View all cases
- Case details
- StatusCase Closed (No infringement)ActionInfringementCategoryMain infringement action
- Parties
- Claimants
- CITY GLASS AND GLAZING PRIVATE LIMITEDOther / unknown
Representatives- Joel Coles-Powell Gilbert (Europe) LLP
- Peter Fitzpatrick-Powell Gilbert (Europe) LLP
- Charlotte Malley-Powell Gilbert (Europe) LLP
Respondents- MAARS HOLDING B.V.Operating co.
- MAARS PARTITIONING SYSTEMS B.V.Operating co.
- MAARS PROJECTEN B.V.Operating co.
- MAARS FRANCEOperating co.
Representatives- Michiel Rijsdijk
- M.j. Bosma
- M.h. Luten
- D.e. Colenbrander
- Division
- The Hague LD
- Technology
- Other fieldsCivil engineering
- Language
- English
- First decided
- Aug 29, 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.
| Infringement found | Median days to first decision | |
|---|---|---|
| All UPC | 53% (62/117) | 124 |
| The Hague LD | Locked | Locked |
| Judge Edger Brinkman | Locked | Locked |
| Judge Margot Kokke | Locked | Locked |
| Judge Stefan Johansson | Locked | Locked |
| Judge Paolo Crippa | Locked | Locked |
At the UPC: CITY GLASS AND GLAZING PRIVATE LIMITED (3 cases)·MAARS HOLDING B.V. (3 cases)
Start 14-day free trialAlready a user? Sign in
Related cases
All proceedings on this patentThis dispute contains 2 other proceedings
Start a free trial to see how each one ended.
More cases: The Hague LD·2024
Decisions
- 2025-08-29Infringement ActionPublic
Summary: The Local Division The Hague found that Maars' Horizon Products did not infringe City Glass's expired EP 1 651 838 (glazing system patent) because a key feature of the sole claim (feature 1.6 – self-locking mechanism) was not met; the revocation counterclaim was dismissed as the patent was held valid. Costs were agreed between the parties.
Show the legal issues (5)
- Patent infringement – claim feature analysis
- Expired patent
- Validity – counterclaim for revocation dismissed
- Self-locking glazing system
- Agreed costs settlement
Documents
| Document title | Date | Public |
|---|---|---|
| Receipt | 2025-12-19 | Not public |
| Cover sheet | 2025-12-19 | Not public |
| Application document Claimant | 2025-12-18 | Not public |
| Communication | 2025-12-17 | Not public |
| Cover sheet | 2025-12-17 | Not public |
| Application document Defendant | 2025-12-17 | Not public |
| Receipt | 2025-12-17 | Not public |
| Headnote-and-Keywords | 2025-08-29 | Not public |
| DecisionOutcome | 2025-08-29 | Not public |
| decision on the merits | 2025-08-29 | Public |
| ORAL_HEARING_REFERENCING_44624_2024_OH_HAG_LOC_UPC2025070810AM | 2025-07-11 | Not public |
| ORAL_HEARING_REFERENCING_44624_2024_OH_HAG_LOC_UPC2025070810AM | 2025-07-11 | Not public |
| Interim-Procedure-Closure | 2025-06-30 | Not public |
| Summon-Oral-Hearing | 2025-06-30 | Not public |
| uploaded for technical (CMS) reasons only | 2025-06-30 | Public |
| Hearing-Dates | 2025-06-04 | Not public |
| Claimant's Response to R. 105.5 Order | 2025-05-23 | Not public |
| Exhibit CIT-14-EN | 2025-05-23 | Not public |
| Exhibit CIT-15-EN | 2025-05-23 | Not public |
| Exhibit MAR-12A. DE 2452087 A1 - English Translation | 2025-05-23 | Not public |
| Exhibit MAR-10A. Figures 9-11 missing in Exhibit MAR-10 (NZ 198562 A) | 2025-05-23 | Not public |
