ARTICLE
13 July 2026

Publicly Available Products Are Prior Art, Even If Irreproducible

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Aera is a European IP consultancy firm, build on Nordic values, with an international perspective. The firm strives to provide high-quality services to clients that truly use IP strategically and links these strategies to their business needs. We wish to take good care of innovators!
Last year, the EPO’s Enlarged Board reshaped how we think about prior art. In decision G 1/23 (2 July 2025), it clarified that products made publicly available before a patent filing date qualify as prior art — even if they cannot be analysed or reproduced.
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Last year, the EPO’s Enlarged Board reshaped how we think about prior art.
In decision G 1/23 (2 July 2025), it clarified that products made publicly available before a patent filing date qualify as prior art — even if they cannot be analysed or reproduced.

The decision marks a clear shift from earlier case law (G 1/92), removing the practical “reproducibility” barrier.

This means that market availability alone can destroy novelty, and early patent filing is more critical than ever.

Read the full article by Frederik Bernstorff, aera and John Carlund, Rouse here.

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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