有關美國專利審查，常見的審查意見包括 35 U.S.C 101、103、112，針對第112條，分享如下（Ninth Edition of the MPEP, Revision 10.2019, Last Revised in June 2020）：
(a) IN GENERAL.—The specification shall contain a written description of the invention, and of the manner and process of making and using it, in such full, clear, concise, and exact terms as to enable any person skilled in the art to which it pertains, or with which it is most nearly connected, to make and use the same, and shall set forth the best mode contemplated by the inventor or joint inventor of carrying out the invention.
一般來說 - 專利說明書應包含發明內容的書面說明，以及其製造、使用的方式和過程，並且需以清楚、簡潔及正確的用詞，使該領域中熟悉技術之人員可理解並據以實施，且應說明最佳實施方式（最佳實施例）。
(b) CONCLUSION.—The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor regards as the invention.
結論 - 專利說明書應該歸納出一個或多個主張項，具體說明發明人（或共同發明人）所主張之專利範圍。
(c) FORM.—A claim may be written in independent or, if the nature of the case admits, in dependent or multiple dependent form.
格式 - 主張項可包括獨立項、依附項或多個附屬項。
(d) REFERENCE IN DEPENDENT FORMS.—Subject to subsection (e), a claim in dependent form shall contain a reference to a claim previously set forth and then specify a further limitation of the subject matter claimed. A claim in dependent form shall be construed to incorporate by reference all the limitations of the claim to which it refers.
附屬項 - 附屬項應包含其附屬請求所引用的內容及範圍，並包括其項的所有限制。
(e) REFERENCE IN MULTIPLE DEPENDENT FORM.—A claim in multiple dependent form shall contain a reference, in the alternative only, to more than one claim previously set forth and then specify a further limitation of the subject matter claimed. A multiple dependent claim shall not serve as a basis for any other multiple dependent claim. A multiple dependent claim shall be construed to incorporate by reference all the limitations of the particular claim in relation to which it is being considered.
多個附屬項 - 多個附屬項應包含其附屬請求所引用的內容及範圍，且附屬項不得依附其他附屬項，並需包括其項的所有限制。
(f) ELEMENT IN CLAIM FOR A COMBINATION.—An element in a claim for a combination may be expressed as a means or step for performing a specified function without the recital of structure, material, or acts in support thereof, and such claim shall be construed to cover the corresponding structure, material, or acts described in the specification and equivalents thereof.
請求項的組合特徵 - 主張項中的元素可依其特定功能組合呈現，可不包括詳細結構、材料或行為。
當收到此類審查意見時，通常表示說明書撰寫的方式有錯誤，或者是沒有確實說明技術內容，導致說明書無法支持請求項，此時，答辯的方式就以修改說明書為主。
Comments