| Exhibit MAR-12B. Translation of quotes from Exhibit MAR-12 (DE 2452087 A1) | 2025-05-23 | Not public |
| 2025.05.23 Response Maars et al. after interim conference - submission of Exhibits | 2025-05-23 | Not public |
| 2025.05.23 Response Maars et al. after interim conference - submission of Exhibits | 2025-05-23 | Not public |
| Exhibit MAR-12A. DE 2452087 A1 - English Translation | 2025-05-23 | Not public |
| Exhibit MAR-10A. Figures 9-11 missing in Exhibit MAR-10 (NZ 198562 A) | 2025-05-23 | Not public |
| Exhibit MAR-12B. Translation of quotes from Exhibit MAR-12 (DE 2452087 A1) | 2025-05-23 | Not public |
| Exhibit MAR-10A. Figures 9-11 missing in Exhibit MAR-10 (NZ 198562 A) | 2025-05-23 | Not public |
| 2025.05.23 Response Maars et al. after interim conference - submission of Exhibits | 2025-05-23 | Not public |
| Exhibit MAR-12B. Translation of quotes from Exhibit MAR-12 (DE 2452087 A1) | 2025-05-23 | Not public |
| Exhibit MAR-12A. DE 2452087 A1 - English Translation | 2025-05-23 | Not public |
| Exhibit MAR-12B. Translation of quotes from Exhibit MAR-12 (DE 2452087 A1) | 2025-05-23 | Not public |
| Exhibit MAR-12A. DE 2452087 A1 - English Translation | 2025-05-23 | Not public |
| 2025.05.23 Response Maars et al. after interim conference - submission of Exhibits | 2025-05-23 | Not public |
| Exhibit MAR-10A. Figures 9-11 missing in Exhibit MAR-10 (NZ 198562 A) | 2025-05-23 | Not public |
| decisions taken at IC | 2025-05-22 | Public |
| ORAL_HEARING_REFERENCING_44624_2024_IC_HAG_LOC_UPC2025050811am | 2025-05-22 | Not public |
| ORAL_HEARING_REFERENCING_44624_2024_IC_HAG_LOC_UPC2025050811am | 2025-05-22 | Not public |
| Fix-Interim-Conference-Date | 2025-05-21 | Not public |
| Outcome of the Order | 2025-05-11 | Not public |
| order uploaded to close the workflow | 2025-05-11 | Public |
| Outcome of the Order | 2025-05-09 | Not public |
| order uploaded to close the workflow | 2025-05-09 | Public |
| Interim-Conference-Decision | 2025-05-08 | Not public |
| Written-Procedure-Closure | 2025-05-02 | Not public |
| 2025.04.25 Response to Application for Order to produce evidence - Maars et al. | 2025-04-25 | Not public |
| 2025.04.25 Response to Application for Order to produce evidence - Maars et al. | 2025-04-25 | Not public |
| 2025.04.25 Response to Application for Order to produce evidence - Maars et al. | 2025-04-25 | Not public |
| 2025.04.25 Response to Application for Order to produce evidence - Maars et al. | 2025-04-25 | Not public |
| Response to Preliminary Order | 2025-04-25 | Not public |
| Application-RoP293-Receipt | 2025-04-25 | Not public |
| Formal-checks_Notification-of-positive-outcome | 2025-04-25 | Not public |
| opportunity to comment | 2025-04-18 | Not public |
| Receipt | 2025-04-18 | Not public |
| Receipt | 2025-04-18 | Not public |
| Application for Order under Art. 59 UPCA RoP 190_191 | 2025-04-17 | Not public |
| Application for Order under Art. 59 UPCA RoP 190_191 | 2025-04-17 | Not public |
| Acknowledgement-of-lodging | 2025-03-27 | Not public |
| 2025.03.27 Rejoinder to the Reply and Reply to Defence to Revocation - Maars et al. v City Glass | 2025-03-27 | Not public |
