筆記
updated on Aug. 27, 2019，transitional phrase是否可翻為「轉接詞」？或是我國審查基準所指為「連接詞」，可能後者比較好，不影響本文原意，但仍在此說明！
本篇筆記MPEP 2111.03中轉接詞（transitional phrases）：
- 轉接詞「comprising」、「consisting essentially of」、「consisting of」用以定義申請專利範圍是否「排除」了未被納入的元件或步驟。
- 然而，專利範圍是否「排除」未被納入的元件，是"case-by-case"，根據事實就事論事。
- 「COMPRISING」同義於"including"、"containing"或是"characterized by"，為開放式（open-ended）轉接詞，並不會排除額外未描述在申請專利範圍中的元件或步驟。
- 法院指出用語「group consisting of」為封閉式轉接詞，如“Markush group”（常見於化學案的選擇式寫法），本質為封閉式轉接詞。
- 法院強調使用「“first,” “second,” and “third”」不是用來表示序號或是數值上的限制，而是用來區分或辨明多種元件（"“first,” “second,” and “third” blades in the claim was not used to show a serial or numerical limitation but instead was used to distinguish or identify the various members of the group."）
- 「CONSISTING OF」用於「排除」未列在申請專利範圍中的元件、步驟或成份。
- 若使用「consists of」在申請專利範圍本文（body），而不是前言的尾句，這是一個強烈的表達，"consisting of"是個排除其他元件的封閉式轉接詞（“exceptionally strong presumption that a claim term set off with ‘consisting of’ is closed to unrecited elements.”）
- In re Crish, 393 F.3d 1253, 73 USPQ2d 1364 (Fed. Cir. 2004)（這是有關DNA序列的案件，法院表示使用在申請專利範圍的本文（body）使用「consists」，並未限制前言部分使用開放式轉接詞「comprising」的效果）
- 申請專利範圍中使用「Markush」選擇式寫法，提供選擇的群組應使用封閉式轉接詞「consisting of」，不能使用「comprising」或是「including」。
- （一點點開放的寫法）Abbott Labs. v. Baxter Pharmaceutical Products Inc., 334 F.3d 1274, 1280, 67 USPQ2d 1191, 1196-97 (Fed. Cir. 2003)（如果申請專利範圍元件為一些選擇元件的混合，請求項可以使用在此群組內選擇「至少一個元件（at least one member）」或「其混合（or mixtures thereof）」的寫法。
- 「CONSISTING ESSENTIALLY OF」顯示申請專利範圍到特定材料或步驟，以及其他不會實質影響其發明基礎與新穎特徵的元件
- In re Herz, 537 F.2d 549, 551-52, 190 USPQ 461, 463 (CCPA 1976)（法院指出使用"consisting essentially of"轉接詞，可以包括先前技術中已知元件，而證據顯示這些先前已知元件不會影像專利的新穎特徵，這是個半封閉、半開放的轉接詞。
- 若說明書並未明確指示發明中的新穎特徵，「consisting essentially of」將解釋為開放式轉接詞。
- AK Steel Corp. v. Sollac, 344 F.3d 1234, 1240-41, 68 USPQ2d 1280, 1283-84 (Fed. Cir. 2003) （說明書描述了成份與範圍，使得使用在申請專利範圍前言的「consisting essentially of」中的範圍將被限定在說明書的成份與範圍中）。
- 使用了「consisting essentially of」轉接詞的專利範圍，如果專利申請人答辯時強調發明排除了先前技術中的步驟或材料，應舉證證明先前技術的元件為實質影像專利範圍的特徵。
- 使用「consisting essentially of」專利範圍的解釋應用內部證據，若要排除前案，就要舉證。
- 使用「having」轉接詞的專利範圍應參照專利說明書來判斷是封閉式或是開放式轉接詞。
- Lampi Corp. v. American Power Products Inc., 228 F.3d 1365, 1376, 56 USPQ2d 1445, 1453 (Fed. Cir. 2000)（解釋「having」為開放式轉接詞，將允許包括其他未描述在專利範圍中的元件）
- Crystal Semiconductor Corp. v. TriTech Microelectronics Int’l Inc., 246 F.3d 1336, 1348, 57 USPQ2d 1953, 1959 (Fed. Cir. 2001)（使用「having」並未建立申請專利範圍為開放的推定）
