October 2011
In April, we reported our successes in oppositions at the European Patent Office (EPO). We recently celebrated two more significant opposition successes.
In the first case, we represented a client, Angiotech Inc., opposing a competitor’s European patent for a medical suture. Jon Gowshall successfully argued that the patent was invalid, and the patent was revoked. As a result our client is free to operate as it wishes.
In the second case, we represented the patentee, Scuderi Group LLC, in defending an opposition to a European patent for a pioneering hybrid split-cycle engine. Andy Harding defeated the attack on the patent and convinced the EPO that the opposition should not even be admitted. Andy was also successful in persuading the EPO that large parts of the opponent’s submissions correspondence were disparaging and should be removed from the public file, to protect our client’s interests. The patent was maintained unamended. Our client retains its Europe-wide protection for the invention.
Opposition hearings often take place at the EPO in Munich. Our Munich office provides our clients with a fully equipped base during the opposition hearing. Our presence in Munich ensures that we are extremely familiar with the workings and geography of the EPO.
Whether you want to attack a competitor’s European patent or need to defend yours against an opposition, Forresters will represent you effectively. Our highly-trained and experienced attorneys have an exceptionally high success rate in EPO oppositions. Those successes come from thorough preparation, clear argumentation and directed, structured presentation at the final hearing.
If you would like any further details about EPO oppositions, and how we can assist you in defending your European patent, or attacking that of your competitors, please contact Andy Harding at aharding@forresters.co.uk.