| Exhibit MAR-13. Drawings of the assembly of the system of NZ’562 | 2025-03-27 | Not public |
| Exhibit MAR-16. US 4539243 A | 2025-03-27 | Not public |
| Exhibit MAR-17. Annex to the Communication from the Examining Division pursuant to Art. 94(3) EPC | 2025-03-27 | Not public |
| Exhibit MAR-14. Drawings of the assembly of the system of US'205 | 2025-03-27 | Not public |
| Exhibit MAR-15. Drawings of the assembly of the system of DE'087 | 2025-03-27 | Not public |
| Panel-Appointment | 2025-02-28 | Not public |
| Panel-Appointment | 2025-02-27 | Not public |
| Hearing-Dates | 2025-02-20 | Not public |
| setting dates | 2025-02-20 | Public |
| 2025.02.20 Response Maars et al. re interim conference availability | 2025-02-20 | Not public |
| 2025.02.20 Response Maars et al. re interim conference availability | 2025-02-20 | Not public |
| 2025.02.20 Response Maars et al. re interim conference availability | 2025-02-20 | Not public |
| 2025.02.20 Response Maars et al. re interim conference availability | 2025-02-20 | Not public |
| Claimant's response regarding interim conference | 2025-02-19 | Not public |
| R.37.2 order | 2025-02-18 | Public |
| opportunity to comment | 2025-02-17 | Not public |
| Hearing-Dates | 2025-02-17 | Not public |
| Acknowledgement-of-lodging | 2025-01-28 | Not public |
| Reply to Defence and Defence to Counterclaim for Revocation | 2025-01-28 | Not public |
| Exhibit 18 - Schenck Rotec v Universal Balancing [2012] EWHC 1920 (Pat) | 2025-01-28 | Not public |
| Exhibit CIT-17 - Collingwood v Aurora [2014] EWHC 228 (Pat) | 2025-01-28 | Not public |
| Application-RoP293-Receipt | 2025-01-10 | Not public |
| Formal-checks_Notification-of-positive-outcome | 2025-01-10 | Not public |
| Headnote-and-Keywords | 2024-12-19 | Not public |
| Outcome of the Order | 2024-12-17 | Not public |
| R.158 security | 2024-12-17 | Public |
| Outcome of the Order | 2024-12-10 | Not public |
| R.9 order to align deadlines | 2024-12-10 | Public |
| Acknowledgement-of-lodging | 2024-12-05 | Not public |
| Formal-checks_Notification-of-positive-outcome | 2024-12-05 | Not public |
| Acknowledgement-of-lodging | 2024-12-04 | Not public |
| Application to change the details of a representative | 2024-12-04 | Not public |
| Personal ID M.W. Rijsdijk | 2024-12-04 | Not public |
| Response to R9 Application | 2024-12-04 | Not public |
| opportunity to comment | 2024-12-03 | Not public |
| Receipt | 2024-12-02 | Not public |
| Generic procedural Application (R. 9 RoP) | 2024-12-02 | Not public |
| Exhibit MAR-11. US 3155205 A | 2024-11-27 | Not public |
| Exhibit MAR-8. Amended Claim 1 as filed on 25-11-2009 | 2024-11-27 | Not public |
| Exhibit MAR-6. Correspondence with SA IP between 25 November and 26 December 2022 | 2024-11-27 | Not public |
| Exhibit MAR-3. Cease and desist letter to Maars Middle East FZE dated 15-11-2022 | 2024-11-27 | Not public |
| 2024.11.14 Statement of Defence including Counterclaim for Revocation - Maars Holding B.V. et al v City Glass - amended | 2024-11-27 | Not public |
| Exhibit MAR-9. Response letter from Applicant dated 16-06-2010 | 2024-11-27 | Not public |
