throbber
Columbia Ex. 2079
`Illumina, Inc. v. The Trustees
`of Columbia University in the
`City of New York
`IPR2020-00988, -01065,
`-01177, -01125, -01323
`
`

`

`Europaisches
`Pa“"“"'"‘
`
`
`
`Efiiiflfi'lfice
`Office européen
`des brevets
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Ernest Gutmann - Yves Plasseraud S.A.S.
`
`88 Boulevard des Belges
`69452 Lyon cedex 06
`FRANCE
`
`European Patent Office
`80298 MUNICH
`
`GERMANY
`
`Questions about this communication ?
`Contact Customer Services at www.epo.org/contact
`
`Formalities officer
`Sonnenschmidt, Sandra
`
`Date
`
`06.08.2020
`
`Reference
`LBOO423-CA/PPT
`
`Applicant/Proprietor
`
`Application No./Patent No.
`151957651 - 1118 / 3034627
`
`
`
`The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York
`
`EPA/EPO/OEB Formblatt/Form/Formulaire :
`
`2310
`
`Empfangsbescheinigung fiber den Zugang des vorstehend bezeichneten Schriftstiicks
`Acknowledgement of receipt of the document specified above
`Récépissé du document spécifié ci-dessus
`
`Unter Bezugnahme auf die Mitteilung im ABI EPA 7/2010, 377 wird gebeten, die Empfangsbescheinigung
`mit Empfangsdatum und Unterschrift zu versehen und umgehend an das EPA zuriickzusenden:
`
`With reference to the Notice in OJ EPO 7/2010, 377, you are requested to date and sign the
`acknowledgement of receipt and return it to the EPO immediately:
`
`Conformément au communiqué paru au JO OEB 7/2010, 377, vous étes prié d'indiquer sur le récépissé la
`date de réception du document, de signer le récépissé et de le renvoyer sans délai a l' OEB:
`
`0 fiber die Online-Dienste des EPA (als Anlage zu EPA Form 1038) /through EPO Online Services
`(as annex to EPO Form 1038) / par les services en ligne de I'OEB (en tant que piece jointe au
`formulaire OEB 1038),
`0 per Fax / by fax / par téléfax (+49 (0) 89 2399-4465 or +31 (0) 70 340-3016)
`0 oder per Post / or by post / ou par courrier.
`
`Empfangen am / Received on / Regu le :
`
`I
`
`I
`
`I
`
`I Pl‘i'ck'se'nde-Adiresse'l F'iet'urn address 7 Adresse 'de'retour
`(Umschlag / envelope / enveloppe ISO C4 / DL / C6/CS / C6)
`
`Unterschrift / Signature:
`
`GNV'IHOSLDHCI
`
`NEIHONflW 86308
`twetuated seqosggdoma
`
`Empfangsberechtigter/authorised recipient/
`le destinataire ou la personne dument mandatée
`
`JnOJSJ ep esserV / sserpe anieH / esserv-epuesxona
`
`page1 of1
`
`8851511
`
`
`
`
`
`EPA/EPO/OEBForm293608.10
`
`

