tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5844014338414348592024-03-27T19:40:12.401+01:00DeltaPatents EQE Pre-examNico Cordeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18418422722416402064noreply@blogger.comBlogger112125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-584401433841434859.post-56293183767260492912024-03-15T21:55:00.009+01:002024-03-16T17:01:40.963+01:00Pre-Exam 2024 - our answers to the claims analysis questions (part 3 & part 4)<p>This year's claims analysis part 3 was about electronic cigarettes while part 4 was about a Product X for use in treating infectious diseases.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Our answers to both claims part are given below. We have numbered the questions and statements for easy reference in the discussion.<o:p></o:p></p><span><a name='more'></a></span><p class="MsoNormal">Candidates could access the exam in all languages, English, French and German: the language of the question could be selected. All statements were given in all three languages. </p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">In the legal as well as the claims analysis parts, the order of the four statements of each of the questions was randomized, i.e., it was different for different candidates.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">In view of the randomized order, we provide the questions and statement together with our answers. If you check your answers with ours, note that the order of the questions and of the four statements from a single question may be different!!!<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><i>Please feel invited to comment!</i></b></p><p class="MsoNormal">Please do not post your comments anonymously - it is allowed, but it makes responding more difficult and rather clumsy ("Dear Mr/Mrs/Ms Anonymous of 15-03-2024 20:23"), whereas using your real name or a nickname is more personal, more interesting and makes a more attractive conversation. You do not need to log in or make an account - it is OK to just put your (nick) name at the end of your post.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">You may also want to check the other blogs: <a href="https://pre-exam.blogspot.com/2024/03/pre-exam-2024-first-impressions.html" target="_blank">first impressions</a> and <a href="https://pre-exam.blogspot.com/2024/03/pre-exam-2024-our-answers-to-legal.html">legal part</a>.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">EDIT: Corrected our answer to statement 16.2 based on comments below.</p><p class="MsoNormal">Nico & Roel<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><h2 style="text-align: left;"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Part 3</span></span></b></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Question 11<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Assume that claims I.1 and I.2 are the only claims
filed with the client's patent application.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I.1 An electronic cigarette (100) comprising a liquid
container (130), an atomiser (120) in connection with the liquid container
(130), a communication component (170) and a controller (140) for activating or
deactivating vapour production of the electronic cigarette (100).<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I.2 The electronic cigarette of claim I.1, wherein a
time schedule for the vapour production is received from a mobile phone (190)
through the communication component (170).<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">11.1</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">The electronic cigarette
of the first embodiment of the application is covered by the scope of </span><u style="font-family: inherit;">claim
I.1</u><span style="font-family: inherit;">.</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><b><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;">TRUE<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>While [006] does not
describe the controller also “deactivating” the vapour production, the “or” in
the claim means that the claim scope covers also a potential reading of [006]
in which the controller can only activate (and not deactivate) the vapour
production. In any case, it seems inevitable that the controller can also
deactivate the vapour production after having activated it.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;">11.2<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The electronic cigarette
of the third embodiment of the application is covered by the scope of <u>claim
I.1</u>.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><b><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;">TRUE<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Although [009] does not
describe the various ‘base’ features of claim I.1 (e.g., liquid container,
atomizer, …), they are shown in Fig. 3.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;">11.3<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The electronic cigarette
of the second embodiment of the application is covered by the scope of <u>claim
I.2</u>.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p><b><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;">FALSE<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>According to [008], the
configuration file 180 only includes information received from the mobile phone
190 to verify one or more fingerprints to grant or deny user access and cannot
contain any scheduling information, and thus no time schedule.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;">11.4<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The electronic cigarette
of the fourth embodiment of the application is covered by the scope of <u>claim
I.2</u>.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><b><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;">FALSE<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>In the fourth embodiment,
the communication component 170 appears to have the functionality as described
in the second embodiment (since the third embodiment does not describe any
functionality of this component), and thereby the answer is the same as for
11.3.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><b><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Question 12<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Assume that claims I.1 and I.2 are the only claims filed with the
client's patent application.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I.1 An electronic cigarette (100) comprising a liquid container (130),
an atomiser (120) in connection with the liquid container (130), a
communication component (170) and a controller (140) for activating or
deactivating vapour production of the electronic cigarette (100).<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I.2 The electronic cigarette of claim I.1, wherein a time schedule for
the vapour production is received from a mobile phone (190) through the
communication component (170).<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">12.1</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">D1 discloses an
electronic cigarette that provides a liquid solution to avoid the health risks
caused by high nicotine concentrations.</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><b><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;">TRUE<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>See the end of [001] +
[003] (although the formulation of "providing a liquid solution" is a bit strange in the statement since the electronic cigarette vapourizes the liquid solution and does not provide it).<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;">12.2<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The electronic cigarette
in D1 reads information that can prevent the unauthorised use of disposable
cartridges.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><b><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;">TRUE<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>By validating the
identifier 23, the controller can prevent activation of vapour production for
unauthorized liquid containers, see [001] last sentence and [004].<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;">12.3<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The subject-matter of
claim I.2 is novel with respect to D1.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><b><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;">TRUE<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>D1’s software application
only receives data and is not described to be able to send any data to the cigarette,
let alone send a time schedule, see [005].<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;">12.4<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The subject-matter of
claim I.1 is novel with respect to D1.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">FALSE<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>See
[002], with the activating/deactivating being described in [004].<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Question 13<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p style="background: white; line-height: 16.8pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This questions relates to Document D2 (available via
the hyperlink above the statements).<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="background: white; line-height: 16.8pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #333333;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: inherit;">13.1 </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: inherit;">D2 discloses a mobile app to detect health risks
caused by the mixture of components for a liquid solution for electronic
cigarettes.</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><b><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;">FALSE<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>D2 doesn’t mention health
risks but only ‘greater control’ and ‘personalization’ [001]. In addition, in
[003], it is said that the mobile app can display information about the
e-liquid after scanning its label, but it is not disclosed that this is a type
of information that allows health risks to be determined (e.g., it could simply
be a name of the liquid, its creator, etc.).<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #333333;">13.2<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-GB">D2 discloses an electronic cigarette with a
communication component configured to read information from an RFID tag to
validate a liquid container.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><b><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;">FALSE<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>D2 pertains to a mobile app.
The app uses the phone’s camera and not an RFID reader.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #333333;">13.3<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-GB">The range of nicotine values ranging from 0 mg/ml to
20 mg/ml disclosed in paragraph [013] of the application is novel over D2.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><b><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;">FALSE<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>D2 describes in [004] a
range of 5-7 mg/ml, so two concrete examples, both of which fall within the
range of 0 mg/ml to 20 mg/ml and take away its novelty.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #333333;">13.4<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-GB">D2 discloses a liquid solution that comprises further
chemical substances in addition to flavouring.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="background: white; line-height: 16.8pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">TRUE<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>D2
discloses at least nicotine, see [004], which appears not to be a flavouring
since both nicotine and flavouring are consistently mentioned in the client’s
application as well as D2 separately, e.g., D2 [002] “nicotine and flavouring”.
Note that one probably cannot base this answer on D2 [002]’s propylene glycol
nor vegetable glycerin since it is not defined in the paper that these are <i>not</i>
flavouring (i.e., it will require use of own technical knowledge).<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p style="background: white; line-height: 16.8pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #333333;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white; line-height: 16.8pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Question 14<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.8pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black;">Consider the introduction of the following amendments
to the original claim set I.1-I.2 during the examination proceedings.</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #333333;"><br />
</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black;">Deleted passages are marked as “<s>strikethrough</s>”,
added passages are <u>underlined</u>.</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #333333;"><br />
<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="western" style="background: white; line-height: 16.8pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><u><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black;">II.1</span></u><s><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black;">I.1</span></s><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black;"> An electronic cigarette (100)
comprising a liquid container (130), an atomiser (120) in connection with the
liquid container (130) <u>and a mouthpiece (110) through which the user
draws vapour produced by the atomiser (120), a battery (150), a push‑button
(160)</u>, a communication component (170) and a controller (140) <s>for activating
or deactivating vapour production of the electronic cigarette (100)</s> <u>being
connected to each of the battery (150), the atomiser (120), the push‑button
(160) and the communication component (170),<br />
wherein, when the controller (140) receives a signal caused by the user
pressing the push-button, the controller activates vapour production by
supplying power from the battery (150) to the atomiser (120),<br />
wherein the atomiser transforms, by heating, the liquid held in the liquid
container (130) into vapour to be inhaled by the user through the mouthpiece
(110).</u><br />
<s>I.2</s> <s>The electronic cigarette of claim I.1, wherein a time
schedule for the vapour production is received from a mobile phone (190)
through the communication component (170).</s><br />
<u>II.2</u> <u>The electronic cigarette of claim II.1, wherein a
fingerprint sensor (210) transmits identified key markers of the user's
fingerprints to a software application in a mobile phone.<br />
II.3</u> <u>The electronic cigarette of claim II.1, wherein a short-range
communication signal allows the activation of vapour production.<br />
II.4</u> <u>The electronic cigarette of claim II.1, wherein a pressure
sensor (310) replaces the push‑button (160) and the pressure sensor (310) sends
a signal to the controller (140) representing a pressure difference for
producing vapour.</u></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="background: white; line-height: 16.8pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #333333;">14.1<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black;">Claim II.3 meets the requirements of Article 123(2)
EPC.</span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><b><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;">FALSE<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Short-range communication is
described in the first embodiment [007], and it indeed appears that via a
short-range communication signal, vapour production may be activated. However, in
[007], a specific embodiment is described, namely that the signal transmits a
time schedule contained in a configuration file. Claim II.3 omits these
features, and thereby most likely is an unallowable intermediate generalization
with respect to the first embodiment.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #333333;">14.2<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-GB">Claim II.4 meets the requirements of Article 123(2)
EPC.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><b><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;">FALSE<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>While [009] does describe
the push-button being replaced by a pressure sensor, this phrasing in claim
II.4 cannot be used to ‘remove’ the limitation of “push-button” in claim II.1
since it is a dependent claim. In other words, claim II.4 would somehow still
be limited to both a pressure sensor and a push-button but in an
unclear/unspecific manner which is not supported by the application as filed.
Another line of argumentation could be that claim II.4 is thus not to be
interpreted as a dependent claim (since it does not contain the push-button of
claim II.1) and the resulting (very short, very broad) independent claim is not
supported by the application as filed. Yet another line of argumentation is
that “a pressure difference" is not disclosed in [009] , but only a
specific "pressure difference created by the user inhaling through the
mouthpiece 110". The claim wording covers any pressure difference between
any unspecified volumes and thus represents an unallowable intermediate
generalization.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;">14.3<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Claim II.1 meets the
requirements of Article 123(2) EPC.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><b><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;">TRUE<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>This appears to be a verbatim
copy of the description of the first embodiment in [006]<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;">14.4<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Claim II.2 meets the
requirements of Article 123(2) EPC.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><b><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;">FALSE<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Claim II.2 adds the
fingerprint sensor of the second embodiment while using the push-button of the
first embodiment. This combines aspects of the first and second embodiment
without this combination being disclosed or suggested by the application as
filed.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><b><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Question 15<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p style="background: white; line-height: 16.8pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Considering the disclosure of documents D1 and D2 and
the claims below, for each of the statements, indicate whether the statement is
true or false:<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="background: white; line-height: 16.8pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Assume that claims III.1-3 were originally filed:<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="background: white; line-height: 16.8pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">III.1 An electronic cigarette (100) comprising a
liquid container (130) comprising a secured electronic identification tag
(510), a communication component (170) for reading the secured electronic
identification tag (510) and a controller (140) configured to allow or prevent
activation of vapour production of the electronic cigarette (100) on the basis
of authentication of the secured electronic identification tag (510) to
validate the liquid container (130).<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="background: white; line-height: 16.8pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">III.2 An electronic cigarette (100) comprising a liquid container (130)
comprising a secured electronic identification tag (510), a <i>short-range</i>
communication component (170) for reading the secured electronic identification
tag (510) and a controller (140) configured to allow or prevent activation of
vapour production of the electronic cigarette (100) on the basis of
authentication of the secured electronic identification tag (510), <i>wherein
the liquid container (130) contains smoking liquid comprising flavouring and a
therapeutic drug</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="background: white; line-height: 16.8pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">III.3 <i>A method of using</i> an electronic cigarette (100) comprising a
liquid container (130) comprising a secured electronic identification tag
(510), a short-range communication component (170) for reading the secured
electronic identification tag (510) and a controller (140) configured to allow
or prevent activation of vapour production of the electronic cigarette (100),
wherein the controller (140) supplies electric power for the vapour production
upon detecting a pressure difference when inhaling from a mouthpiece in the
electronic cigarette (100).<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">15.1</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">The subject-matter of
claim III.3 involves an inventive step in view of the disclosure of D1 as the
closest prior art and D2.</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><b><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;">TRUE<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Claim III.3 is inventive for at least the reason that neither D1 nor D2 discloses an
electronic cigarette which uses a pressure sensor to activate the vapour
production (this being part of the claimed subject matter since the method
claim uses this specific electronic cigarette). <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;">15.2<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The subject-matter of
claim III.2 is excluded from patentability.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><b><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;">FALSE<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>This statement alludes to
the exception to patentability defined in Art. 53 but claim III.2 defines a
product to which this provision does not apply, see Art. 53(c) last sentence.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;">15.3<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The subject-matter of
claim III.2 is novel over D1.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><b><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;">TRUE<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>For at least the reason
that the liquid container of D1 is not disclosed to comprise a therapeutic
drug.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;">15.4<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The subject-matter of
claim III.1 is novel over D1.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><b><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;">FALSE<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>See D1 [004], which
discloses at least the “prevent” alternative in claim III.1 (<i>in: a
controller (140) configured to <u>allow or prevent</u> activation of vapour
production</i>).<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><b><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></span></b></p>
<h3 style="margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt; text-align: left;"><b><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Part 4</span></span></b></h3>
<p style="background: white; line-height: 16.8pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #333333;">Claim set I filed together with the
description</span></strong><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #333333;"><br />
I.1 Product X for use in a treatment as an antiviral, an antibiotic, an
antifungal or an antiparasitic.<br />
I.2 Product X for use in a treatment by inhibiting receptor Y.<br />
I.3 Product X according to claim I.1, wherein the treatment is antiviral, more
particularly a treatment against rhinovirus, influenza virus or coronavirus.<br />
I.4 Product X according to claim I.1, wherein Product X is administered for at
least 10 days in a dosage of 5-50 mg/kg bodyweight per day.<br />
I.5 Product X, wherein Product X is administered for at least 10 days in a
dosage of 5-50 mg/kg bodyweight per day.<br />
I.6 Product X according to claim I.5, wherein Product X is administered for at
least 10 days in a dosage of 25 mg/kg bodyweight per day.<br />
I.7 Product X according to claim I.1, wherein Product X is administered as
nasal spray.<br />
I.8 Product X according to claim I.1, wherein the treatment is an antibiotic
and wherein Product X is administered as nasal spray.<br />
I.9. A method for therapeutic treatment of a living human, wherein the
treatment comprises administration of Product X.<br />
I.10 The method according to claim I.9, wherein the treatment comprises
intravenous administration.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><b><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Question 16<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;">16.1<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The usage of Product X as
an antifungal is sufficiently disclosed by the application as filed.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><b><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;">FALSE<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>See [008] “We are about to
start a research programme wherein we will investigate whether there is an
effect of Product X when used as an antifungal or antiparasitic. Such programme
will require immense trial-and-error tests”.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;">16.2<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The EPO will issue a
communication according to Rule 63 EPC because the claim set comprises a
plurality of independent claims of the same category.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><b><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;">** CORRECTED ** FALSE</span></span> <span> </span>The communication should be a R.62a </b><b>communication</b><b> for a R.43(2) situation of multiple independent claims. </b></p><p style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">16.3</span><span style="font-family: inherit; mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">The subject-matter of
claim I.1 is sufficiently disclosed by the application as filed.</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><b><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;">FALSE<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The application as filed
includes "use of a treatment as an antifungal", but [008]: "We
are about to start a research programme wherein we will investigate whether
there is an effect of Product X when used as an antifungal or antiparasitic.
Such programme will require immense trial-and-error tests".<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;">16.4<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The usage of Product X as
an antibiotic is sufficiently disclosed by the application as filed.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p><b><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;">TRUE<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>[009], [010] and table 1
describe tests with Streptococcus and describes that further experiments were
carried out which demonstrate that the antibiotic effect is reached for any
kind of bacteria.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><b><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></b></p><p style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><b><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Question 17<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #333333;">17.1<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-GB">There is a basis in the application as filed, so that
claim I.5 can be amended compliant to Article 123(2) EPC in a way that the
resulting subject-matter <b>also covers</b> administering Product X for seven
days.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p><b><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;">TRUE<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>See [012] "at least
three days, preferably at least ten" in combination with 5-50 mg/kg, one can
thus amend to "at least three days", which <u>covers</u> at least
seven. Note that we cannot <u>amend</u> to "at least seven", as that
is not directly and unambiguously disclosed.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #333333;">17.2<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-GB">The subject-matter of claim I.4 is unclear because the
essential feature of administration via nasal spray is missing.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><b><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;">FALSE<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The application also
describes other ways of administration, in particular via tablets, so the
administration via nasal spray is not essential.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #333333;">17.3<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-GB">Claim I.9 is excluded from patentability because it
relates to a method which encompasses at least one therapeutic step.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><b><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;">TRUE<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Art.53(c), GL G-II, 4.2 & 4.2.1.2<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #333333;">17.4<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-GB">Claim I.3 is limited to the treatment of rhinoviruses,
influenza viruses and coronaviruses by Product X.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span lang="EN-GB">FALSE<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #333333;">more particularly” is seen as introducing
an optional feature, GL F IV 4.9</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p style="background: white; line-height: 16.8pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #333333;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Question 18<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;">18.1<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The subject-matter of
claim I.5 is not novel over D1.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><b><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;">TRUE<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>D1 describes administrating
Product X for 6 months (thus for “at least 10 days”) in a dosage of 50 mg/kg
(which overlaps with the endpoint of the range “5-50 mg/kg”).<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;">18.2 <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The subject-matter of
claim I.1 is not novel over D1.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><b><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;">FALSE<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>This is a second medical use
claim which is novel over D1 since D1 only describes the use of Product X of
treating cardiac diseases.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;">18.3<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The subject-matter of
claim I.7 is not novel over D2.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p><b><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;">TRUE<span> D</span>2 anticipates
claim I.7 by disclosing Product X. Namely, since dependent claim I.7 is not defined
according to GL (2023) G-VI, 7.1.5 (= <a href="https://www.epo.org/en/legal/guidelines-epc/2024/g_vi_6_1_5.html" target="_blank">GL (2024) G-VI, 7.1.5</a>),<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>it
is not considered a second medical use claim according to Art. 54(5), but is
considered a claim to Product X per se. So, the claim lacks novelty over D2
disclosing Product X.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p><b><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;">GL (2023) G-VI, 7.1.5 (<u>emphasis</u> added):<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p><b><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;">" In the following example, the dependent claim is not correctly
formulated according to Art. 54(5).<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p><b><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Claim 1: Composition comprising X for use in the treatment of Y.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p><b><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Claim 2: Composition according to claim 1, comprising 5 mg X.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p><b><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The category of claim 2 is unclear and the dependency is doubtful. The
claim appears to depend on a claim directed to a product per se.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p><b><u><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The claim would also lack novelty over prior art disclosing a
composition comprising 5 mg X, or a first medical application thereof.<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></b></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><u><span lang="EN-GB">The claim <i>must </i>be reformulated as indicated above by inserting "for
use" between "Composition" and "according"</span></u></b><b><span lang="EN-GB"> [i.e.,
to " Composition <u>for use</u> according to claim 1, comprising 5 mg X
" . This amendment may be proposed by the examining division in the Rule
71(3) communication without the need to consult the applicant beforehand (see C
V, 1.1, point (f))."<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p><b><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A correctly formulated claim I.7 would read: "Product X <u>for use</u>
according to claim I.1, wherein Product X is administered as nasal spray us."<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><b><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;">For this claim, the statement would be FALSE, since D2 does not disclose
any of the therapeutic uses mentioned in claim I.1.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;">18.4<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The subject-matter of
claim I.1 is not novel over D3.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span lang="EN-GB">TRUE<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>D3 describes </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #333333;">Product X for use in a treatment </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB">for Lyme
disease, which is a bacterial infection, and thereby gives an example of a use
in a treatment as an antibiotic.<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><b><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Question 19<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;">19.1<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>For the following
statement, assume that D1 is regarded as the closest prior art to the
subject-matter of claim I.3: A valid argument that the subject-matter of claim
I.3 involves an inventive step over D1 is that there is no hint in any one of
documents D1, D2 and D3 that Product X has an antiviral effect.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p><b><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The statement cannot be answered as the claim is not new:<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p><b><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Dependent claims I.3 is not defined according to GL (2023) G-VI,
7.1.5 </span></span></b><b>(=<a href="https://www.epo.org/en/legal/guidelines-epc/2024/g_vi_6_1_5.html" target="_blank">GL (2024) G-VI, 6.1.5</a>)</b><b><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;">,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and is thus not considered a
second medical use claim according to Art. 54(5), but is considered a claim to
Product X per se. So, the claim lacks novelty over D1 disclosing Product X.</span></span></b></p>
<p><b><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A correctly formulated claim I.3 would read:<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p><b><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;">"Product X <u>for use</u> according to claim I.1, wherein the
treatment is antiviral, more particularly a treatment against rhinovirus,
influenza virus or coronavirus."<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><b><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;">For this claim, the statement would be TRUE.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;">19.2<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The difference of the
subject-matter of claim I.8 over D3 as closest prior art may be regarded as not
providing a technical effect.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><b><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;">FALSE<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The distinguishing feature
includes the administration as a nasal spray. This has the technical effect of
providing a higher suppression factor compared to tablets, see table 1 and
[013]. This clearly is a technical effect.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;">19.3<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The subject-matter of
claim I.6 is novel over D1.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><b><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;">FALSE<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Dependent claims I.6 is not
defined according to GL (2023) G-VI, 7.1.5 (=<a href="https://www.epo.org/en/legal/guidelines-epc/2024/g_vi_6_1_5.html" target="_blank">GL (2024) G-VI, 6.1.5</a>),<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>and is thus not considered a second medical use claim according to Art.