| Exhibit MAR-7. Amended Claim 1 as filed on 16-06-2010 | 2024-11-27 | Not public |
| Exhibit MAR-5. Response letter to SA IP dated 08-12-2022 | 2024-11-27 | Not public |
| 2024.11.14 Statement of Defence including Counterclaim for Revocation - Maars Holding B.V. et al v City Glass | 2024-11-27 | Not public |
| Exhibit MAR-4. Correspondence with SA IP dated 25-11-2022 | 2024-11-27 | Not public |
| Exhibit MAR-1. Declaration of Mr. E. Boschman dated 08-11-2024 | 2024-11-27 | Not public |
| Formal Response to Request for Correction | 2024-11-27 | Not public |
| Exhibit MAR-10. NZ 198562 A | 2024-11-27 | Not public |
| Exhibit MAR-2. Screenshots website City Glass | 2024-11-27 | Not public |
| Exhibit MAR-12. DE 2452087 A1 | 2024-11-27 | Not public |
| Acknowledgement-of-lodging | 2024-11-27 | Not public |
| Application to change details representative Rgr16.1(b) | 2024-11-27 | Not public |
| Application to change details representative RgR16.1(b) | 2024-11-27 | Not public |
| Application-RoP293 | 2024-11-27 | Not public |
| Application to change a representative (RoP293) | 2024-11-27 | Not public |
| Application-RoP293 | 2024-11-26 | Not public |
| Application to change a representative (RoP293) | 2024-11-26 | Not public |
| Formal-checks_Request-for-correction | 2024-11-18 | Not public |
| Formal-checks_Request-for-correction | 2024-11-18 | Not public |
| Formal-checks_Request-for-correction | 2024-11-18 | Not public |
| Formal-checks_Request-for-correction | 2024-11-18 | Not public |
| Acknowledgement-of-lodging | 2024-11-14 | Not public |
| Exhibit MAR-11. US 3155205 A | 2024-11-14 | Not public |
| Exhibit MAR-10. NZ 198562 A | 2024-11-14 | Not public |
| Exhibit MAR-9. Response letter from Applicant dated 16-06-2010 | 2024-11-14 | Not public |
| Exhibit MAR-2. Screenshots website City Glass | 2024-11-14 | Not public |
| Exhibit MAR-4. Correspondence with SA IP dated 25-11-2022 | 2024-11-14 | Not public |
| Exhibit MAR-12. DE 2452087 A1 | 2024-11-14 | Not public |
| 2024.11.14 Statement of Defence including Counterclaim for Revocation - Maars Holding B.V. et al v City Glass | 2024-11-14 | Not public |
| Exhibit MAR-5. Response letter to SA IP dated 08-12-2022 | 2024-11-14 | Not public |
| Exhibit MAR-1. Declaration of Mr. E. Boschman dated 08-11-2024 | 2024-11-14 | Not public |
| Exhibit MAR-7. Amended Claim 1 as filed on 16-06-2010 | 2024-11-14 | Not public |
| Exhibit MAR-8. Amended Claim 1 as filed on 25-11-2009 | 2024-11-14 | Not public |
| Exhibit MAR-3. Cease and desist letter to Maars Middle East FZE dated 15-11-2022 | 2024-11-14 | Not public |
| Exhibit MAR-6. Correspondence with SA IP between 25 November and 26 December 2022 | 2024-11-14 | Not public |
| Acknowledgement-of-lodging | 2024-11-14 | Not public |
| Exhibit MAR-8. Amended Claim 1 as filed on 25-11-2009 | 2024-11-14 | Not public |
| Exhibit MAR-5. Response letter to SA IP dated 08-12-2022 | 2024-11-14 | Not public |
| Exhibit MAR-3. Cease and desist letter to Maars Middle East FZE dated 15-11-2022 | 2024-11-14 | Not public |
| Exhibit MAR-1. Declaration of Mr. E. Boschman dated 08-11-2024 | 2024-11-14 | Not public |
| Exhibit MAR-9. Response letter from Applicant dated 16-06-2010 | 2024-11-14 | Not public |
