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UPC CFI 727/2024

Dec 3, 2024·EP2363263 · Centring device for a forming tool

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Case details
Status
Case Closed (No infringement)
Action
Infringement
Category
Main infringement action
Parties
Claimants
Representatives
Division
Milan LD
Judges
Technology
  • Mechanical engineering
    Other special machines · Mechanical elements
  • Chemistry
    Materials, metallurgy
Language
English
First decided
Jan 28, 2026
Last decision
May 5, 2026
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 foundMedian days to first decision
All UPC53% (62/117)124
Milan LDLockedLocked
Judge Pierluigi PerrottiLockedLocked
Judge Anna-Lena KleinLockedLocked
Judge Alima ZanaLockedLocked
Judge Frédéric GaillardeLockedLocked

At the UPC: Agathon AG (2 cases)·Intercom s.r.l. (2 cases)

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Related cases
All proceedings on this patent

This dispute contains 1 other proceedings

UPC CFI 493/2025

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More cases: Milan LD·2024

Decisions
  • 2026-05-05
    Infringement ActionPublic

    Summary: The Milan Local Division dismissed the infringement action brought by Agathon AG against Intercom s.r.l. and Knarr Vertriebs GmbH, finding that the defendants' centring devices did not implement features 1.9 and 1.11 of EP 2 363 263 B1 (as amended) because the second rolling body row did not abut the encircling edge in the opened state. The patent was maintained in amended form (Auxiliary Request 1, combining original claims 1 and 3) after Intercom's counterclaim for revocation was partially upheld on novelty grounds as to the unamended claim 1; Agathon was ordered to bear 50% of each defendant's infringement-action costs, while each party bore its own costs for the validity proceedings.

    Show the legal issues (9)
    • Claim interpretation of features 1.8, 1.9, 1.11 — meaning of 'abuts' and 'opened state'
    • Role of prosecution history (EPO examination statements) in claim construction under Art. 69 EPC
    • Lack of novelty of original claim 1 in light of D3 (US 2,774,430)
    • Validity of dependent claims (claims 3 and others) for lack of novelty and inventive step
    • Patent amendment via Auxiliary Request 1 (combination of original claims 1 and 3)
    • Formstein/Gillette defence — non-infringement because defendants' products correspond to prior art
    • Doctrine of equivalents — whether spatial offset between second rolling body row and edge constitutes equivalent
    • Definition of 'attacked embodiment' and sufficiency of product samples to cover all variants
    • Cost apportionment where two defendants pursue identical defence strategy
  • 2026-01-28
    Infringement ActionPublic

    Summary: The Milan Local Division issued a post-interim-conference order in Agathon AG v. Intercom s.r.l. and KNARR Vertriebs GmbH, setting out rulings on admissibility of technical drawings filed by the claimant and the handling of conditional auxiliary requests per R. 30.1 RoP.

