A.84 EPC Claims

The claims shall define the matter for which protection is sought. They shall be clear and concise and be supported by the description.

[ Art. 78 80 R. 40 43 45 49 57 62a 63 162 ]

See decisions/opinions of the Enlarged Board of Appeal G 2/98, G 1/03, G 2/03, G 1/04, G 2/10, G 3/14, G 1/16 (Annex I).

Source: http://www.epo.org/law-practice/legal-texts/html/epc/2016/e/ar84.html

Date retrieved: 17 May 2021

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EPC Articles

X Chapter I Filing and requirements of the European patent application

X A.78 EPC Requirements of a European patent application

X A.80 EPC Date of filing

X A.105b EPC Article 105b Limitation or revocation of the European patent

EPC Implementing Rules

X R.40 EPC Date of filing

X R.43 EPC Form and content of claims

X R.45 EPC Claims incurring fees

X R.49 EPC General provisions governing the presentation of the application documents

X R.57 EPC Examination as to formal requirements

X R.62a EPC Rule 62a Applications containing a plurality of independent claims

X R.63 EPC Incomplete search

X R.95 EPC Decision on the request

X R.162 EPC Claims incurring fees

EPO Guidelines Foreword

X GL FOREWORD 2.1 Overview

EPO Guidelines - B Search

X GL B III 3.2.3 Use of the description and/or drawings to establish definitions of unclear terms not defined in the claims

X GL B III 3.6 Broad claims

X GL B VIII 3 No meaningful search possible

X GL B VIII 3.3 The content of the extended European search report (EESR)

X GL B X 9.2.5 Documents relating to the theory or principle underlying the invention

X GL B XI 3.4 Extent of first analysis for generally deficient applications

EPO Guidelines - C Procedureal Aspects of Substantive Examination

X GL C III 2 Amendments made by applicants of their own volition

X GL C III 2.3 Searches under Rule 164(2)

X GL C V 4.3 Amendments or corrections should be reasoned

EPO Guidelines - D Opposition and Limitation/Revocation Procedures

X GL D V 5 Clarity of claims

X GL D X 4.3 Scope of the examination

X GL D X 4.5 Third-party observations during the examination

EPO Guidelines - E General Procedural Matters

X GL E VI 3 Observations by third parties

EPO Guidelines - F The European Patent Application

X GL F II 4.14 Registered trade marks

X GL F III 7 Proper names, trade marks and trade names

X GL F III 11 Sufficiency of disclosure and clarity

X GL F IV 1 General

X GL F IV 3.1 Categories

X GL F IV 3.4 Independent and dependent claims

X GL F IV 3.7 Alternatives in a claim

X GL F IV 3.9 Claims directed to computer-implemented inventions

X GL F IV 3.9.1 Cases where all method steps can be fully implemented by generic data processing means

X GL F IV 3.9.2 Cases where method steps define additional devices and/or specific data processing means

X GL F IV 3.9.3 Cases where the invention is realised in a distributed computing environment

X GL F IV 4.1 Clarity

X GL F IV 4.3 Inconsistencies

X GL F IV 4.4 General statements, "spirit of the invention", claim-like clauses

X GL F IV 4.5.1 Objections arising from missing essential features

X GL F IV 4.5.2 Definition of essential features

X GL F IV 4.6.1 Clarity objections

X GL F IV 4.7.2 Clarity objections

X GL F IV 4.9 Optional features

X GL F IV 4.10 Result to be achieved

X GL F IV 4.11 Parameters

X GL F IV 4.13.2 Interpretation of means-plus-function features ("means for ... ")

X GL F IV 4.14.1 Clarity objections

X GL F IV 4.16 Use claims

X GL F IV 4.18 Reference signs

X GL F IV 4.19 Negative limitations (e.g. disclaimers)

X GL F IV 4.22 Broad claims

X GL F IV 4.23 Order of claims

X GL F IV 4.24 Interpretation of terms such as identity and similarity in relation to amino or nucleic acid sequences

X GL F IV 5 Conciseness, number of claims

X GL F IV 6.1 General remarks

X GL F IV 6.3 Objection of lack of support

X GL F IV 6.4 Lack of support vs. insufficient disclosure

X GL F V 2.1 Insufficient grounds for lack of unity

EPO Guidelines - G Patentability

X GL G II 3.5.1 Schemes, rules and methods for performing mental acts

X GL G II 5.4.2 Essentially biological processes for the production of plants or animals

X GL G II 5.6.1.1 Definition by structure of the antibody

X GL G II 5.6.1.5 Definition by production process

X GL G VI 1 State of the art pursuant to Art. 54(2)

EPO Guidelines - H Amendments and Corrections

X GL H I add to the application or patent subject-matter which was not disclosed in the application as originally filed ( Art. 123(2) )

X GL H II 2.3.1.3 Rule 137(3) in conjunction with Article 84 – missing essential feature

X GL H II 2.7.1 Concept of "clear allowability"

