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UPC CFI 627/2024

Oct 28, 2024·EP2628080 +3 more: A COMPUTER CLUSTER ARRANGEMENT FOR PROCESSING A COMPUTATION TASK AND METHOD FOR OPERATION THEREOF

Case details
Status
Case Closed
Action
Infringement
Category
Main Infringement Action
Parties
Claimants
Reps: Roman Sedlmaier (IPCGS Gigerich Sedlmaier)
Respondents
Reps: Johannes Heselberger (Bardehle Pagenberg)
Division
Munich LD
Judges
Technology
Software & Computing · Cloud · Computing & AI
Language
German
Decisions
  • 2025-01-16
    DismissedGeneric application

    President of the UPC Court of First Instance dismissed NVIDIA's application to change the language of proceedings from German to English under Art. 49(5) UPCA and R.323 RoP. The President found that NVIDIA had not demonstrated significant impairment in organising its defence due to the German language chosen by the claimants, who are domiciled in German-speaking countries.

    Legal issues:Change of language of proceedings (Art. 49(5) UPCA and R.323 RoP)Fair access to justice for medium-sized enterprises
Documents
Document titleDatePublic
action.phaseChange.caseClose2025-11-26Not public
Outcome of the Order2025-07-08Not public
2025-07-03 - Entscheidung zu R.265 u R.360 VerfO2025-07-08Public
Klagerücknahme - Schriftsatz NVIDIA2025-07-02Not public
2025-06-18 Anordnung Stellungnahmefrist zu R.265 u R.360 VerfO2025-06-18Not public
Receipt2025-06-18Not public
Antrag auf Rücknahme der Klage, auf Rückerstattung von Gebühren und auf Abweisung der Widerklage als gegenstandslos2025-06-16Not public
Outcome of the Order2025-04-23Not public
2025-04-11 Anordnung gem R.262A VerfO2025-04-23Public
Acknowledgement-of-lodging2025-04-15Not public
Request for addition of address for service2025-04-15Not public
Outcome of the Order2025-04-14Not public
2025-04-14 Anordnung - Fristverlängerung2025-04-14Public
2025-04-11 Anordnung gem R.262A VerfO2025-04-12Public
Template-Order2025-04-12Not public
2025-04-11 Anordnung gem R.262A VerfO2025-04-12Public
Receipt2025-04-11Not public
2025-04-10_FVA_EP080_UPC_CFI_627_24_ACT_58616_24_17696_25_signed2025-04-11Not public
Response to Confidentiality Request2025-04-10Not public
Exhibit BP052025-04-10Not public
2025-03-31 Anordnung 2. Stellungnahmefrist2025-03-31Not public
Stellungnahme zur vorläufigen Vertraulichkeitsanordnung2025-03-28Not public
- geschwärzte Version - Stellungnahme2025-03-27Not public
- Vertrauliche Version - Stellungnahme2025-03-27Not public
Formal-checks_Notification-of-positive-outcome2025-03-18Not public
Formal-checks_Notification-of-positive-outcome2025-03-18Not public
2025-03-14 - Stellungnahmefrist zu R.262A-Antrag2025-03-14Not public
Geheimhaltungantrag R262A - NVIDIA2025-03-12Not public
Acknowledgement-of-lodging2025-03-12Not public
Acknowledgement-of-lodging2025-03-12Not public
Klageerwiderung EP080 - NVIDIA2025-03-12Not public
Exhibit BP 2 - NVIDIA2025-03-12Not public
Exhibit BP 1 - NVIDIA2025-03-12Not public
Klageerwiderung EP080 - NVIDIA2025-03-12Not public
Exhibit BP 3 - NVIDIA2025-03-12Not public
Exhibit BP 1 - NVIDIA2025-03-12Not public
Exhibit BP 4 - NVIDIA2025-03-12Not public
Exhibit BP 2 - NVIDIA2025-03-12Not public
Exhibit BP 4 - NVIDIA2025-03-12Not public
Exhibit BP 2 - NVIDIA2025-03-12Not public
Exhibit BP 1 - NVIDIA2025-03-12Not public
Exhibit BP 1 - NVIDIA2025-03-12Not public
Klageerwiderung EP080 - NVIDIA2025-03-12Not public
Exhibit BP 3 - NVIDIA2025-03-12Not public
Klageerwiderung EP080 - NVIDIA2025-03-12Not public
Exhibit BP 2 - NVIDIA2025-03-12Not public
Outcome of the Order2025-03-07Not public