    Show the legal issues (3)
    • Post-interim-conference order (R. 105.5 RoP)
    • Admissibility of late-filed exhibits
    • Conditional auxiliary requests (R. 30.1 RoP)
Documents
Document titleDatePublic
Other Documents2026-10-07Not public
Communication2026-09-01Not public
Other Documents2026-09-01Not public
Other Documents2026-07-21Not public
Case closed2026-05-05Not public
Decision2026-05-05Not public
Decision2026-05-05Not public
Other Documents2026-03-25Not public
Other Documents2026-03-25Not public
Other Documents2026-03-17Not public
Written procedure closed2026-03-16Not public
Other Documents2026-03-16Not public
Hearing recording reference document2026-03-11Not public
Other Documents2026-03-11Not public
Receipt2026-03-10Not public
Cover sheet2026-03-10Not public
Exhibit Claimant2026-03-10Not public
Document Claimant2026-03-10Not public
Receipt2026-03-04Not public
Cover sheet2026-03-04Not public
Exhibit Claimant2026-03-04Not public
Further pleadings2026-03-04Not public
Receipt2026-03-04Not public
Cover sheet2026-03-04Not public
Document Defendant2026-03-04Not public
Submission Defendant2026-03-04Not public
Receipt2026-03-04Not public
Cover sheet2026-03-04Not public
Submission Defendant2026-03-04Not public
Receipt2026-02-17Not public
Cover sheet2026-02-17Not public
Further pleadings2026-02-17Not public
Receipt2026-02-17Not public
Cover sheet2026-02-17Not public
Further pleadings2026-02-17Not public
Receipt2026-02-09Not public
Cover sheet2026-02-09Not public
Further pleadings2026-02-09Not public
Order2026-01-28Not public
Order2026-01-28Not public
Other Documents2026-01-27Not public
Receipt2026-01-19Not public
Cover sheet2026-01-19Not public
Other document Claimant2026-01-19Not public
Receipt2026-01-19Not public
Cover sheet2026-01-19Not public
Other document Defendant2026-01-19Not public
Receipt2026-01-19Not public
Cover sheet2026-01-19Not public
Other document Defendant2026-01-19Not public
Receipt2026-01-19Not public
Cover sheet2026-01-19Not public
Application document Claimant2026-01-19Not public
Order2026-01-13Not public
Order2026-01-13Not public
Receipt2026-01-12Not public
Cover sheet2026-01-12Not public
Application document Claimant2026-01-12Not public
Order2025-12-09Not public
Order2025-12-09Not public
Cover sheet2025-12-01Not public
Other document Defendant2025-12-01Not public
Receipt2025-12-01Not public
Cover sheet2025-12-01Not public
Further pleadings2025-12-01Not public
Receipt2025-12-01Not public
Cover sheet2025-12-01Not public
Further pleadings2025-12-01Not public
Receipt2025-12-01Not public
Order2025-11-26Not public
Order2025-11-26Not public
Cover sheet2025-11-07Not public
Statement of rejoinder2025-11-07Not public
Receipt2025-11-07Not public
Order2025-10-14Not public
Order2025-10-14Not public
Cover sheet2025-10-10Not public
Other document2025-10-10Not public
Receipt2025-10-10Not public
Cover sheet2025-10-10Not public
Other document2025-10-10Not public
Receipt2025-10-10Not public
Cover sheet2025-10-08Not public
Statement of rejoinder2025-10-08Not public
Receipt2025-10-08Not public
Cover sheet2025-10-07Not public
Statement of rejoinder2025-10-07Not public
Receipt2025-10-07Not public
Order2025-10-06Not public
Order2025-10-06Not public
Acknowledgement-of-lodging2025-08-08Not public
Acknowledgement-of-lodging2025-08-08Not public
Annex A332025-08-07Not public
Annex A302025-08-07Not public
Annex A292025-08-07Not public
Annex A312025-08-07Not public
Annex A372025-08-07Not public
Annex A282025-08-07Not public
Reply to the Defences of the Defendants, Defence to Counterclaim2025-08-07Not public
Annex A342025-08-07Not public
Annex A392025-08-07Not public
Annex A272025-08-07Not public
Annex A382025-08-07Not public
Annex A352025-08-07Not public
Annex A362025-08-07Not public
Annex A322025-08-07Not public
Annex A382025-08-07Not public
Annex A272025-08-07Not public
Annex A332025-08-07Not public
Annex A282025-08-07Not public
Annex A302025-08-07Not public
Annex A372025-08-07Not public
Annex A292025-08-07Not public
Annex A342025-08-07Not public
Annex A312025-08-07Not public
Reply to the Defences of the Defendants, Defence to Counterclaim2025-08-07Not public
Annex A392025-08-07Not public
Annex A362025-08-07Not public
Annex A322025-08-07Not public
Annex A352025-08-07Not public
Acknowledgement-of-lodging2025-06-09Not public
Formal-checks_Notification-of-positive-outcome2025-06-09Not public
Acknowledgement-of-lodging2025-06-09Not public
Formal-checks_Notification-of-positive-outcome2025-06-09Not public
D10.4 - Written witness statement Paolo Luigi Galli2025-06-05Not public
D1 - US34698942025-06-05Not public
D10.1 - Written witness statement Vittorio Cataldo2025-06-05Not public
Formal response to the request for correction2025-06-05Not public
D7 - Fibro catalogue 20072025-06-05Not public
Statement of defence on behalf of Defendant 22025-06-05Not public
D3 - US27744302025-06-05Not public
