Case Reports

Clause Ambiguity and Contract Disputes: Insights from Capita v IBM (2023)

Introduction This case relates to (as stated by the judge) a "rare dispute as to the construction of a contract where one or both parties do not make some appeal to matters of factual matrix to...

Fast Chips: US PTO launches fast-track examination for semiconductor patents

The USPTO has announced a Semiconductor Technology Pilot Program for fast-track examination of qualifying semiconductor-related inventions. The program is designed to support the US CHIPS Act, which...

Separate revocation claim and counterclaim both to proceed

Meril Italy srl v Edwards Life Sciences Corporation (551308/2023; UPC_CFI_255/2023) Order of 13 November 2023 (ORD_578356/2023) Background On 1 June 2023 Edwards Lifesciences Corporation ("Edwards")...

Be careful what you wish for - Court of Appeal refuses to let party rely on argument it had dropped multiple years ago

Lufthansa Technik AG v Astronics Advanced Electronic Systems & Ors [2023] EWCA Civ 1306 The Court of Appeal has denied Lufthansa permission to rely on certain arguments at an upcoming damages inquiry...

Clearview AI victorious on a fact specific exemption but what does this judgment mean for the extra territorial effect of the UK GDPR

Clearview AI victorious on a fact specific exemption but what does this judgment mean for the extra territorial effect of the UK GDPR, in particular Article 3(2)(b)? (Clearview AI Inc v The...

G 2/21 applied by the referring EPO Technical Board; useful guidance on the test for reliance on post-published evidence in the post plausibility era

The referring Board to G 2/21 has now published its full written decision in T 0116/18, following the issuance of the minutes in September. The Decision attempts to clarify the requirements of G...

Coffee machine litigation leads to early defeat for patentee

CUP&CINO Kaffeesystem-Vertrieb GmbH & Co. KG v ALPINA COFFEE SYSTEMS GmbH, Order of 13 September 2023[1] In a case before the Vienna Local Division, the patent holder, CUP&CINO Kaffeesystem-Vertrieb...

Milan Local Division Grants Inspection Order

The Milan Local Division has granted an inspection order[1] pursuant to Rules 192-199 RoP, the first order granted by the UPC allowing inspection of a defendant's premises.

Court refuses to close the stable door after the horse has bolted in patent dispute

Saint-Gobain Adfors S.A.S v 3M Innovative Properties Company [2023] EWHC 2769 (Pat) The High Court has rejected an application made by 3M to restrict Saint-Gobain's use of information disclosed by 3M...

It’s been emotional: the High Court says goodbye to excluding AI inventions as computer programs

On 21 November 2023 the High Court of England and Wales published its judgment in Emotional Perception AI v Comptroller-General of Patents [2023] EWHC 2948 (Ch) in which it found a patent application...

What a relief! Court of Appeal permits a party to rely on evidence served two years late

Lufthansa Technik AG v Panasonic Avionics Corporation [2023] EWCA Civ 1273 The Court of Appeal has granted Panasonic an extension of time to a deadline so that they can rely upon a witness statement...

Lessons from Harvard: UK-based Nanostring ordered to pay EUR 300,000 as security for legal costs in revocation action

NanoString Technologies Europe Limited v President and Fellows of Harvard College (UPC_CFI_252/2023) Decision delivered on 30 October 2023 (Order no.

Astellas’ Validity Success Not Enough to Catch Competitors’ Products on Overactive Bladder Treatment

The High Court has handed down its judgment in Astellas v Teva and Sandoz regarding Astellas' patent covering treatment for overactive bladder.

Should the language of proceedings be changed: balancing the interests of the parties

Plant-e Knowledge B.V. & Plant-e B.V. v Arkyne Technologies S.L. Order of 18 October 2023 (ORD_581189/2023) The claimants, two Netherlands companies, ("Plant-e") launched an infringement action on 12...

Opt-out Withdrawal Ineffective: Choices have Consequences!

AIM Sport Vision AG v Supponor Oy & Others (UPC_CFI_214/2023) Decision of 20 October 2023 (ORD_572699/2023 and ORD_5821/2023) Facts & Main Arguments These proceedings before the Unified Patent Court...