American Science and Engineering Inc v Rapiscan Systems Inc (Patent): IPO 3 Mar 2016

IPO Revocation was sought on the grounds of a lack of inventive step. The invention relates to an X-ray scanning and detection system for inspecting vehicles and cargo containers for suspicious trade and illicit substances. The arrangement set out in the patent provides a four sided X-ray imaging system using a combination of transmission and backscatter imaging sensors to create an image of a vehicle.
The Hearing Office considered whether an unpleaded argument in relation to collocation should be heard, and decided that it should be set aside as the defendant had not had a proper chance to deal with the issue and would be invited to file any additional submissions and evidence deemed necessary to decide the matter.
The Hearing Officer went on to consider the arguments put forward in the original statement of case and found the invention as claimed to involve an inventive step.
The issue of collocation is yet to be decided.

Mr P Slater
[2016] UKIntelP o11916, GB2483830 B
Bailii
England and Wales

Intellectual Property

Updated: 12 January 2022; Ref: scu.561307