`

`Europaisches
`Pa“"“"'"‘
`Euro can
`patel’t Office
`
`Office européen des brevets
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Ernest Gutmann - Yves Plasseraud S.A.S.
`
`88 Boulevard des Belges
`69452 Lyon cedex 06
`FRANCE
`
`European Patent Office
`80298 MUNICH
`
`GERMANY
`
`Questions about this communication ?
`Contact Customer Services at www.epo.org/contact
`
`Date
`
`06.08.2020
`
`Reference
`LBOO423-CA/PPT
`
`Application No./Patent No.
`
`15195765.1 - 1118 / 3034627 Applicant/Proprietor
`
`The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York
`
`Summons to attend oral proceedings pursuant to Rule 115(1) EPC
`
`You are hereby summoned to attend oral proceedings arranged in connection with the above-mentioned
`European patent.
`
`The matters to be discussed are set out in the communication accompanying this summons (EPO Form
`2906).
`
`The oral proceedings, which will be public, will take place before the opposition division
`
`on 25.05.21 at 09.00 hrs in Room 1656 at the EPO,
`
`Grasserstr. 2, PschorrHéfe, D-80335 Miinchen
`
`No changes to the date of the oral proceedings can be made, except on serious grounds (see OJ EPO
`1/2009, 68). If you do not appear as summoned, the oral proceedings may continue without you (R. 115(2)
`EPC).
`
`Your attention is drawn to Rule 4 EPC, regarding the language of the oral proceedings, and to the Special
`edition No. 3 OJ EPO 2007, 128, concerning the filing of authorisations for company employees and
`lawyers acting as representatives before the EPO.
`
`The final date for making written submissions and/or amendments (R. 116 EPC) is 25.03.21.
`
`You are requested to report in good time beforehand to the porter in the EPO foyer. Room 1657 is
`available as waiting room.
`
`Parking is available in the underground car park, accessible only via the entrance "Grasserstrasse 2/6".
`On presentation of the summons to oral proceedings at the porters' lodge in the main foyer
`"Bayerstrasse", the parking ticket will be revoked.
`
`1st Examiner:
`Knudsen, Henrik
`
`2nd Examiner:
`Behrens, Ralf
`
`Chairman:
`Tilkorn, Anne-Christ
`
`For the Opposition Division
`Ewes Paternity,”
`03»
`56‘
`ms
`6’5
`-
`“3o
`
`o
`
`>
`as
`5
`11:9
`00%
`' 004/78 saute
`
`g
`
`‘U
`51
`9
`N
`@589
`
`Annexes:
`Confirmation of receipt (Form 2936)
`Rule 4 EPC (EPC Form 2043)
`Communication (EPO Form 2906)
`
`Registered letter
`EPO Form 2310 07.19 [ORAL03=1656]
`
`(03/08I20)
`
`ORAL4
`
`to EPO postal sen/ice: 03.08.20
`page 1 of1
`
`

`

`Important information concerning oral proceedings
`
`This annex provisionally replaces former EPO Form 2043 (Rule 4 EPC)
`
`Tres important — procedure orale
`
`Cette annexe remplace provisoirement |'ancien formulaire 2043 de I'OEB (regle 4
`
`CBE)
`
`Wichtige Hinweise zur mijndlichen Verhandlung
`Diese Anlage ersetzt vorl'jbergehend EPA Form 2043 (Regel 4 EPU)
`
`(1) In opposition, oral proceedings may be held by videoconference if all parties
`
`to be summoned and the opposition division give their consent. We would,
`
`therefore, ask you whether you would agree to the oral proceedings being
`held as a videoconference.
`
`(2) In case of oral proceedings held at the premises of the EPO and as a result of
`
`the regulations on social distancing, only a limited number of places are available
`
`in the rooms for conducting oral proceedings. It is assumed you will attend with a
`
`maximum of two persons and the room reservation will be made accordingly.
`
`Should you wish to attend with more participants, please inform the EPO.
`
`(3) In order to properly organise the upcoming oral proceedings, we would ask that you
`
`supply us with information regarding your need for simultaneous interpretation (Rule
`
`4 EPC). Please let us know which language(s) you intend to use during the
`
`proceedings (speaking) and for which language you would require simultaneous
`
`interpretation (listening).
`
`(1) Lors d’une opposition, Ia procedure orale pourra étre tenue par visioconférence, si
`
`toutes les parties y étant conviées et la division d’opposition sont d’accord. Veuillez-
`
`donc nous indiquer si vous acceptez que la procedure orale soit tenue par visio-
`conference.
`
`(2) Du fait de la tenue de la procedure orale dans les locaux de I’OEB et en raison
`
`des mesures barrieres de distanciation physique, un nombre limité de places sera
`
`disponible dans les salles de procedure orale. La reservation de la salle de
`
`procedure sera faite en prévoyant Ia présence de deux participants par partie. Dans
`
`Ie cas ou cette prévision s’avérerait insuffisante, et que vous devriez assister a la
`
`procedure avec plus d’une personne vous accompagnant, veuillez-en informer
`I’OEB.
`
`

