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The patent EP3678474 was granted to GEA Farm on Jul 14, 2021. The application was filed on Sep 6, 2018 under application number EP18765867A. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| DELAVAL PATENT & TRADEMARK DEPARTMENT | Apr 13, 2022 | ZACCO | ADMISSIBLE |
Patent citations refer to prior patents cited during different phases such as opposition or international search.
| Citation Phase | Publication Number |
|---|---|
| DESCRIPTION | DE2844562 |
| DESCRIPTION | DE3609275 |
| DESCRIPTION | EP0534565 |
| INTERNATIONAL-SEARCH-REPORT | EP1125492 |
| INTERNATIONAL-SEARCH-REPORT | WO2006068568 |
| OPPOSITION | EP1125492 |
| OPPOSITION | WO2006068568 |
| OPPOSITION | WO9903330 |
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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Nov 10, 2025
Nov 4, 2025
(Electronic) Receipt
Appeal
Nov 4, 2025
Nov 4, 2025
Sep 23, 2025
Sep 16, 2025
Sep 15, 2025
(Electronic) Receipt
Appeal
Sep 15, 2025
Sep 15, 2025
Jul 25, 2025
Jul 25, 2025
Jul 11, 2025
Mar 7, 2025
Mar 4, 2025
(Electronic) Receipt
Appeal
Mar 4, 2025
Mar 4, 2025
Mar 4, 2025
Reply to appeal
Appeal
Nov 18, 2024
Nov 11, 2024
(Electronic) Receipt
Appeal
Nov 11, 2024
Nov 11, 2024
Nov 11, 2024
Nov 11, 2024
Nov 11, 2024
Nov 11, 2024
Sep 9, 2024
Sep 9, 2024
Sep 3, 2024
(Electronic) Receipt
Appeal
Sep 3, 2024
Notice of appeal
Appeal
Sep 3, 2024
Notice of appeal
Appeal
Jul 12, 2024
Jul 12, 2024
Jul 12, 2024
Jul 12, 2024
Jul 12, 2024
Jul 12, 2024
Jul 12, 2024
Jul 12, 2024
Jul 12, 2024
Means of redress
OPPO
Jul 12, 2024
Jul 12, 2024
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Jul 12, 2024
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Jun 5, 2024
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May 30, 2024
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Sep 2, 2022
Sep 2, 2022
Description
OPPO
Sep 2, 2022
Sep 2, 2022
May 4, 2022
May 4, 2022
Apr 25, 2022
Apr 13, 2022
Apr 13, 2022
Apr 13, 2022
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Apr 13, 2022
Apr 13, 2022
Apr 13, 2022
Jul 27, 2021
Jun 17, 2021
Decision to grant a European patent
Search/Exam
Jun 1, 2021
(Electronic) Receipt
Search/Exam
Jun 1, 2021
English translation of the claims
Search/Exam
Jun 1, 2021
French translation of claims
Search/Exam
Jun 1, 2021
Letter accompanying subsequently filed items
Search/Exam
Mar 31, 2021
Mar 31, 2021
Mar 31, 2021
Intention to grant (signatures)
Search/Exam
Mar 31, 2021
Text intended for grant (clean copy)
Search/Exam
Mar 31, 2021
Mar 4, 2021
Examination started
Search/Exam
Jan 18, 2021
Refund of fees
Search/Exam
Jan 6, 2021
(Electronic) Receipt
Search/Exam
Jan 6, 2021
Priority search results
Search/Exam
Jan 6, 2021
Dec 9, 2020
Sep 16, 2020
(Electronic) Receipt
Search/Exam
Sep 16, 2020
Sep 16, 2020
Amended claims with annotations
Search/Exam
Sep 16, 2020
Sep 16, 2020
Amended description with annotations
Search/Exam
Sep 16, 2020
Amendments received before examination
Search/Exam
Sep 16, 2020
Letter accompanying subsequently filed items
Search/Exam
Jun 17, 2020
Jun 2, 2020
Communication to designated inventor
Search/Exam
May 20, 2020
(Electronic) Receipt
Search/Exam
May 20, 2020
Letter concerning the inventor
Search/Exam
May 12, 2020
May 8, 2020
Communication to designated inventor
Search/Exam
May 5, 2020
(Electronic) Receipt
Search/Exam
May 5, 2020
Letter accompanying subsequently filed items
Search/Exam
May 4, 2020
Letter which had not been notified
Search/Exam
Apr 22, 2020
Apr 14, 2020
Communication to designated inventor
Search/Exam
Apr 14, 2020
Communication to designated inventor
Search/Exam
Apr 14, 2020
Communication to designated inventor
Search/Exam
Apr 14, 2020
Communication to designated inventor
Search/Exam
Apr 14, 2020
Communication to designated inventor
Search/Exam
Apr 14, 2020
Communication to designated inventor
Search/Exam
Apr 1, 2020
(Electronic) Receipt
Search/Exam
Apr 1, 2020
Request for entry into the European phase
Search/Exam
Mar 26, 2020
Jan 17, 2020
Information on entry into European phase
Search/Exam
Apr 2, 2019
Mar 14, 2019
Copy of the international search report
Search/Exam
Mar 14, 2019
Published international application - A1
Search/Exam
Nov 21, 2018
Nov 21, 2018
Nov 21, 2018
Oct 12, 2018
Oct 12, 2018
Oct 12, 2018
Sep 24, 2018
Sep 24, 2018
Sep 6, 2018
(Electronic) Receipt
PCTRO
Sep 6, 2018
Abstract
PCTRO
Sep 6, 2018
Claims
PCTRO
Sep 6, 2018
Description
PCTRO
Sep 6, 2018
Sep 6, 2018
Drawings
PCTRO
Sep 6, 2018