D5 - Agathon catalogue 20022025-06-05Not public
D10.3 - Written witness statement Alessandro Degiorgis2025-06-05Not public
D9 - US51564622025-06-05Not public
D6 - Fibro catalogue 20012025-06-05Not public
D2 - US36141782025-06-05Not public
D4 - US61825522025-06-05Not public
D8 - Intercom catalogue 20032025-06-05Not public
D10.2 - Written witness statement Susanna Silipigni2025-06-05Not public
Intercom Statement of Defence (amended version)2025-06-05Not public
D1 - US34698942025-06-05Not public
D4 - US61825522025-06-05Not public
D3 - US27744302025-06-05Not public
D2 - US36141782025-06-05Not public
D6 - Fibro catalogue 20012025-06-05Not public
D7 - Fibro catalogue 20072025-06-05Not public
D10.4 - Written witness statement Paolo Luigi Galli2025-06-05Not public
D10.2 - Written witness statement Susanna Silipigni2025-06-05Not public
D10.3 - Written witness statement Alessandro Degiorgis2025-06-05Not public
List of annexes filed by Intercom with Statement of defence2025-06-05Not public
D10.1 - Written witness statement Vittorio Cataldo2025-06-05Not public
D9 - US51564622025-06-05Not public
D5 - Agathon catalogue 20022025-06-05Not public
D8 - Intercom catalogue 20032025-06-05Not public
Formal-checks_Request-for-correction2025-06-05Not public
Statement of defence on behalf of Defendant 22025-06-05Not public
Formal-checks_Request-for-correction2025-06-05Not public
D4 - US61825522025-06-05Not public
D9 - US51564622025-06-05Not public
D10.2 - Written witness statement Susanna Silipigni2025-06-05Not public
List of annexes filed by Intercom with Statement of defence2025-06-05Not public
D10.3 - Written witness statement Alessandro Degiorgis2025-06-05Not public
D1 - US34698942025-06-05Not public
Intercom Statement of defence2025-06-05Not public
D10.1 - Written witness statement Vittorio Cataldo2025-06-05Not public
D3 - US27744302025-06-05Not public
D8 - Intercom catalogue 20032025-06-05Not public
D2 - US36141782025-06-05Not public
D10.4 - Written witness statement Paolo Luigi Galli2025-06-05Not public
D6 - Fibro catalogue 20012025-06-05Not public
D7 - Fibro catalogue 20072025-06-05Not public
D5 - Agathon catalogue 20022025-06-05Not public
deadlines alignment2025-03-31Public
invite to comment2025-03-24Not public
Receipt2025-03-21Not public
Application for an order for extension of time to lodge the statement of defence (R. 9 RoP)2025-03-21Not public
Formal-checks_Request-for-correction2025-03-21Not public
Acknowledgement-of-lodging2025-03-20Not public
Application for an order for extension of time to lodge the statement of defence (R. 9 RoP)2025-03-20Not public
Acknowledgement of access to case2025-03-20Not public
Receipt2025-03-04Not public
Annex A212025-03-04Not public
Annex A242025-03-04Not public
Annex A232025-03-04Not public
Annex A202025-03-04Not public
submission of translations2025-03-04Not public
Annex A222025-03-04Not public
List of Exhibits as of March 4, 20252025-03-04Not public
Annex A252025-03-04Not public
Outcome of the Order2025-02-13Not public
final order app 56392025-02-13Public
Formal-checks_Request-for-correction2025-02-11Not public
Comments to requested translations and requested extension of deadline2025-02-06Not public
invite to comment2025-02-03Not public
Receipt2025-02-03Not public
APPLICATION FOR AN ORDER FOR TRANSLATION AND AN EXTENSION OF TIME TO LODGE THE STATEMENT OF DEFENCE (RULES 7 AND 9 RoP)2025-02-03Not public
Acknowledgement-of-lodging2025-02-03Not public
APPLICATION FOR AN ORDER FOR TRANSLATION AND AN EXTENSION OF TIME TO LODGE THE STATEMENT OF DEFENCE (RULES 7 AND 9 RoP)2025-02-03Not public
Notification Of Service2025-01-30Not public
Confirmation of receipt received by UPC Milan Local Division2025-01-30Not public
Acknowledgement of access to case2025-01-08Not public
Notification Of Service2025-01-03Not public
Confirm of receipt_PEC_Intercom Srl2025-01-03Not public
Letter-for-Service2024-12-09Not public
Letter-for-Service2024-12-09Not public
communicationCheck2024-12-06Not public
Document from EPO2024-12-05Not public
Panel-Appointment2024-12-05Not public
EPO-Request-for-case-pending2024-12-03Not public
Receipt2024-12-03Not public
Formal-checks_Notification-of-positive-outcome2024-12-03Not public
Acknowledgement-of-lodging2024-12-03Not public
Annex A12024-12-03Not public
Annex A182024-12-03Not public
Annex A92024-12-03Not public
Annex A142024-12-03Not public
Annex A72024-12-03Not public
Annex A62024-12-03Not public
Annex A132024-12-03Not public
Annex A82024-12-03Not public
Annex A52024-12-03Not public
Statement of Claim2024-12-03Not public
Annex A122024-12-03Not public
Annex A102024-12-03Not public
Annex A152024-12-03Not public
Annex A42024-12-03Not public
Annex A192024-12-03Not public
Annex A172024-12-03Not public
Annex A22024-12-03Not public
Annex A112024-12-03Not public
Annex A162024-12-03Not public
Annex A32024-12-03Not public
Accepted arguments
What the court agreed with — by party.

