public |
| Annex D10 | 2024-05-28 | Not public |
| Annex D8 | 2024-05-28 | Not public |
| Reply Tandem | 2024-05-28 | Not public |
| Annex D9 | 2024-05-28 | Not public |
| Annex D6 | 2024-05-28 | Not public |
| Annex D7 | 2024-05-28 | Not public |
| Exhibit KAP 12 - DE | 2024-05-21 | Not public |
| Brief re oral hearing | 2024-05-21 | Not public |
| Availability hearing | 2024-05-17 | Not public |
| Availability hearing | 2024-05-17 | Not public |
| rule 28 | 2024-05-14 | Not public |
| Hearing-Dates | 2024-05-14 | Not public |
| Preliminary Objection order - case 3514-2024 r | 2024-05-10 | Not public |
| Headnote-and-Keywords | 2024-05-10 | Not public |
| Preliminary_Objection_DecisionOutcome | 2024-05-10 | Not public |
| preliminary objection | 2024-05-10 | Not public |
| preliminary objection | 2024-05-10 | Not public |
| preliminary objection | 2024-05-10 | Public |
| Template-Order | 2024-05-10 | Not public |
| Acknowledgement-of-lodging | 2024-03-28 | Not public |
| Formal-checks_Notification-of-positive-outcome | 2024-03-28 | Not public |
| Exhibit KAP 10 | 2024-03-27 | Not public |
| Auxiliary Request 05 | 2024-03-27 | Not public |
| Auxiliary Request 01 | 2024-03-27 | Not public |
| Auxiliary Request 24 | 2024-03-27 | Not public |
| Auxiliary Request 12 | 2024-03-27 | Not public |
| Auxiliary Request 18 | 2024-03-27 | Not public |
| Exhibit KAP 07 | 2024-03-27 | Not public |
| Auxiliary Request 13 | 2024-03-27 | Not public |
| Auxiliary Request 15 | 2024-03-27 | Not public |
| Auxiliary Request 07 | 2024-03-27 | Not public |
| Defence to Revocation_amended | 2024-03-27 | Not public |
| Auxiliary Request 20 | 2024-03-27 | Not public |
| Auxiliary Request 19 | 2024-03-27 | Not public |
| Auxiliary Request 21 | 2024-03-27 | Not public |
| Auxiliary Request 23 | 2024-03-27 | Not public |
| Exhibit KAP 06 | 2024-03-27 | Not public |
| 2024-02-23 Defence to Statement for DNI_signed | 2024-03-27 | Not public |
| Exhibit KAP 11 | 2024-03-27 | Not public |
| Auxiliary Request 10 | 2024-03-27 | Not public |
| 2024-02-23 Defence to Revocation_signed | 2024-03-27 | Not public |
| Exhibit KAP 09 | 2024-03-27 | Not public |
| Auxiliary Request 06 | 2024-03-27 | Not public |
| Reply Roche regarding request for correction - formal checks II | 2024-03-27 | Not public |
| Auxiliary Request 17 | 2024-03-27 | Not public |
| Auxiliary Request 09 | 2024-03-27 | Not public |
| Auxiliary Request 02 | 2024-03-27 | Not public |
| Auxiliary Request 11 | 2024-03-27 | Not public |
| Auxiliary Request 04 | 2024-03-27 | Not public |
| Auxiliary Request 22 | 2024-03-27 | Not public |
| Auxiliary Request 16 | 2024-03-27 | Not public |
| Auxiliary Request 25 | 2024-03-27 | Not public |
| Auxiliary Request 26 | 2024-03-27 | Not public |
| Auxiliary Request 08 | 2024-03-27 | Not public |
| 2024-03-07 Reply Roche regarding request for correction - formal checks_signed | 2024-03-27 | Not public |
| Auxiliary Request 14 | 2024-03-27 | Not public |
| Auxiliary Request 03 | 2024-03-27 | Not public |
| Exhibit KAP 08 | 2024-03-27 | Not public |
| Formal-checks_Request-for-correction | 2024-03-18 | Not public |
| 2024-02-23 Defence to Statement for DNI_signed | 2024-03-07 | Not public |
| Auxiliary Request 24 | 2024-03-07 | Not public |
| Auxiliary Request 15 | 2024-03-07 | Not public |
| Auxiliary Request 05 | 2024-03-07 | Not public |
| Auxiliary Request 06 | 2024-03-07 | Not public |
| Auxiliary Request 02 | 2024-03-07 | Not public |
| Auxiliary Request 14 | 2024-03-07 | Not public |
| Exhibit KAP 10 | 2024-03-07 | Not public |
| Auxiliary Request 22 | 2024-03-07 | Not public |
| Auxiliary Request 21 | 2024-03-07 | Not public |
