2016年5月31日 星期二

美國專利法律狀態查詢筆記

筆記

要查一件專利的法律狀態(legal status)主要是要得到;(1)專利是否獲准?(2)是否被無效?(3)專利到期日(4)延續專利期限的繳費狀態(5)如果是歐洲專利還會想知道指定進入哪個國家?

[歐洲專利]法律狀態範例:


查一件[美國專利]法律狀態的過程:

進USPTO從下拉選單找到「maintaining a patent」:


點入「maintenance fees」:


繼續點入「check the current status of a patent」:


點入「patent maintenance fees storefront」:
https://fees.uspto.gov/MaintenanceFees


需要填寫專利號與專利申請號,新改版讓格式更自由,不用刻意刪除逗點或斜線,我覺得這是很方便的改變:


很棒的是,提供PDF檔案匯出,還有USPTO的標誌,很負責的方式:


從此範例案件中可以知道此案已經開啟三次繳費期間,最近一次11.5year繳費狀態為已經繳付。

Ron

2016年5月30日 星期一

勒索程式解密 - 惡意程式相關資訊

先看一個開放源碼的加密函式庫mbed TLS (formerly PolarSSL),讓開發者方便地在產品中加入加密功能。
https://tls.mbed.org/


這也讓勒索軟體有了巧門,如KeRanger,也是連結到mbed TLS取得加密功能。

資訊來源:
http://researchcenter.paloaltonetworks.com/2016/03/new-os-x-ransomware-keranger-infected-transmission-bittorrent-client-installer/

勒索軟體是最近很有新聞性的惡意程式,通常透過垃圾郵件與假的程式更新將惡意程式(木馬)植入電腦,這時一些檔案會被加密,例如難以解開最高端的加密技術RZA4096,如果那是重要的檔案,不得不接受勒索--USD500,看來不貴,但如果繳錢,就助長這類事件會常常發生,特別也是在曾經被勒索成功的人身上。

被勒索加密的檔案會掛上.crypt副檔名。

還會隨附教你付費解密的方法。



趨勢科技提供個免費"解密"工具:
http://blog.trendmicro.com.tw/?p=18070



一些訊息:
http://blog.trendmicro.com.tw/?p=12412
http://blog.trendmicro.com.tw/?p=11837

這些圖顯示過去24小時感染的程度,也可以選擇某個國家或地區(資料來源:http://www.enigmasoftware.com/cryptowallransomware-removal/)。

過去24小時勒索程式感染:


過去24小時廣告程式感染:


過去24小時「工具列」惡意程式感染:


大家可以利用以下工具看看現在各種惡意程式蔓延的程度。


Ron

2016年5月27日 星期五

Enfish案影響電腦相關技術可專利性的案例 - CBM2016-00019

繼USPTO針對Enfish LLC v Microsoft (Fed. Cir. 2016)TLI Communications v. AV Automotive (Fed. Cir. 2016)案例作出的回應,參考資料:美國專利局提供針對"Enfish"與"TLI"案例的審查方針(http://enpan.blogspot.tw/2016/05/usptoenfishtli.html),PTAB這回直接引用"拒絕啟始系爭專利為US6,006,227的CBM案(Apple, Inc. et al v. Mirror World Technologies, LLC (CBM2016-00019))。

CBM2016-00019案件資訊(未啟始決定檔案備份:https://app.box.com/s/wiwdr9ncpl6oavcpby3ivfvagvbyesut):
請願人:APPLE, INC., BEST BUY STORES, LP, and BESTBUY.COM, LLC
專利權人:MIRROR WORLD TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
系爭專利:US6,006,227

緣起,Mirror World公司對Apple於2013年提出侵權告訴,Apple即聯合幾位被告提出CBM異議程序,PTAB即引用Enfish LLC v Microsoft (Fed. Cir. 2016)案例駁回,決定不啟始CBM程序。

Apple提出CBM的理由主要為101與112,101主要引用Alice判例,並引入Two-Step測試,先看是否符合101規定的可專利標的,再看是否落入抽象概念的判斷(這是論述的重點),若確定為抽象概念才會看是否有實質超越抽象概念/一般目的電腦的技術。Apple訴願理由自然是將這個電腦技術導向抽象概念,並認為並無實質超越的技術。



系爭專利揭露一種文件流作業系統(Document stream operating system),系爭專利範圍Claim 13界定一種組織資料的方法,如產生資料的主流與次流,接收其他電腦系統的資料,取得其中時間戳記,作為識別資料的依據,連結為時間順序指示,即以此組織資料。看來這是個典型的「電腦技術」改進的技術,因此在這個時間點聯想到「Enfish案」頗為合理

13. A method which organizes each data unit received by or generated by a computer system, comprising the steps of:
generating a main stream of data units and at least one substream, the main stream for receiving each data unit received by or generated by the computer system, and each substream for containing data units only from the main stream;
receiving data units from other computer systems;
generating data units in the computer system;
selecting a timestamp to identify each data unit;
associating each data unit with at least one chronological indicator having the respective timestamp;
including each data unit according to the timestamp in the respective chronological indicator in at least the main stream; and
maintaining at least the main stream and the substreams as persistent streams.
PTAB意見:
其實APJ不見得都同意專利權人的答覆意見,甚至並不認同專利權人所引用的眾多PTAB決定,還點出錯誤!但這都比不上適時產生的Enfish案例,這幫助專利權人更大。

"We are not bound by those panel decisions, nor do we agree that the Board has “consistently held” that the claims must expressly recite a financial product or service as Patent Owner suggests."

