2018年2月23日 星期五

摘要的撰寫 - 避免言外之意

摘要,一般來說就是表達整個專利技術重點,實務上常常可以將申請專利範圍中最核心的內容(如claim 1)以普通文字寫在摘要這個部分。摘要其實不是這麼嚴肅的事(甚至文法錯誤也沒怎樣~#!@$,以下有範例),頗為單純,但是其中規定(或說提醒)還不少。

例如此案,US9025357,整個專利可核准,就差「摘要」撰寫"被認為"不符規定(因為有言外之意?),即便代理人不服,但仍是作出修正。

修正前:


修正後:


上述修正被提示要刪除「is disclosed」,確實很怪,且文法有問題,不過專利就這樣糊弄一下就准了。

審查意見引用的內容:


其中審查委員「暗示」要將「is disclosed」刪除,因為它「暗示」了一些事

就是「MPEP 608.01(B)」其中段落:

「摘要應以敘事方式撰寫,並限定在分開紙張的單一約50~150英文字的段落,應避免使用請求項的格式與法律措辭,如"means"(手段)與"said"(該),摘要描述的內容要實質幫助讀者決定是否有需要進一步查閱完整的專利文本。摘要用語應該清晰簡潔,不應重複如專利名稱的資訊,應避免使用暗示的用語,如"the disclosure concerns"、"the disclosure defined by this invention"與"the disclosure describes"等」。

這裡所謂「暗示(imply, implication)」應是指「言外之意」,或說「其他含意」。當摘要的用意是讓讀者可以快速得到專利的主要精神,就不應有「言外之意」。因此,MPEP提示哪些會有「言外之意」,列舉了常常會寫的「the disclosure concerns」、「the disclosure defined by this invention」與「the disclosure describes」等。

所以,「摘要」的原意是要以淺顯(非法律措辭)易懂的內容"準確地"幫助讀者判斷是否要進一步查閱說明書的詳細內容,讓讀者可以快速得到發明中新技術的粗略內容("determine quickly from a cursory inspection of the abstract the nature and gist of the technical disclosure and that which is new in the art to which the invention pertains")。因此,摘要也常常是提供檢索時最佳的初步參考資訊。

"The abstract should be in narrative form and generally limited to a single paragraph preferably within the range of 50 to 150 words in length. The abstract should not exceed 15 lines of text. Abstracts exceeding 15 lines of text or 150 words should be checked to see that they are as concise as the disclosure permits. The form and legal phraseology often used in patent claims, such as "means" and "said," should be avoided. The abstract should sufficiently describe the disclosure to assist readers in deciding whether there is a need for consulting the full patent text for details.

The language should be clear and concise and should not repeat information given in the title. It should avoid using phrases which can be implied, such as, "This disclosure concerns," "The disclosure defined by this invention," "This disclosure describes," etc."

參考資料:
https://www.bitlaw.com/source/mpep/608_01_b.html

美國專利說明書中摘要的撰寫規定:

37 C.F.R. 1.72 TITLE AND ABSTRACT.
(b) A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably following the claims, under the heading "Abstract" or "Abstract of the Disclosure." The sheet or sheets presenting the abstract may not include other parts of the application or other material. The abstract must be as concise as the disclosure permits, preferably not exceeding 150 words in length. The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure.

MPEP 608.01(B) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE

摘要要寫甚麼?

The content of a patent abstract should be such as to enable the reader thereof, regardless of his or her degree of familiarity with patent documents, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection of the abstract the nature and gist of the technical disclosure and that which is new in the art to which the invention pertains.

...


Where applicable, the abstract should include the following: (1) if a machine or apparatus, its organization and operation; (2) if an article, its method of making; (3) if a chemical compound, its identity and use; (4) if a mixture, its ingredients; (5) if a process, the steps. Extensive mechanical and design details of apparatus should not be included in the abstract.

Ron

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