`

`(3) Pour nous permettre de réserver |a sa||e adaptée a la procedure prévue, nous vous
`
`demandons de bien vouloir nous préciser |es informations concernant vos besoins
`
`en matiere de traduction simultanée (regle 4 CBE). Veuillez nous indiquer que||e(s)
`
`|angue(s) vous avez I’intention d’utiliser pendant |a procedure (parlée(s)) et pour
`
`quelle langue vous requérez une traduction simultanée (écoute).
`
`(1) Im Einspruchsverfahren konnen mUndliche Verhandlungen a|s Videokonferenz
`
`durchgerhrt werden, wenn a||e zu ladenden Parteien und die Einspruchsabteilung
`
`damit einverstanden sind. Wir mochten deshalb bei Ihnen anfragen, ob Sie einer
`
`Durcthhrung besagter mUndIiCher Verhandlung a|s Videokonferenz zustimmen.
`
`(2) Bei im Europaischen Patentamt durchgerhrten mUndlichen Verhandlungen und
`
`infolge der Regeln zur raumlichen Distanzierung steht in den Sitzungssalen nur
`
`eine eingeschrankte Zahl von Sitzplatzen zur Verngung. Aufgrund unserer
`
`Erfahrung gehen wir davon aus, dass Sie mit maximal zwei Personen an der
`
`Verhandlung teilnehmen werden. Entsprechend wird die Raumreservierung
`
`vorgenommen, sollten Sie uns nicht mitteilen, dass Sie beabsichtigen, mit weiteren
`
`Personen an der mUndlichen Verhandlung teilzunehmen.
`
`(3) Um die Raume fUr die anstehenden mUndlichen Verhandlungen sachgerecht
`
`einzuplanen, mochten wir Sie um Information Uber Ihren Bedarf an Simultan-
`Ubersetzung bitten (Regel 4 EPU). Bitte tei|en Sie uns mit, welche Sprache(n) Sie in
`
`der mUndlichen Verhandlung ven/venden (Sprechen) und aus welcher Sprache Sie
`
`eine SimultanUbersetzung benotigen (Horen).
`
`

`

`Datu m
`Date
`Date
`
`06.08.2020
`
`Blatt
`
`Sheet
`Feuille
`
`1
`
`Anmelde-Nr:
`
`ApplicationNo:
`Demande n°:
`
`15 195 765.1
`
`I. Introduction
`
`1
`
`European patent 3 034 627 having the title "MASSIVE PARALLEL METHOD
`
`FOR DECODING DNA AND RNA" is based upon European patent application
`
`No. 15 195 765.1. This application was filed as a divisional application of
`
`European application no.07 004 522.4 which is itself a divisional application of
`
`01 977 533.7 filed on 05-10-2001. It claims priority of US 684670 filed on
`06-10-2000 and U8300894 filed on 26-06-2001.
`
`The mention of the grant of the patent has been published in the European
`Patent Bulletin of 30-01-2019.
`
`Proprietor of the patent (PP) is
`
`The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York
`
`West 116th Street and Broadway
`
`New York, NY 10027
`
`US.
`
`A notice of opposition has been filed by
`
`lllumina, Inc.
`
`5200 lllumina Way
`
`San Diego, CA 92122
`US
`
`on 29-10-2019.
`
`The opponent (OP) requests revocation of the patent in its entirety based on
`
`Articles 100(a), in particular Article 56, Article 100(b) and Article 100(0) EPC.
`
`The documents D1-D25 (see consolidated list of documents filed by the PP on
`
`1604-2020) has been filed by the parties.
`
`In a letter received on 1604-2020, the PP requested the rejection of the
`
`opposition (Article 101 (2) EPC).
`
`II. The opposition division's (OD) preliminary and non-binding opinion which is
`
`not conclusive and in which the OD makes the following comments in order to
`
`assist the parties in their preparations for the oral proceedings.
`
`EPO Form 2906 01.91TRI
`
`

