For the whole decision click here: o13307
Summary
Mr Morrison applied for revocation of GB 2388648 on the grounds that the invention was not novel and did not involve an inventive step over prior art safety valve sealing arrangements identified by him, most notably a valve marketed by the firm Swagelok. In their counterstatement the defendants denied all allegations and proposed amended claims without prejudice, but these were also objected to by Mr Morrison on the same grounds. Both parties agreed to a hearing on the papers, and this decision was produced on that basis. After examination of the physical and documentary evidence provided and the arguments from both sides, the hearing officer found that all of the proposed amended claims lacked either novelty or inventive step.
The defendant was given 2 months to file amendments under section 75 and both sides were given the chance to make submissions on the matter of costs.