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European Patent Applicants Filing in China

Common Mistakes

Zheng LiZhongzi Law OfficeSeptember, 2014

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Overview

Functional claimingNew subject matter in amendmentConsumer method claimsLegal admission of prior artMultiply dependent claims

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Functional Claiming

Technical feature defined by its functionTwo different approaches to construe such a claim

Examination Guidelines by SIPOCover all possible means that can implement the function

Directives by Supreme Court of ChinaCover only embodiments disclosed and their equivalents

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Functional Claiming

Supreme Court’s solutionExamination Guidelines apply to filing and prosecutionDirectives apply to infringement actions

However, bifurcation does not solve the problemBus Stop caseNokia v. Huaqin

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Functional Claiming

Bus Stop case

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Functional Claiming

Bus-stop Stand caseClaim 1: “electronic display screen for forecasting arrivals”Description: “multi-line LED display that can show real-time

information about the estimated time and distance of the next bus”Beijing High Court:

Patent validShanghai High Court:

Functional claimingBut no embodimentsScope of protection cannot be determined

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Functional Claiming

Nokia v. Huaqin

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Functional Claiming

Claim 7: A terminal device configured to determine a message to be

transmitted on the basis of inputs received from a user, characterized in that

the terminal device is further configured to check at least one piece of property information concerning the message being entered or already entered, and

the terminal device is configured to select, in order to transmit the message, a data transfer method associated in predetermined selection conditions with the property information

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Functional Claiming

Beijing High Court:Patent valid

Shanghai High Court:Functional claimingBut no embodimentsScope of protection cannot be determined

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Functional Claiming

How to avoid adverse construction?Telescoping embodiments—starting with generic embodiments and

continuing with specific embodiments Each functional feature must be supported by one or more structures

for implementing the functional element

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New Subject Matter

StatuteS.33: “any amendment shall not go beyond the scope of original

disclosure”Examination Guidelines

The amendment must be stated in the original disclosure, or can be directly and unequivocally obtained from the original disclosure

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New Subject Matter

Hus trilogyDeleting phrase “other keys are prompt keys” from claim 1

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New Subject Matter

Beijing High CourtEvery embodiment disclosed requires the other keys to be prompt

keys so that the user can select the desired character from the candidates

The original description teaches that Chinese character input can be done with a small number keypad.

Those skilled in the art cannot think of a solution that has prompt keys outside the number keypad after reading the original disclosure.

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New Subject Matter

SIPO amended Examination GuidelinesStricter rules regarding new subject matter

SCC tried to provide more flexibility to applicants in amending claimsSeiko Epson, the original disclosure includes not only what is literally

expressed in the original description and claims, but also what is apparent to those skilled in the art after reading them.

Zeng v SIPO, in determining whether an amendment goes beyond the original disclosure, the common knowledge of those skilled in the relevant technical field should also be considered.

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New Subject Matter

How to get prepared for amendments?Description should support a variety of potential amendments to the

claimsTelescoping embodimentsRanges for an important parameter, in addition to preferred valuesPossible alternatives, even if not preferred

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New Subject Matter

Timing of voluntary amendmentFiling, examination request, and entry of examination phaseDivisional application: examiner tends to give more flexibility

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Consumer Method Claims

Only consumer infringes?Hus trilogy:

Chinese character inputBeijing No.2 Intermediate Court: induced infringement

Midea v. Gree: sleep-mode of air conditionerThe manufacturer must have used the claimed method in configuring

and testing the product in its manufacturing process

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Admission of Prior Art

What is stated as “prior art” in the specification“technical background” or “technical field”

Admission of prior artNon-admission of common knowledge

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Multiply-Dependent Claims

Useful tool to enrich the original disclosurePossible combinations of technical features

Save moneyNo official fees when expending in prosecution

PCT applicationsThe original published version in international phase is the basis for

official fees

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QUESTIONS?

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