討論內容有一部分落於Two-Step測試,因為似乎請願人與專利權人都同意這個技術落於「抽象概念」,從專利權人的preliminary response就可以知道專利權人已經棄守系爭專利是否不是抽象概念,而轉向significantly more答辯。

APJ同意專利權人引入DDR Holdings的答辯理由,因為同意系爭專利不是一般性地應用了電腦技術而已,如同DDR Holdings案例中並非一般性地應用網頁技術而已,因此這部分同意系爭專利不是抽象概念。


更者,即引用Enfish案,認為系爭專利係涉及("directed to")電腦功能的改善,不是一般性的組織電腦資料的技術,而有非抽象的一般目的電腦的「主流、次流」的電腦技術。


結論:
APJ決定不啟始CBM的理由之一(針對101)是判定系爭專利並非抽象概念,引用的案例即Enfish;更認為經Two-Step測試後,仍具有實質超越的技術,並非僅使用一般目的電腦的技術而已,參考的案例即DDR Holdings



另一APJ的意見(原則上同意上述意見):


my two cents:
有時似乎是「成功的案例」,但是背後卻不見得是發明人、代理人的努力,而是剛好一時法規、案例對自己有利造成的,本案例就是很典型的「幸運」,剛好有才出爐的案例產生,讓本案有「成功」的機會。這也看出PTAB的自主權,不被很厲害的申請人或律師影響。

現在看來,當發明涉及電腦技術本身的改良是為可專利標的,有機會獲准專利,不會被隨意認定為不可專利標的;若這類電腦技術仍是常見技術使用一般目的電腦達成,仍不通過Two-Step測試,不具可專利性;若發明涉及「商業方法」、「經濟活動」等技術,落於不可專利的判斷機會十分大!

Apple的訴訟、IPR等動作不見得每次都贏,但是因為都是最厲害的律師在代理,顯然都有參考價值,包括本次不成功啟始的CBM,即便如此,其中意見仍是具有參考價值,例如整篇對於101、BRI、專利用語的理由。

參考資料:
http://www.ipwatchdog.com/2016/05/26/ptab-cafc-enfish-covered-business-method-mirror-world-patent/id=69535/

本部落格先前報導:
http://enpan.blogspot.tw/2016/05/usptoenfishtli.html

[CAFC案例]
改善電腦技術的軟體方法具有可專利性? - Enfish LLC v Microsoft (Fed. Cir. 2016)
http://enpan.blogspot.tw/2016/05/enfish-llc-v-microsoft-fed-cir-2016.html
改善電腦技術的發明非為可專利性標的,後見之明? - TLI Communications v. AV Automotive (Fed. Cir. 2016)
http://enpan.blogspot.tw/2016/05/tli-communications-v-av-automotive-fed.html
商業方法可專利性?電腦軟體專利的生機 - DDR Holdings v. Hotels.com (Fed. 2014)案例討論(http://enpan.blogspot.tw/2014/12/ddr-holdings-v-hotelscom-fed-2014.html

Ron

2016年5月26日 星期四

專利申請案誤譯訂正討論 - 若亂搞,我們將被機器取代

美國專利審查手冊MPEP 2163.07規範如何在原說明書(如國外優先權、母案)支持下提出專利申請案修正,這大約可解釋為美國專利申請案的「誤譯訂正」。

這不免要提到台灣"頗為寬鬆"的「誤譯訂正」,這也對「國外進口台灣案」的專利權人有極大的保障,但也對翻譯外文者/代理人提供了不夠嚴謹的約束,這將影響專利相關的本國其他實施者

[中華民國]
中華民國專利法有關「誤譯訂正」的規定從第25條開始,提供外文申請、限期補正;接著在第44條「修正」規定「誤譯訂正」不得超出外文本;在第67條「更正」規定亦提供「誤譯訂正」,如此,在修正,甚至或准後的更正都可以依據「外文本」提出訂正。

專利法審查基準第二篇第八章「以外文本提出申請案之審查」

其中2.4節規範「誤譯訂正及訂正本(頁)」,其中提供誤譯訂正以外文本揭露範圍為準,以外文本為比對之對象。接著更定義何謂「誤譯」以及發生誤譯的原因:「外文文法分析錯誤、外文語詞看錯、外文語詞多義性所致之理解錯誤等」。其他在「中文本超出外文本所揭露之範圍」規範中提及,中文本若超出外文本所揭露之範圍,得藉由誤譯之訂正,以訂正本
取代訂正申請前之中文本(有修正者為修正本),而未超出外文本所揭露之範圍。」

2.4誤譯訂正及訂正本(頁)
申請人如先提出外文本再提出中文本,其翻譯之結果,不得超出申請時外文本所揭露之範圍,嗣後申請人如發現或經審查發現所提出之中文本有翻譯錯誤時,為訂正其翻譯之錯誤,得提出誤譯之訂正。至於是否有誤譯之情事,係以外文本為比對之對象,其誤譯之訂正不得超出申請時外文本所揭露之範圍。

「誤譯」係指將外文之語詞或語句翻譯成中文之語詞或語句的過程中產生錯誤,亦即外文本有對應之語詞或語句,但中文本未正確完整翻譯者,原因包括:外文文法分析錯誤、外文語詞看錯、外文語詞多義性所致之理解錯誤等。例如外文本之內容為「sixteen」,中文本之對應內容為「60」,係屬誤譯,得藉由誤譯訂正於中文本中訂正為「16」。外文本之內容為「……above 90℃……」,中文本之對應內容為「……90℃……」,係屬誤譯,得藉由誤譯訂正於訂正本中訂正為「……大於90℃……」。申請誤譯之訂正所提出訂正後之說明書、申請專利範圍或圖式替換頁稱訂正頁,所提出訂正後之全份說明書、申請專利範圍或圖式稱訂正本。

誤譯之訂正係用以克服中文本內容有翻譯錯誤處而提出之申請,其比對基礎為申請時提出之外文本。因翻譯錯誤而申請訂正之事項,經准予訂正者,該訂正本中准予訂正之事項即取代訂正申請前之中文本(有修正者為修正本,經公告者為公告本)對應記載之事項,該訂正本,即作為後續一般修正及更正之比對基礎。