54(5), but is considered a claim to Product X per se. So, the claim lacks
novelty over D1 disclosing Product X.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p><b><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A correctly formulated claim I.6 would read:<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p><b><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;">" Product X <u>for use</u> according to claim I.5, wherein Product
X is administered for at least 10 days in a dosage of 25 mg/kg bodyweight per
day."<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><b><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;">For this claim, the statement would be TRUE, as the 25 mg/kg dosage
regime was not disclosed in D1.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;">19.4<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The subject-matter of
claim I.1 involves an inventive step over D3 alone.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><b><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;">FALSE<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Claim I.1 lacks novelty over
D3 (see the answer to 18.4) and thus cannot involve an inventive step over D3
alone. Note that it is doubtful to pose a question on inventive step if the claim
is not novel.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><b><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></span></b></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><b><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Question 20<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p class="western" style="background: white; line-height: 16.8pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black;">Claim set II filed by the applicant during
the examination proceedings</span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black;"><br />
</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black;">Deleted passages are marked as “<s>strikethrough</s>”,
added passages are <u>underlined</u>.</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black;"><br />
</span><u><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black;">II.1</span></u><s><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black;">I.1 </span></s><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black;">Product X for use in a treatment as an
antiviral<s>, an antibiotic , an antifungal or an antiparasitic</s>.</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black;"><br />
</span><s><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black;">I.2 Product X for use in a treatment
by inhibiting receptor Y.</span></s><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black;"><br />
</span><u><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black;">II.2 Product X according to claim
II.1, wherein the treatment is antiviral against RNA viruses.<br />
II.3</span></u><s><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black;">I.3</span></s><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black;"> Product X according to claim <u>II.1</u><s>I.1</s>,
wherein the treatment is <s>an antiviral, more particularly</s> a
treatment against rhinovirus, influenza virus or coronavirus.</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black;"><br />
</span><u><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black;">II.4</span></u><s><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black;">I.4</span></s><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black;"> Product X according to claim <u>II.1</u><s>I.1</s>,
wherein Product X is administered for at least 10 days in a dosage of
5-50 mg/kg bodyweight per day.</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black;"><br />
</span><u><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black;">II.5. Product X according to claim
II.1, wherein Product X is administered for at least 10 days in a dosage of
5-30 mg/kg bodyweight per day.<br />
II.6</span></u><s><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black;">I.5</span></s><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black;"> Product X, wherein Product X is
administered for at least 10 days in a dosage of 5-50 mg/kg bodyweight per
day.</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black;"><br />
</span><u><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black;">II.7</span></u><s><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black;">I.6</span></s><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black;"> Product X according to claim <u>II.6</u><s>I.5</s>,
wherein Product X is administered for at least 10 days in a dosage of
25 mg/kg bodyweight per day.</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black;"><br />
</span><u><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black;">II.8</span></u><s><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black;">I.7</span></s><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black;"> Product X according to claim <u>II.1</u><s>I.1</s>,
wherein Product X is administered as nasal spray.</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black;"><br />
</span><u><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black;">II.9</span></u><s><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black;">I.8</span></s><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black;"> Product X according to claim <u>II.1</u><s>I.1</s>,
wherein the treatment is an antibiotic and wherein Product X is administered as
nasal spray.</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black;"><br />
</span><u><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black;">II.10 A composition comprising
Product X and antibiotic compound Z.</span></u><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black;"><br />
</span><s><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black;">I.9. A method for therapeutic
treatment of a living human, wherein the treatment comprises administration of
Product X.<br />
I.10 A method according to claim I.9, wherein the treatment comprises
intravenous administration.<o:p></o:p></span></s></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black;">20.1<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-GB">The
subject-matter of claim II.5 complies with the requirements of
Article 123(2) EPC.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">FALSE<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>For at least the reason that the specific dosage of 30mg/kg was not
disclosed in the application as filed.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black;">20.2<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-GB">The
subject-matter of claim II.2 complies with the requirements of
Article 123(2) EPC.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span lang="EN-GB">FALSE<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black;">For at least the reason that the application
as filed only describes the use in a treatment against three specific RNA
viruses (influenza virus, coronavirus and rhinovirus, see [010]), but not the
general class of RNA viruses.<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black;">20.3<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-GB">The
effect provided by the distinguishing features of the subject-matter of claim
II.10 with respect to D3 is a synergistic effect.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p><b><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;">TRUE<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>According to [011], when
Product X is combined with the antibiotic compound Z, the suppression factor
for the streptococcal infection was stronger than the sum of the individual
effects of Product X and compound Z , which matches the definition of a
synergistic effect.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black;">20.4<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-GB">The
subject-matter of claim II.10 complies with the requirements of
Article 123(2) EPC.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="western" style="background: white; line-height: 16.8pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">TRUE Claim
II.10 is supported by the last sentence of [11].</span></span></b></p>Nico Cordeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18418422722416402064noreply@blogger.com93tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-584401433841434859.post-83607956466679290592024-03-15T20:56:00.018+01:002024-03-21T11:31:33.583+01:00Pre-Exam 2024 - our answers to the legal questions (part 1 & part 2)<p>As the earlier Pre-Exams since 2021, this online EQE Pre-Exam was again held in four parts of 70 minutes each. The
questions had to be taken, almost fully, from the screen (only the description
of the application and the prior-art documents in the claims analysis parts
were printable; also no calendars were provided).</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Our answers to the legal part are given below. We have
numbered the questions and statements for easy reference in the discussion.<o:p></o:p></p><span><a name='more'></a></span><p class="MsoNormal">During the exam, candidates had access to the EPO Legal Text
pages, so including the full EPC Articles and Rules, Guidelines, GL/PCT-EPO,
National Law Tables, Case Law, and the Euro-PCT Guide (HTML versions), as well
as to some of the PCT Legal Texts, esp. PAT Articles and Rules and the PCT
Applicant’s Guide in the new eGuide format (as on www.wipo.int/pct/en). Access to
the EPO text was to the live versions, so to the versions in force on 15 March
2024 (so not the version of 31.10.2023 acc REE/IPEE). The PCT texts were in the
version in force on 31 October 2023.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Candidates could access the exam in all languages, English,
French and German: the language of the question could be selected. All
statements were given in all three languages. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In the legal as well as the claims analysis parts, the order
of the four statements of each of the questions was randomized, i.e., it was
different for different candidates. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Also the order of the questions was randomized in the legal
parts (e.g., the sequence shown below was presented to one candidate, while
another candidate reported getting what is shown below as Q.2 as the first
question,), but not in the claims analysis parts.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In view of the randomized order, we provide the questions
and statement together with our answers. If you check your answers with ours,
note that the order of the questions and of the four statements from a single
question may be different!!!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This year’s exam reused quite some questions from earlier
Pre-Exams, with essentially just names of persons and dates adapted.
Well-prepared candidates that practiced all old exams from the Compendium,
including the 2019 and 2022 Pre-Exam in the Wiseflow EQE Compendium, or the
updated versions thereof from our P-book will presumably have appreciated this
approach. See our comments with the questions<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i>Please feel invited to comment!<o:p></o:p></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Please do not post your comments anonymously - it is
allowed, but it makes responding more difficult and rather clumsy ("Dear
Mr/Mrs/Ms Anonymous of 15-03-2024 20:23"), whereas using your real name or
a nickname is more personal, more interesting and makes a more attractive
conversation. You do not need to log in or make an account - it is OK to just
put your (nick) name at the end of your post.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You may also want to check the other blogs:<a href="https://pre-exam.blogspot.com/2024/03/pre-exam-2024-first-impressions.html" target="_blank"> first impressions</a> and <a href="https://pre-exam.blogspot.com/2024/03/pre-exam-2024-our-answers-to-claims.html">claims analysis</a> (part 3 & part 4)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Diane & Roel<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Part 1<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Question 1</b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Zlatko filed a European patent application EP-Z in Croatian
as a first filing with the European Patent Office on 16 March 2023. EP-Z does
not contain any claims.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For each of the statements, indicate whether the statement
is true (T) or false (F):</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">1.1 The period for filing an international patent
application validly claiming priority from EP-Z ends on 16 March 2024.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>FALSE<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>- 16/3/23 + 12m
-> 16/3/24 (Sat) [R.134(1)] --> 18/3/24<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span></i><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">1.2 The period for filing claims for EP-Z ended on 16 May
2023.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>FALSE - no particular time limit for submitting claims of
own volition; ultimate period is within 2m from invitation under R. 58 EPC</i><i> </i> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">1.3 The period for filing a translation of EP-Z into one of
the official languages of the EPO ended on 16 May 2023.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>TRUE - 16/3/23 + 2 m<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>[R.6(1)] -> 16/5/24 (Thu)<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="color: #990000;">FALSE could also be argued </span>in view of R.58 and D 3/19 </i><i> </i> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">1.4 The period for paying the filing fee for EP-Z ended on
17 April 2023.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>TRUE- 16/3/23 + 1m
[R.131(4)] -> 16/4/23 (Sun) [R.134(1)] -> 17/4/23 (Mon)<o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i>Note: that EP-Z contains no claims has no effect on the 1m period of R.38(1) to pay the (basic) filing fee. However, if the application comprises more than 35 pages, the additional fee referred to in R.38(2) ("page fee" which is part of the filing fee) shall be paid within 1m of filing the first set of claims.</i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Question 2<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Daniel Automotive SE filed a European patent application
EP-D in June 2020. Claus is designated as the sole inventor. Last week, Daniel
Automotive SE received a communication under Rule 71(3) EPC for EP-D. On 15
March 2024, an error is noted: the inventors of EP-D are actually Claus and
Sabrina. Daniel Automotive SE now consults you for advice.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">A valid element of your advice for correcting the error
before the EPO is that ...<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For each of the statements, indicate whether the statement
is true (T) or false (F):<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">2.1 … if the request is filed by Daniel Automotive SE, the
consent of Claus is required to rectify the designation of the inventor.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>FALSE<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>- GL A-III, 5.5</i><i> </i> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">2.2 ... the designation of the inventor may be corrected
after EP-D has been granted.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>TRUE<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>- GL A-III, 5.5</i><i> </i> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">2.3 ... the applicant need not provide evidence that an
error was made.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>TRUE<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>- only needs to
be requested by the applicant, no provision for a fee</i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">2.4 ... Sabrina may file an opposition based on the ground
of not being mentioned as inventor.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>FALSE<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>- no ground -
exhaustive list of Art.100<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>Note: question reused from an earlier Pre-Exam</i><i> </i> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Question 3<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Anna-Frieda filed a German national patent application DE-AF
in German on 23 May 2022 disclosing a first invention AF1 and a second
invention AF2. On 24 April 2023, Anna-Frieda filed a first European patent
application EP-AF1 covering the invention AF1 only and claiming priority from
DE-AF. On the same day, 24 April 2023, she also filed a second European patent
application EP-AF2 covering the invention AF2 only and without claiming any
priority. Afterwards, Anna-Frieda noticed that no drawings had been filed for
EP-AF1 <i><span style="color: #990000;"><b>[R.56!!]</b> </span></i>and that the wrong claims had been erroneously filed <i><span style="color: #990000;"><b>[R.56a, not R.56, not R.58!!]</b></span></i>
for EP-AF2. On 2 May 2023, Anna-Frieda filed the missing drawings for EP-AF1,
together with a certified copy of DE-AF, a letter correctly stating that the
missing drawings are identical to those of DE-AF and a request to maintain the
filing date of 24 April 2023. On 2 May 2023, Anna-Frieda submitted the correct
claims for EP-AF2.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For each of the statements, indicate whether the statement
is true (T) or false (F):<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">3.1 The period for making the declaration of priority from
DE-AF for EP-AF2 ends on 26 August 2024.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>FALSE<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>- 23/5/22 + 16m
[R.52(2)] -> 23/9/<u>2023 </u>(Sat) -> 25/9/<u>2023</u>, not 2024</i><i> </i> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">3.2 The filing date of EP-AF2 will be re-dated to 2 May
2023.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>TRUE<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>- R.56a(3); –
correct claims received within 2m so redated (priority not claimed at filing so
not possible to use “incorporation by reference” to keep the date; was also not
requested - R.56a(4))</i><i> </i> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">3.3 The filing date of EP-AF1 will be re-dated to 2 May
2023.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>FALSE<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>- R.56(3); as
pri was claimed on filing and request to maintain date was duly filed with
required documents</i><i> </i> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">3.4 On 15 March 2024, Anna-Frieda can file a third EP patent
application EP-AF3 validly claiming priority from EP-AF2 regarding the
invention AF2.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>FALSE<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>- DE-AF is
first application for AF2, not EP-Af2, so priority invalid - Art 87(1)<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></i><i> </i> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Question 4<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Manuela filed international application PCT-M in September
2021 without claiming priority. PCT M was searched by the EPO as International
Searching Authority in February 2022. The International Searching Authority
raised non-unity objections with respect to the subject-matter of the claims,
considering claims 20 to 35 to relate to a separate invention with respect to
claims 1 to 19. Manuela did not pay any additional fees. The International
Searching Authority issued a partial search report covering claims 1 to 19.
PCT-M entered the European phase on 15 March 2024 and is referred to in the
following as Euro-PCT-M. No amendments have been filed.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For each of the statements, indicate whether the statement
is true (T) or false (F):<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">4.1 If Manuela does not pay claims fees by expiry of the
period set by Rule<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>161 EPC, Euro-PCT-M
will be deemed to be withdrawn.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>FALSE<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>- effect is
" the claim concerned shall be deemed to be abandoned" - R.162(4)</i><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>Note: reference to R.161 period may appear incorrect, as it
is R.162. But R.162 and 161 periods are the same; it is also a single
invitation</i><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"><i> </i> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">4.2 Manuela will have an opportunity to amend the claims of
Euro-PCT-M before substantive examination of Euro-PCT-M begins.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>TRUE<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>- A response to
the R 161(1) communication will be mandatory in view of non-unity objection by
EPO as ISA. This may include amendments.. The R.161/162 invitation with a 6m
time limit which will be issued after entry (entry is today).</i><i> </i> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">4.3 If in the application documents which are to serve as
the basis of the substantive examination of Euro-PCT-M an invention is claimed
that was not searched by the EPO as the International Searching Authority,
Manuela will be invited to pay a further search fee in respect of this
invention.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>TRUE<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>- R.164(2)(a)</i><i> </i> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">4.4 If Manuela does not comment by 15 March 2024 on the
written opinion of the International Searching Authority, Euro-PCT-M will be
deemed to be withdrawn.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>FALSE - R.161(1) allows 6m to comment and invitation not yet
issued</i><i> </i> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Question 5<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Your client Pencilz has noticed that its biggest competitor
Rulerz has a granted patent EP-R which covers important subject matter for
Pencilz. The mention of the grant of EP-R was published in the European Patent
Bulletin on 4 August 2023. Pencilz asked you to file an opposition against EP-R
and the notice of opposition was filed on 15 February 2024. No opposition fee
was paid. EP-R was opposed on the following grounds: added subject matter and
lack of novelty. You also noticed some clarity issues with the granted claims
of EP-R, which you also included in the statement of grounds filed with the
notice of opposition.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For each of the statements, indicate whether the statement
is true (T) or false (F):<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">5.1 On 15 March 2024, the opposition fee may still be paid.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>TRUE - last day is 4/8/2023 + 9m -> 4/5/2024 [Sat) ->
6/5/2024, so can pay today (15/3/24)</i><i> </i> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">5.2 Lack of clarity is a ground for opposition.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>FALSE - not mentioned in Art 100</i><i> </i> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">5.3 The Opposition Division may, of its own motion, examine
EP-R for sufficiency of disclosure.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>TRUE - GL D-V, 2.2, if prima facie</i><i> </i> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">5.4 A third-party that has filed observations with the EPO
concerning the patentability of EP-R is party to the opposition proceedings.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>FALSE - Art. 115</i><i> </i> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><o:p> </o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>PART 2<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Question 6</b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">A European patent application is refused without holding
oral proceedings for lack of novelty in a decision dated 1 February 2024. A
request for oral proceedings filed by the applicant at an early stage in the
examination procedure has been overlooked by the Examining Division. The
applicant files an appeal with arguments explaining why the subject-matter
claimed is novel over the prior art.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For each of the statements, indicate whether the statement
is true (T) or false (F):<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">6.1 The statement setting out the grounds of appeal has to
be filed within two months of filing the notice of appeal.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>FALSE - 4m from notification of decision - Art.108</i><i> </i> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">6.2 The appeal fee is to be reimbursed in full because the
applicant's request for oral proceedings has been overlooked.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>TRUE<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>- overlooking request for OP = subst proc
violation and will result in interlocutory revision, Rule 103(1)(a), GL E-XII, 7.3 & (added 16/3:) <a href="https://www.epo.org/en/legal/guidelines-epc/2024/e_xii_7_4_1.html" target="_blank">GL E-XII, 7.4.1</a><o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>Failure to hold oral proceedings violates applicant’s right
to be heard and is a substantial procedural violation that may give rise to
reimbursment of the appeal fee T93/88<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></i><i> </i> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">6.3 If the notice of appeal does not contain the address of
the appellant, and the address of the appellant is not given by today, 15 March
2024, the appeal will be rejected as inadmissible.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>FALSE<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>- Requirement
of R 99(1)a satisfied if appellant can be identified [T662/09]. EPO sent a
decision to refuse to the applicant, so they know who the applicant is.'<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>Also still time, as notice period expires -Art.108: <o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>1/2/2024 + 2m -> 1/4/2024 -> 2/4/2024 or 1/2/2024 +
10d + 2m -> 11/4/2024</i><i> </i> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">6.4 If the Examining Division considers the appeal to be
admissible and well founded, it shall rectify its decision.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>TRUE<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>- Art.109(1), GL
E-XII,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>7.1<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span><o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><o:p><i> </i></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Question 7</b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">On 1 June 2021, Matthieu filed a European patent application
EP-M1 disclosing and claiming a fork made of copper or zinc. No other materials
are mentioned and the kind of handle is not specified. On 1 June 2022, Matthieu
filed a European patent application EP-M2 claiming priority from EP-M1 and
disclosing and claiming a fork made of metal. The description of EP-M2 mentions
that the metal can be copper, zinc, iron or any alloy of these metals. Claim 1
of EP-M2 claims a fork made of metal, claim 2 of EP-M2 claims a fork made of
metal with a hollow handle. EP-M1 was published on 1 December 2022 as EP-M1-A1.