`

`Datum
`
`Date
`Date
`
`06.08.2020
`
`Blatt
`
`Sheet
`Feuille
`
`2
`
`Anmelde-Nr:
`
`ApplicationNo:
`Demande n°:
`
`15 195 765.].
`
`".1 Article 100(c) EPC
`
`5
`
`The OP has divided claim 1
`
`into 16 different features and objects to the features
`
`1, 2b, 3-6 and 9a - 9c of claim 1 and the corresponding features in claims 3 and
`
`5 as not having a basis in the originally filed applications (i.e. application
`
`underlying the opposed patent and parent applications).
`
`6
`
`The OD preliminarily and non-bindineg finds that each of the divisional
`
`applications contains the disclosure of the originally filed parent application
`
`which is published as WOO2/29003 (OPA). In the following references to the
`
`originally filed applications therefore refers to the OPA.
`
`ll.1.1 Claim 1
`
`ll.1.1.1 Feature 1
`
`7
`
`The OD finds that it is directly and unambiguously derivable from the OPA that
`
`the immobilisation of the deoxyribonucleic acids is by covalent attachment. The
`
`OPA in the Summary of Invention part (page 9, lines 9-10) mentions that the
`nucleic acids are attached to a solid surface
`
`Feature 1 of granted claim 1 specifies that “the plurality of different
`
`deoxyribonucleic acids is covalently immobilized on a solid surface." and the OP
`
`argues that the OPA does not contain a basis for the wording that the
`
`immobilisation is covalent. The OD finds that the only example in the OPA
`
`shows a covalent attachment of by a reaction of azido and phosphine and that
`
`the skilled person would based on his common general knowledge directly and
`
`unambiguously realise that binding of nucleic acids to solid surface had to be
`
`covalent (see also page 8, line 10 of the OPA) in a SBS reaction as claimed.
`
`Thus, the OD is of the opinion that the skilled person would read any reference
`
`to attachment in the OPA as being a reference to covalent attachment.
`
`ll.1.1.2 Feature 2b
`
`8
`
`The OD is of the opinion that feature 2b has a basis in the combined reading of
`
`claims 1 and 10 of the OPA. In particular, the OD finds that step (ii) of claim 1 of
`
`the OPA does not mean that the primer is bound to the solid surface, but rather
`
`means that the primer is bound to the nucleic acid which is bound to the solid
`
`surface, and that claim 10 defines that the primer is hybridised to the nucleic
`acid.
`EPO Form 2906 01.91TRI
`
`

`

`Datu m
`Date
`Date
`
`06.08.2020
`
`Blatt
`
`Sheet
`Feuille
`
`3
`
`Anmelde-Nr:
`
`ApplicationNo:
`Demande n°:
`
`15 195 765.1
`
`ll.1.1.3 Features 3-6
`
`9
`
`The OD is of the opinion that page 5, lines 5-19 of the OPA outlines the method
`
`of the invention and do not disclose washing steps as being essential.
`
`Moreover, the passage also does not disclose the removal of the label and the
`
`removal of the cap as taking place in two separate steps. Thus, the method
`
`outlined in steps (a) - (d) of claim 1
`
`is disclosed in the OPA also in the absence
`
`of washing steps and separate removal steps.
`
`ll.1.1.4 Feature 9a
`
`10
`
`The OP argues that the OPA does not contain a basis for the wording “as small
`
`as a CH20H=CH2 group or a CH2OCH3 group". The OD is of the opinion that
`
`the wording on page 20, lines 21-24 which represent the definition of the
`
`capping groups states that a small chemical moiety such as a CH20H=CH2
`
`group or a CH2OCH3 group is used to cap the -OH group shows that the
`
`disclosure is not limited to these specific groups. As further groups to be used in
`
`the invention, the skilled reader would based on the disclosure on page 20 of
`
`the OPA unambiguously consider groups which have the same size as
`
`CHZOCHB or CH20H=CH2 as being relevant for use in the invention.
`
`10.1
`
`With respect to the other passages which discuss the capping moieties, e.g. on
`
`pages 6-7 and on pages 25-26, the OD finds that the former is limited to the
`
`preferred groups CH20H=CH2 group or a CHZOCHB group whilst the latter
`
`discusses the properties that the capping group must possess. These properties
`
`are inherent to a capping group used in the claimed method since the method
`
`cannot be carried out if the group does not have the properties outlined in the
`
`sentence bridging pages 25-26 of the OPA.
`
`10.2
`
`Thus, the skilled reader would from the OPA's description understand that the
`
`preferred capping groups are CH20H=CH2 and CH2OCH3, but would from the
`
`description page 20 understand that also other small groups are contemplated
`
`for use and that these groups are small as CH20H=CH2 and CH2OCH3. Thus,
`
`feature 9a is thus directly and unambiguously derivable from the disclosure of
`the OPA.
`
`EPO Form 2906 01.91TRI
`
`