4.2.2.1 誤譯之判斷
(1)語詞翻譯錯誤者
(2)語句翻譯錯誤者

但也不是任何時刻都可以提出誤譯訂正,特別是「最後通知」時,但是仍可以「誤記」、「不明瞭記載釋明」進行修正,並且,誤譯訂正仍適用「更正」。4.3節提出「不同審查階段所為誤譯之訂正」,包括「審查意見通知前所為誤譯之訂正(申請人主動提出)」、「審查意見通知後所為誤譯之訂正(申請人根據OA提出)」與「最後通知後所為誤譯之訂正」,列表比對如下:
4.3.1 審查意見通知前所為誤譯之訂正
4.3.2 審查意見通知後所為誤譯之訂正
4.3.3 最後通知後所為誤譯之訂正
若申請人於收到審查意見通知前發現外文本有誤譯情事而申請誤譯訂正時,
若申請人於收到審查意見通知後,申請誤譯之訂正以克服該通知之不准專利事由,
誤譯之訂正非屬專利法43 條第4 項各款規定之事由,

經審查後除下列情形外,得准予專利:

若經審查認為申請訂正者非屬誤譯,或誤譯之訂正超出外文本所揭露之範圍,則不准訂正,逕依訂正申請前之中文本(有修正者為修正本)
(1)不准訂正,且未能克服該通知之不准專利事由,則以不符專利要件為
由,予以核駁審定,並敘明不准訂正之理由。
申請人於收到最後通知後,不得以誤譯之訂正為由修正申請專利範圍,
若經審查准予訂正者,該訂正本中准予訂正之事項即取代訂正申請前之中文本(有修正者為修正本)對應記載之事項,該訂正之事項即取代訂正申請前之中文本(有修正者為修正本)中對應記載之事項,以該訂正本(頁)作為後續實體審查之對象及一般修正之比對基礎。
(2)准予訂正,惟未能克服該通知之不准專利事由,則予以核駁審定。
惟得以誤譯之訂正為由修正說明書。
續行審查,若有其他不准專利事由時,將與不准訂正事由一併核發審查
意見通知,使申請人有申復、修正或再訂正之機會。
(3)准予訂正,惟因訂正而產生新的不准專利事由,得發給最後通知。
此時若因訂正說明書而導致其與申請專利範圍之內容不一致,亦得同時以誤記之訂正或不明瞭記載之釋明為由,於最後
通知之指定期間內修正申請專利範圍。


例如申請專利範圍與說明書皆記載為A,經最後通知後,申請誤譯訂正說明書之A A',因導致其與申請專利範圍揭露之A 不一致,得同時以誤記之訂正或不明瞭記載之釋明為由,將申請專利範圍之A 修正為A'

[中華民國專利法參考]
第二十五條  申請發明專利,由專利申請權人備具申請書、說明書、申請專利範圍、摘要及必要之圖式,向專利專責機關申請之。
      申請發明專利,以申請書、說明書、申請專利範圍及必要之圖式齊備之日為申請日。
  說明書、申請專利範圍及必要之圖式未於申請時提出中文本,而以外文本提出,且於專利專責機關指定期間內補正中文本者,以外文本提出之日為申請日。
未於前項指定期間內補正中文本者,其申請案不予受理。但在處分前補正者,以補正之日為申請日,外文本視為未提出。
     
第四十四條   說明書、申請專利範圍及圖式,依第二十五條第三項規定,以外文本提出者,其外文本不得修正。
依第二十五條第三項規定補正之中文本,不得超出申請時外文本所揭露之範圍。
前項之中文本,其誤譯之訂正,不得超出申請時外文本所揭露之範圍。

第六十七條 發明專利權人申請更正專利說明書、申請專利範圍或圖式,僅得就下列事項為之:
一、請求項之刪除。
二、申請專利範圍之減縮。
三、誤記或誤譯之訂正
四、不明瞭記載之釋明。
更正,除誤譯之訂正外,不得超出申請時說明書、申請專利範圍或圖式所揭露之範圍。
依第二十五條第三項規定,說明書、申請專利範圍及圖式以外文本提出者,其誤譯之訂正,不得超出申請時外文本所揭露之範圍。
更正,不得實質擴大或變更公告時之申請專利範圍。

[美國]
根據美國MPEP 2163.07規定,前文提到,根據原說明內容支持的修正不是新事物(new matter),這就給誤譯訂正者有了定心丸,此篇規範所謂根據原文修訂的理由有:(1)改寫(REPHRASING、Rewording);(2)明顯錯誤(OBVIOUS ERRORS)。

改寫本身並不會產生新事物,字典字、相關技術領域用語等修正不會有新事物,如果一個用語有多種意思,應以申請人的定義為主。

明顯錯誤的修正只要從說明書可理解也不會有新事物,這裡提到根據美國專利法第119條規定的國外優先權文件,申請人也許不必或也許不能("may not")根據此優先權文件修正美國申請案的"錯誤"("applicant may not rely on the disclosure of that document to support correction of an error in the pending U.S. application."),因為「優先權文件與美國申請案兩者不必然相同」,例如主張複數優先權者,沒有一件優先權會與後申請案一致,誰知道後申請案是否有新的意思加入而會在某些部分與優先權案不同,這因此要嚴格判斷是否修正實質改變了後申請案發明。

以上規定有兩個面向,適用與不適用「不必根據優先權案修正」的情況,適用者,表示優先權案不必與後申請案一致,特別是主張兩件以上的優先權案;不適用者,表示美國申請案與優先權案一致,這是指僅主張一件優先權者。
"This prohibition applies regardless of the language of the foreign priority documents because a claim for priority is simply a claim for the benefit of an earlier filing date for subject matter that is common to two or more applications, and does not serve to incorporate the content of the priority document in the application in which the claim for priority is made."