A company brochure PA-1 published on 5 October 2021 discloses a fork made of
copper with a hollow handle.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For each of the statements, indicate whether the statement
is true (T) or false (F):<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">7.1 EP-M1-A1 forms part of the state of the art against the
subject-matter of claim 1 of EP-M2 under Article 54(3) EPC.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>Problematic. Part of EP-M2 claim 1 is not entitled to
priority, because broader than the<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>sjm
not disclosed in EP-M1, while encompassing that, such that there is a partial
priority situation - <a href="https://www.epo.org/en/boards-of-appeal/decisions/g150001ep1" target="_blank">G 1/15</a>, <a href="https://www.epo.org/en/legal/guidelines-epc/2024/f_vi_1_5.html" target="_blank">GL F-VI, 1.5</a><o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>Then, the claim has to be treated as a "generic OR
claim", by considering it an OR-claim of "a first conceptual part
with priority" OR "a second conceptual part without priority".</i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>I.e., claim 1 benefits from partial priority, EP-M1-A1 is
NOT 54(3) vs the first conceptual part that benefits from partial priority (the
conceptual part Cu or Zn), so the statement could be considered FALSE.<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>However, w.r.t. the second conceptual part that does not
benefit from partial priority (the conceptual remainder, i.e. metal but not Cu
nor Zn), EP-M1-A1 IS 54(3).<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>For the first conceptual part ("Cu or Zn"), the statement is FALSE. For the second conceptual part ("</i><i>metal but not Cu nor Zn</i><i>"),
it is TRUE.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="color: #990000;">But how to combine that into
a single TRUE or FALSE? One can (n)either conclude to TRUE (n)or to FALSE.</span> <span style="color: #990000;">We would consider this a candidate for neutralization.</span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>(Note that EP-M1 is NOT novelty destroying for the claim, as
it is not novelty destroying fort either part. However, that is <b>not</b> asked here!!!) </i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i>Note (added 19/3 in view of discussions on the blog): the reference to the publication "EP-M1-<u>A1</u> forms [...] 54(3)" is somewhat confusing: does it mean to indicate that the application was validly published, which is a prerequisite to be an Art.54(3) - which is our interpretation. Or is it intended to mean "the text of the A1 publication of EP-M1 is 54(3)" whereas it is the content of EP-M1 as filed that determines the prior art effect (even if that would be incomplete or gave errors - <a href="https://www.epo.org/en/legal/guidelines-epc/2024/g_iv_5_1.html" target="_blank">GL G-IV, 5.1</a>). This may be another reason to consider neutralization. </i> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">7.2 PA-1 forms part of the state of the art against EP-M2
under Article 54(3) EPC.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>FALSE<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>- PA-1 is not
an EP application so cannot be Art 54(3) prior art</i><i> </i> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">7.3 PA-1 is novelty-destroying for the subject-matter of
claim 1 of EP-M2 under Article 54(2) EPC.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>FALSE<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>- the
conceptual Cu part benefits from partial priority and is thus not novelty
destroyed.<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>PA-1 is 54(2) prior art for remaining part of claim 1 not
entitled to priority, but that part relates to metals other than Cu or Zn, so
not novelty destroyed by disclosure of Cu fork.<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>As both conceptual parts novel, claim as a whole novel.</i><i> </i> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">7.4 PA-1 is novelty-destroying for the subject-matter of
claim 2 of EP-M2 under Article 54(2) EPC.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>TRUE<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>- the metal plus
handle has no partial, nor full priority. Destroyed by Cu plus handle.</i><i> </i> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Question 8<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">On 28 February 2024, Martha, a Polish national resident in
Poland, filed with the EPO a reasoned notice of opposition against European
patent EP-E in Polish. The mention of the grant of EP-E was published in the
European Patent Bulletin on 16 June 2023. The language of the proceedings in
the case of EP-E is English. In the notice of opposition, Martha requested oral
proceedings.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For each of the statements, indicate whether the statement
is true (T) or false (F):<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">8.1 Martha must file the translation of the notice of
opposition at the latest on 18 March 2024.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>FALSE<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>- Rule 6(2):
latest of <o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>- 28/2/24 + 1m -> 28/3/24 and <o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>- 16/6/23 + 9m -> 16/3/24 (Sat) -> 18.3.24 (Mon), <o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>so 28/3/24.</i><i> </i> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">8.2 Martha is not entitled to a reduction of the opposition
fee.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>TRUE - no such reductions (only until 2014)</i><i> </i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i>Note: I was told by an expert in exam design that it is a general guidance that negative statements are to be prevented in multiple-choice exams, in view of the high risk that a candidates has the correct understanding and applies it correctly to the facts of the case, concludes "not" entitled, and hence logically answers FALSE, and thus comes with the wrong answer just because of the negative in the statement. </i> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">8.3 If Martha requested in the notice of opposition to speak
and listen in German during oral proceedings, the EPO would provide for
interpretation.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>TRUE - R.4(1), first sentence, first alternative: German is
an official EPO language [Art 14(1)] and may be used instead of language of
proceedings [R. 4(1)]. Request to use German received well in advance of 1m
before the oral hearing, so EPO responsible for interpretation at EPO's own
expense.</i><i> </i> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">8.4 Martha will be allowed to speak Polish during oral
proceedings if she provides for interpretation into English.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>TRUE - R.4(1) second sentence<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>Question reused from an earlier Pre-Exam</i><i> </i> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Question 9<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Sara, an Italian citizen living in Italy, filed an
international application PCT-S1 in French with the EPO on 20 September 2021
without claiming priority. PCT-S1 documents as filed are: PCT request form
designating all PCT contracting states, description, claims, drawings and
abstract. After filing, Sara noticed that her name was misspelt on the PCT
request form, but she could still be identified.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For each of the statements, indicate whether the statement
is true (T) or false (F):<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">9.1 Further processing for performing the requirements for
entry into the EP regional phase can be validly requested on 19 June 2024.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>TRUE - 20/9/21 + 31m -> 20/4/24 [Sat) -> 22/4/24. <o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>If missed, earliest possible loss of rights communication is
23/4/24:</i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>23/4/24 + 2m -> 23/6/24, or 23/4/24 + 10d + 2m ->
2/5/24 + 2m -> 2/7/24. <o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>So can surely do on 19/6/24 </i><i> </i> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><i>Note (added 17/3): <span style="color: #990000;">one could also argue TRUE</span> as the missed renewal fee (due on entry in this case) under Rule 159(1)(f)) cannot be remedied with further processing, but needs Rule 51(2). Whether one answers TRUE or FALSE may thus depend on whether one considers the statement to refer to <u>all</u> requirements for entry, or to those for which missing the entry causes a loss of rights (R.160(1)) at the 31m expiry. We decided for TRUE as we considered the latter seemed to us the interpretation that was most likely expected, as there is no loss yet due to non-payment of the renewal by the due date: that loss only occurs at the expiry of the 6m period of R.51(2) (22/4/24 + 6m -> 22/10/24 (Tue)); this is also reflected in the loss-of-rights communication that the EPO sends shortly after missing the 31m period: renewal is not mentioned therein. One would also interpret the statement as merely testing the situation on 19 June 2024, i.e., whether FP is still available then - that would also result in TRUE.</i> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">9.2 20 September 2021 is the international filing date of
PCT-S1.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>TRUE - all requirements of Art. 11 (1)PCT fulfilled. <o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>Also, if the answer would be FALSE, you cannot answer any of
the other three statements.</i><i> </i> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">9.3 An extension of the time limit for performing the
requirements for entry into the EP regional phase can be validly requested on
20 February 2024.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>FALSE - not possible for the 31m period. 31m specified in
EPC so not under R.132(2); no other provisions either.</i><i> </i> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">9.4 Without resorting to a legal remedy, the acts for entry
into the EP regional phase shall be performed at the latest on 20 March 2024.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>FALSE - 20/9/21 + 31m -> 20/4/24 [Sat) -> 22/4/24. You
would have wrongly answered TRUE if you wrongly used 30m</i><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Question 10<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Wolfgang intends to file the following patent applications:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">(1) a European patent application EP-W;<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">(2) an international patent application PCT-WC.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">PCT-WC will be jointly filed in the name of Wolfgang and
Christina.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Christina lives in Berlin; Wolfgang lives in Uruguay and is
of Uruguayan nationality. Uruguay is not a PCT member state.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For each of the statements, indicate whether the statement
is true (T) or false (F):<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">10.1 PCT-WC may be validly filed with the EPO as receiving
Office.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>TRUE - Christina lives in Germany which is a PCT state and
an EPO contracting state, so EPO is a competent receiving office. R 19.1(a) PCT;
R. 157(1) EPC.<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>Sufficient if 1 applicant has an entitlement to file a PCT - Aret. 9(1);'R.19.2(ii) PCT<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>PCT-WC must be filed in English, French or German for the
EPO to act as rO. R.12.1 PCT; R.157(2) EPC</i><i> </i> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">10.2 If Wolfgang moves to Berlin two months after validly
filing PCT-WC, the <u>International Bureau</u> will, upon request, record the change
of residence in relation to PCT-WC.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>TRUE - Rule 92bis PCT; AG-IP 11.018-11.022: the IB will
record a change under R.92bis at any time before 30m international phase ends.</i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>Note that the earlier version of this question (in Pre_Exam
2019, said "the EPO will record the change" - and that is FALSE)</i><i> </i> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">10.3 PCT-WC can be validly filed with the International
Bureau as receiving Office.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>TRUE - Christina lives in Berlin. True, IB is a competent rO
for any applicant from any PCT contracting state</i><i> </i> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">10.4 Wolfgang may validly file EP-W with the EPO.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>TRUE - anyone may file an EP application Art 58 EPC<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>Question from Pre-Exam 2019 reused for the second time )with
statement 3 changed from EPO to IB) - also last year (when EPO was maintained).</i><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><b>Please feel invited to comment!</b></i><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When commenting, please do not post your comments
anonymously - it is allowed, but it makes responding more difficult and rather
clumsy ("Dear Mr/Mrs/Ms Anonymous of 15-03-2024 23:22"), whereas
using your real name, your initial or a nickname is more personal, more
interesting and makes a more attractive conversation. You do not need to log
in, not make an account, nor give your email address; you can us post Comment
As --> Name or URL: Give your name, nickname or your initials and use them
consistently.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p>Diane & Roel</o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">(c) DeltaPatents<o:p></o:p></p>Roel van Woudenberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15823355175016282250noreply@blogger.com106tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-584401433841434859.post-72448379916537987832024-03-15T16:10:00.056+01:002024-03-16T16:31:03.072+01:00Pre-Exam 2024: first impressions?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgSNHgjbR2v8PmszHsB2tK7ZpN1iiMhekArD1mXDo1Osa24pBBGBddm5wVTJ_wkE2SBM5q7WQU_ldsXeDBdwdG0YQjoGXp_UnK2kTy_OvkD1PWRqTNIiUh3aUzkPbI_XnZpzLH_TFUpoyVpze9GQ3rL9pIZNY_HSzVB-oV8DKFcvNUnR5GZmTCD0mTfQ/s1933/Pre-Exam%20Flows%20Compendium%202022.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="659" data-original-width="1933" height="136" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgSNHgjbR2v8PmszHsB2tK7ZpN1iiMhekArD1mXDo1Osa24pBBGBddm5wVTJ_wkE2SBM5q7WQU_ldsXeDBdwdG0YQjoGXp_UnK2kTy_OvkD1PWRqTNIiUh3aUzkPbI_XnZpzLH_TFUpoyVpze9GQ3rL9pIZNY_HSzVB-oV8DKFcvNUnR5GZmTCD0mTfQ/w400-h136/Pre-Exam%20Flows%20Compendium%202022.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhgVCBmcZfXtd1K6CntmKPFGGSxj-5AcAIrQN-FTjNxUq5MfzNL3SQGaIqZNrlx2QxEZ8dXiKn9IXPBzx4phSTOqxLK-S7ZIBlo5pVQo0dNovq5n1fp1P3KelTIzvux9x_AGgqwV1ewwLiC35eg6SEH7E16PigeCYv59Ch_yhtWbTfyTloxLKjOb7LQsA=s891" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="719" data-original-width="891" height="323" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhgVCBmcZfXtd1K6CntmKPFGGSxj-5AcAIrQN-FTjNxUq5MfzNL3SQGaIqZNrlx2QxEZ8dXiKn9IXPBzx4phSTOqxLK-S7ZIBlo5pVQo0dNovq5n1fp1P3KelTIzvux9x_AGgqwV1ewwLiC35eg6SEH7E16PigeCYv59Ch_yhtWbTfyTloxLKjOb7LQsA=w400-h323" width="400" /></a></div><p> <strong style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><i>To all who sat the Pre-Exam today:</i></strong></p><div style="background-color: white; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>What are your first impressions to this year's (and last) Pre-Exam</span><span>? </span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Any general or specific comments?</span></div><div style="background-color: white; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-US">Were the<span style="color: #990000;"><b> legal topics</b></span> well balanced? </span><span>Was the balance between EPC and PCT right for you? </span><span>Were recent changes and stable legal provisions tested in the right balance for you? </span>Which of the legal questions did you consider particularly difficult, and which relatively 'easy'?</span></div><div style="background-color: white; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Were the various aspects of <span style="color: #990000;"><b>claims analysis</b></span> well balanced? How did you deal with the situation that only part of the paper (only the prior art) could be printed? <br />(How) did you use the <b><span style="color: #990000;">available online legal texts </span></b>(EPO legal texts incl Guidelines, EPC Articles and Rules, RFees; PCT Applicant's Guide, PCT Treaty Articles and Rules)?</span></div><div style="background-color: white; margin: 0cm;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">What is your <span style="color: #990000;"><b>expectation </b></span>of the pass rate and the average score? </span>How many marks do you expect to have scored in the legal part, in the claims analysis, and for the whole paper?</div><div style="background-color: white; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Were you able to finish each of the legal parts of the exam in the 70 minutes available for the appropriate part? And each of the claims analysis parts? </span></div><div style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Did you experience any <span style="color: #990000;"><b>technical difficulties</b></span> during the exam (despite having taken the technical tests successfully)? Which? How and how fast were they solved? Did you use the search functions? Did you use annotation, sticky notes and other Wiseflow tools?</span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif">How did this year's paper</span><b><span style="color: #990000;"> compare to the earlier pre-exams</span></b><span face="Arial, sans-serif"> w.r.t. the pre-exam as a whole, w.r.t. the legal part and w.r.t. the claims analysis part?</span><br /><br /></span><span><a name='more'></a></span></div><div style="background-color: white; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><div style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Please be reminded that, if you wish to lodge a <b><span style="color: #990000;">complaint </span></b>pursuant to point I.8. of the <a href="https://link.epo.org/elearning/EQE_2024_instructions_EN" target="_blank">Instructions to candidates</a> concerning <b><span style="color: #990000;">the conduct of the examination </span></b>, you must do so at the latest b<b><span style="color: #990000;">y the end of the day on which the paper concerned takes place</span></b>, by filling in the dedicated form on the <a href="https://www.epo.org/en/learning/professional-hub/european-qualifying-examination-eqe" target="_blank">EQE website</a>. The <b><span style="color: #990000;">form for the Pre-Exam is thus (only) available on 15.03.2024, 16:10 - 23:59, CET</span></b>.</span></div><div style="margin: 0cm;"><span></span></div><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTwJSVyUbMAacyaLuHFx7TNwW8voo7_EhGhjtsJbeBaDd89An6cl0sarxgnlBAwztP09Jy2E2vPZb300iqrUoNtW0MQUeNUEqB2oQmdHfr4SnUo-8Q3GmAkNITMEunjfaSHph-TGJ-onAN7B8cuYFRo6uLP8DkcKJlBGTirIspmE55_hc3JP_IImJCfCk3/s1704/complaintPre2024.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1160" data-original-width="1704" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTwJSVyUbMAacyaLuHFx7TNwW8voo7_EhGhjtsJbeBaDd89An6cl0sarxgnlBAwztP09Jy2E2vPZb300iqrUoNtW0MQUeNUEqB2oQmdHfr4SnUo-8Q3GmAkNITMEunjfaSHph-TGJ-onAN7B8cuYFRo6uLP8DkcKJlBGTirIspmE55_hc3JP_IImJCfCk3/w400-h272/complaintPre2024.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><b><i>The paper and our answers</i></b></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; margin: 0cm;"><b><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="color: #990000;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="background-color: white; margin: 0cm;"><b><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="color: #990000;">We aim to give our answers on this blog (<a href="https://pre-exam.blogspot.com/2024/03/pre-exam-2024-our-answers-to-legal.html" target="_blank">legal questions here </a>and <a href="https://pre-exam.blogspot.com/2024/03/pre-exam-2024-our-answers-to-claims.html" target="_blank">claims parts here</a>) after we have received a copy of the paper (printout of your answer and pre-printable documents) and had the opportunity to make the paper. Should you have a copy, please send it to any of our tutors or to training@deltapatents.com.</span></b></div><div style="background-color: white; margin: 0cm;"><span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><span><br />Our Pre-Exam 2024 blogs will have three separate blogs:</span></div><div style="margin: 0cm;"><ul><li>first impressions with your comments as to first impressions, the Pre-Exam 2024 as a whole, the online EQE platform (this blog), etc</li><li>first and second legal part with our answers to the legal questions 1-10 (<a href="https://pre-exam.blogspot.com/2024/03/pre-exam-2024-our-answers-to-legal.html" target="_blank">here</a>)</li><li>first claims part with our answers to the claims analysis questions 11-15 & second claims part with our answers to the claims analysis questions 16-20 (<a href="https://pre-exam.blogspot.com/2024/03/pre-exam-2024-our-answers-to-claims.html" target="_blank">here</a>)</li></ul></div></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><span face=""arial" , sans-serif"><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">Please be reminded that you can <b><span style="color: #990000;">view your exam answer after the exam</span></b>, via the eye below the "1. Paper"-icon in the bottom left part of the flow window of the respective flow. (It may not be available immediately after the official end of the respective part of the paper, but only 30-60 minutes later.) Apart from the pre-printable parts, the paper itself cannot be downloaded (but in 2021, 2022 and 2023, the text of the questions and the statements are included in the answer).</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">Note that the questions (legal part) and 4 statements within a question (all parts) may appear in a different order here than they were in your actual exam, as the exam presents them in a randomized order to you. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtQBH5ce5CgbVT1NR8v684F4J6sallEKypi6v3QZa-RQau1eqTo-nVdJ_w5bWhD136cu85FNBykJWCIUzV4sgnq1wuvEtBT0rbvzl3v_0GgZyV03kVeqVcLjTcNT-nmGssjj5X8zJ6fv_Qqvs70daJGAqBpHWjoag_CQb2Df0FxEWIQIMticQ_gNWJAQ/s2533/D2%20flow%20page%20after%20handin%20-%20detail%20annotated.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="927" data-original-width="2533" height="146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtQBH5ce5CgbVT1NR8v684F4J6sallEKypi6v3QZa-RQau1eqTo-nVdJ_w5bWhD136cu85FNBykJWCIUzV4sgnq1wuvEtBT0rbvzl3v_0GgZyV03kVeqVcLjTcNT-nmGssjj5X8zJ6fv_Qqvs70daJGAqBpHWjoag_CQb2Df0FxEWIQIMticQ_gNWJAQ/w400-h146/D2%20flow%20page%20after%20handin%20-%20detail%20annotated.png" width="400" /></a></div></div></span></div><span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><strong><i>We look forward to your comments!</i></strong></span><span><br /></span><span>Comments are welcome in any official EPO language, not just English. So, <b><i>comments in German and French are also very welcome</i></b>!</span><span><br /></span><span><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>Please do not post your comments anonymously - it is allowed, but it makes responding more difficult and rather clumsy ("Dear Mr/Mrs/Ms Anonymous of 15-03-2024 20:24"), whereas using your real name or a nickname is more personal, more interesting and makes a more attractive conversation.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>You do not need to log in or make an account - it is OK to just put your (nick) name at the end of your post.</span><span><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>Please post your comments as to <strong>first impressions</strong> and <strong>general remarks</strong> to the Pre-Exam paper <strong>as a whole</strong>, and to the two parts (legal part and claims analysis)<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><b>as whole</b><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>parts to this blog. </span><br /><span lang="EN-US">Please post <strong>substantial questions</strong> to <strong>specific legal questions </strong>to <a href="https://pre-exam.blogspot.com/2024/03/pre-exam-2024-our-answers-to-legal.html" target="_blank">our post with our answers to the legal part </a>and <strong>claims analysis related</strong> questions to <a href="https://pre-exam.blogspot.com/2024/03/pre-exam-2024-our-answers-to-claims.html" target="_blank">our post with our answers to the claims analysis parts (part 3 & part 4)</a>, both available as of the (late) evening of 15 March 2024</span>. </span></div>Roel van Woudenberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15823355175016282250noreply@blogger.com48tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-584401433841434859.post-3337127446566307902024-03-15T08:00:00.010+01:002024-03-15T08:00:00.140+01:00Our Pre-Exam 2024 blogs will open after the exam, 15 March 2024, 16:10 CET<p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">Good luck with the last Pre-Exam: </span><span style="background-color: white;">Pre-Exam 2024</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white; color: black;">Our EQE blogs will be open for your comments and opinions w.r.t. the </span><span style="color: black;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/479165730362492593/710818085466571364"><span style="color: #da8044;">Pre-Exam</span></a><span style="background: white;">, </span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/479165730362492593/710818085466571364"><span style="color: #da8044;">A</span></a><span style="background: white;">, </span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/479165730362492593/710818085466571364"><span style="color: #da8044;">B</span></a><span style="background: white;">, </span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/479165730362492593/710818085466571364"><span style="color: #da8044;">C </span></a><span style="background: white;">and </span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/479165730362492593/710818085466571364"><span style="color: #da8044;">D </span></a><span style="background: white;">shortly after the exams. We aim to post our (provisional) answers to the various papers shortly after the exam - for the Pre-Exam, we will use separate blog posts for the legal part and for the claims analysis part, and one for first impressions. </span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i><span style="color: #990000;">Do not post any comments as to the merits of the answers of a certain exam paper/flow on the blogs while an exam/flow is still ongoing. Also, do not post the invigilator password or anything else that may be considered the breach of the exam regulations, instructions to the candidates, code of conducts, etc </span></i></b><span style="color: black;"><b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #990000;">(see, e.g., EQE homepage,</span></i></b><b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #990000;"> MyEQE, and the emails from the EQE secretariat).</span></i></b><br /><br />All candidates, as well as tutors who helped candidates prepare for EQE 2023, are invited to contribute to the discussions on our EQE blogs! You can post your comments in English, French or German. You are invited to post your comments under your real name, but it is also possible to use a nickname if you wish to hide your identify.<br /><br />The DeltaPatents team</span><span style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black;">NB: you can not comment to this blog post; comments will be accepted from a new blog post "First impressions" as of 16:10, i.e., which will become available after the Pre-Exam has finished.</span></p>Roel van Woudenberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15823355175016282250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-584401433841434859.post-26532722341062109392023-08-14T10:12:00.001+02:002023-08-14T10:12:34.633+02:00EQE 2024 exam schedule now available: Pre-Exam<p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white;">The</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white;"> </span>"<a href="https://link.epo.org/elearning/Schedule_EQE2024_EN" target="_blank"><span>Information on the schedule for the EQE 2024 examination papers</span></a>"<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white;"> (dated 27 July 2023) </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white;">is now available on</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white;"> </span><a href="https://www.epo.org/learning/eqe.html" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #da8044;" target="_blank">the EQE website</a><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white;">. </span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; margin: 0px 0px 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The EQE 2024 will take place online </span><span style="background-color: transparent;">using the examination software Wiseflow, with substantially </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">the same setup as the e-EQE/Online EQE of 2021, 2022 and 2023.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; margin: 0px 0px 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The pre-examination is again split into four parts of 70 minutes, each part having 5 questions (4 statement per question). Each part must be completed before the start of the next break, with the next set of questions only becoming available after the break. Once the time allowed for a part has elapsed, it will not be possible to go back to that part. The pre-examination lasts four hours and forty minutes.