事實上我找不到此案原文,如果有朋友知道,還請不吝告知!!!
USPTO將此案列為引用案例:
MPEP 2173有兩處提到本案例 - Ex parte Kristensen (BPAI 1989),看來Ex parte Kristensen案會有兩個議題,一個是claim中"similar"形成不明確用語,以及「雙重包含(包括相同元件兩次的claim)」的議題。
議題一:
MPEP 2173.05(b)III
C.“Similar” The term “similar” in the preamble of a claim that was directed to a nozzle “for high-pressure cleaning units or similar apparatus” was held to be indefinite since it was not clear what applicant intended to cover by the recitation “similar” apparatus. Ex parteKristensen, 10 USPQ2d 1701 (Bd. Pat. App. & Inter. 1989).
Claim中的"similar"用語明顯形成不明確問題,系爭專利為 - US4886213A,提出一種高壓噴射噴嘴,在此領證專利的Claim中已經沒有"similar apparatus"形成不明確用語的內容,然而,其專利家族歐洲案EP0146795就可獲得專利,顯見兩者在解釋專利範圍上的態度不同(我的理解是,歐洲專利在解釋專利範圍讓審查委員或是法官有很大的權限,可以"自動"排除不合理的情況,不會僅是咬文嚼字。舉例來說,歐洲專利範圍容許多項依附多項,其中自然會遇到不合理的依附關係,但解釋時可以自動排除。)
EP0146795的Claim 1:
議題二:
2173.05(o) Double Inclusion(雙重包含)
There is no per se rule that “double inclusion” is improper in a claim. (這句話說明"double inclusion"並非"improper"是很"proper"的說法,沒有任何規則規定Claim中有「雙重包含」是不恰當的!) In re Kelly, 305 F.2d 909, 916, 134 USPQ 397, 402 (CCPA 1962) (“Automatic reliance upon a ‘rule against double inclusion’ will lead to as many unreasonable interpretations as will automatic reliance upon a ‘rule allowing double inclusion’. The governing consideration is not double inclusion, but rather is what is a reasonable construction of the language of the claims.”). Older cases, such as Ex parte White, 127 USPQ 261 (Bd. App. 1958) and Ex parte Clark, 174 USPQ 40 (Bd. App. 1971) should be applied with care, according to the facts of each case.
The facts in each case must be evaluated to determine whether or not the multiple inclusion of one or more elements in a claim gives rise to indefiniteness in that claim.(Claim是否含有多重包含,最後的問題就是要看是否有不明確事項?) The mere fact that a compound may be embraced by more than one member of a Markush group recited in the claim does not lead to any uncertainty as to the scope of that claim for either examination or infringement purposes. On the other hand, where a claim directed to a device can be read to include the same element twice, the claim may be indefinite.(裝置範圍包括相同元件兩次,就有不明確事項!) Ex parte Kristensen, 10 USPQ2d 1701 (Bd. Pat. App. & Inter. 1989).
部落格參考:鬧雙包(double inclusion/multiple inclusion)(about claim)(https://enpan.blogspot.com/2015/11/double-inclusionmultiple-inclusionabout.html)
找不到"Ex parte Kristensen"案例原文,但有引用此案有相似議題的案例,如1992年案例EX PARTE GEORGE S. PAPPAS,訴願號為:Appeal No. 92-0935。
此為設計專利,面對專利範圍為顯而易知(35U.S.C.103)的核駁意見,申請人提起訴,主張引用前案 - 建築手冊,為不合理引證前案,當年BPAI同意USPTO審查委員的駁回審查結果(同意採用建築手冊當作引證前案),但也並非認同全部的意見。
不明確議題(35U.S.C.112):
在系爭設計的專利範圍描述中提到"or similar structure",因為其中"similar"用語造成專利範圍不明確,並且這句話也讓專利範圍可以更廣地解釋並被上述「建築手冊」所涵蓋,也讓本案專利範圍基於引證前案為顯而易知。
再者,在此系爭設計的顯而易見判定中,不同於"結構"類發明專利,並不會討論是否有合理前案的組合,而是討論是否特定裝飾性特徵外觀的相似度(仍須整體觀之),是否引證前案可以建議("suggest")系爭設計。
另有個觀念問題可釐清,判斷系爭設計的顯而易知性時,是以相關設計領域一般設計者(designer of ordinary skill who designs articles of the type involved)來看是否顯而易知,而非通常的工作者(not an average worker)。
針對系爭設計,先前文獻Lien的床架(bunk)與系爭設計很像,唯一顯著差異是垂直腳與水平的槽形基部之間的角落或連接部。看來系爭設計與Lien有差異,但是根據建築手冊的記載,可知道系爭設計的角落配置只是一個通常的替代方案,甚至前者比後者更美觀。
如此,BPAI判定,所述建築手冊中關於連接腳與基部在結構上與Lien有足夠的關聯,建築手冊建議(suggest)Lien的傾斜角落概念與系爭設計相似。
系爭設計不具創作性/非顯而易知性。
Ron
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