2025-03-07 - Anordnung - Fristverlängerung2025-03-07Public
Receipt2025-03-07Not public
Fristverlaengerungsantrag NVIIDA2025-03-07Not public
2025-02-16 Anordnung - Verfahrenstrennung2025-02-26Public
Schriftsatz NVIDIA2025-02-21Not public
Stellungnahme der Klägerinnen zur vorläufigen Anordnung2025-02-19Not public
Outcome of the Order2025-02-19Not public
2025-02-18 Anordnung Fristverlängerung2025-02-19Public
Receipt2025-02-18Not public
Antrag auf Fristverlängerung NVIDIA2025-02-17Not public
2025-02-07 Anordnung - Anhörung zu Verfahrenstrennung2025-02-07Not public
Acknowledgement-of-lodging2025-01-23Not public
Antrag auf Änderung der Angaben zu einem Vertreter2025-01-23Not public
Headnote-and-Keywords2025-01-17Not public
Outcome of the Order2025-01-17Not public
2025-01-16 Final Order re R.3232025-01-17Public
Anlage K482024-12-17Not public
Erwiderung auf Antrag auf Sprachwechsel2024-12-17Not public
Anlage K522024-12-17Not public
Anlage K502024-12-17Not public
Anlage K512024-12-17Not public
Anlage K492024-12-17Not public
Anlage K522024-12-17Not public
Anlage K492024-12-17Not public
Anlage K482024-12-17Not public
Anlage K502024-12-17Not public
Anlage K512024-12-17Not public
Erwiderung auf Antrag auf Sprachwechsel2024-12-17Not public
Outcome of the Order2024-12-16Not public
2024-12-16 Anordnung Verlängerung KE-Frist B22024-12-16Public
Receipt2024-12-13Not public
2024-12-12 Anordnung - St.-N.-Fr. f. Klägerinnen2024-12-13Not public
Fristverlängerungsantrag2024-12-12Not public
Receipt2024-12-09Not public
Antrag auf Änderung der Verfahrenssprache2024-12-09Not public
Acknowledgement of access to case2024-12-06Not public
Acknowledgement of access to case2024-12-04Not public
Notification Of Service2024-12-02Not public
Proof of Service - ABC Legal2024-12-02Not public
Notification Of Service2024-12-02Not public
Postal Service2024-12-02Not public
communicationCheck2024-11-06Not public
communicationCheck2024-11-06Not public
Document from EPO2024-11-05Not public
Document from EPO2024-11-05Not public
Panel-Appointment2024-10-31Not public
Letter-for-Service2024-10-30Not public
Letter-for-Service2024-10-30Not public
Panel-Appointment2024-10-30Not public
EPO-Request-for-case-pending2024-10-30Not public
Receipt2024-10-30Not public
Formal-checks_Notification-of-positive-outcome2024-10-30Not public
HR Auszug Nvidia GmbH2024-10-29Not public
Datasheet DGX H1002024-10-29Not public
Datasheet DGX H2002024-10-29Not public
DGX System Bezugsquellen 32024-10-29Not public
Transcript - AI Infrastructure Stack2024-10-29Not public
schriftliche Zeugenaussage2024-10-29Not public
Beschreibung - Scheduling Strategies2024-10-29Not public
EP080 - Merkmalsgliederung2024-10-29Not public
Datasheet H100 Tensor Core GPU2024-10-29Not public
Bestätigung ParTec2024-10-29Not public
HR Auszug ParTec2024-10-29Not public
Datasheet DGX A1002024-10-29Not public
DGX System Bezugsquellen 22024-10-29Not public
DGX System Bezugsquellen 12024-10-29Not public
Klageschrift2024-10-29Not public
Datasheet CPU2024-10-29Not public
allocation-of-cpu-and-memory2024-10-29Not public
Beschreibung - Elasticity2024-10-29Not public
H100 Tensor Core GPU Architecture2024-10-29Not public
Auszüge Patentregister2024-10-29Not public
Beschreibung - cluster engine2024-10-29Not public
Deep Learning with Multiple GPUs2024-10-29Not public
Antwort Beschwerdekammer auf Beschleunigungsantrag2024-10-29Not public
Merkmalsgliederung EP8122024-10-29Not public
DGX Systeme2024-10-29Not public
Einspruchsabteilung - vorl. Auffassung2024-10-29Not public
Nvidia GmbH Jahresabschluss 20232024-10-29Not public
DGX Bundle2024-10-29Not public