| Auxiliary Request 08 | 2024-03-07 | Not public |
| Auxiliary Request 13 | 2024-03-07 | Not public |
| Exhibit KAP 09 | 2024-03-07 | Not public |
| Exhibit KAP 07 | 2024-03-07 | Not public |
| Auxiliary Request 17 | 2024-03-07 | Not public |
| Auxiliary Request 16 | 2024-03-07 | Not public |
| Auxiliary Request 04 | 2024-03-07 | Not public |
| Auxiliary Request 10 | 2024-03-07 | Not public |
| Auxiliary Request 19 | 2024-03-07 | Not public |
| Auxiliary Request 03 | 2024-03-07 | Not public |
| Auxiliary Request 20 | 2024-03-07 | Not public |
| 2024-03-07 Reply Roche regarding request for correction - formal checks_signed | 2024-03-07 | Not public |
| Auxiliary Request 09 | 2024-03-07 | Not public |
| 2024-02-23 Defence to Revocation_signed | 2024-03-07 | Not public |
| Auxiliary Request 26 | 2024-03-07 | Not public |
| Exhibit KAP 11 | 2024-03-07 | Not public |
| Auxiliary Request 25 | 2024-03-07 | Not public |
| Auxiliary Request 07 | 2024-03-07 | Not public |
| Auxiliary Request 12 | 2024-03-07 | Not public |
| Exhibit KAP 06 | 2024-03-07 | Not public |
| Auxiliary Request 01 | 2024-03-07 | Not public |
| Auxiliary Request 23 | 2024-03-07 | Not public |
| Exhibit KAP 08 | 2024-03-07 | Not public |
| Auxiliary Request 18 | 2024-03-07 | Not public |
| Auxiliary Request 11 | 2024-03-07 | Not public |
| hearing invitation | 2024-03-06 | Public |
| Template-Order | 2024-03-06 | Not public |
| Template-Order | 2024-03-06 | Not public |
| 2024-03-04 Reply Roche regarding date for oral hearing on opposition_signed | 2024-03-04 | Not public |
| Availability hearing | 2024-03-01 | Not public |
| Availability hearing | 2024-03-01 | Not public |
| hearing date | 2024-02-28 | Not public |
| Rejoinder to Preliminary Objection | 2024-02-26 | Not public |
| Rejoinder to Preliminary Objection | 2024-02-26 | Not public |
| Formal-checks_Request-for-correction | 2024-02-26 | Not public |
| Acknowledgement-of-lodging | 2024-02-23 | Not public |
| Exhibit KAP 07 | 2024-02-23 | Not public |
| Auxiliary Request 17 | 2024-02-23 | Not public |
| Auxiliary Request 01 | 2024-02-23 | Not public |
| 2024-02-23 Defence to Statement for DNI_signed | 2024-02-23 | Not public |
| Auxiliary Request 06 | 2024-02-23 | Not public |
| Auxiliary Request 23 | 2024-02-23 | Not public |
| Auxiliary Request 07 | 2024-02-23 | Not public |
| Auxiliary Request 04 | 2024-02-23 | Not public |
| Exhibit KAP 06 | 2024-02-23 | Not public |
| Auxiliary Request 19 | 2024-02-23 | Not public |
| Auxiliary Request 11 | 2024-02-23 | Not public |
| Auxiliary Request 13 | 2024-02-23 | Not public |
| Auxiliary Request 22 | 2024-02-23 | Not public |
| 2024-02-23 Defence to Revocation_signed | 2024-02-23 | Not public |
| Auxiliary Request 02 | 2024-02-23 | Not public |
| Auxiliary Request 18 | 2024-02-23 | Not public |
| Auxiliary Request 08 | 2024-02-23 | Not public |
| Auxiliary Request 21 | 2024-02-23 | Not public |
| Auxiliary Request 15 | 2024-02-23 | Not public |
| Auxiliary Request 09 | 2024-02-23 | Not public |
| Auxiliary Request 05 | 2024-02-23 | Not public |
| Auxiliary Request 24 | 2024-02-23 | Not public |
| Auxiliary Request 10 | 2024-02-23 | Not public |
| Exhibit KAP 10 | 2024-02-23 | Not public |
| Auxiliary Request 20 | 2024-02-23 | Not public |
| Auxiliary Request 26 | 2024-02-23 | Not public |
| Exhibit KAP 09 | 2024-02-23 | Not public |
| Auxiliary Request 16 | 2024-02-23 | Not public |
| Auxiliary Request 14 | 2024-02-23 | Not public |
| Auxiliary Request 12 | 2024-02-23 | Not public |
| Exhibit KAP 08 | 2024-02-23 | Not public |
| Auxiliary Request 25 | 2024-02-23 | Not public |
| Auxiliary Request 03 | 2024-02-23 | Not public |
