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The patent EP3713686 was granted to SMS Group on Sep 17, 2025. The application was filed on Nov 20, 2018 under application number EP18807600A. The patent is currently recorded with a legal status of "Patent Maintained As Amended".

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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| KOCKS TECHNIK | Jul 5, 2023 | HOFFMANN EITLE | ADMISSIBLE |
Patent citations refer to prior patents cited during different phases such as opposition or international search.
| Citation Phase | Publication Number |
|---|---|
| DESCRIPTION | DE1602181 |
| DESCRIPTION | DE1962792 |
| DESCRIPTION | DE19840864 |
| DESCRIPTION | DE2557707 |
| DESCRIPTION | DE2645497 |
| DESCRIPTION | DE3028211 |
| DESCRIPTION | JPH07246414 |
| INTERNATIONAL-SEARCH-REPORT | DE102015118065 |
| INTERNATIONAL-SEARCH-REPORT | DE3819571 |
| INTERNATIONAL-SEARCH-REPORT | JPH07246414 |
| OPPOSITION | DE3643659 |
| OPPOSITION | JP2001001019 |
| OPPOSITION | JP2004337941 |
| OPPOSITION | JPH06269831 |
| OPPOSITION | JPH07246414 |
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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Means of redress
OPPO
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Authorisation
OPPO
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Oct 17, 2022
Sep 8, 2022
Decision to grant a European patent
Search/Exam
Aug 30, 2022
(Electronic) Receipt
Search/Exam
Aug 30, 2022
English translation of the claims
Search/Exam
Aug 30, 2022
Filing of the translations of the claims
Search/Exam
Aug 30, 2022
French translation of claims
Search/Exam
Aug 30, 2022
Letter accompanying subsequently filed items
Search/Exam
May 12, 2022
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Intention to grant (signatures)
Search/Exam
May 12, 2022
Text intended for grant (clean copy)
Search/Exam
May 12, 2022
Apr 26, 2022
Examination started
Search/Exam
Feb 24, 2021
Feb 17, 2021
Jan 8, 2021
(Electronic) Receipt
Search/Exam
Jan 8, 2021
Jan 8, 2021
Amended claims with annotations
Search/Exam
Jan 8, 2021
Jan 8, 2021
Amended description with annotations
Search/Exam
Jan 8, 2021
Amendments received before examination
Search/Exam
Jan 8, 2021
Letter accompanying subsequently filed items
Search/Exam
Sep 2, 2020
Jul 1, 2020
Jun 29, 2020
Communication to designated inventor
Search/Exam
Jun 11, 2020
May 12, 2020
(Electronic) Receipt
Search/Exam
May 12, 2020
Request for entry into the European phase
Search/Exam
Apr 3, 2020
Information on entry into European phase
Search/Exam
Jun 17, 2019
May 31, 2019
Copy of the international search report
Search/Exam
May 31, 2019
Copy of the international search report
Search/Exam
May 31, 2019
Published international application - A1
Search/Exam
Jan 29, 2019
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Dec 7, 2018
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Nov 20, 2018
(Electronic) Receipt
PCTRO
Nov 20, 2018
Abstract
PCTRO
Nov 20, 2018
Claims
PCTRO
Nov 20, 2018
Description
PCTRO
Nov 20, 2018
Nov 20, 2018
Drawings
PCTRO
Nov 20, 2018