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The patent EP3279362 was granted to Kabushiki Kaisha Kobe Seiko SHO Kobe Steel on Apr 21, 2021. The application was filed on Mar 1, 2016 under application number EP16772043A. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| ARCELORMITTAL | Jan 19, 2022 | LAVOIX | ADMISSIBLE |
Patent citations refer to prior patents cited during different phases such as opposition or international search.
| Citation Phase | Publication Number |
|---|---|
| INTERNATIONAL-SEARCH-REPORT | WO2009099079 |
| INTERNATIONAL-SEARCH-REPORT | WO2010029983 |
| INTERNATIONAL-SEARCH-REPORT | WO2014092025 |
| INTERNATIONAL-SEARCH-REPORT | WO2015151427 |
| OPPOSITION | EP3128023 |
| OPPOSITION | US2012312433 |
| SEARCH | EP2757171 |
| SEARCH | EP3128023 |
| SEARCH | JP2011202207 |
| SEARCH | US2012312433 |
| SEARCH | WO2014092025 |
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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Dec 11, 2025
Dec 11, 2025
Nov 12, 2025
Nov 7, 2025
(Electronic) Receipt
Appeal
Nov 7, 2025
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Oct 15, 2025
(Electronic) Receipt
Appeal
Oct 15, 2025
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Reply to appeal
Appeal
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(Electronic) Receipt
Appeal
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Reply to appeal
Appeal
Mar 17, 2025
Mar 12, 2025
(Electronic) Receipt
Appeal
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(Electronic) Receipt
Appeal
Dec 19, 2024
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Notice of appeal
Appeal
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Means of redress
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Mar 25, 2021
Decision to grant a European patent
Search/Exam
Feb 5, 2021
(Electronic) Receipt
Search/Exam
Feb 5, 2021
Filing of the translations of the claims
Search/Exam
Feb 5, 2021
French translation of claims
Search/Exam
Feb 5, 2021
German translation of the claims
Search/Exam
Feb 5, 2021
Letter accompanying subsequently filed items
Search/Exam
Oct 6, 2020
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Intention to grant (signatures)
Search/Exam
Oct 6, 2020
Text intended for grant (clean copy)
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Oct 6, 2020
Aug 3, 2020
(Electronic) Receipt
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Aug 3, 2020
Amended claims with annotations
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Aug 3, 2020
Amended description with annotations
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Aug 3, 2020
Claims
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Aug 3, 2020
Description
Search/Exam
Aug 3, 2020
Letter accompanying subsequently filed items
Search/Exam
Aug 3, 2020
Jun 4, 2020
Annex to the communication
Search/Exam
Jun 4, 2020
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Claims
Search/Exam
Feb 5, 2020
Claims
Search/Exam
Feb 5, 2020
Nov 7, 2019
Oct 28, 2019
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Annex to the communication
Search/Exam
Aug 7, 2019
Communication from the Examining Division
Search/Exam
Aug 1, 2019
Examination started
Search/Exam
Feb 11, 2019
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Amended claims with annotations
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Feb 11, 2019
Amendments received before examination
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Aug 10, 2018
Jul 25, 2018
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European search opinion
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Jul 25, 2018
Information on Search Strategy
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Jul 25, 2018
Supplementary European search report
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Jul 11, 2018
Search started
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Jan 10, 2018
Notification of forthcoming publication
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Nov 8, 2017
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Communication to designated inventor
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Communication to designated inventor
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Communication to designated inventor
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Oct 17, 2017
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Aug 31, 2017
Payment of fees and costs
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Aug 30, 2017
Abstract
Search/Exam
Aug 30, 2017
Claims
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Aug 30, 2017
Description
Search/Exam
Aug 30, 2017
Designation of inventor
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Aug 30, 2017
Drawings
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Aug 30, 2017
Matter concerning the application
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Aug 30, 2017
Request for entry into the European phase
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Aug 30, 2017
Request for grant of a European patent
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Aug 11, 2017
Information on entry into European phase
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Oct 27, 2016
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Oct 6, 2016
Copy of the international search report
Search/Exam
Oct 6, 2016
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International publication pamphlet
Search/Exam