| Exhibit KAP 11 | 2024-02-23 | Not public |
| Receipt | 2024-02-21 | Not public |
| 2024-02-20 Request for confidentiality ACT_589997_2023_App_3514_2024_signed | 2024-02-20 | Not public |
| Exhibit KAP 6 - EN_confidential | 2024-02-20 | Not public |
| Exhibit KAP 6 - EN_confidential | 2024-02-20 | Not public |
| Exhibit KAP 05 - DE | 2024-02-20 | Not public |
| 2024-02-20 Reply in preliminary objection Roche ACT_5899997_2023 App_3514_2024_signed | 2024-02-20 | Not public |
| Exhibit KAP 05a - EN | 2024-02-20 | Not public |
| 2024-02-20 Reply in preliminary objection Roche ACT_5899997_2023 App_3514_2024_signed | 2024-02-20 | Not public |
| Outcome of the Order | 2024-02-20 | Not public |
| request for time extension | 2024-02-20 | Public |
| Receipt | 2024-02-15 | Not public |
| 2024-02-15 Request extension time period statement of defence_signed | 2024-02-15 | Not public |
| request for pleadings | 2024-02-13 | Not public |
| commentPreliminaryObjection | 2024-02-09 | Not public |
| Response to Preliminary Objection | 2024-02-09 | Not public |
| Annex PO 01 to Response to Preliminary Objection | 2024-02-09 | Not public |
| Annex PO 03 to Response to Preliminary Objection | 2024-02-09 | Not public |
| Annex PO 02 to Response to Preliminary Objection | 2024-02-09 | Not public |
| preliminaryObjection | 2024-01-26 | Not public |
| Receipt | 2024-01-23 | Not public |
| 2024-01-22 request for confidentiality ACT_589997 2023_signed | 2024-01-22 | Not public |
| Exhibit KAP 03 - EN | 2024-01-22 | Not public |
| Exhibit KAP 01 - EN | 2024-01-22 | Not public |
| 2024-01-22 preliminary objection Roche ACT_5899997_2023(457596.3)_signed | 2024-01-22 | Not public |
| Exhibit KAP 03 - EN | 2024-01-22 | Not public |
| Exhibit KAP 04 - DE | 2024-01-22 | Not public |
| Exhibit KAP 02 - EN | 2024-01-22 | Not public |
| Exhibit KAP 02 - EN | 2024-01-22 | Not public |
| 2024-01-22 preliminary objection Roche ACT_5899997_2023(457596.3)_signed | 2024-01-22 | Not public |
| Exhibit KAP 01 - EN | 2024-01-22 | Not public |
| Exhibit KAP 04a - EN | 2024-01-22 | Not public |
| Acknowledgement of access to case | 2024-01-02 | Not public |
| Notification Of Service | 2023-12-20 | Not public |
| AR Revocation Action - Tandem-Roche - 20.12.2023 | 2023-12-20 | Not public |
| Letter for Service | 2023-12-13 | Not public |
| Panel-Appointment | 2023-12-13 | Not public |
| epoUploadDocumentsWorkflow | 2023-12-06 | Not public |
| Document from EPO | 2023-12-06 | Not public |
| EPO-Request-for-case-pending | 2023-12-04 | Not public |
| Acknowledgement-of-lodging | 2023-12-04 | Not public |
| Formal-checks_Notification-of-positive-outcome | 2023-12-04 | Not public |
| Annex D1 | 2023-12-04 | Not public |
| Annex C2 | 2023-12-04 | Not public |
| Annex A1 | 2023-12-04 | Not public |
| Amended Statement | 2023-12-04 | Not public |
| Annex D3 | 2023-12-04 | Not public |
| Annex C1 | 2023-12-04 | Not public |
| Annex D4 | 2023-12-04 | Not public |
| Annex A2 | 2023-12-04 | Not public |
| Revocation Action dated 30 November 2023 | 2023-12-04 | Not public |
| Annex D5 | 2023-12-04 | Not public |
| Annex C3 | 2023-12-04 | Not public |
| Annex A3 | 2023-12-04 | Not public |
| Annex B1 | 2023-12-04 | Not public |
| Annex C4 | 2023-12-04 | Not public |
| Annex A4 | 2023-12-04 | Not public |
| Annex D2 | 2023-12-04 | Not public |
| Formal-checks_Request-for-correction | 2023-12-04 | Not public |
| Annex D1 | 2023-11-30 | Not public |
| Annex A3 | 2023-11-30 | Not public |
| Annex B1 | 2023-11-30 | Not public |
| Revocation Action dated 30 November 2023 | 2023-11-30 | Not public |
| Annex A4 | 2023-11-30 | Not public |
| Annex D2 | 2023-11-30 | Not public |