  • Feature 1.9 'abuts' requires actual contact between the second rolling body row and the encircling edge in the opened state; the broad interpretation that any position on the conical top satisfies the claim is incorrect

    RespondentLegal basis: Art. 69 EPC; patent description paras [0022]-[0024]; EPO prosecution history statement by Agathon that abutment was 'essential/decisive'

  • The defendants' products do not implement feature 1.9 because the second rolling body row sits at a spatial distance from the encircling edge in the opened state, as confirmed by physical samples and claimant's own technical drawings (Annexes 27/28)

    RespondentLegal basis: Claim 1 (amended) features 1.9 and 1.11; direct inspection of product samples

  • Formstein/Gillette defence: the defendants' products correspond to prior art embodiments (particularly D1, D2) in which the sleeve runs onto rolling body rows sequentially rather than simultaneously, and therefore cannot infringe either literally or under equivalents

    RespondentLegal basis: Formstein/Gillette defence; prior art D1 (US 3,469,894) and D2 (US 3,614,178)

  • Original claim 1 of EP'263 lacks novelty in light of D3 (US 2,774,430) which discloses the key features, rendering the unamended patent partially invalid

    RespondentLegal basis: Art. 54 EPC; D3 (US 2,774,430)

  • Auxiliary Request 1 (combining claims 1 and 3) satisfies Art. 84, 123(2) and 123(3) EPC and renders the patent valid in amended form

    ClaimantLegal basis: Art. 84, 123(2), 123(3) EPC; R. 30 RoP

  • A plurality of protruding guiding bodies (feature 1.4) is indeed present in defendants' products, consistent with defendants' own novelty arguments regarding D1/D2

    ClaimantLegal basis: Claim 1 feature 1.4; defendants' own submissions on D1/D2 novelty attack
Rejected arguments
What the court did not agree with — and why.

  • Feature 1.9 'opened state' should be interpreted broadly to include any transitional phase toward the closed position, so that it makes no difference whether the second rolling body row abuts the edge or rests elsewhere on the conical top

    ClaimantLegal basis: Art. 69 EPC — rejected because patent description, figures, and claimant's own EPO prosecution statements require actual contact with the edge

  • The alleged infringing products infringe literally or under the doctrine of equivalents because the functional simultaneous loading effect is achieved regardless of the exact position of the second rolling body row

    ClaimantLegal basis: Doctrine of equivalents — rejected because the products correspond to prior art and the Formstein/Gillette defence applies

  • Counterclaim for revocation of the patent based on lack of novelty or inventive step as to D1, D2, D4, D5-D8, D9

    RespondentLegal basis: Art. 54 and 56 EPC — rejected; only D3 partially succeeded as to original claim 1