- Regents of the Univ. of Cal. v. Eli Lilly & Co., 119 F.3d 1559, 1573, 43 USPQ2d 1398, 1410 (Fed. Cir. 1997)（根據前後文，「having」轉接詞仍允許涵蓋其他特徵）
- 「composed of」轉接詞解釋如同「consisting of」或是「consisting essentially of」，要依照事實認定。
- AFG Industries, Inc. v. Cardinal IG Company, 239 F.3d 1239, 1245, 57 USPQ2d 1776, 1780-81 (Fed. Cir. 2001)（根據說明書與其他證據，「composed of」解釋為「consisting essentially of」）。
- In re Bertsch, 132 F.2d 1014, 1019-20, 56 USPQ 379, 384 (CCPA 1942)（「Composed of」解釋如同「consisting of」，但法院表示「composed of」仍看情況而定，其意義大於「consisting of」）。
-------------------------------
- MPEP 2111.03列舉案例：
- Mars Inc. v. H.J. Heinz Co., 377 F.3d 1369, 1376, 71 USPQ2d 1837, 1843 (Fed. Cir. 2004)（有關開放式轉接詞）
- Invitrogen Corp. v. Biocrest Manufacturing, L.P., 327 F.3d 1364, 1368, 66 USPQ2d 1631, 1634 (Fed. Cir. 2003)（有關‘comprising’包括額外未描述的元件）
- Genentech, Inc. v. Chiron Corp., 112 F.3d 495, 501, 42 USPQ2d 1608, 1613 (Fed. Cir. 1997)（使用“Comprising”表示納入的元件為重要，但不排除其他元件）
- Moleculon Research Corp.v.CBS, Inc.,793 F.2d 1261, 229 USPQ 805 (Fed. Cir. 1986)
- In re Baxter, 656 F.2d 679, 686, 210 USPQ 795, 803 (CCPA 1981);
- Ex parte Davis, 80 USPQ 448, 450 (Bd. App. 1948)（關於“comprising”為開放式轉接詞，涵蓋未指定成份）
- In Gillette Co. v. Energizer Holdings Inc., 405 F.3d 1367, 1371-73, 74 USPQ2d 1586, 1589-91 (Fed. Cir. 2005)（前言中“comprising”以及“group of”用語為開放式推定）
- In re Gray, 53 F.2d 520, 11 USPQ 255 (CCPA 1931); Ex parte Davis, 80 USPQ 448, 450 (Bd. App. 1948)（“consisting of”定義為封閉而排除其他未列舉元件，但通常關聯的雜質除外）
- Norian Corp. v. Stryker Corp., 363 F.3d 1321, 1331-32, 70 USPQ2d 1508, 1516 (Fed. Cir. 2004)（"consisting of"所主張的化學製品被侵權，侵權物也涵蓋了一些額外元件，因為這些元件與發明無關）
- Multilayer Stretch Cling Film Holdings, Inc. v. Berry Plastics Corp., 831 F.3d 1350, 1359, 119 USPQ2d 1773, 1781 (Fed. Cir. 2016)（選擇式寫法“selected from the group consisting of”為封閉式轉接詞，不適用未列舉元件）
- Mannesmann Demag Corp.v.Engineered Metal Products Co., 793 F.2d 1279, 230 USPQ 45 (Fed. Cir. 1986)
- In re Crish, 393 F.3d 1253, 73 USPQ2d 1364 (Fed. Cir. 2004)（這是有關DNA序列的案件，法院表示使用在申請專利範圍的本文（body）使用「consists」，並未限制前言部分使用開放式轉接詞「comprising」的效果）
- （一點點開放的寫法）Abbott Labs. v. Baxter Pharmaceutical Products Inc., 334 F.3d 1274, 1280, 67 USPQ2d 1191, 1196-97 (Fed. Cir. 2003)（如果申請專利範圍元件為一些選擇元件的混合，請求項可以使用在此群組內選擇「至少一個元件（at least one member）」或「其混合（or mixtures thereof）」的寫法。
