“单一性原理”在外观设计专利审查及专利侵权判定中的运用

The Application of "Invention Unity Principle" in Design Examination and Infringement Judgment

专利法第31条第2款规定了外观设计的"单一性原理",即:"一件外观设计专利申请应当限于一项外观设计。同一产品两项以上的相似外观设计,或者用于同一类别并且成套出售或者使用的产品的两项以上外观设计,可以作为一件申请提出。"这一规定,蕴含着专利法丰富的内涵,对于申请人而言,巧妙运用"单一性原理",可以达到多层次保护以拓宽保护范围的目的;对于审查员而言,可以根据"单一性原理",正确理解外观设计的构思,有针对性地进行评价;在专利侵权诉讼中,被控侵权产品需要与满足"单一性原理"下的多项外观设计分别比较,只要落入其中一项外观设计,在没有法定例外的情况下,则可以得出侵权的结论。本文通过案例具体论述"单一性原理"在外观设计专利审查和专利侵权判定中的运用。

The article 31, paragraph 2 of patent law set ＂Invention unity principle＂ for design. It means each patent application for design shall be limited to a single design. Two or more similar designs used on the same product, or two or more designs used on the products belonging to a single category and sold or used in sets maybe submitted together in one application. Actually, it＇s a very useful principle in practice. For applicants, they can enrich the protection scope; for examiners, they can understand the design applicantion appropriatelly. In infringement judgment, once the infringed design was similar with one of the patent, infringement could be claimed.