"This prohibition does not apply where the U.S. application explicitly incorporates the foreign priority document by reference."

對於September 21, 2004當日或之後提出申請的美國專利申請案,說明書或圖示非故意自美國申請案忽略的段落,可以外國優先權案的相關段落可以併入美國申請案中,申請人可以根據非英文優先權文件支持美國申請案的「錯誤修正」。
"applicant may rely on the disclosure of the originally filed non-English language U.S. application to support correction of an error in the English translation document."

[規定參考]
MPEP 2163.07    AMENDMENTS TO APPLICATION WHICH ARE SUPPORTED IN THE ORIGINAL DESCRIPTION

Amendments to an application which are supported in the original description are NOT new matter.
I. REPHRASING
Mere rephrasing of a passage does not constitute new matter. Accordingly, a rewording of a passage where the same meaning remains intact is permissible. In re Anderson, 471 F.2d 1237, 176 USPQ 331 (CCPA 1973). The mere inclusion of dictionary or art recognized definitions known at the time of filing an application may not be considered new matter. If there are multiple definitions for a term and a definition is added to the application, it must be clear from the application as filed that applicant intended a particular definition, in order to avoid an issue of new matter and/or lack of written description. See, e.g., Scarring Corp. v. Megan, Inc., 222 F.3d 1347, 1352-53, 55 USPQ2d 1650, 1654 (Fed. Cir. 2000). In Scarring, the original disclosure was drawn to recombinant DNA molecules and used the term “leukocyte interferon.” Shortly after the filing date, a scientific committee abolished the term in favor of “IFN-(a),” since the latter term more specifically identified a particular polypeptide and since the committee found that leukocytes also produced other types of interferon. The court held that the subsequent amendment to the specification and claims substituting the term “IFN-(a)” for “leukocyte interferon” merely renamed the invention and did not constitute new matter. The claims were limited to cover only the interferon subtype coded for by the inventor’s original deposits.
II. OBVIOUS ERRORS
An amendment to correct an obvious error does not constitute new matter where one skilled in the art would not only recognize the existence of error in the specification, but also the appropriate correction. In re Odd, 443 F.2d 1200, 170 USPQ 268 (CCPA 1971).
Where a foreign priority document under 35 U.S.C. 119 is of record in the U.S. application file, applicant may not rely on the disclosure of that document to support correction of an error in the pending U.S. application. Ex parte Bondiou, 132 USPQ 356 (Bd. App. 1961). This prohibition applies regardless of the language of the foreign priority documents because a claim for priority is simply a claim for the benefit of an earlier filing date for subject matter that is common to two or more applications, and does not serve to incorporate the content of the priority document in the application in which the claim for priority is made. This prohibition does not apply where the U.S. application explicitly incorporates the foreign priority document by reference. For applications filed on or after September 21, 2004, where all or a portion of the specification or drawing(s) is inadvertently omitted from the U.S. application, a claim under 37 CFR 1.55 for priority of a prior-filed foreign application that is present on the filing date of the application is considered an incorporation by reference of the prior-filed foreign application as to the inadvertently omitted portion of the specification or drawing(s), subject to the conditions and requirements of 37 CFR 1.57(a). See 37 CFR 1.57(a) and MPEP § 217.
Where a U.S. application as originally filed was in a non-English language and an English translation thereof was subsequently submitted pursuant to 37 CFR 1.52(d), if there is an error in the English translation, applicant may rely on the disclosure of the originally filed non-English language U.S. application to support correction of an error in the English translation document.
my two cents:
以下可能為不專業評論,僅憑某個角度來看,因為我仍無法透徹理解與串連各國的各種法規,並敬請指教。

我覺得,就「優先權」來規範「誤譯訂正」,美國MPEP有很好的指示,因為「優先權不必等於主張優先權的後申請案」,因此「錯誤」要看何種錯誤,「明顯錯誤」就歸「明顯錯誤」,不必(或說不得)依據優先權文件提出訂正。當然,若僅主張一件優先權,還是可以將國外優先權為參考修正後申請案。

(台灣)前述誤譯的原因:「外文文法分析錯誤、外文語詞看錯、外文語詞多義性所致之理解錯誤等」,雖說錯誤難免,但這樣可以送件嗎?

我覺得如果法規過於寬鬆,雖說專利說明書不是小說、不是論文,以技術描述為主,但不重視品質的翻譯例如不重視中文的文法、用語、措辭、邏輯,將來可能會讓劣幣驅逐良幣,或說Google翻譯就可送件的話,Google將取代了你我。

Ron

2016年5月25日 星期三

歐洲設計揭露規定 - 正確與準確

歐洲設計受理單位由OHIM(OHIM (Office for Harmonization in the Internal Market - Trademarks and Designs),歐盟市場調和局-商標與設計)改為EUIPO(European Union Intellectual Property Office),但就設計的規定來說,並無變動。

https://euipo.europa.eu/ohimportal/en/

歐洲設計定義,規定於歐洲共同體設計法Article 3:
(a)產品的整體或部分外觀特徵,特別是涉及產品本身或其裝飾件的線條、輪廓、顏色、形狀、材質以及/或材料。
(b)所述「產品」為工業、手工物品,可以組合多元件的設計、包裝、裝飾、圖形符號、字形,但排除電腦程式。
(c)所述「組合設計」指一個由多個元件組合的物品,元件可以被取代、分離或重組。

[法條]
(a) "design" means the appearance of the whole or a part of a product resulting from the features of, in particular, the lines, contours, colours, shape, texture and/or materials of the product itself and/or its ornamentation;
(b) "product" means any industrial or handicraft item, including inter alia parts intended to be assembled into a complex product, packaging, get-up, graphic symbols and typographic typefaces, but excluding computer programs;
(c) "complex product" means a product which is composed of multiple components which can be replaced permitting disassembly and re-assembly of the product.

