Guidelines for Examination
PART C
 CHAPTER III CLAIMS 		 

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PART C
  CHAPTER II CONTENT OF A EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION (OTHER THAN CLAIMS)CHAPTER II CONTENT OF A EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION (OTHER THAN CLAIMS)     CHAPTER IV PATENTABILITYCHAPTER IV PATENTABILITY  
1. General

2. Form and content of claims

2.1 Technical features

2.2 Two-part form

2.3 Two-part form unsuitable

2.3a No two-part form

2.3b Two-part form wherever appropriate

2.4 Formulae and tables

3. Kinds of claim

3.1 Categories

3.2 Number of independent claims

3.3 Objection under Rule 29(2)

3.4 Independent and dependent claims

3.5 Arrangement of claims

3.6 Subject-matter of a dependent claim

3.7 Alternatives in a claim

3.7a Independent claims containing a reference to another claim

4. Clarity and interpretation of claims

4.1 Clarity

4.2 Interpretation

4.3 Inconsistencies

4.3a General statements, spirit of invention

4.4 Essential features

4.5 Relative terms

4.5a Terms like about and approximately

4.5b Trademarks

4.6 Optional features

4.7 Result to be achieved

4.7a Parameters

4.7b Product-by-process claim

4.8 Apparatus for..., Method for..., etc.

4.8a Definition by reference to use or another entity

4.8b The expression in

4.9 Use claims

4.10 References to the description or drawings

4.10a Method of and means for measuring parameters referred to in claims

4.11 Reference signs

4.12 Negative limitations (e.g. disclaimers)

4.13 Comprising vs. consisting

4.14 Functional definition of a pathological condition

5. Conciseness, number of claims

6. Support in description

6.1 General remarks

6.2 Extent of generalisation

6.3 Objection of lack of support

6.4 Lack of support vs. insufficient disclosure

6.5 Definition in terms of function

6.6 Support for dependent claims

7. Unity of invention

7.1 General remarks

7.2 Special technical features

7.3 Intermediate and final products

7.4 Alternatives

7.4a Markush grouping

7.5 Individual features in a claim

7.6 Lack of unity a priori or a posteriori

7.7 Examiner's approach

7.8 Dependent claims

7.9 Lack of unity during search

7.10 Lack of unity during substantive examination

7.10a Amended claims

7.11 Euro-PCT applications

7.11.1 International applications without supplementary search

7.11.2 International applications with supplementary search

7.11.3 International preliminary examination report (IPER)

7.11.4 Restricted IPER

8. Different texts of the patent application in respect of different Contracting States (see also D-VII,...

8.1 Different text in respect of the state of the art according to Art. 54(3) and (4)

8.2 Different text where a partial transfer of right has taken place pursuant to Art. 61

8.3 Different text where a reservation has been entered in accordance with Art. 167(2)(a)

8.4 Different text where national rights of earlier date exist

8.5 Calculation of claims fees

 
   CHAPTER II CONTENT OF A EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION (OTHER THAN CLAIMS) CHAPTER IV PATENTABILITY

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Last updated in June2005
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