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; margin: 0px 0px 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">No documents will be available for printing in the <span style="color: #990000;">legal parts,</span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; margin: 0px 0px 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Candidates will be allowed to print the <span style="color: #990000;">description of the invention</span> as well as <span style="color: #990000;">the prior-art documents for the claim analysis parts</span> <b><span style="color: #990000;">before </span></b>the start of the appropriate part. The documents allowed for printing will be made available during the break preceding the relevant claim analysis part.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; margin: 0px 0px 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">No calendars will be provided (see <a href="https://documents.epo.org/projects/babylon/eponot.nsf/0/57AFEA700788146EC125879200349036/$FILE/Notice_on_calendars_EN.pdf" style="background: transparent; color: #da8044;" target="_blank">here</a>).</span></p><p style="background-color: white; margin: 0px 0px 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Further, in view of the amendments to Rule 126(2)/127(2)/131(2) EPC per 1 November 2023 (1 day after the legal cutoff date acc IPREE, i.e., 31 October 2023), refer to: <a href="http://pre-exam.blogspot.com/2023/07/pre-exam-2024-deemed-notification-you.html" target="_blank">this blog post</a></span></p><p style="background-color: white; margin: 0px 0px 12px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqLAawBXqD9VfRKKrhYaDK_HmN8e-gzvNK8BUjLLLiDbcT9IGsE-rP1Rq0AW7npsGny00H4T_8HJnLaE4H3K2nSt2dVRSDL1FXAWt2Sfndv6pvhWQjKZpFEihVYRkRVu1Hn2Yl9vs1vVp1M2-VGyGCeTMTckIyjA2F2RsZqp6H_ic175Y8g9C0t8QSINmG/s1499/Schedule_EQE2024_EN%20dd%2027%20July%202023%20-%20General%20(incl%20PreCD%20in%20parts).png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1022" data-original-width="1499" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqLAawBXqD9VfRKKrhYaDK_HmN8e-gzvNK8BUjLLLiDbcT9IGsE-rP1Rq0AW7npsGny00H4T_8HJnLaE4H3K2nSt2dVRSDL1FXAWt2Sfndv6pvhWQjKZpFEihVYRkRVu1Hn2Yl9vs1vVp1M2-VGyGCeTMTckIyjA2F2RsZqp6H_ic175Y8g9C0t8QSINmG/w400-h272/Schedule_EQE2024_EN%20dd%2027%20July%202023%20-%20General%20(incl%20PreCD%20in%20parts).png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYYQo4zGLdPcr4m03XSYxjyZSY5yErkgUl1TxJIbRACRMK33r14fHiIkXW7zKspjR6AsgKTyQRe6CSO1XC44HPf9y9P_7K4nBYUvFExQDIGuWzlrlhd3IZJx8Fa8j8hVVRlDmCl5R0CWotBjjzzeVWFW6F19g8MF5kN_Hvuey1KN5vnlr_FhPI2eL9mTz3/s1499/Schedule_EQE2024_EN%20dd%2027%20July%202023%20-%20Pre-Exam.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="928" data-original-width="1499" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYYQo4zGLdPcr4m03XSYxjyZSY5yErkgUl1TxJIbRACRMK33r14fHiIkXW7zKspjR6AsgKTyQRe6CSO1XC44HPf9y9P_7K4nBYUvFExQDIGuWzlrlhd3IZJx8Fa8j8hVVRlDmCl5R0CWotBjjzzeVWFW6F19g8MF5kN_Hvuey1KN5vnlr_FhPI2eL9mTz3/w400-h248/Schedule_EQE2024_EN%20dd%2027%20July%202023%20-%20Pre-Exam.png" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="background-color: white; margin: 0px 0px 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">(Note that that the document may be subject to minor changes as testing continues. Please check the EQE website for updates. E.g., for EQE 2023, an updated version of the document was published in December.)</span></p><p style="background-color: white; margin: 0px 0px 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Please feel invited to post your comments. You are allowed to post anonymously and do not need an account, but please give your name or a nickname for an easy and inter-human interaction.</span></p>Roel van Woudenberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15823355175016282250noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-584401433841434859.post-2781937725635237292023-07-03T09:12:00.005+02:002023-07-03T09:45:31.513+02:00Pre-Exam 2024: deemed notification: you can use to use the current "10-day rule" or the new version of Rule 126(2)/127(2)<p>The Supervisory Board of the EQE issued a decision on "<a href="https://documents.epo.org/projects/babylon/eponot.nsf/0/3DF1386F02482A6EC12589DE0046B393/$FILE/Notice_SB_10-day-Rule_EN.pdf" target="_blank">Notification and time limit calculation" dated 26 June 2023</a>:</p><p><i>"Candidates sitting the EQE 2024 (pre-examination and main examination) can use as legal basis Rules 126, 127 and 131 EPC<b><u> as</u></b><u><b><span style="color: #990000;"> in force on 31 October 2023 </span></b></u><b><u><span style="color: #990000;">or </span></u></b>Rules 126, 127 and 131 EPC <b><span style="color: #990000;"><u>as in force on 1 November 2023</u>.</span></b>"</i></p><p>So, when calculating time limits that run from the (fictitious) date of notification of a document, <b><span style="color: #990000;"><u>you are free to use</u></span></b>:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>either the current "10-day rule" for deemed notification (or true date of receipt if received later) according to current Rule 126(2)/127(2) (as in force until 31/10/2023) <br /><br /></li><li>or the new PCT-like version (as in force from 1/11/2023) with deemed notification on date of dispatch/date of the document and a compensation for receipt later than 7 days (<a href="https://new.epo.org/en/legal/official-journal/2022/11/a101.html" target="_blank">OJ 2022, A101, article 1(10)-(12)</a>; <a href="https://new.epo.org/en/legal/official-journal/2022/12/a114.html" target="_blank">OJ 2022, A114, section IV;</a> and <a href="https://new.epo.org/en/legal/official-journal/2023/03/a29.html" target="_blank">OJ 2023, A29</a>; also <a href="https://new.epo.org/en/legal/guidelines-epc/2023/e_ii_2_3.html" target="_blank">Guidelines E-II, 2.3 </a>and 2.4).</li></ul><p></p><p>This implies that the correct (True or False) answer will not depend on the version of the Rule used when the Pre-Exam answers.</p><p>Our Q&A book "<a href="https://webshop.deltapatents.com/basic_questions" target="_blank">Basic Legal Questions for Pre-Exam and Paper D</a>" gives time limit calculations <b><span style="color: #990000;"><u>for both versions </u></span></b>of R.126(2)/127(2) for all questions involving time limits calculated from he notification of a document.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZKjO2pzHtvJKNvBLUykWyEz_dCizxpHNC_VbA_ciPlqnATFGS8WUgSwoKPw8eSYtYUc_xNUiRHjtSAp5uWdigy0t-h_XUPn87qocN-B_HyQIO1vIng6spJs5FzQafPzUNr480fXYkUmASzwnzKA7gZm0nYiLtkam8NZuUSI9n9O_wYIM98obY6eFt_QNO/s1890/Notification%20and%20time%20limit%20calculation%20dated%2026%20June%202023.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="decision on "Notification and time limit calculation" dated 26 June 2023:" border="0" data-original-height="1587" data-original-width="1890" height="336" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZKjO2pzHtvJKNvBLUykWyEz_dCizxpHNC_VbA_ciPlqnATFGS8WUgSwoKPw8eSYtYUc_xNUiRHjtSAp5uWdigy0t-h_XUPn87qocN-B_HyQIO1vIng6spJs5FzQafPzUNr480fXYkUmASzwnzKA7gZm0nYiLtkam8NZuUSI9n9O_wYIM98obY6eFt_QNO/w400-h336/Notification%20and%20time%20limit%20calculation%20dated%2026%20June%202023.png" width="400" /></a></div><span><a name='more'></a></span><div>Current Rule 126(2) EPC - as in force until and in 31/10/2023:</div><p></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p></p><div>Where notification is effected in accordance with paragraph 1, <span style="color: #990000;">the letter shall be deemed to be delivered to the addressee <b>on the tenth day following its handover to the postal service provider</b></span>, <span style="color: #990000;">unless it has failed to reach the addressee or has reached him at a later date</span>; in the event of any dispute, it shall be incumbent on the European Patent Office to establish that the letter has reached its destination or to establish the date on which the letter was delivered to the addressee, as the case may be.</div><p></p></blockquote><div>Current Rule 127(2) EPC - as in force until and in 31/10/2023:</div><div><br /></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div>Where notification is effected by means of electronic communication,<span style="color: #990000;"> the electronic document shall be deemed to be delivered to the addressee <b>on the tenth day following its transmission</b>, unless it has failed to reach its destination or has reached its destination at a later date</span>; in the event of any dispute, it shall be incumbent on the European Patent Office to establish that the electronic document has reached its destination or to establish the date on which it reached its destination, as the case may be. </div></blockquote><div><div><br /></div><div>Current Rule 131(2) EPC - as in force until and in 31/10/2023:</div><div><br /></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div>Computation shall start on the day following the day on which the relevant event occurred, the event being either a procedural step or the expiry of another period. <span style="color: #990000;">Where the procedural step is a notification, the relevant event shall be the receipt of the document notified, unless otherwise provided. </span></div></blockquote><div><br /></div><div><div>Amended Rule 126(2) EPC - as in force as of 1/11/2023:</div><div><br /></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div>(2) Where notification is effected in accordance with paragraph 1, t<span style="color: #990000;">he document shall be deemed to be delivered to the addressee<b> on the date it bears</b>, unless it has failed to reach the addressee</span>. In the event of any dispute concerning the delivery of the document, it shall be incumbent on the European Patent Office to establish that the document has reached its destination and to establish the date on which the document was delivered to the addressee. If the European Patent Office establishes that the document was delivered to the addressee <span style="color: #990000;">more than seven days after the date it bears, a period for which the deemed receipt of that document is the relevant event under Rule 131, paragraph 2, shall expire later by the number of days by which the seven days were exceeded</span>.</div></blockquote><div><div><br /></div><div>Amended Rule 127(2) EPC - as in force as of 1/11/2023:</div><div><br /></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div>(2) Where notification is effected by means of electronic communication, <span style="color: #990000;">the electronic document shall be deemed to be delivered to the addressee <b>on the date it bears</b>, unless it has failed to reach its destination</span>. In the event of any dispute concerning the delivery of the electronic document, it shall be incumbent on the European Patent Office to establish that the document has reached its destination and to establish the date on which it reached its destination. If the European Patent Office establishes that the electronic document has reached its destination <span style="color: #990000;">more than seven days after the date it bears, a period for which the deemed receipt of that document is the relevant event under Rule 131, paragraph 2, shall expire later by the number of days by which the seven days were exceeded</span>.</div></blockquote><div><div><br /></div><div>Amended Rule 131(2) EPC - as in force as of 1/11/2023:</div><div><br /></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div>(2) Computation shall start on the day following the day on which the relevant event occurred, the event being either a procedural step or the expiry of another period. <span style="color: #990000;">Where the procedural step is a notification, the relevant event shall be the <u>deemed </u>receipt of the document notified, unless otherwise provided.</span></div></blockquote><div><br /></div><div><div>For comparison: PCT Rule 80.6 (under PCT, the applicant has the burden of proof of late receipt; whereas under the new EPC provisions, the EPO has the burden of proof in case of dispute):</div><div><br /></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div>Where <span style="color: #990000;">a period starts on the day of the date of a document or letter</span> emanating from a national Office or intergovernmental organization, any interested party may prove that the said document or letter was mailed on a day later than the date it bears, in which case the date of actual mailing shall, for the purposes of computing the period, be considered to be the date on which the period starts. Irrespective of the date on which such a document or letter was mailed, if the applicant offers to the national Office or intergovernmental organization evidence which satisfies the national Office or intergovernmental organization that the document or letter was received<span style="color: #990000;"> more than seven days after the date it bears,</span> the national Office or intergovernmental organization shall treat the period starting from the date of the document or letter as expiring later by an additional number of days which is <span style="color: #990000;">equal to the number of days which the document or letter was received later than seven days after the date it bears.</span></div></blockquote><div></div>Roel van Woudenberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15823355175016282250noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-584401433841434859.post-70750309583600641752023-05-11T08:31:00.023+02:002023-07-11T09:06:00.688+02:00Pre-Exam 2023 results and Examiner's Report are finally out! - [Update 24 May:] as well as corrected decisions<p class="comment-content" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px 0px 8px; text-align: justify;"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">The </span><b><span style="color: #c00000;">results</span></b><span style="color: #c00000;"> </span><span style="color: black;">for Pre-Exam 2023 came out yesterday afternoon, 10 May,
finally, in MyEQE.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Congratulations to all that passed!</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: black; font-family: inherit; text-align: left;">The </span><b style="background-color: transparent; font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #c00000;">Examiner's
Report</span></b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #c00000; font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: black; font-family: inherit; text-align: left;">for
Pre-Exam 2023 was published "already earlier" this Monday, 8 May
(<a href="https://www.epo.org/learning/eqe/compendium/preexamination.html" target="_blank">here</a>).</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: left;">Surprisingly only <span style="color: #990000;"><b>two statements were neutralized</b></span>: 5.3 (needed a 2024
calendar) and 16.3 (in our version 16.1).</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: left;">Statement 14.4 in part 3, for which we gave
arguments for T (official answer) as well as for F, was not neutralized.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>
<span style="background: white;">The statements in part 4 relying on the
interpretation of "water-based solvent" being "just water"
(and hence direct and unambiguous disclosures of %w/w of water) or "a
solvent having a base of / based on water also including something more"
(and hence no such direct and unambiguous disclosure og “water only”) were <b><span style="color: #990000;">not
</span></b>neutralized - see 17.4, 18.3 and 20.1.</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="background: white;"><br />
</span></span><b><span style="background: white; color: #c00000;">Please feel invited to post your
comments</span></b><span style="background: white; color: #c00000;"> </span><span style="background: white; color: black;">(using
your name or a nick name, not anonymously) to the respective parts of our
Pre-Exam 2023 blogs:</span><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span></p><ul><li><span><span><span style="color: black;"><a href="http://pre-exam.blogspot.com/2023/03/pre-exam-2023-first-impressions.html">http://pre-exam.blogspot.com/2023/03/pre-exam-2023-first-impressions.html</a> </span></span></span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="background: white;"><a href="http://pre-exam.blogspot.com/2023/03/pre-exam-2023-our-answers-to-legal.html">http://pre-exam.blogspot.com/2023/03/pre-exam-2023-our-answers-to-legal.html</a> </span></span></span></span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="background: white;"><a href="http://pre-exam.blogspot.com/2023/03/pre-exam-2023-part-3-cleaning-utensils.html">http://pre-exam.blogspot.com/2023/03/pre-exam-2023-part-3-cleaning-utensils.html</a></span></span></span></span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="background: white;"><a href="http://pre-exam.blogspot.com/2023/03/pre-exam-2023-part-4-erasable-inks-our.html">http://pre-exam.blogspot.com/2023/03/pre-exam-2023-part-4-erasable-inks-our.html</a></span></span></span></span></li></ul><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #c00000;">Statistics</span></b><span style="color: #c00000; font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">have not yet been made available but the EQE
secretariat – they are usually published together with the statistics for the
main exam papers.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i>Update 11 July 2023:</i> We were just informed by another tutor that the Examiner's Report for the Pre-Exam on the EQE website has been replaced by a new one (without that being easily spotted as its carries no date or version number, as as there was no mention on the website that it was updated). The original one had errors with dates in one of the legal questions, and was in English only. The new one is in all three languages. </p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Update 24 May 2023:</i></span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;"><i><span style="color: #990000;">Today, 24 May, </span>candidates received the following email from the EQE secretariat:</i></span></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><br style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;" /><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;">“Subject: EQE 2023 Pre-examination - Communication from the Examination Board</span><br style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;" /><br style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;" /><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;">Dear candidate,</span><br style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;" /><br style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;" /><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;">We would like to inform you that after the release of the pre-examination results on 10 May 2023, we have encountered<span style="color: #990000;"> some discrepancies between the results communicated and what was to be expected in view of the Examiners’ Report.</span> Upon conducting a thorough investigation, we have successfully identified the source of the issue, which is of a technical nature. Please be informed that the problem has been solved.</span><br style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;" /><br style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;" /><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;">As a consequence, the results have been recalculated and must be re-issued. <span style="color: #990000;">Therefore, the decision of the Examination Board concerning your result of the pre-examination 2023 communicated to you on 10 May 2023 is hereby revoked. A new decision based on the correct result is now available in myEQE.</span></span><br style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;" /><br style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;" /><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;">Best regards / Mit freundlichen Grüßen / Sincères salutations</span><br style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;" /><br style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;" /><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;">The Examination Secretariat</span><br style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;" /><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;">on behalf of the Examination Board”</span></i></span></p><p></p>Roel van Woudenberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15823355175016282250noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-584401433841434859.post-74559447411690152852023-04-11T16:44:00.005+02:002023-04-11T16:46:04.920+02:00Pre-Exam 2024: Enrolment to the exam open until 15 May 2023<p><span style="font-family: inherit;">If<span style="background-color: white;"> you plan to sit the Pre-Exam 2024, be aware that enrolment has opened on 1 February 2023 and that </span><span style="color: #990000;"><b>the enrolment deadline</b></span><b><span style="color: #990000;"> is 15 May 2023.</span></b></span></p><p style="background-color: white; margin: 0px 0px 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Note that for a first time enrolment to the pre-examination candidates must already have registered (deadline for registration was 15 January 2023 - see the <a href="https://www.epo.org/learning/eqe/registration.html" style="background: transparent; color: #da8044;" target="_blank">EQE registration webpage</a> and our <a href="http://pre-exam.blogspot.com/2021/12/planning-to-sit-pre-exam-2023-deadline.html" style="background: transparent; color: #da8044;" target="_blank">earlier blog post</a>). <span style="color: #0b2a43;">Candidates who have previously been admitted to the pre-examination are already registered.</span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; margin: 0px 0px 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Please refer to the <a href="https://www.epo.org/learning/eqe/enrolment.html" style="background: transparent; color: #da8044;" target="_blank">EQE enrolment webpage</a> and the document <a href="https://documents.epo.org/projects/babylon/eponot.nsf/0/C6586D125416328DC1258943004BABF5/$FILE/Enrolment_Process%20and%20Fees%20EN.pdf" target="_blank">"</a></span><a href="https://documents.epo.org/projects/babylon/eponot.nsf/0/C6586D125416328DC1258943004BABF5/$FILE/Enrolment_Process%20and%20Fees%20EN.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: transparent;">Enrolment process and fees for the EQE 2024</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">" dd 27 January 2023</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> for details.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; margin: 0px 0px 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; margin: 0px 0px 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="color: #990000;">DeltaPatents Course Offer</span></b></span></p><p style="background-color: white; margin: 0px 0px 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Please refer to our webpage for our <b><span style="color: #990000;">course </span></b>offer for Pre-Exam 2024: <a href="https://www.deltapatents.com/eqe-pre-exam/" target="_blank">here</a>. In particular:</span></p><p style="background-color: white; margin: 0px 0px 12px;"></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Pre-Exam Integrated course (13 x full-day classroom session): see <a href="https://www.deltapatents.com/eqe-training-in-netherlands/" target="_blank">here</a>.</li><li>Pre-Exam Distance Learning (13 x 1,5-2 hour online sessions): see <a href="https://www.deltapatents.com/cursus/pre-exam-distance-learning/" target="_blank">here</a></li></ul><div>Please refer to our webshop for our <b><span style="color: #990000;">Q&A books</span></b> and <b><span style="color: #990000;">reference books</span></b> for the Pre-Exam:</div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>"Basic Legal Questions for Pre-Exam and Main Exam" (L-book): <a href="https://webshop.deltapatents.com/basic_questions" target="_blank">here</a>.</li><li>"Pre-Exam book: Cases and Exams" (P-book): <a href="https://webshop.deltapatents.com/pre_exam_cande" target="_blank">here</a>.</li><li>"References to the European Patent Convention" by Jelle Hoekstra: <a href="https://webshop.deltapatents.com/references_epc" target="_blank">here</a>.</li><li>"Topic-Related Index to the EPC and PCT" by Roel van Woudenberg and Cees Mulder: <a href="https://webshop.deltapatents.com/references_epc_pct" target="_blank">here</a>.</li><ul><li>A reduction applies when the latter book is bought together with "The Cross-Referenced Patent Cooperation Treaty" by Cees Mulder: <a href="https://webshop.deltapatents.com/references_pct_books" target="_blank">here</a>.</li></ul></ul></div><div><br /></div><p></p>Roel van Woudenberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15823355175016282250noreply@blogger.com33tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-584401433841434859.post-35355149998042787892023-03-20T12:54:00.002+01:002023-03-20T13:21:25.375+01:00ChatGTP-4's attempt at parts 3 & 4 of the Pre-Exam 2023<p>We also let ChatGPT provide answers to parts 3 & 4 of the Pre-Exam.</p><p>Some practical difficulties were that only plain text could be entered, which means that in part 3, the figures couldn't be provided, and that the underlining when indicating amendments was not present.</p><p>If one would consider our answers (see seperate posts, which are not necessarily correct!!) as the intended solution and applied the Pre-Exam's marking scheme (all correct: 5 points, 1 wrong: 3 points, etc), ChatGTP achieved 16/50 points which is well below the required passing grade of 35 (normalized from 70 for the entire exam to 35 for parts 3 & 4) and rather a score associated with mere guessing.</p><div>Generally speaking, ChatGPT seems to be able to answer basic novelty and scope questions reasonably well but fails at more specific topics such as ranges. Also, ChatGPT appearantly disagrees with the EPO's relatively strict approach to Art. 123(2) and considers most of the amendments as supported. Perhaps this reveals ChatGTP's US-origin?</div><p>See below for ChatGPT's answers and short reasoning (red marked where ChatGPT's answer deviated from ours):</p><span><a name='more'></a></span><div style="background: rgb(247, 247, 248); border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 227); mso-border-alt: solid #D9D9E3 .25pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0cm;"><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: none; margin: 0cm 0cm 15pt; padding: 0cm;"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #374151;"><br />Question 11:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div><table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="3" class="MsoNormalTable" style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0px; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0px; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: rgb(247, 247, 248); border-color: inherit; border-image: initial; border-spacing: var(--tw-border-spacing-x) var(--tw-border-spacing-y); border-style: solid; border-width: 1pt; white-space: pre-wrap; width: 653px;">
<thead style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border-bottom-color: var(--tw-prose-th-borders); border-image: initial; box-sizing: border-box;">
<tr style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; box-sizing: border-box; mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;">
<td style="border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 227); mso-border-alt: solid #D9D9E3 .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid #D9D9E3 .25pt; padding: 0.75pt;" valign="bottom">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 24.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 24.0pt; margin: 24pt 0cm; text-align: center;"><b><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #374151; font-size: 10.5pt;">Statement</span></b></p></td>
<td style="border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 227); mso-border-alt: solid #D9D9E3 .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid #D9D9E3 .25pt; padding: 0.75pt;" valign="bottom">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 24.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 24.0pt; margin: 24pt 0cm; text-align: center;"><b><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #374151; font-size: 10.5pt;">True/False</span></b></p></td>
<td style="border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 227); mso-border-alt: solid #D9D9E3 .75pt; padding: 0.75pt;" valign="bottom">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 24.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 24.0pt; margin: 24pt 0cm; text-align: center;"><b><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #374151; font-size: 10.5pt;">Reasoning</span></b></p></td>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody><tr style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border-bottom-color: var(--tw-prose-td-borders); border-image: initial; box-sizing: border-box; mso-yfti-irow: 1;">
<td style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border-image: initial; border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; mso-border-bottom-alt: .75pt; mso-border-color-alt: #D9D9E3; mso-border-left-alt: .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: .25pt; padding: 0.25rem 0.75rem;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 24.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 24.0pt; margin: 24pt 0cm;"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #374151; font-size: 10.5pt;">11.1</span></p></td>
<td style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border-image: initial; border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; mso-border-bottom-alt: .75pt; mso-border-color-alt: #D9D9E3; mso-border-left-alt: .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: .25pt; padding: 0.25rem 0.75rem;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 24.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 24.0pt; margin: 24pt 0cm;"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #374151; font-size: 10.5pt;">T</span></p></td>
