The Case in Favour of Prosecution History Estoppel EPLAW Annual Meeting & Congress, Brussels, 2...
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the Case in Favour of Prosecution History Estoppel EPLAW Annual Meeting & Congress, Brussels, 2 December 2011 Jean-Christophe Troussel Bird & Bird Brussels
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Transcript of The Case in Favour of Prosecution History Estoppel EPLAW Annual Meeting & Congress, Brussels, 2...
the Case in Favour of Prosecution History Estoppel
EPLAW Annual Meeting & Congress, Brussels, 2 December 2011
Jean-Christophe TrousselBird & Bird Brussels
Page 2© Bird & Bird LLP 2011
USEFUL INTERPRETATION TOOL (1)
« FREE CAR WASH WITH GAS »« MAYBE I SHOULD HAVE WORDED IT DIFFERENTLY »
Page 3© Bird & Bird LLP 2011
USEFUL INTERPRETATION TOOL (2)
• A « mind willing to understand » wants to use that tool• objective information• from a person skilled in the art
• Useful to clarify ambiguous wording• Example: essential feature
« SO YOU SEE YOUR HONOUR,
IT’S OBVIOUS »
Page 4© Bird & Bird LLP 2011
ARTICLE 69 & PROTOCOL
• Munich Convention 2000: PHE not included into the EPC => no obligation
• No exclusion / prohibition either• Article 69 not exhaustive• Equivalents were used before they were included in
the Protocol – Why a different regime for PHE?• Conclusion : issue of national law
Page 5© Bird & Bird LLP 2011
GOOD FAITH–FAIR PROTECTION (1)• « nemo potest venire contra factum proprium »• Consistent behaviour of the patentee during
patent application and during validity or infringement proceedings
• Integrity of patent office review
Page 6© Bird & Bird LLP 2011
GOOD FAITH–FAIR PROTECTION (2)• Clear surrender?• Statement unambiguously narrowing the scope of
protection?• Determinative for the patent grant?• Implemented in the wording of the claim/description?
Page 7© Bird & Bird LLP 2011
PREDICTABILITY & LEGAL CERTAINTY• Reduces the uncertainty which is inherent in
equivalents analysis• Proper counter-balance to equivalents• File is publicly available • Third parties do rely on it as a source of information
Page 8© Bird & Bird LLP 2011
AVOID OVERLY BROAD CLAIMS
• Induces applicants to avoid overly broad claims• Induces applicants to apply for the right claims right
from the start
Page 9© Bird & Bird LLP 2011
USE OF STATEMENTS MADE ABROAD?• In prosecution of parallel patents?• In other parallel court cases?
Thank you Jean-Christophe Troussel
PartnerBird & Bird
Avenue Louise 235 box 11050 Brussels
Tel: +32 (0) 2 282 60 17 Fax: +32 (0) 282 60 11
Bird & Bird is an international legal practice comprising Bird & Bird LLP and its affiliated businesses. www.twobirds.com