歐洲設計其實沒有太多規定,沒有一定要六面圖、實施例圖、立體圖等要求,不過,這些也都隱含在其精神中:正確與準確。

白話文就是:只要正確與準確反映出設計所有的特徵本身,就是可以登錄設計的揭露內容。然而,登錄制的缺點是,沒有主張權利以前,你都會自以為擁有穩當的設計專利。所以,為了要"盡量"避免這個不確定性,最好在提出登錄前,檢索與盡力揭示設計特點。

資料來源:https://euipo.europa.eu/ohimportal/en/what-can-be-a-registered-community-design

這裡提出一些揭露要點:

  • 申請人/設計人有責任確保設計的特徵已經完整被圖面顯示出來。
  • 提出好品質的圖面。
  • 圖面應確保在縮小到8公分仍有好的品質。
  • 圖案數目至多10張,其中可有7張要保護的圖面,以及3張不保護的圖面。(這是最大限制,不是最小要求)
  • 圖面可以為:平面圖、正視圖、截面圖、透視或分解圖。
  • 可以提供立體圖。
  • 如果是「組合設計」,也就是產品由多個元件組成,可以相互取代、分開與重組的設計,應以至少一張圖面表示組合的樣態。如棋盤與棋子的「組合設計」。
  • 可以用黑白圖,或是彩色圖,但同一件設計不能同時具有黑白與彩色圖。
  • 背景圖(可以有)應能區隔出環境與設計本身。
  • 歐洲設計接受「部分設計」。
  • 主張與不主張權利的部分可以虛線、陰影、邊界、分離的方式表示。
  • 不要有不必要的文字或符號在設計圖上。

Is your design correctly and accurately represented?
The purpose of graphical representation is to display all the features of the design you are applying for. You alone are responsible for ensuring that the features of your design are displayed as thoroughly as possible.
Therefore, it is important that you prepare the representation of your design carefully and thoroughly. The quality of the representation is paramount to your design protection.
In practical terms, the quality of the graphical representation must allow your design to be reduced or enlarged to a size no greater than 8 cm by 16 cm for entry in the Register of Community Designs and for publication in the Community Designs Bulletin.

Views

You can file up to ten different views to represent your design; seven protected views and three non-protected views. Different views such as plain, in elevation, cross-sectional, in perspective or exploded views can be uploaded. Our online design application allows you to upload using the drag-and-drop function and you can use both 3D and static images. Please make sure that the views you file relate to the same design and represent a visible part of it.
If you file a complex product, i.e. a product composed of multiple components that can be replaced, allowing the product to be taken apart and reassembled, at least one of the views must show the complex product in assembled form. The same applies to a set of articles such as a chess-board and its pieces or a set of cutlery.

Colours

The set of representations of the design may be made either in black and white or in colour. It is not permitted to mix colour types, e.g. to file three views in black and white and four in colour for the same design.

Background

The representation of your design must be displayed on a neutral background. The design should be clearly distinguishable from its environment.

Identifiers

If you want to highlight certain parts of the design; either to show that you only claim that specific part or that you expressly do not claim a certain part of the design, you can use one of the following identifiers
  • Broken lines for indicating elements for which no protection is required
  • Boundaries for outlining features of the design for which you do want protection
  • Colour shading and blurring for excluding a number of features from protection
  • Separations for indicating that the precise length of the design is not claimed
No explanatory text, wording or additional symbols may be used in the design views.

其他參考資料:
Farewell OHIM, hello EUIPO: the European Intellectual Property Office opens for business
http://www.worldtrademarkreview.com/Blog/detail.aspx?g=aa54faf4-5712-456b-90a4-9e45c03cadfb

Ron

2016年5月24日 星期二

preissuance submissions筆記與案例



參考USPTO官方簡報:https://app.box.com/s/u82t7kap9zn54sa0u0lsildc7mfyvc82(備份)

(Presenter:  Bennett Celsa TC1600 QAS Date: BCP: September 14, 2015)

Preissuance Submissions」是一個美國專利法規中專利獲准前的異議程序,可稱為發布前提交,讓第三方(USPTO與申請人以外)對已公開專利申請案提出先前技術情報給審查委員參考審理,是一種預防專利不當獲准的措施,這個措施至少比專利獲准後需要透過PGR、IPR或再審查程序便宜而省力,前提是需要監視公開專利,並主動調查先前技術。

Preissuance Submissions」為基於美國專利法第122條第(e)款的規定,美國專利局接受第三方提出特定專利申請案的先前專利申請案、專利、公開申請案或印刷品,成為審查參考,惟時間點應在「發出核准通知以前」或是「專利申請案第一次公開後6個月後」或是「專利申請案接獲第一次審查意見之後」。

Preissuance Submissions」內容包括提出相關先前技術的簡明描述、費用,以及提出「Preissuance Submissions」的聲明。

「Preissuance Submissions」重點整理:
    1. 適用美國專利申請案(non-provisional)、設計與植物案,包括CA、CIP與DIV等案型
    2. 電子提交或紙本提交
    3. 非利害關係人可以提交
    4. 提交時間:「發出核准通知以前」或是「專利申請案第一次公開後6個月後」或是「專利申請案接獲第一次審查意見之後」
    5. 「第一次審查意見」不包括restriction requirement或Quayle action
    6. 內容包括:前案簡明描述、費用與35USC122(e)聲明
    7. 表格:
    8. USPTO把提交內容如IDS方式處理
    9. USPTO會將接受符合的提交資訊告知專利申請人
    10. 提交人可以接收到USPTO通知不符合與符合要求的提交內容
範例:
U.S. Patent Application No. 13/460,635
第一次審查日:August 13, 2012
公開日:August 23, 2012
第三方意見提交日:October 5, 2012,其中列舉多件非專利文獻