| Annex D3 | 2023-11-30 | Not public |
| Annex A2 | 2023-11-30 | Not public |
| Annex C3 | 2023-11-30 | Not public |
| Annex C2 | 2023-11-30 | Not public |
| Annex A1 | 2023-11-30 | Not public |
| Annex D5 | 2023-11-30 | Not public |
| Annex D4 | 2023-11-30 | Not public |
| Annex C1 | 2023-11-30 | Not public |
| Annex C4 | 2023-11-30 | Not public |
Coverage: Partial.Reasoning extracted with partial coverage — some sections may be incomplete.
Plain-English summary
Tandem Diabetes Care sought revocation of Roche's EP 2 196 231 (ambulatory drug infusion system with filling apparatus for flexible containers). The Paris Central Division rejected all invalidity attacks, finding that neither Diaz nor Robertson (alone or in combination), nor Glejboel combined with those references, disclosed the key feature requiring the support structure to limit container expansion (feature 1.3iii). The court also held that breach of a standstill agreement does not bar proceedings but may give rise to contractual liability, and maintained the patent as granted.
Accepted arguments
What the court agreed with — by party.
Breach of a standstill clause does not deprive the breaching party of the right to sue, but may give rise to contractual liability
ClaimantNote: The Paris Central Division rejected any jurisdictional/admissibility challenge based on breach of a standstill clause, holding such breaches do not divest the party of the right to bring an action.
Claim 1 feature 1.3iii (support structure limiting expansion of flexible container) is not disclosed by 'Diaz'
RespondentLegal basis: Art. 56 EPCNote: The court found that Diaz's reservoir casing performs a protective function and the gap shown in figures is intended to remain even when filled, so the limitation feature is not disclosed.
Robertson (container for solid medicaments/pills) is not a relevant combination with Diaz (liquid drug delivery)
RespondentLegal basis: Art. 56 EPCNote: The court found the skilled person would be unlikely to consult Robertson (a box for pills) to improve Diaz (a liquid medicament delivery system), and in any event Robertson does not disclose the missing feature.
Rejected arguments
What the court did not agree with — and why.
Lack of inventive step over Diaz combined with Robertson
ClaimantLegal basis: Art. 56 EPCReason: Neither Diaz nor Robertson discloses feature 1.3iii (the support structure limiting container expansion), and the combination of the two references cannot supply this missing element; the skilled person would have had no motivation to combine the two documents.
Lack of inventive step starting from Glejboel combined with Diaz and/or Robertson
ClaimantLegal basis: Art. 56 EPCReason: Neither Glejboel, Diaz, nor Robertson discloses feature 1.3iii, so this combination also fails to establish obviousness.
Key legal principles
Doctrines and rules cited in the reasoning.
Prior art relied on
References cited and the role they played.
- Diaz (unspecified publication, liquid drug delivery system)Obviousness combination
- Robertson (unspecified publication, container for solid medicaments)Obviousness combination
- Glejboel (unspecified publication)Obviousness combination
Claim construction notes
The court interpreted claim 1 of EP 2 196 231 as requiring a support structure that limits the expansion of the flexible container (feature 1.3iii). This feature was critical to the inventive step analysis: the court found that Diaz's reservoir casing, which surrounds the reservoir to protect medication, does not disclose this limiting function because the casing in Diaz is intended to leave a gap even when the reservoir is full.