HR Auszug BF exaQC2024-10-29Not public
DGX Compliance2024-10-29Not public
DGX H100 User Guide2024-10-29Not public
Beschreibung - AI Initiatives2024-10-29Not public
Ergänzende Mitteilung nach Formalprüfung2024-10-29Not public
EPO Beschwerdebegründung2024-10-29Not public
Nvidia GmbH Konzernabschluss 20232024-10-29Not public
Ergänzende Mitteilung nach Formalprüfung2024-10-29Not public
Patentschrift EP37438122024-10-29Not public
Datasheet DGX B2002024-10-29Not public
Nvidia Blog - Verfügbarkeit2024-10-29Not public
Nvidia Blog - Acquisition2024-10-29Not public
Patentschrift EP26280802024-10-29Not public
DGX BasePOD2024-10-29Not public
Beschreibung - Scheduler 12024-10-29Not public
Beschreibung - GPU fractions2024-10-29Not public
Registrierung als Patent mit einheitlicher Wirkung2024-10-29Not public
System Components2024-10-29Not public
Klageschrift2024-10-29Not public
Datasheet DGX GH2002024-10-29Not public
Pressemitteilung ParTec2024-10-29Not public
Einspruchsabteilung Entscheidungsbegründung2024-10-29Not public
Beschreibung - Scheduler 22024-10-29Not public
Datasheet DGX SuperPOD - GB2002024-10-29Not public
DGX SuperPOD2024-10-29Not public
Formal-checks_Request-for-correction2024-10-29Not public
Acknowledgement-of-lodging2024-10-27Not public
Registrierung als Patent mit einheitlicher Wirkung2024-10-27Not public
DGX Compliance2024-10-27Not public
DGX BasePOD2024-10-27Not public
Datasheet DGX SuperPOD - GB2002024-10-27Not public
Einspruchsabteilung Entscheidungsbegründung2024-10-27Not public
EPO Beschwerdebegründung2024-10-27Not public
schriftliche Zeugenaussage2024-10-27Not public
Beschreibung - GPU fractions2024-10-27Not public
Pressemitteilung ParTec2024-10-27Not public
Nvidia Blog - Acquisition2024-10-27Not public
DGX Bundle2024-10-27Not public
EP080 - Merkmalsgliederung2024-10-27Not public
Datasheet H100 Tensor Core GPU2024-10-27Not public
Datasheet DGX H2002024-10-27Not public
Beschreibung - Scheduler 22024-10-27Not public
Patentschrift EP26280802024-10-27Not public
Patentschrift EP37438122024-10-27Not public
Beschreibung - Elasticity2024-10-27Not public
Klageschrift2024-10-27Not public
Klageschrift2024-10-27Not public
Datasheet DGX B2002024-10-27Not public
Nvidia Blog - Verfügbarkeit2024-10-27Not public
DGX System Bezugsquellen 32024-10-27Not public
Deep Learning with Multiple GPUs2024-10-27Not public
Bestätigung ParTec2024-10-27Not public
Auszüge Patentregister2024-10-27Not public
Beschreibung - Scheduling Strategies2024-10-27Not public
Datasheet CPU2024-10-27Not public
Einspruchsabteilung - vorl. Auffassung2024-10-27Not public
DGX System Bezugsquellen 12024-10-27Not public
Nvidia GmbH Konzernabschluss 20232024-10-27Not public
H100 Tensor Core GPU Architecture2024-10-27Not public
Datasheet DGX H1002024-10-27Not public
Beschreibung - cluster engine2024-10-27Not public
HR Auszug Nvidia GmbH2024-10-27Not public
DGX Systeme2024-10-27Not public
Beschreibung - AI Initiatives2024-10-27Not public
DGX SuperPOD2024-10-27Not public
DGX System Bezugsquellen 22024-10-27Not public
HR Auszug BF exaQC2024-10-27Not public
Nvidia GmbH Jahresabschluss 20232024-10-27Not public
Datasheet DGX A1002024-10-27Not public
Beschreibung - Scheduler 12024-10-27Not public
DGX H100 User Guide2024-10-27Not public
HR Auszug ParTec2024-10-27Not public
Merkmalsgliederung EP8122024-10-27Not public
Antwort Beschwerdekammer auf Beschleunigungsantrag2024-10-27Not public
System Components2024-10-27Not public
Datasheet DGX GH2002024-10-27Not public
Transcript - AI Infrastructure Stack2024-10-27Not public
allocation-of-cpu-and-memory2024-10-27Not public
Plain-English summary

