D2 2025 Our provisional answer
Our provisional answers to the D2 2025 are below (Note: D1 answers here, first impressions blog here)
Question 1(a)(i): What is the current
patent situation as regards the following subject-matter: a bicycle saddle
connector (BSC) with damping means (DM) in the form of spheres made from rubber
(O)
P-MY is earliest application for BSC + DM =
(O) - filed on 28 May 2021 by Sando Bike
Will have been published soon after 28 Nov.
2022
There are no earlier disclosures of BSC +
DM of any kind.
The search report from MyIPO found no
documents of relevance, so claim is novel.
The connector allows for a surprising
better riding experience while still suppressing hard shocks, which supports
inventive step. Valid patent protection has been obtained.
Status: granted in October 2023, so can be
used to stop manufacture and sales of BSC + DM= (O) in Malaysia.
PCT-MY filed on 26 May 2022, claims priority from P-MY
Filed by Bikey, but prior to filing, in Aug
2021, P-MY was transferred to Bikey, including the right to claim priority, so
was filed by successor in title
PCT-MY was filed within the 12m priority
period of P-My, and contains same description as P-MY.
Claim 2 is directed to BSC + DM= (O), the
same invention, and priority is validly claimed.
Claim 2 of PCT-MY has effective date:
28/05/2021
PCT-MY entered EP phase with claim to BSC +
DM= (O)
Status of EURO-PCT-MY is deemed withdrawn,
due to failure to file the search results for the priority application
The invitation was issued on 4/04/2024 and
would have given a 2m time limit to respond, by providing the requested search
results, which were available.
4/4/2024 + 2m --> 4/6/2024 (Tue)
The Loss of Rights was notified 6 months ago, well
outside of the allowed 2m period for requesting further processing. No remedy
is available.
Consequently, no protection can be obtained
for any subject-matter via Euro-PCT-My
EP-DIV filed on 30 April contains same
description as PCT-MY, so BSC + DM= (O) is disclosed.
EP-DIV was filed before 2m time limit to
file search results expired, so parent was pending.
EP-DIV does not include a claim to BSC +
DM= (O), equivalent to claim 2 of PCT-My, so at present there is no protection
in Europe for this subject-matter.
There is no information that PCT-MY entered
other national phases. The 30m period for entry in US expired in 28/11/2024 and
TW is not a PCT state.
So only protection for BSC + DM= (O) is in
Malaysia