- Multilayer Stretch Cling Film Holdings, Inc. v. Berry Plastics Corp., 831 F.3d 1350, 1363-64, 119 USPQ2d 1773, 1784-85 (Fed. Cir. 2016)（「Markush grouping」寫法推定不能涵蓋內部證據（說明書）與附屬項的混合物（"does not encompass mixtures of listed resins overcome by intrinsic evidence in a dependent claim and the specification"）。
- In re Herz, 537 F.2d 549, 551-52, 190 USPQ 461, 463 (CCPA 1976)（法院指出使用"consisting essentially of"轉接詞，可以包括先前技術中已知元件，而證據顯示這些先前已知元件不會影像專利的新穎特徵，這是個半封閉、半開放的轉接詞。
- PPG Industries v. Guardian Industries, 156 F.3d 1351, 1354, 48 USPQ2d 1351, 1353-54 (Fed. Cir. 1998)
- Atlas Powder v. E.I. duPont de Nemours & Co., 750 F.2d 1569, 224 USPQ 409 (Fed. Cir. 1984)
- In re Janakirama-Rao, 317 F.2d 951, 137 USPQ 893 (CCPA 1963)
- Water Technologies Corp. vs. Calco, Ltd., 850 F.2d 660, 7 USPQ2d 1097 (Fed. Cir. 1988)
- AK Steel Corp. v. Sollac, 344 F.3d 1234, 1240-41, 68 USPQ2d 1280, 1283-84 (Fed. Cir. 2003) （說明書描述了成份與範圍，使得使用在申請專利範圍前言的「consisting essentially of」中的範圍將被限定在說明書的成份與範圍中）。
- In re De Lajarte, 337 F.2d 870, 143 USPQ 256 (CCPA 1964)
- Ex parte Hoffman, 12 USPQ2d 1061, 1063-64 (Bd. Pat. App. & Inter. 1989)
- Lampi Corp. v. American Power Products Inc., 228 F.3d 1365, 1376, 56 USPQ2d 1445, 1453 (Fed. Cir. 2000)（解釋「having」為開放式轉接詞，將允許包括其他未描述在專利範圍中的元件）
- Crystal Semiconductor Corp. v. TriTech Microelectronics Int’l Inc., 246 F.3d 1336, 1348, 57 USPQ2d 1953, 1959 (Fed. Cir. 2001)（使用「having」並未建立申請專利範圍為開放的推定）
- Regents of the Univ. of Cal. v. Eli Lilly & Co., 119 F.3d 1559, 1573, 43 USPQ2d 1398, 1410 (Fed. Cir. 1997)（根據前後文，「having」轉接詞仍允許涵蓋其他特徵）
- 「composed of」轉接詞解釋如同「consisting of」或是「consisting essentially of」，要依照事實認定。
- AFG Industries, Inc. v. Cardinal IG Company, 239 F.3d 1239, 1245, 57 USPQ2d 1776, 1780-81 (Fed. Cir. 2001)（根據說明書與其他證據，「composed of」解釋為「consisting essentially of」）。
- In re Bertsch, 132 F.2d 1014, 1019-20, 56 USPQ 379, 384 (CCPA 1942)（「Composed of」解釋如同「consisting of」，但法院表示「composed of」仍看情況而定，其意義大於「consisting of」）。
其他相關參考：
[MPEP 2111.03 (Transitional Phrases)]
The transitional phrases “comprising”, “consisting essentially of” and “consisting of” define the scope of a claim with respect to what unrecited additional components or steps, if any, are excluded from the scope of the claim. The determination of what is or is not excluded by a transitional phrase must be made on a case-by-case basis in light of the facts of each case.