`

`Datum
`
`Date
`Date
`
`06.08.2020
`
`Blatt
`
`Sheet
`Feuille
`
`4
`
`Anmelde-Nr:
`
`ApplicationNo:
`Demande n°:
`
`15 195 765.].
`
`ll.1.1.5 Features 9b and 9c
`
`11
`
`The OD is of the opinion that the disclaimers defined in said features are
`
`disclosed in page 6, lines 2-14 and therefore have a basis in the OPA.
`
`".12 Claims 3 and 5
`
`12
`
`For the same reasons as outlined above for claim 1, the OD is of the opinion
`that claims 3 and 5 have a basis in the OPA.
`
`ll.1.3 Dependent claims
`
`13
`
`The OP has not raised specific objections against the dependent claims and the
`
`OD is of the opinion that the dependent claims have a basis in the OPA.
`
`".2 Article 100(b) EPC
`
`14
`
`The OP has objected to the sufficiency of the disclosure based on a number of
`issues.
`
`14.1
`
`Firstly, the OP argues that the skilled person would not be able to determine
`
`whether a chemical group is as small as a -CH2CH=CH2 group or a -CH2OCH3
`
`group, in particular in view of the fact that the parameter with which the size is
`
`determined is not defined in the description and because there is no guidance
`
`on how to measure the size of the chemical group. The OP argues that it would
`
`not be possible to produce a group because the skilled person would not know
`
`according to which parameter the group had to be as small as the said groups.
`
`14.2
`
`The OD preliminarily finds that the size identified by the PP in D19 (i.e. 3.7 A)
`
`does not correspond to the size which the skilled person would understand from
`
`the claim. The skilled reader would not have had any reason to consider "as
`
`small as
`
`" as encompassing chemical groups larger than the largest of the
`
`chemical groups mentioned. According to D19, the diameters of the groups are
`3.0 and 2.1 A, respectively.
`
`EPO Form 2906 01.91TRI
`
`