審查委員接受這些第三方資訊,通知申請人:October 17, 2012

U.S. Patent Application No. 13/465,789
第三方意見提交日:September 27, 2012,顯示前案一件:


將前案列為IDS,同時提出claim chart:



通知申請人:October 9, 2012
申請人提出初步修正(preliminary amendment),並提出答覆,但來不及,已經發出第一次審查意見。不過這是一個好方式。



U.S. Patent Application No. 13/493,787
第三方意見提出,列舉一件非專利文獻:



隨附claim chart(部分):


通知申請人:


審查委員參考第三方提交意見作出第二次OA,其中唯一102引證案即第三方提交的非專利文獻:



[相關法條]
35 U.S.C. 122    CONFIDENTIAL STATUS OF APPLICATIONS; PUBLICATION OF PATENT APPLICATIONS
...
(c) PROTEST AND PRE-ISSUANCE OPPOSITION.— The Director shall establish appropriate procedures to ensure that no protest or other form of pre-issuance opposition to the grant of a patent on an application may be initiated after publication of the application without the express written consent of the applicant.
...
(e) PREISSUANCE SUBMISSIONS BY THIRD PARTIES.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—Any third party may submit for consideration and inclusion in the record of a patent application, any patent, published patent application, or other printed publication of potential relevance to the examination of the application, if such submission is made in writing before the earlier of—
(A) the date a notice of allowance under section 151 is given or mailed in the application for patent; or
(B) the later of—
(i) 6 months after the date on which the application for patent is first published under section 122 by the Office, or
(ii) the date of the first rejection under section 132 of any claim by the examiner during the examination of the application for patent.
(2) OTHER REQUIREMENTS.—Any submission under paragraph (1) shall—
(A) set forth a concise description of the asserted relevance of each submitted document;
(B) be accompanied by such fee as the Director may prescribe; and
(C) include a statement by the person making such submission affirming that the submission was made in compliance with this section.

my two cents:
從一些http://www.klemchuk.com列舉的案例可知,「Preissuance Submissions」應該是最有效阻礙對手獲准專利的早期方案,可以早期就阻礙專利獲准,免得專利獲准後還要以各種很貴的方案無效專利。

不過,這當然要配合一個有效的監視計畫,最簡單的方式就是用一些監視檢索工具以申請人作監視,...不過,本篇參考的文章也提到,如果過於積極監視對手,又不提交第三方意見,可能導致將來蓄意侵權的疑慮。

若審查委員同意使用第三方提交文獻,將通知申請人,即便是已經發出過OA,不排除再次發出第二次OA,此時申請人可以回覆,並可回應修正(OA前為preliminary amendment),或是等到OA再行回覆。

參考資料:
http://www.klemchuk.com/339-preissuance-patent-submissions-a-new-way-to-participate-in-patent-prosecution/

USPTO官方資訊:
http://www.uspto.gov/patent/initiatives/third-party-preissuance-submissions

本部落格參考文章:
http://enpan.blogspot.tw/2012/09/blog-post_18.html(二零一二年九月十六日開始的美國專利制度)
http://enpan.blogspot.tw/2012/07/preissuance-submission-final-rules.html(Preissuance Submission Final Rules)
http://enpan.blogspot.tw/2015/08/preissuance-submissions.html(領證前異議程序以及監視計畫(有關PREISSUANCE SUBMISSIONS))

以上感謝同事分享與討論。

Ron

2016年5月23日 星期一

美國專利局提供針對"Enfish"與"TLI"案例的審查方針

USPTO提供針對"Enfish"與"TLI"案例的審查方針。

就如之前本部落格提到的,認為Enfish是個重要的案例,而TLI又是另一角度意見的重要案例(不過我是用後見之明來看),因此快速報導,應該也會花一些時間發酵,現在USPTO也快速反應,發出一份guidance memo,提述在這一兩週內涉及美國專利法第101條議題的電腦軟體發明的審查方針,這證明美國專利實務與法院意見緊密相繫,法律案件也是專利撰寫時的重要依據。

[CAFC案例]
改善電腦技術的軟體方法具有可專利性? - Enfish LLC v Microsoft (Fed. Cir. 2016)
http://enpan.blogspot.tw/2016/05/enfish-llc-v-microsoft-fed-cir-2016.html
改善電腦技術的發明非為可專利性標的,後見之明? - TLI Communications v. AV Automotive (Fed. Cir. 2016)
http://enpan.blogspot.tw/2016/05/tli-communications-v-av-automotive-fed.html

USPTO Memo:


先參考目前(在此之前)USPTO對於101審查的態度以及Two-Step Test:

可專利性審查方針更新筆記(http://enpan.blogspot.tw/2015/09/blog-post_21.html

CAFC在2016/05/12於Enfish LLC v Microsoft案做出係爭專利所涉及的"自我指涉(self-referential)"資料庫軟體並非為抽象概念的判決(否決地院決定),也就是,相較於使用一般目的電腦實現人類活動的不可專利技術,法院認為這類改善電腦技術(資料庫技術)的發明為符合35U.S.C.101規定的可專利標的。這關於以上兩步驟測試的步驟2A,並非是顛覆目前審查的標準,而是提供了判斷何為抽象概念的一些訊息

此案例中,結論表示,即便是軟體發明,並非本質上是抽象的,仍可對電腦技術如硬體一般地做出"非抽象的技術改進",法官強調了幾個重點(所highlight的截圖是摘錄自Enfish LLC v Microsoft案判決),而USPTO審查方針(包括過去幾次,包括Two-Step Test)將符合這幾個重點的精神

