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The patent EP3938079 was granted to Linde on Feb 22, 2023. The application was filed on Mar 12, 2020 under application number EP20713164A. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| LAIR LIQUIDE | Nov 22, 2023 | AIR LIQUIDE | ADMISSIBLE |
Patent citations refer to prior patents cited during different phases such as opposition or international search.
| Citation Phase | Publication Number |
|---|---|
| DESCRIPTION | EP1080771 |
| INTERNATIONAL-SEARCH-REPORT | CN104492405B |
| INTERNATIONAL-SEARCH-REPORT | EP2198946 |
| INTERNATIONAL-SEARCH-REPORT | FR2973719 |
| INTERNATIONAL-SEARCH-REPORT | US2009071333 |
| INTERNATIONAL-SEARCH-REPORT | US2016175759 |
| OPPOSITION | FR2804042 |
| OPPOSITION | US2018178158 |
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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Jan 12, 2026
Jan 12, 2026
Jan 7, 2026
Jan 7, 2026
Dec 3, 2025
Dec 3, 2025
Nov 11, 2025
Nov 7, 2025
(Electronic) Receipt
Appeal
Nov 7, 2025
Nov 7, 2025
Nov 7, 2025
Reply to appeal
Appeal
Jul 10, 2025
Jul 7, 2025
(Electronic) Receipt
Appeal
Jul 7, 2025
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(Electronic) Receipt
Appeal
May 6, 2025
Notice of appeal
Appeal
Mar 6, 2025
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Means of redress
OPPO
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Mar 7, 2023
Jan 26, 2023
Decision to grant a European patent
Search/Exam
Jan 12, 2023
English translation of the claims
Search/Exam
Jan 12, 2023
Filing of the translations of the claims
Search/Exam
Jan 12, 2023
French translation of claims
Search/Exam
Jan 12, 2023
Letter concerning fees and payments
Search/Exam
Sep 14, 2022
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Sep 14, 2022
Intention to grant (signatures)
Search/Exam
Sep 14, 2022
Text intended for grant (clean copy)
Search/Exam
Sep 14, 2022
Sep 1, 2022
Examination started
Search/Exam
Dec 22, 2021
Oct 20, 2021
Oct 13, 2021
Priority search results copy provided by EPO
Search/Exam
Sep 27, 2021
Sep 17, 2021
Request for entry into the European phase
Search/Exam
Jul 23, 2021
Information on entry into European phase
Search/Exam
Oct 5, 2020
Oct 5, 2020
Sep 17, 2020
Copy of the international search report
Search/Exam
Sep 17, 2020
Copy of the international search report
Search/Exam
Sep 17, 2020
Published international application - A1
Search/Exam
Jun 18, 2020
Jun 18, 2020
Apr 6, 2020
Mar 31, 2020
Mar 23, 2020
Mar 12, 2020
Abstract
PCTRO
Mar 12, 2020
Claims
PCTRO
Mar 12, 2020
Description
PCTRO
Mar 12, 2020
Drawings
PCTRO
Mar 12, 2020