ARTICLE
24 August 2026

LD Munich, August 17, 2026, Decision On Conditional Counterclaims For Revocation And Cost Allocation, UPC_CFI_492/2025, UPC_CFI_1309/2025

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Bardehle Pagenberg

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BARDEHLE PAGENBERG combines the expertise of attorneys-at-law and patent attorneys. As one of the largest IP firms in Europe, BARDEHLE PAGENBERG advises in all fields of Intellectual Property, including all procedures before the patent and trademark offices as well as litigation before the courts through all instances.
A Munich Local Division ruling addresses whether a counterclaim for patent revocation that transitions from unconditional to conditional status—dependent on a finding of infringement—remains subject to unconditional limitation requirements under Rule 263.3 of the Rules of Procedure. The case involves Papst Licensing's infringement action against Roborock entities concerning EP 3 030 943, with implications for procedural strategy in UPC patent disputes.
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1. Key takeaways

It is permissible to make a counterclaim for revocation conditional upon a finding of infringement of the patent

The court relied on the Court of Appeal’s Clarification order of 16 July 2026 (UPC_CoA_40/2026, Emboline v. AorticLab), confirming that the procedural approach of making the decision on the revocation counterclaim dependent on an infringement finding is admissible.

The transition from an unconditional counterclaim for revocation to one dependent on an in-procedure condition (i.e., a finding of infringement by the court) still means that the counterclaim remains unconditionally limited pursuant to R. 263.3 RoP

The condition attaches only to the court’s decision on the merits of the counterclaim, not to its lodging. The counterclaim itself continues to be treated as unconditionally limited within the meaning of R. 263.3 RoP.

Where, in accordance with the counterclaimant’s request, no decision is rendered on the counterclaim for revocation, the counterclaimant must, in principle, bear the costs of the counterclaim for revocation

Since it fell within the defendants’/counterclaimants’ own sphere that no decision was reached on the counterclaim, the costs thereby incurred by the claimant were deemed unnecessarily caused within the meaning of Art. 69(3) UPCA, and were therefore allocated to the defendants/counterclaimants.

2. Division

Local Division Munich

3. UPC number

UPC_CFI_492/2025, UPC_CFI_1309/2025

4. Type of proceedings

Infringement action and (conditional) counterclaim for revocation

5. Parties

Claimant/Counter-Defendant: Papst Licensing GmbH & Co. KG

Defendants/Counterclaimants: Beijing Roborock Technology Co., Ltd.; Roborock Germany GmbH; Roborock International B.V.

6. Patent

EP 3 030 943

7. Body of legislation / Rules

R. 263.3 RoP, Art. 69(3) UPCA

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.

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