| Exhibit MAR-4. Correspondence with SA IP dated 25-11-2022 | 2024-11-14 | Not public |
| Exhibit MAR-7. Amended Claim 1 as filed on 16-06-2010 | 2024-11-14 | Not public |
| Exhibit MAR-12. DE 2452087 A1 | 2024-11-14 | Not public |
| Exhibit MAR-6. Correspondence with SA IP between 25 November and 26 December 2022 | 2024-11-14 | Not public |
| Exhibit MAR-10. NZ 198562 A | 2024-11-14 | Not public |
| 2024.11.14 Statement of Defence including Counterclaim for Revocation - Maars Holding B.V. et al v City Glass | 2024-11-14 | Not public |
| Exhibit MAR-11. US 3155205 A | 2024-11-14 | Not public |
| Exhibit MAR-2. Screenshots website City Glass | 2024-11-14 | Not public |
| Acknowledgement-of-lodging | 2024-11-14 | Not public |
| Exhibit MAR-2. Screenshots website City Glass | 2024-11-14 | Not public |
| Exhibit MAR-6. Correspondence with SA IP between 25 November and 26 December 2022 | 2024-11-14 | Not public |
| Exhibit MAR-3. Cease and desist letter to Maars Middle East FZE dated 15-11-2022 | 2024-11-14 | Not public |
| Exhibit MAR-7. Amended Claim 1 as filed on 16-06-2010 | 2024-11-14 | Not public |
| Exhibit MAR-4. Correspondence with SA IP dated 25-11-2022 | 2024-11-14 | Not public |
| Exhibit MAR-12. DE 2452087 A1 | 2024-11-14 | Not public |
| 2024.11.14 Statement of Defence including Counterclaim for Revocation - Maars Holding B.V. et al v City Glass | 2024-11-14 | Not public |
| Exhibit MAR-1. Declaration of Mr. E. Boschman dated 08-11-2024 | 2024-11-14 | Not public |
| Exhibit MAR-9. Response letter from Applicant dated 16-06-2010 | 2024-11-14 | Not public |
| Exhibit MAR-11. US 3155205 A | 2024-11-14 | Not public |
| Exhibit MAR-10. NZ 198562 A | 2024-11-14 | Not public |
| Exhibit MAR-8. Amended Claim 1 as filed on 25-11-2009 | 2024-11-14 | Not public |
| Exhibit MAR-5. Response letter to SA IP dated 08-12-2022 | 2024-11-14 | Not public |
| Acknowledgement-of-lodging | 2024-11-14 | Not public |
| Exhibit MAR-1. Declaration of Mr. E. Boschman dated 08-11-2024 | 2024-11-14 | Not public |
| Exhibit MAR-2. Screenshots website City Glass | 2024-11-14 | Not public |
| Exhibit MAR-5. Response letter to SA IP dated 08-12-2022 | 2024-11-14 | Not public |
| Exhibit MAR-6. Correspondence with SA IP between 25 November and 26 December 2022 | 2024-11-14 | Not public |
| Exhibit MAR-3. Cease and desist letter to Maars Middle East FZE dated 15-11-2022 | 2024-11-14 | Not public |
| Exhibit MAR-4. Correspondence with SA IP dated 25-11-2022 | 2024-11-14 | Not public |
| Exhibit MAR-10. NZ 198562 A | 2024-11-14 | Not public |
| Exhibit MAR-11. US 3155205 A | 2024-11-14 | Not public |
| 2024.11.14 Statement of Defence including Counterclaim for Revocation - Maars Holding B.V. et al v City Glass | 2024-11-14 | Not public |
| Exhibit MAR-12. DE 2452087 A1 | 2024-11-14 | Not public |
| Exhibit MAR-9. Response letter from Applicant dated 16-06-2010 | 2024-11-14 | Not public |
| Exhibit MAR-8. Amended Claim 1 as filed on 25-11-2009 | 2024-11-14 | Not public |
| Exhibit MAR-7. Amended Claim 1 as filed on 16-06-2010 | 2024-11-14 | Not public |
| Claimant's Response to the Request for Security for Costs | 2024-10-07 | Not public |