<td style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border-image: initial; border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; mso-border-alt: solid #D9D9E3 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #D9D9E3 .25pt; padding: 0.25rem 0.75rem;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 24.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 24.0pt; margin: 24pt 0cm;"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #374151; font-size: 10.5pt;">Claim I.4 is disclosed in the description at [05]</span></p></td>
</tr>
<tr style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border-bottom-color: var(--tw-prose-td-borders); border-image: initial; box-sizing: border-box; mso-yfti-irow: 2;">
<td style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border-image: initial; border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; mso-border-bottom-alt: .75pt; mso-border-color-alt: #D9D9E3; mso-border-left-alt: .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: .25pt; padding: 0.25rem 0.75rem;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 24.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 24.0pt; margin: 24pt 0cm;"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #374151; font-size: 10.5pt;">11.2</span></p></td>
<td style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border-image: initial; border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; mso-border-bottom-alt: .75pt; mso-border-color-alt: #D9D9E3; mso-border-left-alt: .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: .25pt; padding: 0.25rem 0.75rem;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 24.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 24.0pt; margin: 24pt 0cm;"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #374151; font-size: 10.5pt;">T</span></p></td>
<td style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border-image: initial; border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; mso-border-alt: solid #D9D9E3 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #D9D9E3 .25pt; padding: 0.25rem 0.75rem;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 24.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 24.0pt; margin: 24pt 0cm;"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #374151; font-size: 10.5pt;">The third embodiment is described at [05] and [06], which correspond to claim I.1</span></p></td>
</tr>
<tr style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border-bottom-color: var(--tw-prose-td-borders); border-image: initial; box-sizing: border-box; mso-yfti-irow: 3;">
<td style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border-image: initial; border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; mso-border-bottom-alt: .75pt; mso-border-color-alt: #D9D9E3; mso-border-left-alt: .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: .25pt; padding: 0.25rem 0.75rem;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 24.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 24.0pt; margin: 24pt 0cm;"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #374151; font-size: 10.5pt;">11.3</span></p></td>
<td style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border-image: initial; border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; mso-border-bottom-alt: .75pt; mso-border-color-alt: #D9D9E3; mso-border-left-alt: .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: .25pt; padding: 0.25rem 0.75rem;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 24.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 24.0pt; margin: 24pt 0cm;"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #374151; font-size: 10.5pt;">T</span></p></td>
<td style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border-image: initial; border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; mso-border-alt: solid #D9D9E3 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #D9D9E3 .25pt; padding: 0.25rem 0.75rem;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 24.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 24.0pt; margin: 24pt 0cm;"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #374151; font-size: 10.5pt;">The second embodiment is described at [04], which corresponds to claim I.1</span></p></td>
</tr>
<tr style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border-bottom-color: var(--tw-prose-td-borders); border-image: initial; box-sizing: border-box; mso-yfti-irow: 4; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border-bottom-left-radius: 0.375rem; border-image: initial; border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; mso-border-bottom-alt: .75pt; mso-border-color-alt: #D9D9E3; mso-border-left-alt: .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: .25pt; padding: 0.25rem 0.75rem;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 24.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 24.0pt; margin: 24pt 0cm;"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #374151; font-size: 10.5pt;">11.4</span></p></td>
<td style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border-image: initial; border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; mso-border-bottom-alt: .75pt; mso-border-color-alt: #D9D9E3; mso-border-left-alt: .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: .25pt; padding: 0.25rem 0.75rem;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 24.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 24.0pt; margin: 24pt 0cm;"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #374151; font-size: 10.5pt;">F</span></p></td>
<td style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border-bottom-right-radius: 0.375rem; border-image: initial; border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; mso-border-alt: solid #D9D9E3 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #D9D9E3 .25pt; padding: 0.25rem 0.75rem;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 24.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 24.0pt; margin: 24pt 0cm;"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #374151; font-size: 10.5pt;">Claim I.3 only covers the first embodiment with polypropylene fibers, but not all alternatives of the first embodiment</span></p></td>
</tr>
</tbody></table><div style="background: rgb(247, 247, 248); border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 227); mso-border-alt: solid #D9D9E3 .25pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0cm;">
<p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: none; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 15pt 0cm; padding: 0cm; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #374151;">Question 12:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div><table align="left" border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="3" class="MsoNormalTable" style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0px; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0px; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: rgb(247, 247, 248); border-color: inherit; border-image: initial; border-spacing: var(--tw-border-spacing-x) var(--tw-border-spacing-y); border-style: solid; border-width: 1pt; margin-left: 6.75pt; margin-right: 6.75pt; white-space: pre-wrap; width: 653px;">
<thead style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border-bottom-color: var(--tw-prose-th-borders); border-image: initial; box-sizing: border-box;">
<tr style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; box-sizing: border-box; mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;">
<td style="border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 227); mso-border-alt: solid #D9D9E3 .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid #D9D9E3 .25pt; padding: 0.75pt;" valign="bottom">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 24.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 24.0pt; margin: 24pt 0cm; mso-element-anchor-horizontal: column; mso-element-anchor-vertical: paragraph; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-top: .05pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly; text-align: center;"><b><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #374151; font-size: 10.5pt;">Statement</span></b></p></td>
<td style="border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 227); mso-border-alt: solid #D9D9E3 .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid #D9D9E3 .25pt; padding: 0.75pt;" valign="bottom">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 24.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 24.0pt; margin: 24pt 0cm; mso-element-anchor-horizontal: column; mso-element-anchor-vertical: paragraph; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-top: .05pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly; text-align: center;"><b><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #374151; font-size: 10.5pt;">True/False</span></b></p></td>
<td style="border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 227); mso-border-alt: solid #D9D9E3 .75pt; padding: 0.75pt;" valign="bottom">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 24.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 24.0pt; margin: 24pt 0cm; mso-element-anchor-horizontal: column; mso-element-anchor-vertical: paragraph; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-top: .05pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly; text-align: center;"><b><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #374151; font-size: 10.5pt;">Reasoning</span></b></p></td>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody><tr style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border-bottom-color: var(--tw-prose-td-borders); border-image: initial; box-sizing: border-box; mso-yfti-irow: 1;">
<td style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border-image: initial; border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; mso-border-bottom-alt: .75pt; mso-border-color-alt: #D9D9E3; mso-border-left-alt: .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: .25pt; padding: 0.25rem 0.75rem;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 24.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 24.0pt; margin: 24pt 0cm; mso-element-anchor-horizontal: column; mso-element-anchor-vertical: paragraph; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-top: .05pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly;"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #374151; font-size: 10.5pt;">12.1</span></p></td>
<td style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border-image: initial; border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; mso-border-bottom-alt: .75pt; mso-border-color-alt: #D9D9E3; mso-border-left-alt: .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: .25pt; padding: 0.25rem 0.75rem;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 24.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 24.0pt; margin: 24pt 0cm; mso-element-anchor-horizontal: column; mso-element-anchor-vertical: paragraph; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-top: .05pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly;"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: red; font-size: 10.5pt;">T</span></p></td>
<td style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border-image: initial; border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; mso-border-alt: solid #D9D9E3 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #D9D9E3 .25pt; padding: 0.25rem 0.75rem;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 24.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 24.0pt; margin: 24pt 0cm; mso-element-anchor-horizontal: column; mso-element-anchor-vertical: paragraph; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-top: .05pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly;"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #374151; font-size: 10.5pt;">Claim I.4 is based on the description at [05]</span></p></td>
</tr>
<tr style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border-bottom-color: var(--tw-prose-td-borders); border-image: initial; box-sizing: border-box; mso-yfti-irow: 2;">
<td style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border-image: initial; border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; mso-border-bottom-alt: .75pt; mso-border-color-alt: #D9D9E3; mso-border-left-alt: .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: .25pt; padding: 0.25rem 0.75rem;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 24.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 24.0pt; margin: 24pt 0cm; mso-element-anchor-horizontal: column; mso-element-anchor-vertical: paragraph; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-top: .05pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly;"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #374151; font-size: 10.5pt;">12.2</span></p></td>
<td style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border-image: initial; border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; mso-border-bottom-alt: .75pt; mso-border-color-alt: #D9D9E3; mso-border-left-alt: .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: .25pt; padding: 0.25rem 0.75rem;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 24.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 24.0pt; margin: 24pt 0cm; mso-element-anchor-horizontal: column; mso-element-anchor-vertical: paragraph; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-top: .05pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly;"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #374151; font-size: 10.5pt;">T</span></p></td>
<td style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border-image: initial; border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; mso-border-alt: solid #D9D9E3 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #D9D9E3 .25pt; padding: 0.25rem 0.75rem;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 24.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 24.0pt; margin: 24pt 0cm; mso-element-anchor-horizontal: column; mso-element-anchor-vertical: paragraph; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-top: .05pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly;"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #374151; font-size: 10.5pt;">Claim I.5 is based on the description at [05]</span></p></td>
</tr>
<tr style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border-bottom-color: var(--tw-prose-td-borders); border-image: initial; box-sizing: border-box; mso-yfti-irow: 3;">
<td style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border-image: initial; border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; mso-border-bottom-alt: .75pt; mso-border-color-alt: #D9D9E3; mso-border-left-alt: .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: .25pt; padding: 0.25rem 0.75rem;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 24.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 24.0pt; margin: 24pt 0cm; mso-element-anchor-horizontal: column; mso-element-anchor-vertical: paragraph; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-top: .05pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly;"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #374151; font-size: 10.5pt;">12.3</span></p></td>
<td style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border-image: initial; border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; mso-border-bottom-alt: .75pt; mso-border-color-alt: #D9D9E3; mso-border-left-alt: .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: .25pt; padding: 0.25rem 0.75rem;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 24.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 24.0pt; margin: 24pt 0cm; mso-element-anchor-horizontal: column; mso-element-anchor-vertical: paragraph; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-top: .05pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly;"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: red; font-size: 10.5pt;">T</span></p></td>
<td style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border-image: initial; border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; mso-border-alt: solid #D9D9E3 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #D9D9E3 .25pt; padding: 0.25rem 0.75rem;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 24.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 24.0pt; margin: 24pt 0cm; mso-element-anchor-horizontal: column; mso-element-anchor-vertical: paragraph; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-top: .05pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly;"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #374151; font-size: 10.5pt;">Claim I.6 is based on the description at [04]</span></p></td>
</tr>
<tr style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border-bottom-color: var(--tw-prose-td-borders); border-image: initial; box-sizing: border-box; mso-yfti-irow: 4; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border-bottom-left-radius: 0.375rem; border-image: initial; border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; mso-border-bottom-alt: .75pt; mso-border-color-alt: #D9D9E3; mso-border-left-alt: .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: .25pt; padding: 0.25rem 0.75rem;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 24.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 24.0pt; margin: 24pt 0cm; mso-element-anchor-horizontal: column; mso-element-anchor-vertical: paragraph; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-top: .05pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly;"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #374151; font-size: 10.5pt;">12.4</span></p></td>
<td style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border-image: initial; border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; mso-border-bottom-alt: .75pt; mso-border-color-alt: #D9D9E3; mso-border-left-alt: .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: .25pt; padding: 0.25rem 0.75rem;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 24.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 24.0pt; margin: 24pt 0cm; mso-element-anchor-horizontal: column; mso-element-anchor-vertical: paragraph; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-top: .05pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly;"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: red; font-size: 10.5pt;">T</span></p></td>
<td style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border-bottom-right-radius: 0.375rem; border-image: initial; border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; mso-border-alt: solid #D9D9E3 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #D9D9E3 .25pt; padding: 0.25rem 0.75rem;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 24.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 24.0pt; margin: 24pt 0cm; mso-element-anchor-horizontal: column; mso-element-anchor-vertical: paragraph; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-top: .05pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly;"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #374151; font-size: 10.5pt;">Claim I.1 is based on the description at [03]</span></p></td>
</tr>
</tbody></table><div style="background: rgb(247, 247, 248); border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 227); mso-border-alt: solid #D9D9E3 .25pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0cm;">
<p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: none; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 15pt 0cm; padding: 0cm; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #374151;"><br clear="all" />
Question 13:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div><table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="3" class="MsoNormalTable" style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0px; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0px; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: rgb(247, 247, 248); border-color: inherit; border-image: initial; border-spacing: var(--tw-border-spacing-x) var(--tw-border-spacing-y); border-style: solid; border-width: 1pt; white-space: pre-wrap; width: 653px;">
<thead style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border-bottom-color: var(--tw-prose-th-borders); border-image: initial; box-sizing: border-box;">
<tr style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; box-sizing: border-box; mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;">
<td style="border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 227); mso-border-alt: solid #D9D9E3 .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid #D9D9E3 .25pt; padding: 0.75pt;" valign="bottom">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 24.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 24.0pt; margin: 24pt 0cm; text-align: center;"><b><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #374151; font-size: 10.5pt;">Statement</span></b></p></td>
<td style="border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 227); mso-border-alt: solid #D9D9E3 .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid #D9D9E3 .25pt; padding: 0.75pt;" valign="bottom">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 24.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 24.0pt; margin: 24pt 0cm; text-align: center;"><b><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #374151; font-size: 10.5pt;">True/False</span></b></p></td>
<td style="border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 227); mso-border-alt: solid #D9D9E3 .75pt; padding: 0.75pt;" valign="bottom">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 24.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 24.0pt; margin: 24pt 0cm; text-align: center;"><b><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #374151; font-size: 10.5pt;">Reasoning</span></b><span style="text-align: left;"> </span></p></td>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody><tr style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border-bottom-color: var(--tw-prose-td-borders); border-image: initial; box-sizing: border-box; mso-yfti-irow: 1;">
<td style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border-image: initial; border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; mso-border-bottom-alt: .75pt; mso-border-color-alt: #D9D9E3; mso-border-left-alt: .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: .25pt; padding: 0.25rem 0.75rem;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 24.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 24.0pt; margin: 24pt 0cm;"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #374151; font-size: 10.5pt;">13.1</span></p></td>
<td style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border-image: initial; border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; mso-border-bottom-alt: .75pt; mso-border-color-alt: #D9D9E3; mso-border-left-alt: .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: .25pt; padding: 0.25rem 0.75rem;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 24.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 24.0pt; margin: 24pt 0cm;"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: red; font-size: 10.5pt;">T</span></p></td>
<td style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border-image: initial; border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; mso-border-alt: solid #D9D9E3 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #D9D9E3 .25pt; padding: 0.25rem 0.75rem;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 24.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 24.0pt; margin: 24pt 0cm;"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #374151; font-size: 10.5pt;">D1 does not disclose the specific weight requirements of claim I.7</span></p></td>
</tr>
<tr style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border-bottom-color: var(--tw-prose-td-borders); border-image: initial; box-sizing: border-box; mso-yfti-irow: 2;">
<td style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border-image: initial; border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; mso-border-bottom-alt: .75pt; mso-border-color-alt: #D9D9E3; mso-border-left-alt: .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: .25pt; padding: 0.25rem 0.75rem;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 24.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 24.0pt; margin: 24pt 0cm;"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #374151; font-size: 10.5pt;">13.2</span></p></td>
<td style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border-image: initial; border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; mso-border-bottom-alt: .75pt; mso-border-color-alt: #D9D9E3; mso-border-left-alt: .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: .25pt; padding: 0.25rem 0.75rem;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 24.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 24.0pt; margin: 24pt 0cm;"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: red; font-size: 10.5pt;">T</span></p></td>
<td style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border-image: initial; border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; mso-border-alt: solid #D9D9E3 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #D9D9E3 .25pt; padding: 0.25rem 0.75rem;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 24.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 24.0pt; margin: 24pt 0cm;"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #374151; font-size: 10.5pt;">D1 does not disclose the exact combination of sponge and fiber layers in claim I.1</span></p></td>
</tr>
<tr style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border-bottom-color: var(--tw-prose-td-borders); border-image: initial; box-sizing: border-box; mso-yfti-irow: 3;">
<td style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border-image: initial; border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; mso-border-bottom-alt: .75pt; mso-border-color-alt: #D9D9E3; mso-border-left-alt: .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: .25pt; padding: 0.25rem 0.75rem;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 24.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 24.0pt; margin: 24pt 0cm;"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #374151; font-size: 10.5pt;">13.3</span></p></td>
<td style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border-image: initial; border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; mso-border-bottom-alt: .75pt; mso-border-color-alt: #D9D9E3; mso-border-left-alt: .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: .25pt; padding: 0.25rem 0.75rem;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 24.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 24.0pt; margin: 24pt 0cm;"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #374151; font-size: 10.5pt;">T</span></p></td>
<td style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border-image: initial; border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; mso-border-alt: solid #D9D9E3 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #D9D9E3 .25pt; padding: 0.25rem 0.75rem;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 24.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 24.0pt; margin: 24pt 0cm;"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #374151; font-size: 10.5pt;">D1 does not disclose the loops or upstanding ends of claim I.4</span> </p></td>
</tr>
<tr style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border-bottom-color: var(--tw-prose-td-borders); border-image: initial; box-sizing: border-box; mso-yfti-irow: 4; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border-bottom-left-radius: 0.375rem; border-image: initial; border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; mso-border-bottom-alt: .75pt; mso-border-color-alt: #D9D9E3; mso-border-left-alt: .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: .25pt; padding: 0.25rem 0.75rem;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 24.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 24.0pt; margin: 24pt 0cm;"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #374151; font-size: 10.5pt;">13.4</span></p></td>
<td style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border-image: initial; border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; mso-border-bottom-alt: .75pt; mso-border-color-alt: #D9D9E3; mso-border-left-alt: .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: .25pt; padding: 0.25rem 0.75rem;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 24.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 24.0pt; margin: 24pt 0cm;"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #374151; font-size: 10.5pt;">F</span></p></td>
<td style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border-bottom-right-radius: 0.375rem; border-image: initial; border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; mso-border-alt: solid #D9D9E3 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #D9D9E3 .25pt; padding: 0.25rem 0.75rem;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 24.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 24.0pt; margin: 24pt 0cm;"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #374151; font-size: 10.5pt;">D1 does disclose the use of polypropylene fibers in [01]</span></p></td>
</tr>
</tbody></table><div style="background: rgb(247, 247, 248); border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 227); mso-border-alt: solid #D9D9E3 .25pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0cm;">
