Deals & Cases
MLL Legal successfully represented the Swiss retailer COOP on appeal in EPO opposition proceedings
The patent team of MLL Legal successfully represented the Swiss retailer COOP on appeal in EPO opposition proceedings leading to the total revocation of Katjes’ patent EP 3 685 673 on vegan chocolate.
The patent team at MLL Legal successfully represented the Swiss retailer COOP in opposition appeal proceedings against Katjes’ vegan chocolate patent (EP 3 685 673) at the European Patent Office. Katjes’ patent, which covered a vegan chocolate containing hydrolysed oat flour and which Katjes had successfully enforced against Lindt in Germany, was initially upheld by the Opposition Division. However, during the oral proceedings on 18 March 2025, the Board of Appeal overturned the first instance decision and totally revoked Katjes’ patent due to lack of inventive step.
COOP was represented by Ulrike Ciesla, European patent attorney, and Michael Ritscher, Head of MLL’s Intellectual Property Team.