| opportunity to comment | 2024-09-25 | Not public |
| Receipt | 2024-09-24 | Not public |
| Annex II to Application for security | 2024-09-20 | Not public |
| Annex I to Application for security | 2024-09-20 | Not public |
| Application for a security for costs - RoP 158 | 2024-09-20 | Not public |
| Annex III to Application for security | 2024-09-20 | Not public |
| Acknowledgement of access to case | 2024-08-30 | Not public |
| Acknowledgement of access to case | 2024-08-26 | Not public |
| Acknowledgement of access to case | 2024-08-26 | Not public |
| Panel-Appointment | 2024-08-20 | Not public |
| epoUploadDocumentsWorkflow | 2024-08-20 | Not public |
| Acknowledgement of access to case | 2024-08-20 | Not public |
| Notification Of Service | 2024-08-20 | Not public |
| 2024-08-19_ACT_44624_2024 UPC_CFI_455_2024 Confirmation of Service_Maars_France | 2024-08-20 | Not public |
| Document from EPO | 2024-08-19 | Not public |
| 2024-08-16_ACT_44624_2024 UPC_CFI_455_2024 Confirmation of Service_Maars Projecten B.V. | 2024-08-16 | Not public |
| Notification Of Service | 2024-08-16 | Not public |
| Notification Of Service | 2024-08-16 | Not public |
| 2024-08-16_ACT_44624_2024 UPC_CFI_455_2024 Confirmation of Service_Maars Partitioning Systems B.V | 2024-08-16 | Not public |
| Notification Of Service | 2024-08-16 | Not public |
| 2024-08-16_ACT_44624_2024 UPC_CFI_455_2024 Confirmation of Service_Maars Holding B.V. | 2024-08-16 | Not public |
| Letter for Service | 2024-08-15 | Not public |
| Letter for Service | 2024-08-15 | Not public |
| Letter for Service | 2024-08-15 | Not public |
| Letter for Service | 2024-08-15 | Not public |
| Panel-Appointment | 2024-08-14 | Not public |
| EPO-Request-for-case-pending | 2024-08-14 | Not public |
| Receipt | 2024-08-14 | Not public |
| Formal-checks_Notification-of-positive-outcome | 2024-08-14 | Not public |
| Exhibit CIT-3 | 2024-08-13 | Not public |
| STATEMENT OF CLAIM | 2024-08-13 | Not public |
| Formal Response to the Request for Amendments | 2024-08-13 | Not public |
| Exhibit CIT-1 | 2024-08-13 | Not public |
| Exhibit CIT-5 | 2024-08-13 | Not public |
| Entitlement of Reduced Fee | 2024-08-13 | Not public |
| Exhibit CIT-7 | 2024-08-13 | Not public |
| Exhibit CIT-16 | 2024-08-13 | Not public |
| Exhibit CIT-2 | 2024-08-13 | Not public |
| Exhibit CIT-12 | 2024-08-13 | Not public |
| Exhibit CIT-9 | 2024-08-13 | Not public |
| Exhibit CIT-13 | 2024-08-13 | Not public |
| Exhibit CIT-8 | 2024-08-13 | Not public |
| Exhibit CIT-10 | 2024-08-13 | Not public |
| Statement of MD | 2024-08-13 | Not public |
| Exhibit CIT-4 | 2024-08-13 | Not public |
| Formal Response to the Request for Amendments | 2024-08-13 | Not public |
| ENTITLEMENT TO REDUCED FEE | 2024-08-13 | Not public |
| Exhibit CIT-6 | 2024-08-13 | Not public |
| Exhibit CIT-11 | 2024-08-13 | Not public |
| Exhibit CIT-14 | 2024-08-13 | Not public |
| Exhibit CIT-15 | 2024-08-13 | Not public |
| Formal-checks_Request-for-correction | 2024-08-06 | Not public |
| Formal Response to the Request for Amendments | 2024-08-02 | Not public |
| ENTITLEMENT TO REDUCED FEE | 2024-08-02 | Not public |
| Exhibit CIT-11 | 2024-08-02 | Not public |