<p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: none; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 15pt 0cm; padding: 0cm; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #374151;">Question 14:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div><table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="3" class="MsoNormalTable" style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0px; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0px; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: rgb(247, 247, 248); border-color: inherit; border-image: initial; border-spacing: var(--tw-border-spacing-x) var(--tw-border-spacing-y); border-style: solid; border-width: 1pt; white-space: pre-wrap; width: 653px;">
<thead style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border-bottom-color: var(--tw-prose-th-borders); border-image: initial; box-sizing: border-box;">
<tr style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; box-sizing: border-box; mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;">
<td style="border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 227); mso-border-alt: solid #D9D9E3 .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid #D9D9E3 .25pt; padding: 0.75pt;" valign="bottom">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 24.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 24.0pt; margin: 24pt 0cm; text-align: center;"><b><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #374151; font-size: 10.5pt;">Statement</span></b></p></td>
<td style="border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 227); mso-border-alt: solid #D9D9E3 .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid #D9D9E3 .25pt; padding: 0.75pt;" valign="bottom">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 24.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 24.0pt; margin: 24pt 0cm; text-align: center;"><b><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #374151; font-size: 10.5pt;">True/False</span></b></p></td>
<td style="border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 227); mso-border-alt: solid #D9D9E3 .75pt; padding: 0.75pt;" valign="bottom">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 24.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 24.0pt; margin: 24pt 0cm; text-align: center;"><b><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #374151; font-size: 10.5pt;">Reasoning</span></b></p></td>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody><tr style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border-bottom-color: var(--tw-prose-td-borders); border-image: initial; box-sizing: border-box; mso-yfti-irow: 1;">
<td style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border-image: initial; border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; mso-border-bottom-alt: .75pt; mso-border-color-alt: #D9D9E3; mso-border-left-alt: .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: .25pt; padding: 0.25rem 0.75rem;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 24.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 24.0pt; margin: 24pt 0cm;"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #374151; font-size: 10.5pt;">14.1</span></p></td>
<td style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border-image: initial; border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; mso-border-bottom-alt: .75pt; mso-border-color-alt: #D9D9E3; mso-border-left-alt: .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: .25pt; padding: 0.25rem 0.75rem;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 24.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 24.0pt; margin: 24pt 0cm;"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #374151; font-size: 10.5pt;">T</span></p></td>
<td style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border-image: initial; border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; mso-border-alt: solid #D9D9E3 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #D9D9E3 .25pt; padding: 0.25rem 0.75rem;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 24.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 24.0pt; margin: 24pt 0cm;"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #374151; font-size: 10.5pt;">The problem-solution approach in claim II.1 is to provide a more abrasive cleaning action, as described in [05]</span></p></td>
</tr>
<tr style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border-bottom-color: var(--tw-prose-td-borders); border-image: initial; box-sizing: border-box; mso-yfti-irow: 2;">
<td style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border-image: initial; border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; mso-border-bottom-alt: .75pt; mso-border-color-alt: #D9D9E3; mso-border-left-alt: .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: .25pt; padding: 0.25rem 0.75rem;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 24.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 24.0pt; margin: 24pt 0cm;"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #374151; font-size: 10.5pt;">14.2</span></p></td>
<td style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border-image: initial; border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; mso-border-bottom-alt: .75pt; mso-border-color-alt: #D9D9E3; mso-border-left-alt: .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: .25pt; padding: 0.25rem 0.75rem;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 24.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 24.0pt; margin: 24pt 0cm;"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #374151; font-size: 10.5pt;">T</span></p></td>
<td style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border-image: initial; border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; mso-border-alt: solid #D9D9E3 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #D9D9E3 .25pt; padding: 0.25rem 0.75rem;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 24.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 24.0pt; margin: 24pt 0cm;"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #374151; font-size: 10.5pt;">The problem-solution approach in claim II.1 is to improve the cleaning action of a layer comprising fibers, as described in [05] and [06]</span></p></td>
</tr>
<tr style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border-bottom-color: var(--tw-prose-td-borders); border-image: initial; box-sizing: border-box; mso-yfti-irow: 3;">
<td style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border-image: initial; border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; mso-border-bottom-alt: .75pt; mso-border-color-alt: #D9D9E3; mso-border-left-alt: .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: .25pt; padding: 0.25rem 0.75rem;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 24.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 24.0pt; margin: 24pt 0cm;"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #374151; font-size: 10.5pt;">14.3</span></p></td>
<td style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border-image: initial; border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; mso-border-bottom-alt: .75pt; mso-border-color-alt: #D9D9E3; mso-border-left-alt: .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: .25pt; padding: 0.25rem 0.75rem;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 24.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 24.0pt; margin: 24pt 0cm;"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #374151; font-size: 10.5pt;">F</span></p></td>
<td style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border-image: initial; border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; mso-border-alt: solid #D9D9E3 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #D9D9E3 .25pt; padding: 0.25rem 0.75rem;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 24.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 24.0pt; margin: 24pt 0cm;"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #374151; font-size: 10.5pt;">Claim I.2 does not address the release of water into the first layer; this is addressed in claim I.6 and described at [04]</span></p></td>
</tr>
<tr style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border-bottom-color: var(--tw-prose-td-borders); border-image: initial; box-sizing: border-box; mso-yfti-irow: 4; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border-bottom-left-radius: 0.375rem; border-image: initial; border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; mso-border-bottom-alt: .75pt; mso-border-color-alt: #D9D9E3; mso-border-left-alt: .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: .25pt; padding: 0.25rem 0.75rem;" valign="bottom"><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 24.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 24.0pt; margin: 24pt 0cm;"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #374151; font-size: 10.5pt;">14.4</span></p></td>
<td style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border-image: initial; border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; mso-border-bottom-alt: .75pt; mso-border-color-alt: #D9D9E3; mso-border-left-alt: .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: .25pt; padding: 0.25rem 0.75rem;" valign="bottom"><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 24.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 24.0pt; margin: 24pt 0cm;"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: red; font-size: 10.5pt;">T</span></p></td>
<td style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border-bottom-right-radius: 0.375rem; border-image: initial; border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; mso-border-alt: solid #D9D9E3 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #D9D9E3 .25pt; padding: 0.25rem 0.75rem;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 24.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 24.0pt; margin: 24pt 0cm;"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #374151; font-size: 10.5pt;">D1 does not give a hint to the claimed ranges in claim III.1, and thus the claim involves an inventive step</span></p></td>
</tr>
</tbody></table><div style="background: rgb(247, 247, 248); border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 227); mso-border-alt: solid #D9D9E3 .25pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0cm;">
<p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: none; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 15pt 0cm; padding: 0cm; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #374151;">Question 15:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div><table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="3" class="MsoNormalTable" style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0px; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0px; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: rgb(247, 247, 248); border-color: inherit; border-image: initial; border-spacing: var(--tw-border-spacing-x) var(--tw-border-spacing-y); border-style: solid; border-width: 1pt; white-space: pre-wrap; width: 653px;">
<thead style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border-bottom-color: var(--tw-prose-th-borders); border-image: initial; box-sizing: border-box;">
<tr style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; box-sizing: border-box; mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;">
<td style="border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 227); mso-border-alt: solid #D9D9E3 .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid #D9D9E3 .25pt; padding: 0.75pt;" valign="bottom">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 24pt; text-align: center;"><b><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #374151; font-size: 10.5pt;">Statement</span></b></p></td>
<td style="border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 227); mso-border-alt: solid #D9D9E3 .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid #D9D9E3 .25pt; padding: 0.75pt;" valign="bottom"> <p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 24pt; text-align: center;"><b><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #374151; font-size: 10.5pt;">True/False</span></b></p></td>
<td style="border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 227); mso-border-alt: solid #D9D9E3 .75pt; padding: 0.75pt;" valign="bottom">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 24pt; text-align: center;"><b><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #374151; font-size: 10.5pt;">Reasoning</span></b></p></td>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody><tr style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border-bottom-color: var(--tw-prose-td-borders); border-image: initial; box-sizing: border-box; mso-yfti-irow: 1;">
<td style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border-image: initial; border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; mso-border-bottom-alt: .75pt; mso-border-color-alt: #D9D9E3; mso-border-left-alt: .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: .25pt; padding: 0.25rem 0.75rem;" valign="bottom"><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 24pt;"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #374151; font-size: 10.5pt;">15.1</span></p></td>
<td style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border-image: initial; border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; mso-border-bottom-alt: .75pt; mso-border-color-alt: #D9D9E3; mso-border-left-alt: .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: .25pt; padding: 0.25rem 0.75rem;" valign="bottom"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 24pt;"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: red; font-size: 10.5pt;">T</span></p></td>
<td style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border-image: initial; border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; mso-border-alt: solid #D9D9E3 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #D9D9E3 .25pt; padding: 0.25rem 0.75rem;" valign="bottom">
<br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 24pt;"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #374151; font-size: 10.5pt;">The amendment is based on the description at [04]</span> </p></td>
</tr>
<tr style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border-bottom-color: var(--tw-prose-td-borders); border-image: initial; box-sizing: border-box; mso-yfti-irow: 2;">
<td style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border-image: initial; border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; mso-border-bottom-alt: .75pt; mso-border-color-alt: #D9D9E3; mso-border-left-alt: .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: .25pt; padding: 0.25rem 0.75rem;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 24pt;"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #374151; font-size: 10.5pt;">15.2</span></p></td>
<td style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border-image: initial; border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; mso-border-bottom-alt: .75pt; mso-border-color-alt: #D9D9E3; mso-border-left-alt: .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: .25pt; padding: 0.25rem 0.75rem;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 24pt;"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #374151; font-size: 10.5pt;">T</span></p></td>
<td style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border-image: initial; border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; mso-border-alt: solid #D9D9E3 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #D9D9E3 .25pt; padding: 0.25rem 0.75rem;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 24pt;"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #374151; font-size: 10.5pt;">The dependency on claim I.5 is supported by the description at [05] and [07]</span></p></td>
</tr>
<tr style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border-bottom-color: var(--tw-prose-td-borders); border-image: initial; box-sizing: border-box; mso-yfti-irow: 3;">
<td style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border-image: initial; border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; mso-border-bottom-alt: .75pt; mso-border-color-alt: #D9D9E3; mso-border-left-alt: .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: .25pt; padding: 0.25rem 0.75rem;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 24pt;"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #374151; font-size: 10.5pt;">15.3</span></p></td>
<td style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border-image: initial; border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; mso-border-bottom-alt: .75pt; mso-border-color-alt: #D9D9E3; mso-border-left-alt: .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: .25pt; padding: 0.25rem 0.75rem;" valign="bottom"><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 24pt;"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: red; font-size: 10.5pt;">T</span></p></td>
<td style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border-image: initial; border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; mso-border-alt: solid #D9D9E3 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #D9D9E3 .25pt; padding: 0.25rem 0.75rem;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 24pt;"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #374151; font-size: 10.5pt;">The amendment is based on the description at [08]</span></p></td>
</tr>
<tr style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border-bottom-color: var(--tw-prose-td-borders); border-image: initial; box-sizing: border-box; mso-yfti-irow: 4; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border-bottom-left-radius: 0.375rem; border-image: initial; border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; mso-border-bottom-alt: .75pt; mso-border-color-alt: #D9D9E3; mso-border-left-alt: .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: .25pt; padding: 0.25rem 0.75rem;" valign="bottom">15.4</td>
<td style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border-image: initial; border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; mso-border-bottom-alt: .75pt; mso-border-color-alt: #D9D9E3; mso-border-left-alt: .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: .25pt; padding: 0.25rem 0.75rem;" valign="bottom"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 24pt;"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: red; font-size: 10.5pt;">T</span></p></td>
<td style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border-bottom-right-radius: 0.375rem; border-image: initial; border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; mso-border-alt: solid #D9D9E3 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #D9D9E3 .25pt; padding: 0.25rem 0.75rem;" valign="bottom"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 24pt;"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #374151; font-size: 10.5pt;">The amendment is based on the description at [08]</span></p></td>
</tr>
</tbody></table><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 3.85pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></b></p><table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="3" class="MsoNormalTable" style="background: rgb(247, 247, 248); border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .25pt; mso-cellspacing: 1.5pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184; width: 653px;">
<thead>
<tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;">
<td style="border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 227); mso-border-alt: solid #D9D9E3 .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid #D9D9E3 .25pt; padding: 0.75pt;" valign="bottom">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 24pt; text-align: center;"><b><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #374151; font-size: 10.5pt;">Statement</span></b><b><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #374151; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
</td>
<td style="border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 227); mso-border-alt: solid #D9D9E3 .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid #D9D9E3 .25pt; padding: 0.75pt;" valign="bottom">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 24pt; text-align: center;"><b><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #374151; font-size: 10.5pt;">True/False<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
</td>
<td style="border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 227); mso-border-alt: solid #D9D9E3 .75pt; padding: 0.75pt;" valign="bottom">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 24pt; text-align: center;"><b><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #374151; font-size: 10.5pt;">Reasoning<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
</td>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody><tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 1;">
<td style="border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 227); mso-border-bottom-alt: .75pt; mso-border-color-alt: #D9D9E3; mso-border-left-alt: .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: .25pt; padding: 0.75pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 24pt;"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #374151; font-size: 10.5pt;">16.1<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 227); mso-border-bottom-alt: .75pt; mso-border-color-alt: #D9D9E3; mso-border-left-alt: .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: .25pt; padding: 0.75pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 24pt;"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #374151; font-size: 10.5pt;">T<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 227); mso-border-alt: solid #D9D9E3 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #D9D9E3 .25pt; padding: 0.75pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 24pt;"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #374151; font-size: 10.5pt;">Para. [06] in the
description states this as a requirement for the releasing agent with
modified siloxane.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 2;">
<td style="border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 227); mso-border-bottom-alt: .75pt; mso-border-color-alt: #D9D9E3; mso-border-left-alt: .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: .25pt; padding: 0.75pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 24pt;"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #374151; font-size: 10.5pt;">16.2<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 227); mso-border-bottom-alt: .75pt; mso-border-color-alt: #D9D9E3; mso-border-left-alt: .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: .25pt; padding: 0.75pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 24pt;"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #374151; font-size: 10.5pt;">F<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 227); mso-border-alt: solid #D9D9E3 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #D9D9E3 .25pt; padding: 0.75pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 24pt;"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #374151; font-size: 10.5pt;">Para. [08] in the
description only describes it as preferred, not essential.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 3;">
<td style="border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 227); mso-border-bottom-alt: .75pt; mso-border-color-alt: #D9D9E3; mso-border-left-alt: .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: .25pt; padding: 0.75pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 24pt;"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #374151; font-size: 10.5pt;">16.3<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 227); mso-border-bottom-alt: .75pt; mso-border-color-alt: #D9D9E3; mso-border-left-alt: .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: .25pt; padding: 0.75pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 24pt;"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: red; font-size: 10.5pt;">T</span><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #374151; font-size: 10.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 227); mso-border-alt: solid #D9D9E3 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #D9D9E3 .25pt; padding: 0.75pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 24pt;"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #374151; font-size: 10.5pt;">Para. [05] in the
description states this as a requirement for the erasable ink composition.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 4;">
<td style="border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 227); mso-border-bottom-alt: .75pt; mso-border-color-alt: #D9D9E3; mso-border-left-alt: .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: .25pt; padding: 0.75pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 24pt;"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #374151; font-size: 10.5pt;">16.4<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 227); mso-border-bottom-alt: .75pt; mso-border-color-alt: #D9D9E3; mso-border-left-alt: .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: .25pt; padding: 0.75pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 24pt;"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #374151; font-size: 10.5pt;">F<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 227); mso-border-alt: solid #D9D9E3 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #D9D9E3 .25pt; padding: 0.75pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 24pt;"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #374151; font-size: 10.5pt;">Para. [06] in the
description states it as a finding that improves erasing, not as essential.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 5;">
<td style="border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 227); mso-border-bottom-alt: .75pt; mso-border-color-alt: #D9D9E3; mso-border-left-alt: .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: .25pt; padding: 0.75pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 24pt;"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #374151; font-size: 10.5pt;">17.1<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 227); mso-border-bottom-alt: .75pt; mso-border-color-alt: #D9D9E3; mso-border-left-alt: .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: .25pt; padding: 0.75pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 24pt;"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #374151; font-size: 10.5pt;">F<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 227); mso-border-alt: solid #D9D9E3 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #D9D9E3 .25pt; padding: 0.75pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 24pt;"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #374151; font-size: 10.5pt;">Claim I.5 doesn't include
essential features (a) and (b) from claim I.1.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 6;">
<td style="border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 227); mso-border-bottom-alt: .75pt; mso-border-color-alt: #D9D9E3; mso-border-left-alt: .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: .25pt; padding: 0.75pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 24pt;"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #374151; font-size: 10.5pt;">17.2<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 227); mso-border-bottom-alt: .75pt; mso-border-color-alt: #D9D9E3; mso-border-left-alt: .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: .25pt; padding: 0.75pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 24pt;"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: red; font-size: 10.5pt;">T<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 227); mso-border-alt: solid #D9D9E3 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #D9D9E3 .25pt; padding: 0.75pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 24pt;"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #374151; font-size: 10.5pt;">Claim I.1bis is supported by
para. [04] in the description.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 7;">
<td style="border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 227); mso-border-bottom-alt: .75pt; mso-border-color-alt: #D9D9E3; mso-border-left-alt: .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: .25pt; padding: 0.75pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 24pt;"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #374151; font-size: 10.5pt;">17.3<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 227); mso-border-bottom-alt: .75pt; mso-border-color-alt: #D9D9E3; mso-border-left-alt: .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: .25pt; padding: 0.75pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 24pt;"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: red; font-size: 10.5pt;">T</span><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #374151; font-size: 10.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 227); mso-border-alt: solid #D9D9E3 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #D9D9E3 .25pt; padding: 0.75pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 24pt;"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #374151; font-size: 10.5pt;">Claim I.4 is clear and
supported by the description in para. [05].<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 8;">
<td style="border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 227); mso-border-bottom-alt: .75pt; mso-border-color-alt: #D9D9E3; mso-border-left-alt: .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: .25pt; padding: 0.75pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 24pt;"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #374151; font-size: 10.5pt;">17.4<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 227); mso-border-bottom-alt: .75pt; mso-border-color-alt: #D9D9E3; mso-border-left-alt: .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: .25pt; padding: 0.75pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 24pt;"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: red; font-size: 10.5pt;">T</span><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #374151; font-size: 10.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 227); mso-border-alt: solid #D9D9E3 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #D9D9E3 .25pt; padding: 0.75pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 24pt;"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #374151; font-size: 10.5pt;">Claim I.8bis is supported by
