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UPC CFI 716/2024

Nov 22, 2024·EP2037175 +1 more: Premixed burner

Case details
Status
Case Closed
Action
Infringement
Category
Main Infringement Action
Parties
Claimants
Reps: Tilmann Müller-Stoy
Respondents
Reps: Marc van Wijngaarden
Division
Mannheim LD
Judges
Technology
Industrial Manufacturing · Combustion Systems
Language
English
First decided
Dec 18, 2025
Claims
At issue1
Infringed1
Notes: Court found direct infringement of claim 1 of EP 2 037 175 (post-opposition B2 version) and granted injunction, recall, destruction, and interim damages.
Decisions
  • 2025-12-18
    InfringedInjunction grantedInfringement meritsInfringement Action

    The Mannheim Local Division found that Bekaert Combustion Technology B.V. and NV Bekaert SA infringed Polidoro's premixed burner patent EP 2 037 175 and granted an injunction, recall/removal, destruction, information order, interim damages, and publication of the decision.

    Legal issues:Patent infringement (premixed burner)Claim constructionRecall and removal from distribution channels
    Damages: Liability declared, amount deferred · Basis: interim
  • 2025-05-08
    Generic application

    Procedural order granting Claimant Polidoro S.p.a. a one-week extension to 19 May 2025 for filing its Reply to the Statement of Defence and Defence to the Counterclaim for Revocation. Extension justified because access to the unredacted version of the Statement of Defence was delayed under Rule 262A RoP.

