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The patent EP3120945 was granted to JFE Steel on Jul 22, 2020. The application was filed on Mar 18, 2015 under application number EP15764398A. The patent is currently recorded with a legal status of "Granted And Under Opposition".

Patent oppositions filed by competitors challenge the validity of a granted patent. These oppositions are typically based on claims of prior art, lack of novelty, or non-obviousness. They are a key part of the process for determining a patent's strength and enforceability.
| Company | Opposition Date | Representative | Opposition Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| SMS GROUP | Apr 22, 2021 | HEMMERICH & KOLLEGEN | - |
Patent citations refer to prior patents cited during different phases such as opposition or international search.
| Citation Phase | Publication Number |
|---|---|
| INTERNATIONAL-SEARCH-REPORT | JP2012250283 |
| INTERNATIONAL-SEARCH-REPORT | JPH02133114 |
| INTERNATIONAL-SEARCH-REPORT | JPH04228217 |
| INTERNATIONAL-SEARCH-REPORT | JPS5868423 |
| OPPOSITION | JPS49122865 |
| OPPOSITION | JPS5028464 |
| OPPOSITION | US3100605 |
| OPPOSITION | US3587274 |
| SEARCH | FR2876365 |
| SEARCH | JPH0484621 |
| SEARCH | US3100605 |
| SEARCH | US3587274 |
The dossier documents provide a comprehensive record of the patent's prosecution history - including filings, correspondence, and decisions made by patent offices - and are crucial for understanding the patent's legal journey and any challenges it may have faced during examination.
Date
Description
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Refund of fees
Appeal
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Refund of fees
Appeal
Nov 20, 2025
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(Electronic) Receipt
Appeal
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(Electronic) Receipt
Appeal
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(Electronic) Receipt
Appeal
Jul 25, 2025
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(Electronic) Receipt
Appeal
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(Electronic) Receipt
Appeal
Jun 3, 2025
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May 26, 2025
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Jun 5, 2023
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(Electronic) Receipt
Appeal
May 10, 2023
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Mar 28, 2023
(Electronic) Receipt
Appeal
Mar 28, 2023
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Mar 27, 2023
(Electronic) Receipt
Appeal
Mar 27, 2023
Mar 27, 2023
Feb 17, 2023
Advice of delivery
Appeal
Feb 10, 2023
Feb 10, 2023
Feb 10, 2023
Feb 8, 2023
Feb 7, 2023
(Electronic) Receipt
Appeal
Feb 7, 2023
Feb 3, 2023
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Jan 30, 2023
(Electronic) Receipt
Appeal
Jan 30, 2023
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Jan 30, 2023
Notice of appeal
Appeal
Jan 23, 2023
(Electronic) Receipt
Appeal
Jan 23, 2023
Jan 23, 2023
Notice of appeal
Appeal
Nov 25, 2022
Nov 22, 2022
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Means of redress
OPPO
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Aug 3, 2020
Jun 25, 2020
Decision to grant a European patent
Search/Exam
Jun 9, 2020
(Electronic) Receipt
Search/Exam
Jun 9, 2020
Filing of the translations of the claims
Search/Exam
Jun 9, 2020
French translation of claims
Search/Exam
Jun 9, 2020
German translation of the claims
Search/Exam
Feb 27, 2020
Feb 27, 2020
Feb 27, 2020
Intention to grant (signatures)
Search/Exam
Feb 27, 2020
Text intended for grant (clean copy)
Search/Exam
Feb 27, 2020
Jan 30, 2020
Examination started
Search/Exam
Sep 26, 2019
Apr 12, 2018
(Electronic) Receipt
Search/Exam
Apr 12, 2018
Apr 12, 2018
Amended claims with annotations
Search/Exam
Apr 12, 2018
Apr 12, 2018
Amendments received before examination
Search/Exam
Apr 12, 2018
Letter accompanying subsequently filed items
Search/Exam
Nov 24, 2017
Nov 7, 2017
Nov 7, 2017
European search opinion
Search/Exam
Nov 7, 2017
Information on Search Strategy
Search/Exam
Nov 7, 2017
Supplementary European search report
Search/Exam
Oct 26, 2017
Search started
Search/Exam
Jan 4, 2017
Notification of forthcoming publication
Search/Exam
Oct 27, 2016
Oct 25, 2016
Communication to designated inventor
Search/Exam
Oct 25, 2016
Communication to designated inventor
Search/Exam
Oct 25, 2016
Communication to designated inventor
Search/Exam
Oct 25, 2016
Communication to designated inventor
Search/Exam
Oct 25, 2016
Communication to designated inventor
Search/Exam
Oct 25, 2016
Communication to designated inventor
Search/Exam
Oct 25, 2016
Communication to designated inventor
Search/Exam
Oct 13, 2016
Payment of fees and costs
Search/Exam
Oct 6, 2016
Oct 6, 2016
Sep 13, 2016
(Electronic) Receipt
Search/Exam
Sep 13, 2016
Abstract
Search/Exam
Sep 13, 2016
Claims
Search/Exam
Sep 13, 2016
Description
Search/Exam
Sep 13, 2016
Drawings
Search/Exam
Sep 13, 2016
Matter concerning the application
Search/Exam
Sep 13, 2016
Request for entry into the European phase
Search/Exam
Jul 29, 2016
Information on entry into European phase
Search/Exam
Oct 13, 2015
Sep 24, 2015
Sep 24, 2015
Copy of the international search report
Search/Exam
Sep 24, 2015
Sep 24, 2015
International publication pamphlet
Search/Exam