| European Case Law Identifier: | ECLI:EP:BA:2009:T144508.20090223 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date of decision: | 23 February 2009 | ||||||||
| Case number: | T 1445/08 | ||||||||
| Application number: | 96926574.3 | ||||||||
| IPC class: | C12N 9/50 | ||||||||
| Language of proceedings: | EN | ||||||||
| Distribution: | D | ||||||||
| Download and more information: |
|
||||||||
| Title of application: | Method for assaying in vitro the proteolytic activity of polypeptides having HCV NS3 protease activity and peptide substrates to be used in this method | ||||||||
| Applicant name: | ISTITUTO DI RICERCHE DI BIOLOGIA MOLECOLARE P. ANGELETTI S.P.A. | ||||||||
| Opponent name: | Tibotec BVBA | ||||||||
| Board: | 3.3.08 | ||||||||
| Headnote: | - | ||||||||
| Relevant legal provisions: |
|
||||||||
| Keywords: | Missing statement of grounds | ||||||||
| Catchwords: |
- |
||||||||
| Cited decisions: |
|
||||||||
| Citing decisions: |
|
||||||||
Summary of Facts and Submissions
I. The patent proprietor (appellant) filed on 24 July 2008 a notice of appeal against the decision of the opposition division dated 26 May 2008, whereby the European patent No. 0 846 164 (European application No. 96 926 574.3 ) with the title "Method for assaying in vitro the proteolytic activity of polypeptides having HCV NS3 protease activity and peptide substrates to be used in this method" was revoked pursuant to Article 101(2)(3)(b) EPC. The appeal fee was paid on the same day. No statement of grounds of appeal was filed within the time limit specified in Article 108 EPC.
II. By a communication dated 7 November 2008 sent by registered letter with advice of delivery, the appellant was informed that no statement of grounds of appeal had been filed and that, therefore, it was to be expected that the appeal would be rejected as inadmissible pursuant to Article 108, third sentence, EPC in conjunction with Rule 101(1) EPC. The appellant was invited to file observations within two months. The appellant did not reply to said communication, and no request for re-establishment of rights was filed.
Reasons for the Decision
As no written statement setting out the grounds of appeal has been filed and as the notice of appeal does not contain anything that could be regarded as a statement of grounds of appeal according to Article 108 EPC, the appeal must be rejected as inadmissible (Article 108 EPC in conjunction with Rule 101(1) EPC).
ORDER
For these reasons it is decided that:
The appeal is rejected as inadmissible.