BF exaQC AG and ParTec AG (German companies) filed an infringement action against NVIDIA Corporation and NVIDIA GmbH before the Munich Local Division in German, asserting EP3743812 and EP2628080 relating to computer cluster arrangements. NVIDIA applied to change the language of proceedings to English under Art. 49(5) UPCA, arguing English is standard in the technology field; the President of the Court of First Instance dismissed the application, weighing NVIDIA's enormous resources against the claimants' legitimate choice of their home language and access-to-justice considerations.

Accepted arguments
What the court agreed with — by party.

  • Claimants' domicile in Germany justifies choice of German as language of proceedings

    ClaimantLegal basis: Art. 49(5) UPCA; R. 323 RoP

    Note: The President found that three of four parties are domiciled in Germany, making the choice of German a legitimate decision not imposing unfairness on the claimants.

  • NVIDIA's size and global resources allow it to conduct proceedings in a foreign language without significant impairment

    ClaimantLegal basis: Art. 49(5) UPCA

    Note: NVIDIA Corp operates through 50 subsidiaries with revenues of USD 60.92 billion in 2024, making German proceedings a matter of convenience rather than genuine hardship.

  • Ensuring fair access to justice for medium-sized enterprises is an important UPCA objective

    ClaimantLegal basis: Art. 49(5) UPCA

    Note: ParTec AG had revenues of only EUR 95.7 million versus NVIDIA's USD 60.92 billion; the disparity weighed against changing language.

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

  • English is the commonly used language in the relevant field of technology, justifying language change

    RespondentLegal basis: Art. 49(5) UPCA; UPC_CoA_207/2024

    Reason: While undisputed that English is common in the technology field, this factor alone cannot override all other relevant circumstances, particularly the domicile and relative sizes of the parties.

  • NVIDIA is significantly impaired in organising its defence in German

    RespondentLegal basis: R. 323 RoP

    Reason: NVIDIA failed to demonstrate significant impairment; its global scale and resources mean conducting proceedings in German is an inconvenience, not a genuine impediment.

Key legal principles
Doctrines and rules cited in the reasoning.
Language of proceedings fairness assessment requires consideration of all circumstances, not only language of patentDomicile of parties in countries where the chosen language is official is a decisive factor against language changeSize and financial resources of parties are relevant to balancing interests in language change applicationsFair access to justice for medium-sized enterprises is an objective of the UPCA

Browse other cases on this principle.