I. COMPRISING
The transitional term “comprising”, which is synonymous with “including,” “containing,” or “characterized by,” is inclusive or open-ended and does not exclude additional, unrecited elements or method steps. See, e.g., Mars Inc. v. H.J. Heinz Co., 377 F.3d 1369, 1376, 71 USPQ2d 1837, 1843 (Fed. Cir. 2004) (“[L]ike the term ‘comprising,’ the terms ‘containing’ and ‘mixture’ are open-ended.”). Invitrogen Corp. v. Biocrest Manufacturing, L.P., 327 F.3d 1364, 1368, 66 USPQ2d 1631, 1634 (Fed. Cir. 2003) (“The transition ‘comprising’ in a method claim indicates that the claim is open-ended and allows for additional steps.”); Genentech, Inc. v. Chiron Corp., 112 F.3d 495, 501, 42 USPQ2d 1608, 1613 (Fed. Cir. 1997) (“Comprising” is a term of art used in claim language which means that the named elements are essential, but other elements may be added and still form a construct within the scope of the claim.); Moleculon Research Corp.v.CBS, Inc.,793 F.2d 1261, 229 USPQ 805 (Fed. Cir. 1986); In re Baxter, 656 F.2d 679, 686, 210 USPQ 795, 803 (CCPA 1981); Ex parte Davis, 80 USPQ 448, 450 (Bd. App. 1948) (“comprising” leaves “the claim open for the inclusion of unspecified ingredients even in major amounts”). In Gillette Co. v. Energizer Holdings Inc., 405 F.3d 1367, 1371-73, 74 USPQ2d 1586, 1589-91 (Fed. Cir. 2005), the court held that a claim to “a safety razor blade unit comprising a guard, a cap, and a group of first, second, and third blades” encompasses razors with more than three blades because the transitional phrase “comprising” in the preamble and the phrase “group of” are presumptively open-ended. “The word ‘comprising’ transitioning from the preamble to the body signals that the entire claim is presumptively open-ended.” Id. In contrast, the court noted the phrase “group consisting of” is a closed term, which is often used in claim drafting to signal a “Markush group” that is by its nature closed. Id. The court also emphasized that reference to “first,” “second,” and “third” blades in the claim was not used to show a serial or numerical limitation but instead was used to distinguish or identify the various members of the group. Id.
II. CONSISTING OF
The transitional phrase “consisting of” excludes any element, step, or ingredient not specified in the claim. In re Gray, 53 F.2d 520, 11 USPQ 255 (CCPA 1931); Ex parte Davis, 80 USPQ 448, 450 (Bd. App. 1948) (“consisting of” defined as “closing the claim to the inclusion of materials other than those recited except for impurities ordinarily associated therewith”). But see Norian Corp. v. Stryker Corp., 363 F.3d 1321, 1331-32, 70 USPQ2d 1508, 1516 (Fed. Cir. 2004) (holding that a bone repair kit "consisting of" claimed chemicals was infringed by a bone repair kit including a spatula in addition to the claimed chemicals because the presence of the spatula was unrelated to the claimed invention). A claim which depends from a claim which “consists of” the recited elements or steps cannot add an element or step.
