Publication of “Case Study on Inventive Step (English Edition)”
In the 3rd meeting of the Committee on Examination Standards, Industrial Structure Council held on June 30, 2009, the Committee concluded that the examination standards should not be revised at the present time in light of stable granting of patent rights and stability of granted patents, although it should be promptly reviewed depending on the revision of the system, new court decision, the developments of new technology, and the change in the international situation.
The Committee also concluded that it will not only revise the examination standards when necessary, but also offer the materials which will make it easier to understand the examination standards. In this regard, the Japan Patent Office published “Case Study on Inventive Step (English edition)” in June 30, 2010. The published material covers court decisions on inventive step and summarizes the points to note in applying the examination standards to specific cases.
The published material would be beneficial for users to understand the examination standards more accurately so that they are able to take appropriate procedures in preparing descriptions and responding to a notification of reasons for refusal.
For detail on the “Case Study on Inventive Step (English edition)”, please refer to the document dated June 30, 2010 in the following URL:
http://www.jpo.go.jp/rireki_e/index.htm