Patent decision

BL number

O/002/07

Concerning rights in

GB 2315611

Hearing Officer

Mr P Thorpe

Decision date

5 January 2007

Person(s) or Company(s) involved

AOEM (UK) Ltd and Commtel (UK) Ltd

Provisions discussed

PA1977 Section 72

Keywords

Revocation

Related Decisions

None

Summary

The patent relates to an electrical connector for use for example with telephone equipment. The hearing officer rejected submissions that the main claims were anticipated by various connectors produced by the claimant. He also rejected an argument that the claimed invention was obvious. The decision also addressed a number of procedural issues including the consequence of the hearing having to be adjourned due to the claimant, who was unrepresented, falling ill.

The defendant was awarded costs towards the upper end of the scale because the claimant in not notifying the Office of a change in its address had contributed to the cancellation at relatively short notice of an earlier arranged hearing.

Full decision O/002/07 126Kb