  1. 判斷請求項發明是否為抽象概念,最好比對過去被法院認為是抽象概念的專利範圍。
  2. 所述發明標的"directed to(涉及)"的查驗對權利範圍來說是一種判斷要點,係依據專利說明書內容來查驗請求項發明之"整體"是否為不可專利的標的。
  3. 法院警告,當聚焦於請求項發明時,要小心對於專利請求項以不受語言限制而判斷是否為抽象的高標準。
  4. 法院認為,跑在一般目的電腦的發明並不自動扼殺了該發明的可專利性。

因此,對USPTO審查委員審查軟體專利範圍時,若"涉及"電腦技術改良(需要整體來看),就不會認為是抽象概念,也就是通過step 2A的檢驗,發明本身並非抽象概念,也就不必繼續檢驗step 2B(significantly more)。

其重點:

  • 查驗請求項發明是否為改良電腦技術的發明,需要參考專利說明書記載。
  • 軟體專利本身將落入112(f)解釋(功能手段用語),仍要考慮說明書記載是否符合有足夠支撐功能手段用語的內容。
  • 對現有電腦技術的"功能增進、改善"是軟體專利的必要特徵。
  • 對電腦技術的改善不必要需要「硬體特徵」(如Enfish LLC v Microsoft案就是對資料結構與程序的改善)。
  • 改善電腦技術的發明要與「一般目的電腦實現的經濟活動、數學方程式」的發明區別。

轉向Enfish之後不久的TLI Communications v. AV Automotive案例,對比Enfish案改善電腦技術的軟體發明並非是抽象概念的觀念,TLI案教示我們,若發明涉及使用習知電腦活動執行通常步驟,此為抽象概念

TLI案來看,請求項所記載的步驟被認為是習知電腦活動的步驟,落在抽象概念中(step 2A),於是繼續判斷step 2B,其中使用的技術包括電話線、伺服器等並非「實質超越」抽象概念,因此該發明非可專利標的(可參考本部落格對TLI案的報導,我並不是很服氣)。

官方文件(來源):
http://www.uspto.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ieg-may-2016_enfish_memo.pdf

參考資料(有貼上審查方針全文):
http://patentlyo.com/patent/2016/05/guidance-examiners-enfish.html

Ron

2016年5月21日 星期六

即時影像翻譯器無責任試用報告 - 產品與專利

名稱是我隨便翻的,就技術用語來說,這是一種OCR(optical character recognition,可翻為光學字元辨識),使用過幾個OCR,不過都覺得不好用,或是有些還要拍照下來翻譯,比較厲害的是用手機拍攝同時會把翻譯結果顯示在側欄,其實已經很厲害了。不過這些現行APP應該也是仰賴某個開放的翻譯機器吧!

看到Google才發布的「Google翻譯」APP(https://goo.gl/t847Q),才覺得歷史性的一刻到了,直接就想到出國旅遊。按照Google的說明,這是個「人工智慧」的產品,官方網站還以中文為範例(不曉得是不是其他國家也式看到同樣內容,Google已經讓我們指能看到我們"同溫層"的資訊了!)

[產品]
無責任試用(順便帶過總統交接與台灣第一位女總統的時事)。

啟動「Google翻譯」APP,功能包括影像翻譯(這是本篇測試目標)、語音翻譯與手寫翻譯


這是CNN網頁有關蔡英文總統的報導:



開啟照相翻譯功能(有個照相機小圖),向網頁上拍攝,可以決定用拍照逐字翻譯,或是整個畫面都「即時翻譯」,經測試,即時翻譯不是每種語言對翻都支援(編按,幸運的是,還好中文不是翻得頂好的!):


BBC新聞首頁除了埃及航空事故外,也有蔡英文總統消息:


即時影像翻譯:


另一頁:


紙本文件也可即時影像翻譯:

對韓文最沒力,拿韓國專利局網頁來測試:


韓文尚未支援即時影像翻譯,但仍可直接拍攝畫面來翻譯,先跑出選擇字詞的提示畫面,可以拍攝某部分來翻譯:






[專利]
就專利部落格的"使命"來說,介紹APP以外,還是要討論一下專利。

簡單用"inassignee:google" "translate" "OCR" "camera"等關鍵字找Google Patents中最近的專利(先不討論申請審查中的專利),可以看到一些有興趣的,顯然Google專利佈局也不少,這是她可以成為全世界市值最高(現在已經超越Apple)的企業方式之一。

簡單瀏覽一些專利,Google將這個看似簡單的功能分為以伺服器-終端、照相機抓取畫面、裂解畫面、觸發光學辨識、辨識內容、優化畫面等角度來佈局

petapator/patentbell的Gallery可以快速得到許多有興趣的專利,不過這裡並未詳細研究,僅列舉幾件。



可以從圖快速得到這件與產品本身相符的專利:


直指Google翻譯新功能的專利:
US9239833
請求項1界定一個方法,方法內容就是操作這個APP的步驟與顯示翻譯的流程,其實心中覺得這還是一個十分"軟"的步驟,如果面對目前法院對於101純軟體專利的標準,有些疑慮。其餘範圍有系統與非暫態儲存媒體等標準的軟體專利的寫法,但是都含有Claim 1步驟。
1. A method performed by data processing apparatus, the method comprising:
receiving an image;
identifying multiple distinct text blocks that each includes text depicted in the image;
identifying multiple collections of related text blocks based on visual characteristics of text depicted in the related text blocks and an arrangement of the text depicted in the related text blocks, each collection of related text blocks including text having matching visual characteristics;
selecting, for the image and from a plurality of presentation contexts, a presentation context based on the identified collections, wherein each presentation context has a corresponding user interface for presenting a translation of at least a portion of the text included in a particular collection of the identified collections, wherein the user interface for each presentation context is different from the user interface for other presentation contexts, and wherein the user interface for a first presentation context of the plurality of presentation contexts includes a translation of a different collection of text blocks than the user interface for a second presentation context of the plurality of presentation contexts;
identifying the user interface that corresponds to the selected presentation context; and
presenting a translation of the at least a portion of the text included in the particular collection of the selected presentation context using the selected user interface, while not presenting a translation of text included in another collection of the identified collections.
說明書:"The translator 115 includes a text identifier 120 that can identify text in images and other types of documents. In some implementations, the text identifier 120 analyzes images using optical character recognition (“OCR”) to identify text depicted by the images. The text identifier 120 can detect text in multiple different languages. For example, the text identifier 120 may include an OCR engine that is capable of recognizing text in multiple languages, or an OCR engine for each of multiple different languages."