X GL H II 5 Amendments required by a limitation of the search under Rule 62a and/or Rule 63

X GL H IV 3.4 Assessment of impermissible extension of the protection conferred

X GL H IV 4.3 In opposition proceedings

X GL H IV 4.4 In limitation proceedings

X GL H IV 4.4.1 Art. 84

X GL H IV 4.4.2 Examination of the description and/or drawings

X GL H V 3.5 Disclaimer disclosed in the application as originally filed

X GL H V 4.1 The subject-matter to be excluded is not disclosed in the application as originally filed (so-called undisclosed disclaimers)

X GL H VI 2.1.1.1 Errors in the description, claims and drawings

EPO PCT GL - F (not assigned)

X GL-PCT FOREWORD 3.1 Annex I: EPC-PCT concordance table

Case Law Book: I Patentability

X CLR I D 2 Problem and solution approach

Case Law Book: II Conditions to be met by an Application

X CLR II A 1.1 Purpose of claims under Article 84 EPC

X CLR II A 1.4 The examination of clarity in opposition proceedings

X CLR II A 1.5 Clarity of claims and Article 83 EPC

X CLR II A 2.3 Conciseness and number of claims

X CLR II A 3.1 Introduction and general principles

X CLR II A 3.2 Indication of all essential features

X CLR II A 3.4 Functional features

X CLR II A 3.5 Characterisation of an invention by a parameter

X CLR II A 3.6 Unspecified features and relative qualities

X CLR II A 5.1 General principles

X CLR II A 5.2 Restrictions on generalising the technical information and examples adduced in the description

X CLR II A 5.3 Bringing the description into line with amended claims

X CLR II A 6.2 Meaning of terms and phrases: "comprising (substantially)", "consisting (essentially) of", "containing"

X CLR II A 6.3.1 General principles

X CLR II A 6.3.2 Relevance of Article 69 EPC

X CLR II A 7.1 Introduction

X CLR II C 1 Introduction

X CLR II C 3.1 Application as a whole

X CLR II C 3.2 Alleged effect not a feature of the claims

X CLR II C 5.5 Parameters

X CLR II C 6.6.4 Forbidden area of the claims

X CLR II C 8.1 ‍‍Article 83 EPC and support from the description

X CLR II C 8.2 ‍‍Article 83 EPC and clarity of claims

X CLR II D 5.2 Different priorities for different parts of a European patent application

X CLR II E 1.4.7 Elimination of contradictions and inconsistencies

X CLR II E 1.7.3.E Drafting of disclaimers – clarity

X CLR II E 3 Relationship between Article 123(2) and Article 123(3) EPC

X CLR II F 5.2 Different subject-matter and scope of protection; overlapping subject-matter

Case Law Book: III Amendments

X CLR III B 2.7.3.A Ex parte proceedings

X CLR III C 2.1 Right to oral proceedings in examination, opposition and appeal proceedings

X CLR III W 3 The boards' application of the Guidelines in specific cases

Case Law Book: IV Divisional Applications

X CLR IV B 2.6.1 Discretion of the examining division under Rule 137(3) EPC

X CLR IV B 4.1.1 Introduction

X CLR IV C 2.2.7 Statement of grounds for opposition

X CLR IV C 5.1.8 Amendments intended to remedy a lack of clarity

X CLR IV C 5.2.1 General

X CLR IV C 5.2.2 Extent of power to examine amended claims for compliance with Article 84 EPC

X CLR IV D 1 Limitation/revocation – Article 105a EPC- Article 105c EPC

Case Law Book: V Priority

X CLR V A 3.1.8 Exceptions to the rule

X CLR V A 3.5.1.C Review of first-instance discretionary decisions taken on substantive grounds

X CLR V A 4.12.3 Response to objections

X CLR V A 7.3.4 Requests for remittal

X CLR V A 7.7.3.A Special reason identified – no remittal to department of first instance

X CLR V A 8.2 Department of first instance bound by decision of board of appeal

X CLR V A 9.7.1 Causal link between substantial procedural violation and filing of appeal

X CLR V B 4.3.19 Successful petitions under Article 112a(2)(c) EPC

Case Law of the Enlarged Board

X G 0002/98 (Requirement for claiming priority of the "same invention") of 31.5.2001

