专利授权确权程序中使用环境特征探析

Exploration of the Usage Environment Features in the Procedures of Patent Grant and Confirmation

文章梳理了现行司法解释和司法/行政指南中有关使用环境特征的规定,通过比较分析国际上主要专利局的相关规定,指出使用环境特征的概念具有独立的内涵和外延,基于理论分析和实证研究,提出对使用环境特征的明确定义。该研究进一步发展出一套系统化的判断流程,用以识别产品权利要求中的使用环境特征,并结合实际案例,探讨如何辨别使用环境特征以及在新颖性和创造性评判中如何考虑使用环境特征的限定作用,以期丰富使用环境特征的理论内涵,为专利授权确权程序中的权利要求保护范围界定提供新的思考角度和方法。

This paper compiles the existing judicial interpretations and judicial/administrative guidelines on“Usage Environment Features”,and then points out that the concept of“Usage Environment Features”has independent connotations and extensions through comparative analyses of the relevant provisions of major international patent offices,and proposes a clear definition of“Usage Environment Features”based on theoretical analyses and empirical studies.This study further develops a set of systematic judgment process for identifying“Usage Environment Features”in product claims,and discusses how to identify“features of the environment of use”and how to take into account the limiting effect of“Usage Environment Features”in judging novelty and inventive step with reference to actual cases.This study is expected to enrich the theoretical connotation of“Usage Environment Features”,and provide a new perspective and method for defining the scope of protection of claims in the procedure of patent grant and confirmation.