Good afternoon from ClaimWise!

Opposition proceedings are a strategic and popular solution for companies to prevent competitor patents from being granted. In 2021 alone, European companies opposed approximately 3,300 patents before the European Patent Office. This week's newsletter takes data from a recent article by Katherine Green at Mewburn Ellis on the most opposed companies at the EPO in 2023. ClaimWise takes an exemplary patent for the top 3 companies and provides key facts for each opposition. Enjoy the read!

Most opposed companies in 2023 (Top 10)

1. Philip Morris International
2. Siemens Energy
3. G.D S.p.A.
4. Procter & Gamble
5. Körber Technologies
6. Unilever
7. GSK
8. RTX
9. Krones
10. Signify

Philip Morris

27 opposed patents in 2023

EP3897225: Method and apparatus for producing a sheet of a material containing alkaloids

The patent text describes a method and apparatus for producing a uniform sheet of material containing alkaloids, such as tobacco sheets. The primary challenge is achieving a sheet with a substantially uniform thickness. The proposed solution involves compressing the sheet using two pairs of rollers: the first pair with a wider gap for initial compression, and the second pair with a narrower gap for further compression to the desired thickness. Key parameters like roller diameter, gap width, and roller surface hardness are adjusted to control thickness. The inventive concept focuses on the use of the second pair of rollers downstream of the first to improve thickness control and product quality.

Opponent: NICOVENTURES HOLDINGS LIMITED

Opposition reasons: Lack of novelty, lack of inventive step, indefiniteness

ClaimWise key prior art document: US4337783A

Patent holder's Representative: Emma Montevecchi

Opponent's Representative: Chris Newcombe

Outcome: Pending

Siemens Energy

22 opposed patents in 2023

EP2846037: Method for operating a wind turbine and a wind turbine

The patent addresses the issue of improving the reliability and safety of wind turbines, particularly during non-optimal or reduced-speed operating modes. The key problem is preventing excessive speeds, accelerations, or blade adjustments that could damage or destabilize the turbine. The proposed solution involves a method and system for adjusting threshold values of operating parameters, like rotational speed and blade pitch rate, to initiate the braking process based on the turbine's operating mode. Specifically, the turbine can operate in a normal mode for maximum power output or a reduced mode for lower speed and power. The operating thresholds are adjusted differently for each mode to ensure safer operation. The inventive concept lies in dynamically adjusting these braking threshold values depending on whether the turbine is in normal or reduced operation mode.

Opponent: Vestas

Opposition reasons: Lack of novelty, lack of inventive step

ClaimWise key prior art document: DE102006001613A1

Patent holder's Representative: Dr. Alexander C.P. Schlotter

Opponent's Representative: Jakob Pade Frederiksen

Outcome: Pending

G.D. S.p.A.

21 opposed patents in 2023

EP3764824: Filling unit for filling a succession of tubular wrappers of the tobacco industry

The patent addresses the problem of ensuring that filling material, such as tobacco or aerosol-generating elements, remains securely contained within tubular wrappers during and after the production process of smoking articles like heat-not-burn products or electronic cigarettes. The proposed solution is a unit designed for filling and closing tubular wrappers in the tobacco industry. It includes a filling station to insert the material and a closing station with mechanisms, mounted on a feed drum, to apply closures to the ends of the wrappers by methods like folding, applying separate closing elements, or deforming the ends. The inventive concept lies in the design of the closing station, where closing mechanisms are mounted on a feed drum that moves along the axis of the tubular wrappers, ensuring efficient and secure closure of the wrapper ends.

Opponent: FOCKE & CO ; Philip Morris International

Opposition reasons: Lack of novelty, lack of inventive step

ClaimWise key prior art document: US1164118A

Patent holder's Representative: Ezio Bianciardi

Opponent's Representative: Nils Ellberg

Outcome: Pending

We hope you found this interesting and wish you a great weekend!

Cheers,

ClaimWise