`

`Datu m
`Date
`Date
`
`06.08.2020
`
`Blatt
`
`Sheet
`Feuille
`
`5
`
`Anmelde-Nr:
`
`ApplicationNo:
`Demande n°:
`
`15 195 765.1
`
`14.2.1
`
`However, in line with recent case law, e.g. T1845/14, the OD is of the opinion
`
`that a mere ambiguity in a claim does not suffice to show that a claim is
`
`insufficiently disclosed in the sense of Article 100(b) EPC. Thus, the OD
`
`preliminarily finds that despite the difference in size which the PP, based on
`D19, considers as being encompassed by as small as (i.e. smaller than 3.7 A)
`
`and the actual size of the -CH20H=CH2 group or a -CHZOCH3 groups, the
`
`skilled person will understand from the disclosure which size the group may
`
`have and will therefore be able to carry out the claimed invention.
`
`14.2.2
`
`Moreover, the PP has also pointed to azidomethyl as being a further group
`which falls within the size limitation "as small as
`" and which also fulfils the
`
`chemical requirements defined in the claim. Thereby apparently showing that
`
`the skilled person could have identified further groups fulfilling the requirements
`in the claim.
`
`14.2.3
`
`In order for the above to apply, it seems to be a prerequisite that it is possible
`
`for the skilled person to determine the size of the -CH20H=CH2 group or a -
`
`CH2OCH3 groups and compare them with other groups without undue burden.
`
`On the contrary if it is not possible to determine the size without carrying out
`
`experiments with polymerase, the definition "as small as
`
`appears to invite
`
`the skilled person to carry out a research programme to determine whether or
`
`not a group functions in the invention. In this case, the claim would likely be
`
`considered insufficiently disclosed, in particular because Figure 1 of the patent
`
`relates to a specific rat polymerase and the test would have to be carried out
`
`with any polymerase which the skilled person wished to use. Preliminarily and in
`
`the absence of evidence to the contrary, the OD finds that the skilled person
`
`could have used the ChemSD Pro software (see Exhibit C of D19) in order to
`
`identify chemical groups with a size as small as the -CH20H=CH2 group or a -
`
`CH2OCH3 groups
`
`14.3
`
`With respect to OH groups on dideoxy analogues or the metabolism of azido
`
`groups, the OD is preliminary of the opinion that they would not influence the
`
`skilled person's possibility of identifying capping groups for use in the claim.
`
`EPO Form 2906 01.91TRI
`
`

`

`Datu m
`Date
`Date
`
`14.4
`
`06.08.2020
`
`Blatt
`
`Sheet
`Feuille
`
`6
`
`Anmelde-Nr:
`
`ApplicationNo:
`Demande n°:
`
`15 195 765.1
`
`With respect to the cleavability of the capping group, the OD is preliminary of
`
`the opinion that the OP has not provided any proof that capping groups exist
`
`which fulfill the requirements outlined in the claim and cannot be used in the
`
`claimed method. In particular, the claimed method requires that the capping
`
`group is cleaved and the claim could therefore only be insufficiently disclosed if
`
`it was proven that it would represent an undue burden for the skilled person to
`
`determine whether a group falling within the definitions in the claim was
`cleavable.
`
`15
`
`Since independent claims 3 and 5, and the dependent claims were objected to
`
`on the same grounds as claim 1, the OD is preliminarily of the opinion that all
`
`granted claims of the opposed patent are sufficiently disclosed.
`
`".3 Article 100(a) EPC
`
`16
`
`17
`
`The OP has not objected to the patent under novelty.
`
`With respect to inventive step, the OD preliminarily finds that D15 published
`
`shortly before the priority date of the opposed patent represents the closest
`
`prior art. D15 (see sentence bridging pages 2—3) realises the general problem
`
`which the opposed patent's claimed method tries to solve, namely that the SBS
`
`technique is plagued by inefficiencies of incorporation and deprotection.
`
`Because incorporation and 3’-OH regeneration are not completely efficient, the
`
`sequencing method becomes asynchronous. D15 (see page 31) also points to a
`
`possible explanation for the inefficiencies, namely that steric hindrance of large
`
`fluorochrome groups attached to the 3'-OH of the nucleotide may prevent the
`
`nucleotide from entering the polymerase. D15 (page 4, 2nd paragraph)
`
`continues that its blocking group and its labelling group may be removed by
`
`different mechanisms .D15 mentions that the mechanism may be a chemical
`
`activation and further mentions that the group may be a 2—nitrobenzyl group
`
`(see claim 6).
`
`17.1
`
`The difference between granted claim 1 and D15 is that the nitrobenzyl group is
`
`not as small as the -CH20H=CH2 and -CHZOCH3 groups.
`
`EPO Form 2906 01.91TRI
`
`

