112(a)(b)(f)筆記

112核駁意見，常見的為（post-AIA）112(a), (b), (f)。

簡單說，112(a)涉及說明書是否充分揭露、明確性與可實施性；112(b)涉及申請專利範圍是否明確表達發明特徵、是否被說明書支持與前後引述基礎等；112(f)則關於功能手段用語的解釋。

一般來說，112核駁意見容易處理，常見審查委員會提出修正建議（如前述基礎的問題、寫作缺點），最不容易處理的是說明書本身的問題，以及申請專利範圍不被說明書支持的問題。

112(a)的要求：

• (A) A written description of the invention;
• (B) The manner and process of making and using the invention (the enablement requirement); and
• (C) The best mode contemplated by the inventor of carrying out his invention.
• 
  
• - 可參考過去報導：
• 專利說明書揭露程度的討論 - Hologic v. Smith & Nephew (Fed. Cir. 2018)（https://enpan.blogspot.com/2018/04/hologic-v-smith-nephew-fed-cir-2018.html）
• 專利說明書的可預期性與關鍵性 - In re Global IP Holdings (Fed. Cir. 2019)（https://enpan.blogspot.com/2019/11/in-re-global-ip-holdings-fed-cir-2019.html）

112(b)的要求：

• (A) the claims must set forth the subject matter that the inventor or a joint inventor regards as the invention; and
• (B) the claims must particularly point out and distinctly define the metes and bounds of the subject matter to be protected by the patent grant.
• 
  
• - 可參考過去報導：
• 僅以功能描述的元件引來不明確的問題 - William Grecia v. Samsung Electronics (Fed. Cir. 2019)（https://enpan.blogspot.com/2019/09/william-grecia-v-samsung-electronics.html）
• USPTO重申自己明確性的標準 - Ex Parte McAward（https://enpan.blogspot.com/2017/11/uspto-ex-parte-mcaward.html）

112(f)的要求：

• (A) mean or step plus function的解釋：
• "Per our holding, the “broadest reasonable interpretation” that an examiner may give means-plus-function language is that statutorily mandated in paragraph six. Accordingly, the PTO may not disregard the structure disclosed in the specification corresponding to such language when rendering a patentability determination."
• (B) Therefore, the broadest reasonable interpretation of a claim limitation that invokes 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, is the structure, material or act described in the specification as performing the entire claimed function and equivalents to the disclosed structure, material or act. As a result, section 112(f) or pre-AIA section 112, sixth paragraph, limitations will, in some cases, be afforded a more narrow interpretation than a limitation that is not crafted in “means plus function” format.
• (C)這裡特別提到，使用功能手段用語的專利範圍，在一些情況是比一般寫法（非功能手段用語）的專利範圍更窄。
• 
  
• - 重要資訊：可參考過去報導：
• 是否訴諸112(f)的三個判斷 - MPEP 2181, section I（https://enpan.blogspot.com/2018/07/112f-mpep-2181-i.html）
• 支持以112(f)解釋專利範圍的說明書內容 - MPEP 2181, section II（https://enpan.blogspot.com/2018/08/112f-mpep-2181-section-ii.html）
• 合理解釋專利範圍的案例 - Phillips v. AWH Corp. (Fed. Cir. 2005)（https://enpan.blogspot.com/2015/05/phillips-v-awh-corp-fed-cir-2005.html）

資料參考：
https://www.uspto.gov/web/offices/pac/mpep/s2161.html
https://www.uspto.gov/web/offices/pac/mpep/s2171.html
https://www.uspto.gov/web/offices/pac/mpep/s2181.html


資料參考：
https://www.ipwatchdog.com/2017/03/13/101-112-eligibility-patentability-somewhere-between/id=79237/

補充：
參考IPWatchdog呈現的統計分析，提到一些有趣的知識：https://www.ipwatchdog.com/2017/05/09/112-rejections-applicants-handle/id=82668/

112出現最多的art unit是1660，這確實是頗為難搞的類別！

1661:

Number	Class Description
047	Plant husbandry
162	Paper making and fiber liberation
203	Distillation: processes, separatory
209	Classifying, separating, and assorting solids
241	Solid material comminution or disintegration
424	Drug, bio-affecting and body treating compositions
435	Chemistry: molecular biology and microbiology
504	Plant protecting and regulating compositions
536	Organic compounds -- part of the class 532-570 series
703	Data processing: structural design, modeling, simulation, and emulation
800	Multicellular living organisms and unmodified parts thereof and related processes
PLT	Plants

1662:

Number	Class Description
071	Chemistry: fertilizers
127	Sugar, starch, and carbohydrates
131	Tobacco
424	Drug, bio-affecting and body treating compositions
428	Stock material or miscellaneous articles
435	Chemistry: molecular biology and microbiology
504	Plant protecting and regulating compositions
506	Combinatorial chemistry technology: method, library, apparatus
514	Drug, bio-affecting and body treating compositions
530	Chemistry: natural resins or derivatives; peptides or proteins; lignins or reaction products thereof
536	Organic compounds -- part of the class 532-570 series
546	Organic compounds -- part of the class 532-570 series
800	Multicellular living organisms and unmodified parts thereof and related processes
PLT	Plants

1663:

Number	Class Description
047	Plant husbandry
131	Tobacco
264	Plastic and nonmetallic article shaping or treating: processes
424	Drug, bio-affecting and body treating compositions
425	Plastic article or earthenware shaping or treating: apparatus
426	Food or edible material: processes, compositions, and products
435	Chemistry: molecular biology and microbiology
504	Plant protecting and regulating compositions
506	Combinatorial chemistry technology: method, library, apparatus
514	Drug, bio-affecting and body treating compositions
530	Chemistry: natural resins or derivatives; peptides or proteins; lignins or reaction products thereof
536	Organic compounds -- part of the class 532-570 series
544	Organic compounds -- part of the class 532-570 series
564	Organic compounds -- part of the class 532-570 series
800	Multicellular living organisms and unmodified parts thereof and related processes
PLT	Plants

 （資料來源：https://www.patentbots.com/stats/group/1660）

出現112核駁意見的前幾名類別：植物、免疫學、分子生物、醫藥備製、化學診療、有機化學等。

Ron