| STATEMENT OF CLAIM | 2024-08-02 | Not public |
| Exhibit CIT-5 | 2024-08-02 | Not public |
| Exhibit CIT-3 | 2024-08-02 | Not public |
| Exhibit CIT-6 | 2024-08-02 | Not public |
| Exhibit CIT-14 | 2024-08-02 | Not public |
| Exhibit CIT-13 | 2024-08-02 | Not public |
| Exhibit CIT-15 | 2024-08-02 | Not public |
| Exhibit CIT-4 | 2024-08-02 | Not public |
| Exhibit CIT-1 | 2024-08-02 | Not public |
| Exhibit CIT-12 | 2024-08-02 | Not public |
| Entitlement of Reduced Fee | 2024-08-02 | Not public |
| Exhibit CIT-10 | 2024-08-02 | Not public |
| Exhibit CIT-9 | 2024-08-02 | Not public |
| Exhibit CIT-16 | 2024-08-02 | Not public |
| Exhibit CIT-8 | 2024-08-02 | Not public |
| Exhibit CIT-2 | 2024-08-02 | Not public |
| Exhibit CIT-7 | 2024-08-02 | Not public |
| Acknowledgement-of-lodging | 2024-08-02 | Not public |
| APPLICATION TO CHANGE DETAILS OF A REPRESENTATIVE | 2024-08-02 | Not public |
| Formal-checks_Request-for-correction | 2024-08-02 | Not public |
| Exhibit CIT-3 | 2024-08-01 | Not public |
| Exhibit CIT-10 | 2024-08-01 | Not public |
| Exhibit CIT-1 | 2024-08-01 | Not public |
| Exhibit CIT-6 | 2024-08-01 | Not public |
| Exhibit CIT-5 | 2024-08-01 | Not public |
| Exhibit CIT-8 | 2024-08-01 | Not public |
| Exhibit CIT-9 | 2024-08-01 | Not public |
| Exhibit CIT-15 | 2024-08-01 | Not public |
| STATEMENT OF CLAIM | 2024-08-01 | Not public |
| Exhibit CIT-4 | 2024-08-01 | Not public |
| Exhibit CIT-14 | 2024-08-01 | Not public |
| Exhibit CIT-13 | 2024-08-01 | Not public |
| Entitlement of Reduced Fee | 2024-08-01 | Not public |
| Exhibit CIT-12 | 2024-08-01 | Not public |
| Exhibit CIT-11 | 2024-08-01 | Not public |
| Exhibit CIT-2 | 2024-08-01 | Not public |
| Exhibit CIT-7 | 2024-08-01 | Not public |
| Exhibit CIT-16 | 2024-08-01 | Not public |
| Exhibit CIT-4 | 2024-08-01 | Not public |
| Exhibit CIT-15 | 2024-08-01 | Not public |
| Exhibit CIT-3 | 2024-08-01 | Not public |
| Exhibit CIT-13 | 2024-08-01 | Not public |
| Exhibit CIT-14 | 2024-08-01 | Not public |
| Exhibit CIT-2 | 2024-08-01 | Not public |
| Exhibit CIT-9 | 2024-08-01 | Not public |
| Exhibit CIT-11 | 2024-08-01 | Not public |
| Exhibit CIT-7 | 2024-08-01 | Not public |
| Exhibit CIT-6 | 2024-08-01 | Not public |
| Exhibit CIT-16 | 2024-08-01 | Not public |
| Exhibit CIT-8 | 2024-08-01 | Not public |
| Exhibit CIT-5 | 2024-08-01 | Not public |
| Exhibit CIT-1 | 2024-08-01 | Not public |
| Entitlement of Reduced Fee | 2024-08-01 | Not public |
| Exhibit CIT-12 | 2024-08-01 | Not public |
| STATEMENT OF CLAIM | 2024-08-01 | Not public |
| Exhibit CIT-10 | 2024-08-01 | Not public |
| Formal-checks_Request-for-correction | 2024-08-01 | Not public |
| Acknowledgement-of-lodging | 2024-07-31 | Not public |
| Exhibit CIT-14 | 2024-07-31 | Not public |
| Exhibit CIT-8 | 2024-07-31 | Not public |
| STATEMENT OF CLAIM | 2024-07-31 | Not public |
| Exhibit CIT-4 | 2024-07-31 | Not public |
| Exhibit CIT-15 | 2024-07-31 | Not public |
| Exhibit CIT-16 | 2024-07-31 | Not public |
| Exhibit CIT-1 | 2024-07-31 | Not public |
| Exhibit CIT-3 | 2024-07-31 | Not public |
| Exhibit CIT-9 | 2024-07-31 | Not public |
| Exhibit CIT-2 | 2024-07-31 | Not public |