When the phrase “consists of” appears in a clause of the body of a claim, rather than immediately following the preamble, there is an “exceptionally strong presumption that a claim term set off with ‘consisting of’ is closed to unrecited elements.” Multilayer Stretch Cling Film Holdings, Inc. v. Berry Plastics Corp., 831 F.3d 1350, 1359, 119 USPQ2d 1773, 1781 (Fed. Cir. 2016) (a layer “selected from the group consisting of” specific resins is closed to resins other than those listed). However, the “consisting of” phrase limits only the element set forth in that clause; other elements are not excluded from the claim as a whole. Mannesmann Demag Corp.v.Engineered Metal Products Co., 793 F.2d 1279, 230 USPQ 45 (Fed. Cir. 1986). See also In re Crish, 393 F.3d 1253, 73 USPQ2d 1364 (Fed. Cir. 2004) (The claims at issue “related to purified DNA molecules having promoter activity for the human involucrin gene (hINV).” Id., 73 USPQ2d at 1365. In determining the scope of applicant’s claims directed to “a purified oligonucleotide comprising at least a portion of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:1 wherein said portion consists of the nucleotide sequence from … to 2473 of SEQ ID NO:1, and wherein said portion of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:1 has promoter activity,” the court stated that the use of “consists” in the body of the claims did not limit the open-ended “comprising” language in the claims (emphases added). Id. at 1257, 73 USPQ2d at 1367. The court held that the claimed promoter sequence designated as SEQ ID NO:1 was obtained by sequencing the same prior art plasmid and was therefore anticipated by the prior art plasmid which necessarily possessed the same DNA sequence as the claimed oligonucleotides. Id. at 1256 and 1259, 73 USPQ2d at 1366 and 1369. The court affirmed the Board’s interpretation that the transition phrase “consists” did not limit the claims to only the recited numbered nucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NO:1 and that “the transition language ‘comprising’ allowed the claims to cover the entire involucrin gene plus other portions of the plasmid, as long as the gene contained the specific portions of SEQ ID NO:1 recited by the claim[s].” Id. at 1256, 73 USPQ2d at 1366.).
A claim element defined by selection from a group of alternatives (a Markush grouping; see MPEP § 2117 and § 2173.05(h)) requires selection from a closed group “consisting of” (rather than “comprising” or “including”) the alternative members. Abbott Labs. v. Baxter Pharmaceutical Products Inc., 334 F.3d 1274, 1280, 67 USPQ2d 1191, 1196-97 (Fed. Cir. 2003). If the claim element is intended to encompass combinations or mixtures of the alternatives set forth in the Markush grouping, the claim may include qualifying language preceding the recited alternatives (such as “at least one member” selected from the group), or within the list of alternatives (such as “or mixtures thereof”). Id. In the absence of such qualifying language there is a presumption that the Markush group is closed to combinations or mixtures. See Multilayer Stretch Cling Film Holdings, Inc. v. Berry Plastics Corp., 831 F.3d 1350, 1363-64, 119 USPQ2d 1773, 1784-85 (Fed. Cir. 2016) (presumption that Markush grouping does not encompass mixtures of listed resins overcome by intrinsic evidence in a dependent claim and the specification).
III. CONSISTING ESSENTIALLY OF
The transitional phrase “consisting essentially of” limits the scope of a claim to the specified materials or steps “and those that do not materially affect the basic and novel characteristic(s)” of the claimed invention. In re Herz, 537 F.2d 549, 551-52, 190 USPQ 461, 463 (CCPA 1976) (emphasis in original) (Prior art hydraulic fluid required a dispersant which appellants argued was excluded from claims limited to a functional fluid “consisting essentially of” certain components. In finding the claims did not exclude the prior art dispersant, the court noted that appellants’ specification indicated the claimed composition can contain any well-known additive such as a dispersant, and there was no evidence that the presence of a dispersant would materially affect the basic and novel characteristic of the claimed invention. The prior art composition had the same basic and novel characteristic (increased oxidation resistance) as well as additional enhanced detergent and dispersant characteristics.). “A ‘consisting essentially