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The patent EP3639678 was granted to Mizkan on Aug 4, 2021. The application was filed on Aug 21, 2018 under application number EP18848801A. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| UNILEVER UNILEVER | May 4, 2022 | FIJNVANDRAAT | ADMISSIBLE |
Patent citations refer to prior patents cited during different phases such as opposition or international search.
| Citation Phase | Publication Number |
|---|---|
| DESCRIPTION | JP2002034503 |
| DESCRIPTION | JP2008073007 |
| DESCRIPTION | JP2009055861 |
| DESCRIPTION | JP2009125002 |
| DESCRIPTION | JP2009189345 |
| DESCRIPTION | JP2012110244 |
| DESCRIPTION | JP2017012194 |
| INTERNATIONAL-SEARCH-REPORT | JP2008115143 |
| INTERNATIONAL-SEARCH-REPORT | JP2009055861 |
| INTERNATIONAL-SEARCH-REPORT | JP2011193762 |
| INTERNATIONAL-SEARCH-REPORT | JP2011239725 |
| INTERNATIONAL-SEARCH-REPORT | JP2012110244 |
| INTERNATIONAL-SEARCH-REPORT | WO2013122127 |
| INTERNATIONAL-SEARCH-REPORT | WO2018155488 |
| OPPOSITION | JPH0358770 |
| OPPOSITION | US2002160094 |
| OPPOSITION | US2005249861 |
| OPPOSITION | US2010119650 |
| OPPOSITION | US5462761 |
| OPPOSITION | US5690981 |
| OPPOSITION | US6495190 |
| OPPOSITION | USH2095H |
| OPPOSITION | WO2006082640 |
| SEARCH | JP2008115143 |
| SEARCH | JP2011239725 |
| SEARCH | US2005089621 |
| SEARCH | US2013260008 |
| SEARCH | WO2014001031 |
| SEARCH | WO2017080872 |
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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Oct 15, 2025
Oct 9, 2025
(Electronic) Receipt
Appeal
Oct 9, 2025
Oct 9, 2025
Sep 19, 2025
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Sep 16, 2025
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Dec 3, 2024
Nov 28, 2024
(Electronic) Receipt
Appeal
Nov 28, 2024
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Reply to appeal
Appeal
Jul 30, 2024
Jul 26, 2024
(Electronic) Receipt
Appeal
Jul 26, 2024
Jul 26, 2024
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Jun 3, 2024
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May 23, 2024
(Electronic) Receipt
Appeal
May 23, 2024
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Notice of appeal
Appeal
Mar 26, 2024
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Means of redress
Search/Exam
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Authorisation
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Authorisation
OPPO
Aug 5, 2022
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Aug 17, 2021
Jul 8, 2021
Decision to grant a European patent
Search/Exam
Jun 22, 2021
(Electronic) Receipt
Search/Exam
Jun 22, 2021
Filing of the translations of the claims
Search/Exam
Jun 22, 2021
French translation of claims
Search/Exam
Jun 22, 2021
German translation of the claims
Search/Exam
Jun 22, 2021
Letter accompanying subsequently filed items
Search/Exam
Apr 16, 2021
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Apr 16, 2021
Intention to grant (signatures)
Search/Exam
Apr 16, 2021
Text intended for grant (clean copy)
Search/Exam
Apr 16, 2021
Feb 3, 2021
(Electronic) Receipt
Search/Exam
Feb 3, 2021
Amended claims with annotations
Search/Exam
Feb 3, 2021
Amended description with annotations
Search/Exam
Feb 3, 2021
Claims
Search/Exam
Feb 3, 2021
Description
Search/Exam
Feb 3, 2021
Letter accompanying subsequently filed items
Search/Exam
Feb 3, 2021
Dec 18, 2020
Annex to the communication
Search/Exam
Dec 18, 2020
Communication from the Examining Division
Search/Exam
Dec 9, 2020
(Electronic) Receipt
Search/Exam
Dec 9, 2020
Amended claims with annotations
Search/Exam
Dec 9, 2020
Amended description with annotations
Search/Exam
Dec 9, 2020
Claims
Search/Exam
Dec 9, 2020
Description
Search/Exam
Dec 9, 2020
Letter accompanying subsequently filed items
Search/Exam
Dec 9, 2020
Nov 9, 2020
Annex to the communication
Search/Exam
Nov 9, 2020
Communication from the Examining Division
Search/Exam
Oct 14, 2020
(Electronic) Receipt
Search/Exam
Oct 14, 2020
Amended claims with annotations
Search/Exam
Oct 14, 2020
Amended description with annotations
Search/Exam
Oct 14, 2020
Claims
Search/Exam
Oct 14, 2020
Description
Search/Exam
Oct 14, 2020
Letter accompanying subsequently filed items
Search/Exam
Oct 14, 2020
Jun 8, 2020
Annex to the communication
Search/Exam
Jun 8, 2020
Communication from the Examining Division
Search/Exam
Jun 2, 2020
Examination started
Search/Exam
May 13, 2020
May 13, 2020
Information on Search Strategy
Search/Exam
May 13, 2020
Supplementary European search report
Search/Exam
Apr 23, 2020
Search started
Search/Exam
Mar 25, 2020
Notification of forthcoming publication
Search/Exam
Mar 19, 2020
Document concerning representation
Search/Exam
Mar 10, 2020
Mar 10, 2020
Feb 4, 2020
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Communication to designated inventor
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Communication to designated inventor
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Jan 22, 2020
Communication to designated inventor
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Jan 21, 2020
Jan 21, 2020
Enquiry with the International Bureau
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Jan 14, 2020
(Electronic) Receipt
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Jan 14, 2020
Abstract
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Jan 14, 2020
Jan 14, 2020
Amended claims with annotations
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Jan 14, 2020
Claims
Search/Exam
Jan 14, 2020
Description
Search/Exam
Jan 14, 2020
Drawings
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Jan 14, 2020
Request for entry into the European phase
Search/Exam
Jan 8, 2020
Information on entry into European phase
Search/Exam
Mar 19, 2019
Feb 28, 2019
Copy of the international search report
Search/Exam
Feb 28, 2019
Feb 28, 2019
International publication pamphlet
Search/Exam