para. [09] in the description.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 9;">
<td style="border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 227); mso-border-bottom-alt: .75pt; mso-border-color-alt: #D9D9E3; mso-border-left-alt: .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: .25pt; padding: 0.75pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 24pt;"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #374151; font-size: 10.5pt;">18.1<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 227); mso-border-bottom-alt: .75pt; mso-border-color-alt: #D9D9E3; mso-border-left-alt: .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: .25pt; padding: 0.75pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 24pt;"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #374151; font-size: 10.5pt;">F<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 227); mso-border-alt: solid #D9D9E3 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #D9D9E3 .25pt; padding: 0.75pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 24pt;"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #374151; font-size: 10.5pt;">D2 discloses an erasable ink
composition with a water-based solvent system and pigment (D2, [02]).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 10;">
<td style="border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 227); mso-border-bottom-alt: .75pt; mso-border-color-alt: #D9D9E3; mso-border-left-alt: .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: .25pt; padding: 0.75pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 24pt;"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #374151; font-size: 10.5pt;">18.2<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 227); mso-border-bottom-alt: .75pt; mso-border-color-alt: #D9D9E3; mso-border-left-alt: .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: .25pt; padding: 0.75pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 24pt;"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: red; font-size: 10.5pt;">T</span><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #374151; font-size: 10.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 227); mso-border-alt: solid #D9D9E3 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #D9D9E3 .25pt; padding: 0.75pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 24pt;"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #374151; font-size: 10.5pt;">D1 discloses a solvent
system based on an organic ester, not water (D1, [04]).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 11;">
<td style="border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 227); mso-border-bottom-alt: .75pt; mso-border-color-alt: #D9D9E3; mso-border-left-alt: .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: .25pt; padding: 0.75pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 24pt;"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #374151; font-size: 10.5pt;">18.3<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 227); mso-border-bottom-alt: .75pt; mso-border-color-alt: #D9D9E3; mso-border-left-alt: .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: .25pt; padding: 0.75pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 24pt;"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: red; font-size: 10.5pt;">F</span><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #374151; font-size: 10.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 227); mso-border-alt: solid #D9D9E3 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #D9D9E3 .25pt; padding: 0.75pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 24pt;"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #374151; font-size: 10.5pt;">D2 discloses water in the
solvent system (D2, [02]), overlapping with the range in claim I.3.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 12;">
<td style="border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 227); mso-border-bottom-alt: .75pt; mso-border-color-alt: #D9D9E3; mso-border-left-alt: .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: .25pt; padding: 0.75pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 24pt;"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #374151; font-size: 10.5pt;">18.4<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 227); mso-border-bottom-alt: .75pt; mso-border-color-alt: #D9D9E3; mso-border-left-alt: .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: .25pt; padding: 0.75pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 24pt;"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #374151; font-size: 10.5pt;">T<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 227); mso-border-alt: solid #D9D9E3 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #D9D9E3 .25pt; padding: 0.75pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 24pt;"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #374151; font-size: 10.5pt;">D2 does not disclose a
polymeric binder comprising a polyvinyl butyral resin.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 13;">
<td style="border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 227); mso-border-bottom-alt: .75pt; mso-border-color-alt: #D9D9E3; mso-border-left-alt: .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: .25pt; padding: 0.75pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 24pt;"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #374151; font-size: 10.5pt;">19.1<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 227); mso-border-bottom-alt: .75pt; mso-border-color-alt: #D9D9E3; mso-border-left-alt: .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: .25pt; padding: 0.75pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 24pt;"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: red; font-size: 10.5pt;">F</span><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #374151; font-size: 10.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 227); mso-border-alt: solid #D9D9E3 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #D9D9E3 .25pt; padding: 0.75pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 24pt;"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #374151; font-size: 10.5pt;">D2 discloses an erasable ink
composition, not a pen containing it.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 14;">
<td style="border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 227); mso-border-bottom-alt: .75pt; mso-border-color-alt: #D9D9E3; mso-border-left-alt: .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: .25pt; padding: 0.75pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 24pt;"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #374151; font-size: 10.5pt;">19.2<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 227); mso-border-bottom-alt: .75pt; mso-border-color-alt: #D9D9E3; mso-border-left-alt: .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: .25pt; padding: 0.75pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 24pt;"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #374151; font-size: 10.5pt;">T<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 227); mso-border-alt: solid #D9D9E3 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #D9D9E3 .25pt; padding: 0.75pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 24pt;"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #374151; font-size: 10.5pt;">D2 does not discuss
erasability in relation to drying time.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 15;">
<td style="border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 227); mso-border-bottom-alt: .75pt; mso-border-color-alt: #D9D9E3; mso-border-left-alt: .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: .25pt; padding: 0.75pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 24pt;"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #374151; font-size: 10.5pt;">19.3<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 227); mso-border-bottom-alt: .75pt; mso-border-color-alt: #D9D9E3; mso-border-left-alt: .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: .25pt; padding: 0.75pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 24pt;"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #374151; font-size: 10.5pt;">F<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 227); mso-border-alt: solid #D9D9E3 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #D9D9E3 .25pt; padding: 0.75pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 24pt;"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #374151; font-size: 10.5pt;">D1 does not explicitly
mention that releasing agents are essential in all erasable ink compositions.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 16;">
<td style="border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 227); mso-border-bottom-alt: .75pt; mso-border-color-alt: #D9D9E3; mso-border-left-alt: .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: .25pt; padding: 0.75pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 24pt;"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #374151; font-size: 10.5pt;">19.4<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 227); mso-border-bottom-alt: .75pt; mso-border-color-alt: #D9D9E3; mso-border-left-alt: .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: .25pt; padding: 0.75pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 24pt;"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #374151; font-size: 10.5pt;">F<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 227); mso-border-alt: solid #D9D9E3 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #D9D9E3 .25pt; padding: 0.75pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 24pt;"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #374151; font-size: 10.5pt;">D1 does not discuss any
disadvantages of water in the solvent system.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 17;">
<td style="border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 227); mso-border-bottom-alt: .75pt; mso-border-color-alt: #D9D9E3; mso-border-left-alt: .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: .25pt; padding: 0.75pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 24pt;"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #374151; font-size: 10.5pt;">20.1<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 227); mso-border-bottom-alt: .75pt; mso-border-color-alt: #D9D9E3; mso-border-left-alt: .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: .25pt; padding: 0.75pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 24pt;"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: red; font-size: 10.5pt;">T<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 227); mso-border-alt: solid #D9D9E3 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #D9D9E3 .25pt; padding: 0.75pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 24pt;"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #374151; font-size: 10.5pt;">Claim II.1 includes all
essential features and is supported by the description.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 18;">
<td style="border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 227); mso-border-bottom-alt: .75pt; mso-border-color-alt: #D9D9E3; mso-border-left-alt: .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: .25pt; padding: 0.75pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 24pt;"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #374151; font-size: 10.5pt;">20.2<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 227); mso-border-bottom-alt: .75pt; mso-border-color-alt: #D9D9E3; mso-border-left-alt: .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: .25pt; padding: 0.75pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 24pt;"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: red; font-size: 10.5pt;">T<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 227); mso-border-alt: solid #D9D9E3 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #D9D9E3 .25pt; padding: 0.75pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 24pt;"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #374151; font-size: 10.5pt;">The new set of claims meets
the requirements of Article 123(2) EPC.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 19;">
<td style="border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 227); mso-border-bottom-alt: .75pt; mso-border-color-alt: #D9D9E3; mso-border-left-alt: .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: .25pt; padding: 0.75pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 24pt;"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #374151; font-size: 10.5pt;">20.3<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 227); mso-border-bottom-alt: .75pt; mso-border-color-alt: #D9D9E3; mso-border-left-alt: .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: .25pt; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: .25pt; padding: 0.75pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 24pt;"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #374151; font-size: 10.5pt;">T<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 227); mso-border-alt: solid #D9D9E3 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #D9D9E3 .25pt; padding: 0.75pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 24pt;"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #374151; font-size: 10.5pt;">The new set of claims meets
the requirements of Article 84 EPC.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 24pt;"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #374151; font-size: 10.5pt;">20.4<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 24pt;"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: red; font-size: 10.5pt;">T</span><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #374151; font-size: 10.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 24pt;"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #374151; font-size: 10.5pt;">The new set of claims meets
the requirements of Article 54 EPC.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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</tbody></table>Nico Cordeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18418422722416402064noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-584401433841434859.post-40184994133869291982023-03-20T10:51:00.003+01:002023-03-20T10:59:17.006+01:00ChatGTP-4 finds the pre-exam legal part quite challenging. <p>From the ChatGTP-4 paper, we understand that its ability to pass exams has been greatly increased. For example, "on a simulated bar exam, GPT-4 achieves a score that falls in the top 10% of test takers. This contrasts with GPT-3.5, which scores in the bottom 10%.", see [1]. Naturally, we were curious to see how the AI would do on the EQE. The pre-exam legal part seems to be the most accessible for an AI, so this is the part we tried. </p><p>We did two runs, one with a short prompt, and one with a long prompt. Both prompts explain the exam's requirements and ask for step-by-step reasoning. The long prompt also contains a question from last year's exam with an example of the required step-by-step legal reasoning. The prompt had to be very clear the program always needs to answer True or False, otherwise you get a lot of answers explaining why the available information is insufficient to make a decision. </p><span><a name='more'></a></span><p>From the 40 true/false questions, the runs had respectively 17 and 14 errors, resulting in 22 and 25 marks out of the available 50 marks (taking Diane and Roel's answers as the standard). Cherry picking the best answers from both runs gave 11 errors and 30 marks. We didn't try the claim analysis part, not yet anyway, but with 25 marks you are on your way to a passing grade. Probably, not in the top 10% though. </p><p>One would expect that the date calculations would trip the program up, but most errors came from a misunderstanding of the law. Question 2 quoted below is a good example. </p><p>Hallucinations occur here and there, especially in the legal references. Often without impacting the analysis though. For example on question 9.1 (accelerated proceedings) the program made the following references, "<i>However, Rule accelerated examination is available under Article acceleration of European patent applications, but the request must meet the requirements of Rule acceleration.</i>" The answer was still correct, so it was lucky there. </p><p>Below is ChatGTP-4's output for questions 1, 2, and 4 to illustrate it ability. We think questions 1 and 4 were answered correctly, with mostly correct reasoning. But the answer to question 2 seems wrong. For readability we include the original question in italics, but exclude the prompt, below 'answer' is a copy paste of ChatGTP-4's output, when prompted with the long prompt.</p><p>[1]: GPT-4 Technical Report, by OpenAI, <a href="https://cdn.openai.com/papers/gpt-4.pdf">gpt-4.pdf (openai.com)</a></p><p>Roel, Sander</p><p><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px 0px 12px;"><b><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Question 1<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px 0px 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>You are a professional representative before the EPO. Today, 6 March 2023 you have received an email from your client, Alvar, a national of Finland. He wants you to file a European patent application EP-A in his name, claiming priority from FI-A, a Finnish patent application. FI-A was jointly filed in the name of Alvar and Aino on 4 March 2022. A copy of FI-A is attached to the email. No other document or information is sent with the email.<o:p></o:p></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px 0px 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>For each of the statements, indicate whether the statement is true (T) or false (F):<o:p></o:p></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px 0px 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>1.1. Alvar as a natural person is not entitled to a reduction of the filing fee.<o:p></o:p></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px 0px 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>1.2. On the basis of the information given above, you can file today, 6 March 2023, a European patent application EP-A in Alvar's name at the EPO and it will be accorded 6 March 2023 as the date of filing.</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px 0px 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>1.3. You can validly file EP-A in Finnish.</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px 0px 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>1.4. On the basis of the information given above, you can be sure that EP-A can validly claim priority from FI-A.</i></span></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span><b><i>Answer from </i></b></span></span><b><i>ChatGTP-4</i></b></span></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit;">Alvar as a natural person is not entitled to a reduction of the filing fee.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Discussion: According to Rule 6(4) of the Rules relating to Fees, a reduction of the filing fee is available for natural persons and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) under certain conditions. However, this reduction is applicable only to applicants who are nationals of and have their residence or principal place of business in a Contracting State with an official language other than English, French, or German. Finland has Finnish as its official language.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit;">Conclusion: As a national of Finland, Alvar is a natural person with an official language other than English, French, or German. Therefore, the statement is False, because Alvar is entitled to a reduction of the filing fee.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit;">On the basis of the information given above, you can file today, 6 March 2023, a European patent application EP-A in Alvar's name at the EPO and it will be accorded 6 March 2023 as the date of filing.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Discussion: According to Article 80 EPC, the date of filing a European patent application is the date on which the documents filed contain the minimum requirements set forth in Rule 40(1) EPC. Rule 40(1) EPC requires: (a) an indication that a European patent is sought, (b) information identifying the applicant or allowing the applicant to be contacted, and (c) a description or reference to an earlier application. The information provided by Alvar in the email meets these requirements.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit;">Conclusion: The statement is True, because the European patent application EP-A can be filed today, 6 March 2023, in Alvar's name at the EPO and will be accorded 6 March 2023 as the date of filing.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit;">You can validly file EP-A in Finnish.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Discussion: Rule 6(1) EPC specifies that the official languages of the EPO are English, French, and German. However, according to Rule 6(2) EPC, any document filed in an official language of a Contracting State, which is not English, French, or German, may be filed in that language. In such cases, a translation into one of the official languages of the EPO must be filed within a period specified by the EPO.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit;">Conclusion: The statement is True, because EP-A can be validly filed in Finnish, as it is an official language of Finland, a Contracting State. However, a translation into one of the EPO's official languages must be filed within the specified period.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit;">On the basis of the information given above, you can be sure that EP-A can validly claim priority from FI-A.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Discussion: According to Article 87(1) EPC, to validly claim priority, the European patent application must be filed within 12 months from the filing date of the earlier application. Additionally, the applicant for the European patent application must be the same as or the successor in title to the applicant of the earlier application. In the given case, the European patent application is filed within 12 months from the filing date of the Finnish application (4 March 2022). However, FI-A was jointly filed by Alvar and Aino, whereas EP-A is being filed only in Alvar's name.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit;">Conclusion: The statement is False, because it cannot be determined whether EP-A can validly claim priority from FI-A without additional information regarding the ownership of the earlier application and the consent of Aino for the priority claim.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><b><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Question 2</span></i></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px 0px 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Paula is resident in Romania and has no EPO mailbox for electronic notification. On 13 February 2023, Paula filed the European patent application EP-P as a first filing. The EPO noticed that the drawings mentioned in the description were missing. In a communication dated 22 February 2023, the EPO invited Paula to file the missing drawings.<o:p></o:p></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px 0px 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>For each of the statements, indicate whether the statement is true (T) or false (F):<o:p></o:p></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px 0px 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>2.1. If Paula ignores an invitation by the EPO to file missing parts of the description or missing drawings, EP-P will be deemed to be withdrawn.<o:p></o:p></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px 0px 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>2.2. Paula may validly file the missing drawings for EP-P on 6 June 2023, provided she pays the fee for further processing.</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px 0px 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>2.3. If applicants are not invited by the EPO to file missing parts of the description or missing drawings, they may validly file them within two months of the date of filing.</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px 0px 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>2.4. If Paula files the missing drawings on 3 May 2023, EP-P will receive 3 May 2023 as its date of filing.</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px 0px 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span><b><i>Answer from </i></b></span></span><span style="background-color: transparent;"><b><i>ChatGTP-4</i></b></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px 0px 12px;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Statement 1: According to Rule 56(1) EPC, if the description or drawings referred to in the claims are missing, the EPO shall invite the applicant to file the missing parts. If the applicant fails to comply with the invitation, the application shall be deemed to be withdrawn under Rule 56(2) EPC. In this case, Paula was invited by the EPO to file the missing drawings. If she ignores this invitation, her application will be deemed to be withdrawn. Therefore, statement 1 is True.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px 0px 12px;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Statement 2: Under Rule 56(3) EPC, the applicant may still file the missing parts within a period of two months of the date of the invitation, and this period may be extended upon request by the applicant under Rule 132(2) EPC. If the applicant files the missing parts within this period, the date of filing will remain unchanged. However, if the missing parts are filed after this period, further processing under Article 121 EPC and Rule 135 EPC is necessary. The deadline for further processing is within two months of a communication concerning either the failure to observe the time limit or the possibility of further processing. In this case, Paula was invited on 22 February 2023. Therefore, the deadline to file the missing drawings is 22 April 2023. Filing the drawings on 6 June 2023 would be after this deadline. Hence, statement 2 is False.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px 0px 12px;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Statement 3: According to Rule 56(1) EPC, if an applicant is not invited by the EPO to file missing parts of the description or missing drawings, they may validly file them within two months of the date of filing. In this case, since the EPO invited Paula to file the missing drawings, this rule does not apply. Therefore, statement 3 is False.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px 0px 12px;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Statement 4: If Paula files the missing drawings within the time limit set in the invitation, which is two months from the date of the invitation, the date of filing remains unchanged under Rule 56(3) EPC. In this case, the invitation was sent on 22 February 2023, and the two-month deadline would be 22 April 2023. If Paula files the missing drawings on 3 May 2023, which is within the two-month deadline, the date of filing for EP-P remains unchanged, i.e., 13 February 2023. Therefore, statement 4 is False.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px 0px 12px;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><br /></i></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px 0px 12px;"><b><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Question 4<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px 0px 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>In 2020, company A was interested in exploiting a new medical device it had developed, and, for this purpose, details of the device were disclosed in confidence to company B. Unknown to company A, company B filed a European patent application EP-B with an effective filing date of 6 June 2021. Made aware of the publication of EP-B, company A sought before a national court to be recognised as entitled to the grant of a European patent for the invention disclosed in EP-B. By a final decision of the national court dated 10 January 2023, it has been adjudged that company A is entitled to the grant of a European patent for the invention disclosed in EP-B. This final decision is recognised by all contracting states designated in the application EP-B.<o:p></o:p></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px 0px 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>For each of the statements, indicate whether the statement is true (T) or false (F):<o:p></o:p></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px 0px 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>4.1. If EP-B is still pending and has not yet been granted, a request that company B must withdraw EP-B, filed by company A at the EPO, will be allowed.<o:p></o:p></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px 0px 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>4.2. If EP-B is still pending and has not yet been granted, company A may prosecute EP-B as its own application in place of company B.</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px 0px 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>4.3. If EP-B is still pending and has not yet been granted, company A may validly request that EP-B be refused.</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px 0px 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>4.4. If EP-B has been deemed to be withdrawn and is thus no longer pending, company A may still file a new European patent application EP-A in respect of the same invention, wherein EP-A shall be deemed to have been filed on 6 June 2021.</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px 0px 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i>Answer from </i></b><span style="background-color: transparent;"><b><i>ChatGTP-4</i></b></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px 0px 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">4.1 For statement 4.1, we need to consider the legal situation regarding the request by company A for the withdrawal of EP-B. According to Article 61(1) EPC, if a decision has been taken by a national court that a person other than the applicant is entitled to the grant of a European patent, that person may either prosecute the European patent application as his own application in place of the applicant or request that the application be refused. There is no explicit provision in the EPC that allows company A to request the withdrawal of EP-B. Therefore, statement 4.1 is False.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px 0px 12px;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-family: inherit;">4.2 For statement 4.2, we need to examine whether company A can prosecute EP-B as its own application in place of company B. As mentioned earlier, according to Article 61(1) EPC, if a national court has decided that a person other than the applicant is entitled to the grant of a European patent, that person may prosecute the European patent application as their own application in place of the applicant. In this case, the national court has decided that company A is entitled to the grant of a European patent for the invention disclosed in EP-B. Therefore, statement 4.2 is True.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px 0px 12px;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-family: inherit;">4.3 For statement 4.3, we need to assess if company A can validly request that EP-B be refused. As discussed under statement 4.1, Article 61(1) EPC provides two options for the person found entitled to the grant of a European patent: to prosecute the application as their own or to request that the application be refused. In this case, company A is entitled to the grant of a European patent for the invention disclosed in EP-B, so they can request that EP-B be refused. Therefore, statement 4.3 is True.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px 0px 12px;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-family: inherit;">4.4 For statement 4.4, we need to determine if company A can still file a new European patent application (EP-A) with the same filing date as EP-B if EP-B has been deemed to be withdrawn. According to Article 61(2) EPC, if a European patent application has been withdrawn, the person found entitled to the grant of the European patent may file a new European patent application within three months of the decision becoming final. The new application shall be deemed to have been filed on the date of filing of the earlier application. In this case, the decision became final on 10 January 2023, and no information indicates that the three-month period has passed. Therefore, statement 4.4 is True.</span></span></p>Sander van Rijnswouhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08074604101159694993noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-584401433841434859.post-56216269388716816022023-03-18T15:15:00.013+01:002023-03-23T09:12:42.245+01:00Pre-Exam 2023 (part 4): erasable inks - our answers<p><span style="background-color: white;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuMXN42mLGBHBmZLB0UI97y2xPdFTiH-dD1BnPvJwAX704hSd5Bt7BVzFGXv8pEX3pHR2v4d3b5dK1IBBZbC0GLp8GkkjTCzOL7b3KSTsGmTUPcL8FLT9Jh9v44cBmOq-H6zAcru6tu3CfNeuuRev-ZXd6_fAnen7fXZnbmzQ0fWX_eXy6lJn-JcQj3A/s940/Pre2023-Part4-Table.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="495" data-original-width="940" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuMXN42mLGBHBmZLB0UI97y2xPdFTiH-dD1BnPvJwAX704hSd5Bt7BVzFGXv8pEX3pHR2v4d3b5dK1IBBZbC0GLp8GkkjTCzOL7b3KSTsGmTUPcL8FLT9Jh9v44cBmOq-H6zAcru6tu3CfNeuuRev-ZXd6_fAnen7fXZnbmzQ0fWX_eXy6lJn-JcQj3A/w400-h211/Pre2023-Part4-Table.png" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">The second claims part was about erasable
