2025-04-02 - LD Mannheim - Fujifilm v. Kodak - UPC_CFI_359/2023
- Aktenzeichen:
- UPC_CFI_359/2023
- Datum:
- Spruchkörper:
- Court of First Instance - Mannheim (DE) Local Division
- Art:
- Proceeding Decision
- Parteien:
- Fujifilm Corporation v. Kodak GmbH, Kodak Graphic Communications GmbH, Kodak Holding GmbH
Kernaussage: The Mannheim LD revoked EP 3 476 616 in Germany for lack of inventive step and dismissed the infringement action.
2025-04-02 - LD Mannheim - Fujifilm
v.
Kodak - UPC_CFI_359/2023
notable
The Mannheim LD revoked EP 3 476 616 in Germany for lack of inventive step and dismissed the infringement action. The missing feature (lightness L* >= 70) was obvious from common general knowledge. The court established that Art. 76(1) UPCA contains a strict application principle: defending dependent claims as new independent claims requires a formal R. 30 RoP application. This departs from Paris CD (UPC_CFI_310/2023). Public prior use rejected. Novelty upheld. No added matter (obvious error corrected).
Nichtigkeitsgründe
Art. 138 EPCNovelty
Patent survived (this ground)Art. 54 EPC · Art. 138(1)(a) EPC
“Novelty attacks over WO 379 and US 952 rejected. Reworking by inventor knowledge insufficient.”
Inventive Step
Patent invalid (this ground)Art. 56 EPC · Art. 138(1)(a) EPC
“Lack of inventive step from three starting points. Missing lightness feature obvious from common knowledge.”
Added Matter
Patent survived (this ground)Art. 123(2) EPC · Art. 138(1)(c) EPC
“Obvious error in claim 6 correctable from specification context.”