Patent decision

BL number

O/456/02

Concerning rights in

GB 9814507.1; PCT/GB99/02090; EP 99929525.6; Australia 4631799

Hearing Officer

Mr R C Kennell

Decision date

7 November 2002

Person(s) or Company(s) involved

I.D.A. Limited and others v University of Southampton

Provisions discussed

PR 1995 rules 103, 106, 112

Keywords

Disclosure

Related Decisions

O/067/02, O/444/02

Summary

Third preliminary decision

The invention related to the use of magnetic particles to trap or kill insects, the use of electrostatic particles already being known. The hearing officer ordered :

(1) disclosure of certain documents relating to (i) the conceiving of the idea, (ii) the receiving or creation of the information in the patent applications and (iii) discussions and communications with a third party concerning the said use of magnetic particles;

(2) inspection, for a short period preceding the filing of the priority application, of (i) certain diaries and (ii) certain laboratory notebooks relating to work on electrostatic and magnetic powders, traps and bait stations; and

(3) supply (under rule 112) of a copy of a research agreement referred to in evidence;

notwithstanding the defendants allegations that (1)(iii) and (3) were confidential. However, disclosure of a number of other categories of document was not granted.

Full decision O/456/02 27Kb