    Legal issues:Extension of time period (Rule 9.3 RoP)Delayed access to unredacted Statement of Defence (Rule 262A RoP)
Documents
Document titleDatePublic
action.issueOrder.order2026-05-07Not public
Order2026-05-07Public
Receipt2026-05-06Not public
Cover sheet2026-05-06Not public
Document Claimant2026-05-06Not public
Other Documents2026-04-28Not public
action.issueOrder.order2026-04-28Not public
Order2026-04-28Public
Receipt2026-04-27Not public
Cover sheet2026-04-27Not public
Document Defendant2026-04-27Not public
Document Defendant2026-04-27Not public
Other Documents2026-04-13Not public
action.communication.general2026-04-13Not public
Receipt2026-04-10Not public
Cover sheet2026-04-10Not public
Fee2026-04-10Not public
Proof of payment2026-04-10Not public
Document Claimant2026-04-10Not public
Exhibit Claimant2026-04-10Not public
Exhibit Claimant2026-04-10Not public
Exhibit Claimant2026-04-10Not public
Exhibit Claimant2026-04-10Not public
Exhibit Claimant2026-04-10Not public
Application document Claimant2026-04-10Not public
Receipt2026-03-24Not public
Cover sheet2026-03-24Not public
Application document Defendant2026-03-24Not public
action.communication.general2026-02-16Not public
Other Documents2026-02-16Not public
action.communication.general2026-01-27Not public
Other Documents2026-01-27Not public
Receipt2026-01-19Not public
Cover sheet2026-01-19Not public
Exhibit document Claimant2026-01-19Not public
action.communication.general2026-01-19Not public
Application document Claimant2026-01-19Not public
Receipt2026-01-19Not public
Cover sheet2026-01-19Not public
Application document Applicant2026-01-19Not public
action.phaseChange.caseClose2025-12-19Not public
action.issueDecision.decision2025-12-18Not public
Decision2025-12-18Public
action.issueDecision.decision2025-12-18Not public
Decision2025-12-18Not public
Other Documents2025-11-07Not public
action.phaseChange.oralPhaseOpen2025-11-05Not public
Other Documents2025-11-05Not public
action.issueOrder.order2025-11-05Not public
Order2025-11-05Public
Order2025-11-04Public
Other Documents2025-11-04Not public
Cover sheet2025-11-03Not public
Other document Claimant2025-11-03Not public
Other document Claimant2025-11-03Not public
Receipt2025-11-03Not public
Cover sheet2025-11-03Not public
Further pleadings2025-11-03Not public
Further pleadings2025-11-03Not public
Receipt2025-11-03Not public
Cover sheet2025-11-03Not public
Further pleadings2025-11-03Not public
Receipt2025-11-03Not public
action.issueOrder.order2025-10-28Not public
Order2025-10-28Public
action.phaseChange.interimPhaseOpen2025-10-16Not public
Other Documents2025-10-16Public
action.phaseChange.writtenPhaseClose2025-10-16Not public
Other Documents2025-10-16Public
order R 35 RoP2025-09-18Public
order R 35 RoP2025-09-18Not public
Panel-Appointment2025-09-11Not public
Outcome of the Order2025-07-28Not public
final order R. 262A RoP (copy due to technical reasons)2025-07-28Public
final order R. 262A RoP2025-07-28Public
Confidentiality - Brief of Polidoro2025-07-28Not public
pre-order R. 262A RoP2025-07-21Not public
Receipt2025-07-21Not public
Application Rule 262A RoP2025-07-18Not public
Application Rule 262.2 RoP2025-07-18Not public
Acknowledgement-of-lodging2025-07-18Not public
Exhibit B&B 122025-07-18Not public
Rejoinder, Reply to Defence to CC, Defence to Application to Amend2025-07-18Not public
Exhibit CC442025-07-18Not public
Exhibit B&B 112025-07-18Not public
Exhibit B&B 102025-07-18Not public
Exhibit CC452025-07-18Not public
Exhibit B&B 92025-07-18Not public
Rejoinder, Reply to Defence to CC, Defence to Application to Amend2025-07-18Not public
Exhibit B&B 122025-07-18Not public
Acknowledgement-of-lodging2025-07-18Not public
Exhibit B&B 92025-07-18Not public
CC442025-07-18Not public
Exhibit B&B 112025-07-18Not public
Rejoinder, Reply to Defence to CC, Defence to Application to Amend2025-07-18Not public
Exhibit B&B 122025-07-18Not public
CC452025-07-18Not public
Rejoinder, Reply to Defence to CC, Defence to Application to Amend2025-07-18Not public
Exhibit B&B 102025-07-18Not public
Exhibit B&B 122025-07-18Not public
Outcome of the Order2025-05-20Not public
final order R 262A RoP (copy due to technical reasons)2025-05-20Public
final order R 262A RoP2025-05-20Public
Confidentiality - Application 262A - Polidoro2025-05-19Not public
Acknowledgement-of-lodging2025-05-19Not public
Acknowledgement-of-lodging2025-05-19Not public
Reply to SoD - Polidoro_confidential2025-05-19Not public
Exhibit BP 16 - Polidoro2025-05-19Not public
Exhibit BP 14 - Polidoro2025-05-19Not public
Exhibit BP 17 - Polidoro2025-05-19Not public
Exhibit BP 18 - Polidoro2025-05-19Not public
Exhibit BP 15 - Polidoro2025-05-19Not public
Reply to SoD - Polidoro_confidential2025-05-19Not public
Exhibit BP 18 - Polidoro2025-05-19Not public
Reply to SoD - Polidoro_confidential2025-05-19Not public
Reply to SoD - Polidoro_confidential2025-05-19Not public
Exhibit BP 15 - Polidoro2025-05-19Not public
Exhibit BP 17 - Polidoro2025-05-19Not public
Exhibit BP 14 - Polidoro2025-05-19Not public
Exhibit BP 16 - Polidoro2025-05-19Not public
Exhibit BP 18 - Polidoro2025-05-19Not public
Exhibit BP 18 - Polidoro2025-05-19Not public
Panel-Appointment2025-05-12Not public
Headnote-and-Keywords2025-05-08Not public
Outcome of the Order2025-05-08Not public
Final order time period extension2025-05-08Public
Comments on Claimant's Request for Extension2025-05-08Not public
invitation to comment2025-05-08Public
Template-Order2025-05-08Not public
invitation to comment2025-05-07Not public
invitation to comment2025-05-07Not public
Receipt2025-05-07Not public
Time extension request Polidoro2025-05-06Not public
Hearing-Dates2025-03-31Not public
Final Order R 28 RoP2025-03-31Public
Final order Art. 33 (3) UPCA2025-03-31Public
Bekaert Comments Art. 33 (3) UPCA2025-03-26Not public
Brief of Polidoro2025-03-26Not public
pre-order R 28 RoP2025-03-25Not public
Hearing-Dates2025-03-25Not public
Outcome of the Order2025-03-19Not public
Final order R 262A SoD (copy due to technical reasons)2025-03-19Public
Final order R 262A SoD2025-03-19Public
Confidentiality - Brief of Polidoro2025-03-18Not public
order invitation to comment on Art 33 (3) UPCA2025-03-13Not public
pre-order R. 262A SoD2025-03-11Not public
Formal-checks_Notification-of-positive-outcome2025-03-10Not public
Formal-checks_Notification-of-positive-outcome2025-03-10Not public
Receipt2025-03-10Not public
Acknowledgement-of-lodging2025-03-07Not public
Acknowledgement-of-lodging2025-03-07Not public
Application R.262 by Bekaert2025-03-07Not public
Application R.262A by Bekaert2025-03-07Not public
Exhibit B&B 42025-03-07Not public
Exhibit B&B 82025-03-07Not public
Exhibit B&B 22025-03-07Not public
Exhibit B&B 62025-03-07Not public
Exhibit B&B 52025-03-07Not public
Exhibit B&B 72025-03-07Not public
Exhibit B&B 82025-03-07Not public
Statement of Defence dated March 7, 2025 in unredacted form2025-03-07Not public
Exhibit B&B 12025-03-07Not public
Exhibit B&B 32025-03-07Not public
Statement of Defence dated March 7, 2025 in unredacted form2025-03-07Not public
Statement of Defence March 7, 20252025-03-07Not public
Exhibit B&B 22025-03-07Not public
Exhibit B&B 7 - Affidavit Hogenbirk2025-03-07Not public
Exhibit B&B 12025-03-07Not public
Exhibit B&B 32025-03-07Not public
Statement of Defence March 7, 20252025-03-07Not public
Exhibit B&B 62025-03-07Not public
Exhibit B&B 52025-03-07Not public
Exhibit B&B 8 - Affidavit Kriete2025-03-07Not public
Exhibit B&B 42025-03-07Not public
Exhibit B&B 8 - Affidavit Kriete2025-03-07Not public
Acknowledgement of access to case2025-01-02Not public
Notification Of Service2024-12-10Not public
Einlieferungsbeleg2024-12-10Not public
Acknowledgement of access to case2024-12-09Not public
Notification Of Service2024-12-03Not public
Confirmation of service2024-12-03Not public
Tracking info Belgium2024-12-03Not public
Panel-Appointment2024-12-03Not public
communicationCheck2024-11-29Not public
Document from EPO2024-11-28Not public
Letter-for-Service2024-11-27Not public
Letter-for-Service2024-11-27Not public
Panel-Appointment2024-11-27Not public
Panel-Appointment2024-11-27Not public
EPO-Request-for-case-pending2024-11-26Not public
Receipt2024-11-26Not public
Formal-checks_Notification-of-positive-outcome2024-11-26Not public
Acknowledgement-of-lodging2024-11-21Not public
Exhibit BP 32024-11-21Not public
Exhibit BP 112024-11-21Not public
Exhibit BP 122024-11-21Not public
Exhibit BP 102024-11-21Not public
Exhibit BP 42024-11-21Not public
Exhibit BP 72024-11-21Not public
Exhibit BP 1 and BP 1a2024-11-21Not public
Exhibit BP 92024-11-21Not public
Exhibit BP 52024-11-21Not public
Exhibit BP 0 - Proof of Payment court fees2024-11-21Not public
Infringement action2024-11-21Not public
Exhibit BP 82024-11-21Not public
Exhibit BP 22024-11-21Not public
Exhibit BP 62024-11-21Not public
Exhibit BP 132024-11-21Not public
Exhibit BP 1 and BP 1a2024-11-21Not public
Coverage: Partial.Reasoning extracted with partial coverage — some sections may be incomplete.
Plain-English summary