其他可能週邊技術的專利:
US9235049

請求項1界定一個照相系統,典型用硬體包裝軟體程序的權利範圍,習知的鏡頭中有景深、第一、第二焦內視景、不同於景深的微距範圍,這樣,只是要轉換週邊視區銳利度為在微距內的中央視區。這應該是幫助使用OCR時的對焦而增進文字辨識度
1. A camera system, comprising:
an image sensor; and
a lens positioned in front of the image sensor to focus image light onto the image sensor, the lens including:
a depth of field (“DOF”) range;
a first in-focus field of view (“FOV”) within the DOF range;
a macro range that is distinct and separate from the DOF range, wherein the macro range is a near field relative to the DOF range; and
a second in-focus FOV within the macro range that is smaller than the first in-focus FOV within the DOF range, wherein the lens transfers sharpness from a peripheral viewing region within the macro range into a central viewing region within the macro range.
說明書:"In contrast, macro range 210 is designed to facilitate image recognition (“IR”), bar code scanning, or optical character recognition (“OCR”) using a narrower in-focus FOV (e.g., FOV2=30 degrees). "

US9087235

1. A method performed by data processing apparatus, the method comprising:
receiving, from a device, an image query that includes an image;
identifying textual characters in a region of the image and structural information associated with the textual characters in the region of the image, the structural information specifying a position of at least one of the textual characters with respect to one or more reference point elements in the image of the image query;
retrieving, using one or more of the textual characters and the structural information, a canonical document that includes the one or more textual characters at a location in the canonical document that is consistent with the structural information; and
sending, to the device, at least a portion of the canonical document.
說明書:"The disclosed embodiments relate generally to the field of optical character recognition (OCR), and in particular to displaying a canonical source document containing strings of high quality text extracted from a visual query."

US9116890

1. A computer-implemented method comprising:
receiving an output of performing an image capture process on a rendered document;
determining that the output includes a particular symbol;
determining a particular action that is associated with the particular symbol; and
transmitting an instruction to a document management system to perform the particular action.
說明書:"Optical Character Recognition (OCR) technologies have traditionally focused on images that include a large amount of text, for example from a flatbed scanner capturing a whole page. OCR technologies often need substantial training and correcting by the user to produce useful text. OCR technologies often require substantial processing power on the machine doing the OCR, and, while many systems use a dictionary, they are generally expected to operate on an effectively infinite vocabulary."

US8897598

1. A computer-implemented method comprising:
for each of a first image of a first view of an object and a second image of a second view of the object, generating a respective feature point descriptor for each of multiple feature points included in the image;
determining that a quantity of one or more of the feature point descriptors from the first image that are (i) indicated as similar to one or more feature point descriptors associated within a predefined sub-region of the second image, and (ii) associated within a corresponding predefined sub-region of the first image, satisfies a quantity threshold; and
based on determining that a quantity of one or more of the feature point descriptors from the first image that are (i) indicated as similar to one or more feature point descriptors associated within a same predefined sub-region of the second image, and (ii) associated within a same predefined sub-region of the first image, satisfies a quantity threshold, creating a mapping between the predefined sub-region of the first image and the predefined sub-region of the second image.
說明書:"The above-described aspects of the disclosure may be advantageous for rapidly reconstructing video streams into high quality document images capable of being translated by an OCR."

US9113076

1. A mobile device comprising:
one or more data processors that execute instructions that cause the one or more data processors to perform operations comprising:
measuring a relative orientation between a document and the mobile device; and
comparing the measured relative orientation to a threshold relative orientation associated with a document capture mode of the mobile device; and
an action component that performs operations comprising:
automatically transitioning the mobile device to the document capture mode when the measured relative orientation is within the threshold relative orientation associated with the document capture mode, wherein the threshold relative orientation is based on an analysis that includes:
analyzing occurrences when a user of the mobile device rejected automatic launching of an application that performs actions in response to text captures; and
analyzing occurrences when a user of the mobile device manually launched the application that performs actions in response to text captures.
說明書:"The shapes of characters in most commonly used fonts are related. For example, in most fonts, the letter “c” and the letter “e” are visually related—as are “t” and “f”, etc. The OCR process is enhanced by use of this relationship to construct templates for letters that have not been scanned yet."

Google官方Blog:https://googleblog.blogspot.tw/2016/05/translate-where-you-need-it-in-any-app.html
Google+新聞:https://plus.google.com/+GoogleTaiwan/posts/dFcyzDo5B4y

my two cents:
如果有時間去分析Google佈局、專利家族、各國佈局等,應該才是精彩的地方。

(警語)現在人類最大要預防的敵人應該是Google(或包括facebook)(架在blogger上的本部落格也是倚賴甚深,哪天它不爽時,隨時可以讓我下架),它收集我們的資料、瞭解我們、預測我們的行為、餵我們想要的內容、不讓我們知道其他人的想法(僅餵給認同自己與自己認同的內容)、左右搜尋結果、混淆商業與真正的資訊,以及開發了讓許多人面臨失業的人工智慧產品,包括最仰賴大腦工作的棋士。

(警語)除了必要的工作外,少用Facebook,它已經「限縮」我們的視野,看到的內容都是你認同,或是認同你的內容,好像全世界都很幸福、都很認同你、都像我們酸來酸去的錯覺。

Ron