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Key Lessons on Priority Validity and Novelty in High Voltage Electrical Apparatus Patents

T 0386/20

· EPOBoardsofAppeal,PatentLaw,NoveltyAssessment,PriorityValidity

Introduction

In the recent decision T 0386/20, dated January 30, 2024, the European Patent Office's Board of Appeal addressed critical issues concerning the validity of priority claims, novelty, and the use of disclaimers in patents related to high voltage electrical apparatuses. The decision centered on the patent EP 3 047 491 B1, owned by General Electric Technology GmbH, which was ultimately revoked. This blog post will explore the invention in question, the arguments presented by the opponents and the patentee, and the Board's final decision. We will also discuss the lessons to be learned from this decision, with references to relevant articles and rules of the European Patent Convention (EPC) and case law.

Summary of the Invention

The patent in dispute, EP 3 047 491 B1, concerns a medium or high voltage electrical apparatus featuring a gas-insulated system that includes a mixture of heptafluoroisobutyronitrile, carbon dioxide, and oxygen. The invention claims to provide effective electrical insulation and arc extinguishing properties within an enclosed system, with the oxygen content in the gas mixture ranging from 1 to 25% molar percentage.

Key Points of the Decision

1. Priority Claim and Novelty

The central issue was whether the priority claim for the patent was valid. The Board found that the priority was not valid, as the earlier application (document A10) disclosed the same subject matter as the patent in question. This finding was crucial because it meant that document A10 became relevant prior art, thus affecting the novelty of the claimed invention.

2. Arguments by the Opponent and Patentee

  • Opponent's Argument: The opponents argued that the gas mixture disclosed in A10 inherently included the same components as the patented invention, thus lacking novelty. They also contested the validity of the priority claim, asserting that the earlier application and the patent shared the same subject matter.
  • Patentee's Argument: The patentee contended that A10 did not disclose the specific gas mixture claimed in their patent, particularly emphasizing differences in the oxygen content and the nature of the gas (synthetic air vs. atmospheric air). They also argued that the disclaimer introduced in their auxiliary requests was valid to restore novelty.

3. Board's Decision

The Board sided with the opponents, finding that the priority was invalid and that the claimed invention lacked novelty in light of A10. The Board also rejected the patentee’s auxiliary requests, which included disclaimers, citing that they were inadmissible based on the principles established in the G 1/03 decision. Ultimately, the patent was revoked.

Lessons to Be Learned

1. Importance of Validating Priority Claims:

This decision underscores the importance of thoroughly evaluating the validity of priority claims. When an earlier application discloses the same subject matter as the claimed invention, it can invalidate the priority claim, making prior art relevant and potentially undermining the novelty of the invention.

2. Risks Associated with Disclaimers:

Disclaimers must be carefully drafted and justified. The decision highlights that disclaimers introduced to overcome prior art issues must comply with established case law, such as G 1/03, and cannot be used to salvage a priority claim that has been invalidated.

3. Detailed Attention to Novelty Assessment:

Even minor differences in the composition or specification of claimed elements must be carefully considered. As seen in this case, the Board's assessment of the gas mixture's composition led to the conclusion that the claimed invention was not novel.

 

Contact

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Legal Disclaimer

The information provided in this blog post is for generalinformational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. The summary and analysis of the EPO case are based on publicly available information and are intended to offer insights into the decision and its implications. This content should not be used as a substitute for professional legal advice tailored to your specific circumstances. For advice related to any specific legal matters, you should consult a qualified attorney.