`

`Datu m
`Date
`Date
`
`17.2
`
`06.08.2020
`
`Blatt
`
`Sheet
`Feuille
`
`7
`
`Anmelde-Nr:
`
`ApplicationNo:
`Demande n°:
`
`15 195 765.1
`
`The objective problem solved by the claimed method is the provision of a
`
`functional sequencing by synthesis method in which the nucleotides can be
`
`efficiently incorporated and deprotected. Post-published D20 filed by the PP
`
`appears to provide evidence that nucleotides with nitrobenzyl blocking group
`
`are not efficiently incorporated by polymerase.
`
`17.3
`
`In view of the fact that the closest prior art, D15, stated that nitrobenzyl, which is
`
`a substantially larger group than the -CH2CH=CH2 and -CH2OCH3 groups,
`
`would work efficiently in a SBS method is an indication that the skilled person
`
`would not have considered smaller groups for increasing the efficiency of the
`
`polymerase incorporation step. In particular because D14 suggests that 3-O-
`
`allyl is not efficiently incorporated by a polymerase and D4 (page 4265, right
`
`column) suggests groups which have in the opposed patent been found not to
`
`be useful in SBS, namely 3’-O-methyl-dATP ,3’-O-methyl-dTTP and 3’-O-(2-
`
`nitrobenzyl)-dATP, as interesting DNA synthesis terminators.
`
`17.4
`
`Also D4, which mention allyl ethers do not point to the use of small groups and
`
`do not point to the specific allyl group mentioned in claim 1.
`
`17.5
`
`D13 (column 25, lines 48-51) characterises a nitrobenzyloxycarbonyl (NBOC)
`
`group as being “small” and therefore does not point to the use of small groups
`
`as defined in claim 1 of the opposed patent.
`
`17.6
`
`Thus, the OD preliminarily is of the opinion that claim 1 involves an inventive
`
`step.
`
`18
`
`19
`
`With respect to independent claims 3 and 5, the objections from the OP are
`
`based on the same line of argumentation and therefore preliminarily and for the
`same reasons as outlined for claim 1 does not convince the OD that their
`
`subject-matter lack an inventive step.
`
`The dependent claims are considered as involving an inventive step at least for
`
`the same reasons as the independent claims.
`
`EPO Form 2906 01.91TRI
`
`

`

`Datum
`
`Date
`Date
`
`06.08.2020
`
`Blatt
`
`Sheet
`Feuille
`
`8
`
`Anmelde-Nr:
`
`ApplicationNo:
`Demande n°:
`
`15 195 765.].
`
`Ill. Conclusion
`
`Both parties have requested oral proceedings in case their requests cannot be
`
`allowed and the OD therefore summons the parties to oral proceedings.
`
`EPO Form 2906 01.91TRI
`
`

This document is available on Docket Alarm but you must sign up to view it.


Or .

Accessing this document will incur an additional charge of $.

After purchase, you can access this document again without charge.

Accept $ Charge
throbber

Still Working On It

This document is taking longer than usual to download. This can happen if we need to contact the court directly to obtain the document and their servers are running slowly.

Give it another minute or two to complete, and then try the refresh button.

throbber

A few More Minutes ... Still Working

It can take up to 5 minutes for us to download a document if the court servers are running slowly.

Thank you for your continued patience.

This document could not be displayed.

We could not find this document within its docket. Please go back to the docket page and check the link. If that does not work, go back to the docket and refresh it to pull the newest information.

Your account does not support viewing this document.

You need a Paid Account to view this document. Click here to change your account type.

Your account does not support viewing this document.

Set your membership status to view this document.

With a Docket Alarm membership, you'll get a whole lot more, including:

  • Up-to-date information for this case.
  • Email alerts whenever there is an update.
  • Full text search for other cases.
  • Get email alerts whenever a new case matches your search.

Become a Member

One Moment Please

The filing “” is large (MB) and is being downloaded.

Please refresh this page in a few minutes to see if the filing has been downloaded. The filing will also be emailed to you when the download completes.

Your document is on its way!

If you do not receive the document in five minutes, contact support at support@docketalarm.com.

Sealed Document

We are unable to display this document, it may be under a court ordered seal.

If you have proper credentials to access the file, you may proceed directly to the court's system using your government issued username and password.


Access Government Site

We are redirecting you
to a mobile optimized page.





Document Unreadable or Corrupt

Refresh this Document
Go to the Docket

We are unable to display this document.

Refresh this Document
Go to the Docket