X G 0001/03 (Disclaimer/PPG) of 8.4.2004

X G 0002/03 (Disclaimer/GENETIC SYSTEMS) of 8.4.2004

X G 0001/04 (Diagnostic methods) of 16.12.2005

X G 0001/07 (Treatment by surgery/MEDI-PHYSICS) of 15.2.2010

X G 0002/10 (Disclaimer/SCRIPPS) of 30.8.2011

X G 0003/14 () of 24.3.2015

X G 0001/16 (Disclaimer III) of 18.12.2017

X G 0002/19 (Rechtliches GehÃ¶r und richtiger Verhandlungsort) of 16.7.2019

General Case Law

X J 0013/13 (Frist zur Einreichung einer Teilanmeldung) of 15.9.2016

X R 0006/12 () of 18.1.2013

X R 0018/12 (Petition for review/Shimano) of 10.12.2013

X R 0001/16 (Antrag auf ÃberprÃ¼fung) of 22.5.2017

X T 0956/04 () of 17.1.2008

X T 0601/05 (Anti-TNF alpha human monoclonal antibodies/BAYER III) of 2.12.2009

X T 1421/05 () of 18.1.2011

X T 0143/06 () of 20.12.2010

X T 1242/06 (Tomatoes II/STATE OF ISRAEL) of 31.5.2012

X T 1736/06 () of 28.4.2010

X T 1753/06 (tert-butylamine du perindopril/LABORATOIRES SERVIER) of 6.5.2009

X T 0150/07 (Washing method/KAO CORPORATION) of 27.10.2009

X T 0360/07 (Magnesium omeprazole/SHERMAN) of 9.2.2010

X T 0837/07 (Diagnostic primers/INFECTIO) of 6.10.2010

X T 0870/07 (Epoxy enantiomer/NISSAN) of 6.10.2009

X T 0888/07 (Registering new location information and paging of mobile nodes in … of 19.4.2011

X T 0990/07 () of 23.2.2010

X T 1014/07 (Saturated dicarboxylic acids/COGNIS) of 2.7.2012

X T 1329/07 () of 11.11.2010

X T 1437/07 (Botulinum toxin for treating smooth muscle spasm/ALLERGAN) of 26.10.2009

X T 1484/07 (Carbonylation of olefins/SHELL) of 13.4.2010

X T 1659/07 (TFO-Betrieb/IPCOM) of 21.1.2010

X T 1705/07 (Verfahren zur Hydrierung von BenzolpolycarbonsÃ¤uren/BASF SE) of 10.6.2010

X T 1721/07 (CSF-1 Inhibitoren/HOFBAUER UND AHARINEJAD) of 29.3.2012

X T 1751/07 (Nanoparticulate compositions/ELAN PHARMA) of 26.4.2012

X T 1819/07 (Nanosized catalyst/GENERAL ELECTRIC) of 15.3.2011

X T 1898/07 (Interferon Formulations/BIOGEN) of 17.6.2010

X T 1918/07 () of 11.5.2010

X T 1993/07 (Continuous polymerisation/CHEVRON) of 13.10.2011

X T 2049/07 () of 8.9.2009

X T 0339/08 () of 3.3.2010

X T 0378/08 () of 24.11.2009

X T 0386/08 (Humanized antibodies to the amyloid beta peptide/WASHINGTON … of 22.11.2010

X T 0390/08 (Without hydrocarbon/TOPSOE) of 29.6.2011

X T 0620/08 (Oxo-pyridine/ENCYSIVE) of 4.5.2011

X T 0651/08 () of 6.10.2011

X T 0716/08 (Infectious salmon anaemia virus vaccine/INTERVET) of 19.8.2010

X T 0725/08 (Organic Pigment/SUN) of 16.7.2010

X T 0739/08 (Destillative Trennung von AMCPA aus HMD/BASF) of 9.6.2011

X T 0768/08 () of 21.3.2012

X T 0824/08 (Non-segmented negative strand RNA viruses/CRUCELL) of 20.11.2012

X T 0828/08 () of 21.1.2010

X T 0830/08 (Rimcazole/DUNDEE) of 11.10.2010

X T 0849/08 () of 15.12.2010

X T 0888/08 (Verwendung von Herbizid-Kombinationen/BAYER CROPSCIENCE) of 3.8.2010

X T 0916/08 () of 6.3.2012

X T 0959/08 () of 10.11.2009

X T 0967/08 (Nanosized copper/GENERAL ELECTRIC) of 30.5.2011

X T 1033/08 () of 20.7.2011

X T 1045/08 () of 10.3.2011

X T 1199/08 (Selected sperm/XY) of 3.5.2012

X T 1238/08 (Clearcoats/BASF) of 6.10.2011

X T 1345/08 () of 1.2.2011

X T 1440/08 () of 5.8.2010

X T 1497/08 () of 3.5.2011

X T 1675/08 () of 12.10.2010

X T 1859/08 (Anti-ErbB2 antibodies/GENENTECH, INC.) of 5.6.2012

X T 1900/08 () of 19.4.2012

X T 1969/08 (Touch screen with layered structure/TAIGUEN) of 7.6.2011

X T 2003/08 (Dilated cardiomyopathy/EDWARDS) of 31.10.2012

X T 2013/08 () of 16.4.2010

X T 2140/08 () of 23.2.2012

X T 2181/08 (TREM-1 splice variant/GENEPRINT) of 14.11.2012

own subtype: guidelines

X GL J G‑II, 3.3.1 Artificial intelligence and machine learning (introduced in GL 2018)