产品权利要求中制备方法在创造性判断时的考量

Reflections on the Role of Production Method in Product Claims During the Creative Judgment

在审查过程中,经常会出现包含方法特征的产品权利要求,对于此类权利要求的创造性判断一直存在争议。本文结合一个案例的创造性审查过程,思考和比较了产品权利要求中制备方法所起作用存在的两种观点,从技术层面对该类型权利要求的创造性判断过程进行了分析,阐述了制备方法对产品结构实际限定作用的判断和认定方法,并提出相应的完善建议。

In the process of examination, the product claims that contain method characteristics often appear, and the creative judgment of such claims has always been controversial. Using a case as an example, this article analyzes and reflects on two different views about the role of production method in product claims during the creative judgment. The creative judgment process of this kind of claims is analyzed at the lever of technical essence, the judgment and identification methods of the actual qualification of production method on product structure are set forth. It further gives suggestions.