of’ claim occupies a middle ground between closed claims that are written in a ‘consisting of’ format and fully open claims that are drafted in a ‘comprising’ format.” PPG Industries v. Guardian Industries, 156 F.3d 1351, 1354, 48 USPQ2d 1351, 1353-54 (Fed. Cir. 1998). See also Atlas Powder v. E.I. duPont de Nemours & Co., 750 F.2d 1569, 224 USPQ 409 (Fed. Cir. 1984); In re Janakirama-Rao, 317 F.2d 951, 137 USPQ 893 (CCPA 1963); Water Technologies Corp. vs. Calco, Ltd., 850 F.2d 660, 7 USPQ2d 1097 (Fed. Cir. 1988). For the purposes of searching for and applying prior art under 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103, absent a clear indication in the specification or claims of what the basic and novel characteristics actually are, “consisting essentially of” will be construed as equivalent to “comprising.” See, e.g., PPG, 156 F.3d at 1355, 48 USPQ2d at 1355 (“PPG could have defined the scope of the phrase ‘consisting essentially of’ for purposes of its patent by making clear in its specification what it regarded as constituting a material change in the basic and novel characteristics of the invention.”). See also AK Steel Corp. v. Sollac, 344 F.3d 1234, 1240-41, 68 USPQ2d 1280, 1283-84 (Fed. Cir. 2003) (Applicant’s statement in the specification that “silicon contents in the coating metal should not exceed about 0.5% by weight” along with a discussion of the deleterious effects of silicon provided basis to conclude that silicon in excess of 0.5% by weight would materially alter the basic and novel properties of the invention. Thus, “consisting essentially of” as recited in the preamble was interpreted to permit no more than 0.5% by weight of silicon in the aluminum coating.); In re Janakirama-Rao, 317 F.2d 951, 954, 137 USPQ 893, 895-96 (CCPA 1963). If an applicant contends that additional steps or materials in the prior art are excluded by the recitation of “consisting essentially of,” applicant has the burden of showing that the introduction of additional steps or components would materially change the characteristics of applicant’s invention. In re De Lajarte, 337 F.2d 870, 143 USPQ 256 (CCPA 1964). See also Ex parte Hoffman, 12 USPQ2d 1061, 1063-64 (Bd. Pat. App. & Inter. 1989) (“Although ‘consisting essentially of’ is typically used and defined in the context of compositions of matter, we find nothing intrinsically wrong with the use of such language as a modifier of method steps. . . [rendering] the claim open only for the inclusion of steps which do not materially affect the basic and novel characteristics of the claimed method. To determine the steps included versus excluded the claim must be read in light of the specification. . . . [I]t is an applicant’s burden to establish that a step practiced in a prior art method is excluded from his claims by ‘consisting essentially of’ language.”).
IV. OTHER TRANSITIONAL PHRASES
Transitional phrases such as “having” must be interpreted in light of the specification to determine whether open or closed claim language is intended. See, e.g., Lampi Corp. v. American Power Products Inc., 228 F.3d 1365, 1376, 56 USPQ2d 1445, 1453 (Fed. Cir. 2000) (interpreting the term “having” as open terminology, allowing the inclusion of other components in addition to those recited); Crystal Semiconductor Corp. v. TriTech Microelectronics Int’l Inc., 246 F.3d 1336, 1348, 57 USPQ2d 1953, 1959 (Fed. Cir. 2001) (term “having” in transitional phrase “does not create a presumption that the body of the claim is open”); Regents of the Univ. of Cal. v. Eli Lilly & Co., 119 F.3d 1559, 1573, 43 USPQ2d 1398, 1410 (Fed. Cir. 1997) (in the context of a cDNA having a sequence coding for human PI, the term “having” still permitted inclusion of other moieties). The transitional phrase “composed of” has been interpreted in the same manner as either “consisting of” or “consisting essentially of,” depending on the facts of the particular case. See AFG Industries, Inc. v. Cardinal IG Company, 239 F.3d 1239, 1245, 57 USPQ2d 1776, 1780-81 (Fed. Cir. 2001) (based on specification and other evidence, “composed of” interpreted in same manner as “consisting essentially of”); In re Bertsch, 132 F.2d 1014, 1019-20, 56 USPQ 379, 384 (CCPA 1942) (“Composed of” interpreted in same manner as “consisting of”; however, the court further remarked that “the words ‘composed of’ may under certain circumstances be given, in patent law, a broader meaning than ‘consisting of.’”).
Ron