| Exhibit CIT-7 | 2024-07-31 | Not public |
| Exhibit CIT-11 | 2024-07-31 | Not public |
| Exhibit CIT-12 | 2024-07-31 | Not public |
| Exhibit CIT-6 | 2024-07-31 | Not public |
| Exhibit CIT-5 | 2024-07-31 | Not public |
| Exhibit CIT-10 | 2024-07-31 | Not public |
| Exhibit CIT-13 | 2024-07-31 | Not public |
Plain-English summary
City Glass and Glazing Private Limited (a small Indian company) sued Maars Holding and related Dutch/French entities before the Local Division The Hague for infringement of expired EP 1 651 838 (glazing system patent) by Maars' Horizon Products. The court found no infringement because feature 1.6 of the sole claim — the self-locking mechanism — was not met by the Horizon Products' design, which prevents further movement once assembled. The patent itself was held valid, dismissing Maars' revocation counterclaim. Costs were awarded to Maars, reduced by 50% because Maars lost the counterclaim.
Accepted arguments
What the court agreed with — by party.
Feature 1.6 (self-locking mechanism) of the sole claim of EP 1 651 838 is not met by Maars' Horizon Products because, once assembled, further movement and tightening of the self-locking system is prevented by the counter-clock nose
RespondentLegal basis: Art. 69 EPC and Protocol on InterpretationNote: Court accepted Maars' non-infringement analysis on the key distinguishing feature; City Glass had also not argued infringement by equivalence for this feature.
Patent EP 1 651 838 is valid (resisting revocation counterclaim)
ClaimantNote: Court upheld the patent as valid, dismissing Maars' revocation counterclaim.
Rejected arguments
What the court did not agree with — and why.
Direct infringement of EP 1 651 838 (glazing system patent) by Maars' Horizon Products
ClaimantLegal basis: Art. 69 EPC and Protocol on InterpretationReason: Feature 1.6 (self-locking mechanism enabling ongoing tightening) was not met; once assembled, the Horizon Product's lower nose prevents further movement and tightening. City Glass did not argue infringement by equivalence for this feature.
Revocation of EP 1 651 838 (counterclaim for revocation by Maars)
RespondentReason: Dismissed; patent held valid on all challenged grounds.
Key legal principles
Doctrines and rules cited in the reasoning.
Purposive claim construction — scope of protection determined by claims, not broader descriptionNon-infringement based on failure to meet single essential claim feature is sufficient for dismissal of infringement actionSeparate treatment of infringement and validityCosts apportionment where each party succeeds on one claim
Browse other cases on this principle.
Claim construction notes
EP 1 651 838 has a single claim covering a glazing system with two aluminium profiles (male and female) forming a self-locking mechanism. Feature 1.6, the self-locking element, was the key disputed feature. The court construed this feature as requiring the ability to apply ongoing tightening/locking after assembly. In the Horizon Products, once assembled, the lower nose (counter-clock) prevents further movement and tightening, so feature 1.6 is not met. City Glass did not advance a doctrine of equivalents argument for this feature.