美國專利法第112條

美國專利法第112條是規定說明書與申請專利範圍的形式與寫作原則
另行參考http://enpan.blogspot.com/2008/07/about-claims-ii.html
§112. Specification

(First Paragraph)
The specification shall contain a written description of the invention, and of the manner and process of making and using it, in such full, clear, concise, and exact terms as to enable any person skilled in the art to which it pertains, or with which it is most nearly connected, to make and use the same, and shall set forth the best mode contemplated by the inventor of carrying out his invention.

專利說明書應包括發明的描述, 如製作或是使用該發明的方式, 內容需完整（確實揭露）, 清楚（使熟悉技術的人可以明瞭）, 簡潔（避免冗句）, 用正確的用語（使用該領域常用的名詞）, 讓該領域的技術人員可以據以實施, 並提出最佳實施態樣（best mode）

112第一段是最常用於核駁說明書寫作瑕疵

此第一段所規範的主要是指說明書須充分揭露, 並提出發明當下的best mode, 此點常被發明人忽略, 以為畫幾張示意圖就可以, 其實, 依照規定是要誠實揭露發明當時"最佳方式"(非第二), 且能使該領域技術人員可以據以實施的樣態, 若有違反best mode揭露的規定, 將可能導致專利權無法主張（unenforceable）, 此嚴重性通常不會在申請,答辯時看到

(Second Paragraph)
The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the applicant regards as his invention.

說明書應總結於特別指出與明確主張申請人所欲請求該發明的專利範圍

112第二段是最常用於核駁Claim寫作瑕疵
比如Claim規範不合理的依附關係, 標的錯誤等

核駁實例如下, 此例是遇到請求項元件主體與部件(workpiece)混淆, 造成範圍無法清楚界定的問題

(Third Paragraph)
A claim may be written in independent or, if the nature of the case admits, in dependent or multiple dependent form.

申請專利範圍可以獨立項, 附屬項, 多項附屬項寫作

(Fourth Paragraph)
Subject to the following paragraph, a claim in dependent form shall contain a reference to a claim previously set forth and then specify a further limitation of the subject matter claimed. A claim in dependent form shall be construed to incorporate by reference all the limitations of the claim to which it refers.

附屬項範圍應參考所依附的前項範圍, 並進一步限制專利標的, 即加上所依附項次的所有限制

(Fifth Paragraph)
A claim in multiple dependent form shall contain a reference, in the alternative only, to more than one claim previously set forth and then specify a further limitation of the subject matter claimed. A multiple dependent claim shall not serve as a basis for any other multiple dependent claim. A multiple dependent claim shall be construed to incorporate by reference all the limitations of the particular claim in relation to which it is being considered.

此段規範多項附屬項, 不能成為其他多項附屬項的依附項

(Sixth Paragraph)
An element in a claim for a combination may be expressed as a means or step for performing a specified function without the recital of structure, material, or acts in support thereof, and such claim shall be construed to cover the corresponding structure, material, or acts described in the specification and equivalents thereof.

申請專利範圍的元件可以手段功能用語或是步驟功能用語撰寫, 並描述執行的功能而不用述及結構, 材料或是其他動作, 此類範圍解釋應包括說明書中對應的結構, 材料或是動作, 與其均等範圍

在此規定了手段功能用語或是步驟功能用語格式的請求項範圍的解釋, 若要以此格式撰寫, 說明書應要充份揭露各種實施例, 免得解釋時不夠完整

Ron