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The patent EP3262956 was granted to Suntory on Jun 28, 2023. The application was filed on Feb 25, 2016 under application number EP16735121A. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| ARLA FOODS AMBA | Mar 26, 2024 | GUARDIAN CONSULTING IS | ADMISSIBLE |
| FRESENIUS KABI DEUTSCHLAND | Mar 19, 2024 | FRESENIUS KABI DEUTSCHLAND | ADMISSIBLE |
Patent citations refer to prior patents cited during different phases such as opposition or international search.
| Citation Phase | Publication Number |
|---|---|
| INTERNATIONAL-SEARCH-REPORT | JP2000333654 |
| INTERNATIONAL-SEARCH-REPORT | JPS6274260 |
| INTERNATIONAL-SEARCH-REPORT | WO2007106731 |
| OPPOSITION | CN101347155 |
| OPPOSITION | US2003099753 |
| OPPOSITION | WO0028838 |
| OPPOSITION | WO2009112036 |
| OPPOSITION | WO2011075527 |
| OPPOSITION | WO2013049540 |
| OPPOSITION | WO2015161183 |
| SEARCH | US2003099753 |
| SEARCH | WO2007106731 |
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
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Decision to grant a European patent
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May 22, 2023
(Electronic) Receipt
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May 22, 2023
Filing of the translations of the claims
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May 22, 2023
French translation of claims
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May 22, 2023
German translation of the claims
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May 22, 2023
Letter accompanying subsequently filed items
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Intention to grant (signatures)
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Jan 26, 2023
Text intended for grant (clean copy)
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Oct 18, 2021
(Electronic) Receipt
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Oct 18, 2021
Amended claims with annotations
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Amended description with annotations
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Claims
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Description
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Letter accompanying subsequently filed items
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Letter accompanying subsequently filed items
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Annex to the communication
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(Electronic) Receipt
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Feb 2, 2021
Amended claims with annotations
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Feb 2, 2021
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Feb 2, 2021
Claims
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Letter accompanying subsequently filed items
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Feb 2, 2021
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Annex to the communication
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Oct 6, 2020
Communication from the Examining Division
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Apr 17, 2020
(Electronic) Receipt
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Apr 17, 2020
Annex
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Apr 17, 2020
Letter accompanying subsequently filed items
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Apr 17, 2020
Feb 11, 2020
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(Electronic) Receipt
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Feb 4, 2020
Letter accompanying subsequently filed items
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Feb 4, 2020
Oct 1, 2019
Annex to the communication
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Oct 1, 2019
Communication from the Examining Division
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Sep 24, 2019
Examination started
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(Electronic) Receipt
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Apr 12, 2019
Letter accompanying subsequently filed items
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Apr 12, 2019
Reply to Written Opinion prepared by the EPO
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(Electronic) Receipt
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Letter accompanying subsequently filed items
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European search opinion
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Sep 21, 2018
Information on Search Strategy
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Supplementary European search report
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Search started
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Annexes in respect of a client data request
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May 16, 2018
Dec 6, 2017
Notification of forthcoming publication
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Communication to designated inventor
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Communication to designated inventor
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(Electronic) Receipt
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Sep 6, 2017
Abstract
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Sep 6, 2017
Claims
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Sep 6, 2017
Description
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Sep 6, 2017
Request for entry into the European phase
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May 19, 2017
Information on entry into European phase
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Aug 1, 2016
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Copy of the international search report
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International publication pamphlet
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