Polidoro S.p.a. sued Bekaert Combustion Technology B.V. and NV Bekaert SA for infringement of EP 2 037 175 B2 (a premixed burner patent, upheld in limited form after EPO opposition). The Mannheim Local Division found direct infringement of claim 1 and granted a full injunction, recall, information and interim-damages order across seven UPCA states, while dismissing the defendants' revocation counterclaim; defendants bear 75% of costs.

Accepted arguments
What the court agreed with — by party.

  • Bekaert Combustion Technology B.V. directly infringes claim 1 of EP 2 037 175 B2 (premixed burner)

    ClaimantLegal basis: Art. 25 UPCA; direct infringement

    Note: Mannheim Local Division found all features of claim 1 realised in the Bekaert accused product, granting injunction across Austria, Belgium, Germany, France, Italy, Netherlands and Portugal.

  • NV Bekaert SA is jointly liable for infringement by its subsidiary Bekaert Combustion Technology B.V.

    ClaimantLegal basis: Art. 25 UPCA

    Note: Parent company found co-liable for acts of offering, placing on the market, importing and storing infringing products.

  • Patent survived opposition/appeal at EPO and should be given full weight as upheld in limited B2 form

    ClaimantLegal basis: Opposition proceedings before EPO Board of Appeal

    Note: The Board of Appeal upheld the patent in limited form, and the opposition decision was published on 27 November 2024; defendants' counterclaim for revocation was dismissed.

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

  • Counterclaim for revocation: patent lacks validity

    RespondentLegal basis: Art. 65 UPCA

    Reason: Counterclaim for revocation was dismissed; no further detail visible in the excerpt.

  • Alleged disproportionate harm from injunction (late-filed claim about magnitude of damage)

    RespondentLegal basis: Proportionality; late-filing rule

    Reason: The statement made for the first time at oral hearing was belated and therefore disregarded; in any event, the orders related only to one of two attacked embodiments, reducing the alleged damage accordingly.

Key legal principles
Doctrines and rules cited in the reasoning.
Direct infringement of all features of granted/amended claim 1 suffices for injunctive reliefLate-filed arguments/evidence at oral hearing may be disregardedPatent upheld in opposition (B2 form) carries persuasive weight in infringement proceedingsInjunction conditions include notification and certified translation requirements before enforcement

Browse other cases on this principle.

Claim construction notes

Claim 1 (B2 form after opposition) was central: it covers a premixed burner with a tubular body, at least one disk with through-holes constituting the distribution head, a plate closing the opposite end, and the disk made integrally with a flange — specifically characterised by the absence of an inner distributor. The court found the Bekaert product met all these features.