inks.</span></p></span></span><p></p>
<p style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">“This invention provides erasable inks
that provide good writing performance when used in writing instruments such as
pens. The erasable inks are water-based inks that have a short "waiting
time", i.e. inks that can be erased soon after they are applied on a surface
made, for instance, of paper. Because the water-based inks are based on using water
as a solvent rather than on using other solvents, the erasable inks of the
invention are relatively non-toxic and odour-free.” [002] of the description
of the client’s application)</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 9pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Our answers to this second claims analysis part are given below. We
have numbered the questions and statements for easy reference in the
discussion.</span><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 9pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span></span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 9pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">During the exam, candidates had access to
the EPO Legal Text pages, so including the Guidelines. Access was to the live
versions, so to the versions in force on 17 March 2023 (so not the version of
31.10.2022 acc REE/IPEE).</span><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 9pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Candidates could access the exam in all languages,
English, French and German.</span><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 9pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">In the claims analysis parts (as in the legal parts),
the order of the four statements of each of the questions was randomized, i.e.,
it was different for different candidates. </span><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 9pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">In view of the randomized order, we provide the
questions and statements together with our answers. If you check your answers
with ours, note that the order of the questions and of the four statements from
a single question may be different!!!</span><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 9.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 9pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i><span style="color: #990000;">Please feel invited to comment!</span></i></b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; margin-bottom: 9.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 9pt; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">The exam had a mix of common and less-common claims
analysis topics. Part 4 was very very chemical with many function-defines agent and resins, many chemical names and formulas, ranges and an example in a table. It seemed that the paper lacked some definitions to also allow the non-chemist to understand it all in full, e.g., as to how much water is contained in a water-based solvent system, and whether an ester-based solvent system also includes water.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; margin-bottom: 9.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 9pt; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">Please do not post your comments anonymously - it is
allowed, but it makes responding more difficult and rather clumsy ("Dear
Mr/Mrs/Ms Anonymous of 18-03-2022 18:03"), whereas using your real name or
a nickname is more personal, more interesting and makes a more attractive
conversation. You do not need to log in or make an account - it is OK to just
put your (nick) name at the end of your post.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; margin-bottom: 9.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 9pt; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">Note: the other claims part is discussed in another
blog post: <a href="http://pre-exam.blogspot.com/2023/03/pre-exam-2023-part-3-cleaning-utensils.html" target="_blank">here</a>; the legal part is discussed in another blog post: <a href="http://pre-exam.blogspot.com/2023/03/pre-exam-2023-our-answers-to-legal.html" target="_blank">here</a>;
first impressions and general comments can be posted <a href="http://pre-exam.blogspot.com/2023/03/pre-exam-2023-first-impressions.html" target="_blank">here</a>. </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 9.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 9pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">Nico & Roel</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<h3 style="background: white; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"> </span></o:p></span></h3>
<h3 style="background: white; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; font-weight: normal;">Question 16</span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></h3>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="color: black;">Claims as
filed with the description on 16.08.2019</span></b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white; color: black;">I.1. An erasable ink composition comprising:<br />
(a) water;<br />
(b) a colouring agent; and<br />
(c) a releasing agent.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white; color: black;">I.2. An erasable ink composition comprising:<br />
(a) water;<br />
(b) a colouring agent;<br />
(c) a releasing agent; and<br />
(d) a film-forming polymeric binder.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white; color: black;">I.3. An erasable ink composition according to claim I.2, wherein the
water is present in an amount ranging from about 40% to about 90% w/w.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white; color: black;">I.4. An erasable ink composition according to claim I.2, wherein the
colouring agent is present in an amount ranging from about 0.5% to about 30%
w/w.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white; color: black;">I.5. An erasable ink composition according to claim I.2, wherein the
releasing agent includes a modified siloxane and is present in an amount
ranging from about 0.3% to about 30% w/w.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white; color: black;">I.6. An erasable ink composition according to claim I.2, wherein the
polymeric binder is present in an amount ranging from about 1% to about 15% w/w
and comprises a polyvinyl butyral resin.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white; color: black;">I.7. An erasable ink composition according to claim I.2, wherein said
erasable ink has an erasability of greater than 95% when erased within five
minutes of applying the ink to the sheet of paper.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white; color: black;">I.8. A pen comprising an outer body, a writing tip at one end of said
body, a reservoir included within said body and connected to said writing tip,
and within said reservoir a waterbased erasable ink composition comprising:<br />
(a) water;<br />
(b) a colouring agent in an amount of 1.5% to about 30% w/w;<br />
(c) a releasing agent having a water solubility ranging from about 0.5% to
about 70%</span><span style="color: black;"> <span style="background: white;">of the erasable ink composition; and<br />
(d) a film-forming polymeric binder.</span></span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.8pt; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">For each
of the statements, indicate whether the statement is true (T) or false (F):</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="background: white; border-collapse: collapse; border: none; mso-border-alt: solid #D9D9D9 .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;">
<tbody><tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;">
<td style="background: transparent; border-bottom: none; border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 217); mso-border-left-alt: solid #D9D9D9 .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid #D9D9D9 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #D9D9D9 .75pt; padding: 12pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">16.1 The following feature is described as essential
in the description: The <span style="background: white; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">modified siloxane</span>-containing releasing
agent <span style="background: white; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">comprises
less than 1% w/w of colloidal silica.</span><span style="background: white;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>The statement has no reference to a specific
claim, so the statement cannot be unambiguously answered.<o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>For embodiments or claims comprising modified siloxane, (for an even more
improved erasing) it is essential;
[006]: “When the releasing agent includes a modified siloxane, it has to
contain less than 1% w/w of colloidal silica”. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This would result
in T.<o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>But modified siloxane is not essential
(see 16.4) so that in other embodiments of without modified siloxane, it is
also not essential that modified siloxane-containing releasing agent comprises
comprises less than 1% w/w of colloidal silica. This would result in F.<o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Both T and F can this be argued.</i><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 1;">
<td style="background: transparent; border-bottom: none; border-left: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 217); border-right: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 217); border-top: none; mso-border-left-alt: solid #D9D9D9 .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid #D9D9D9 .75pt; padding: 12pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">16.2 The following feature is described as
essential in the description: <span style="background: white; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">The polymeric binder is a polyvinyl butyral
resin.</span><span style="background: white;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>F – [008] “such as”</i><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 2;">
<td style="background: transparent; border-bottom: none; border-left: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 217); border-right: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 217); border-top: none; mso-border-left-alt: solid #D9D9D9 .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid #D9D9D9 .75pt; padding: 12pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt; text-indent: -0.55pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">16.3 The following
feature is described as essential in the description: The erasable
ink composition comprises <span style="background: white; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">from about 1.5% to about 30% w/w of the colouring agent by
weight of the erasable ink composition.</span><span style="background: white;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt; text-indent: -0.55pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>F – [005] “preferably”</i><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 3; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td style="background: transparent; border-top: none; border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 217); mso-border-bottom-alt: solid #D9D9D9 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #D9D9D9 .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid #D9D9D9 .75pt; padding: 12pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">16.4 The following feature is described as essential
in the description: The releasing agent is <span style="background: white; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">a modified siloxane.</span><span style="background: white;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>F – described as optional in [006]; only
essential for an even more improved erasing [006], not for the effects in
[005]</i><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></p>
<h3 style="background: white; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; font-weight: normal;">Question 17</span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></h3>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">After receipt
of the search report from the EPO, the applicant envisages to replace claims
I.1. and I.8. respectively as follow:</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="background: white; color: black;">I.1. An erasable ink composition comprising:<br />
(a) water;<br />
(b) a colouring agent; and<br />
(c) a releasing agent.</span></i><i><o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">I.1bis. <span style="background: white;">An erasable ink composition comprising:<br />
(a) water;<br />
(b) a colouring agent; and<br />
(c) a film-forming polymeric binder.</span></span><span style="background: white;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="background: white; color: black;">I.8 . A pen comprising an outer body, a writing tip at one end of said
body, a reservoir included within said body and connected to said writing tip,
and within said reservoir a waterbased erasable ink composition comprising:<br />
(a) water;<br />
(b) a colouring agent in an amount of 1.5% to about 30% w/w;<br />
(c) a releasing agent having a water solubility ranging from about 0.5% to
about 70%</span></i><i><span style="color: black;"> <span style="background: white;">of the erasable ink composition; and<br />
(d) a film-forming polymeric binder.</span></span></i><i><o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">I.8bis.<span style="background: white;"> A pen comprising an outer body, a writing tip at
one end of said body, a reservoir included within said body and connected to
said writing tip, and within said reservoir a waterbased erasable ink
composition comprising:<br />
(a) water in an amount ranging from about 40% to about 90% w/w;<br />
(b) a colouring agent in an amount of 1.5% to about 30% w/w;<br />
(c) a releasing agent having a water solubility ranging from about 0.5% to
about 70%; and<br />
(d) a film-forming polymeric binder.</span></span><span style="background: white;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.8pt; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">For each
of the statements, indicate whether the statement is true (T) or false (F):</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="background: white; border-collapse: collapse; border: none; mso-border-alt: solid #D9D9D9 .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;">
<tbody><tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;">
<td style="background: transparent; border-bottom: none; border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 217); mso-border-left-alt: solid #D9D9D9 .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid #D9D9D9 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #D9D9D9 .75pt; padding: 12pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">17.1 Claim I.5 contains all the essential
features.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>F - For modified siloxane, it is essential that
it contains less than 1% w/w of colloidal silica, which is not defined in
claim I.5.<o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Note: it also contains non-essential
features, such as the binder [004] via the dependence on I.2, and the
features of claim I.,5 itself.</i><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="background: white; color: black;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I.5, when written out, reads:<br />
An erasable ink composition comprising:<br />
(a) water;<br />
(b) a colouring agent;<br />
(c) a releasing agent; and<br />
(d) a film-forming polymeric binder.<br />
wherein the releasing agent includes a modified siloxane and is present in an
amount ranging from about 0.3% to about 30% w/w.</span></span></i><i><o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 1;">
<td style="background: transparent; border-bottom: none; border-left: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 217); border-right: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 217); border-top: none; mso-border-left-alt: solid #D9D9D9 .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid #D9D9D9 .75pt; padding: 12pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">17.2 Claim I.1bis, if filed as envisaged, would
meet the requirement of Article 123(2) EPC.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>F - It appears there needs to be a releasing
agent ([004]), which is not included in claim I.1bis.</i><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 2;">
<td style="background: transparent; border-bottom: none; border-left: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 217); border-right: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 217); border-top: none; mso-border-left-alt: solid #D9D9D9 .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid #D9D9D9 .75pt; padding: 12pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">17.3 Claim I.4 meets the requirement of
Article 84 EPC.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>F - One aspect of Art. 84 is that all essential
features are defined by the claim - according to [005], the minimum for the
colouring agent is 0.75% w/w. <br />
Another aspect is the use of 'about' which should be replaced by the
numerical tolerances implied by 'about' – Guidelines.<o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I.4 when written
out reads:<br />
<span style="background: white;">An erasable ink composition comprising:<br />
(a) water;<br />
(b) a colouring agent;<br />
(c) a releasing agent; and<br />
(d) a film-forming polymeric binder,<br />
wherein the colouring agent is present in an amount ranging from about 0.5%
to about 30% w/w.</span></span></span></i><i><o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 3; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td style="background: transparent; border-top: none; border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 217); mso-border-bottom-alt: solid #D9D9D9 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #D9D9D9 .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid #D9D9D9 .75pt; padding: 12pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">17.4 Claim I.8bis, if filed as envisaged, would
meet the requirement of Article 123(2) EPC.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>F – Undisclosed combination of ranges.</i><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></p>
<h3 style="background: white; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; font-weight: normal;">Question 18</span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></h3>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.8pt; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">For each
of the statements, indicate whether the statement is true (T) or false (F):</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="background: white; border-collapse: collapse; border: none; mso-border-alt: solid #D9D9D9 .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;">
<tbody><tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;">
<td style="background: transparent; border-bottom: none; border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 217); mso-border-left-alt: solid #D9D9D9 .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid #D9D9D9 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #D9D9D9 .75pt; padding: 12pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">18.1 Claim I.1 is novel over D2.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>F – Water is part of a 'water-based solvent system',
colouring agent = 'pigment, whatever its color', releasing agent =
'dispersant ... have a releasing effect'</i><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 1;">
<td style="background: transparent; border-bottom: none; border-left: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 217); border-right: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 217); border-top: none; mso-border-left-alt: solid #D9D9D9 .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid #D9D9D9 .75pt; padding: 12pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">18.2 Claim I.1 is novel over D1.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>F – Anticipated by D1's prior art section [002]:
Water is part of 'water-based', colouring agent = 'pigment', releasing agent =
'releasing and spreading agents'</i><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 2;">
<td style="background: transparent; border-bottom: none; border-left: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 217); border-right: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 217); border-top: none; mso-border-left-alt: solid #D9D9D9 .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid #D9D9D9 .75pt; padding: 12pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">18.3 Claim I.3 is novel over D2.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>T – D2 described “<span class="fontstyle01"><span color="windowtext" style="mso-ansi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">about
74% to about 94% w/w of the water-based solvent</span></span><br />
<span class="fontstyle01"><span color="windowtext" style="mso-ansi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">system</span></span>”, but it does not indicate which percentage of that is water and what
percentage is pigment – could be 30% water and 64% pigment?<o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>But facts seem to be missing: D2 has a
film-forming dispersent but it is not clear that this is a 'polymeric
binder'. The specific examples of polymeric binders do not match the specific
examples of dispersants in D2.<o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Note possibly F is concluded by a
chemist who, when using special knowledge, may (or not??) consider it
implicit that a </i><span class="fontstyle01"><span color="windowtext" style="mso-ansi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><i>water-based solvent system
cannot hold more than a few % of pigment – but that I nowhere disclosed and
may not be true, or may at least not be necessarily so, which is needed for a
novelty-destroying effect.</i><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="fontstyle01"><i><span color="windowtext" style="mso-ansi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I.3 when written out reads:<br />
</span></i></span><i><span style="background: white; color: black;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>An erasable ink composition comprising:<br />
(a) water;<br />
(b) a colouring agent;<br />
(c) a releasing agent; and<br />
(d) a film-forming polymeric binder,<br />
wherein the water is present in an amount ranging from about 40% to about 90%
w/w.</span></i></span><i><o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 3; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td style="background: transparent; border-top: none; border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 217); mso-border-bottom-alt: solid #D9D9D9 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #D9D9D9 .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid #D9D9D9 .75pt; padding: 12pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">18.4 Claim I.6 is novel over D2.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span class="fontstyle01">T
– </span><span class="fontstyle01">2
certainly does not disclose polyvinyl butyral resin</span></i><span class="fontstyle01"><span color="windowtext"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="fontstyle01">I.6
when written out reads:<br />
</span><span style="background: white; color: black;">An erasable ink composition comprising:<br />
(a) water;<br />
(b) a colouring agent;<br />
(c) a releasing agent; and<br />
(d) a film-forming polymeric binder,<br />
wherein the polymeric binder is present in an amount ranging from about 1% to
about 15% w/w and comprises a polyvinyl butyral resin.</span></span></i><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></p>
<h3 style="background: white; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; font-weight: normal;">Question 19</span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></h3>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.8pt; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">For each
of the statements, indicate whether the statement is true (T) or false (F):</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="background: white; border-collapse: collapse; border: none; mso-border-alt: solid #D9D9D9 .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;">
<tbody><tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;">
<td style="background: transparent; border-bottom: none; border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 217); mso-border-left-alt: solid #D9D9D9 .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid #D9D9D9 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #D9D9D9 .75pt; padding: 12pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">19.1 D2 discloses a pen that contains an erasable
ink composition.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="fontstyle01"><span color="windowtext" style="mso-ansi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><i>T - See first sentence of [002]</i></span></span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 1;">
<td style="background: transparent; border-bottom: none; border-left: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 217); border-right: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 217); border-top: none; mso-border-left-alt: solid #D9D9D9 .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid #D9D9D9 .75pt; padding: 12pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">19.2 D2 does not teach that the erasability of
the erasable ink composition is dependent on the drying time.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="fontstyle01"><span color="windowtext" style="mso-ansi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><i>T - Indeed, D2 lacks this teaching</i></span></span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 2;">
<td style="background: transparent; border-bottom: none; border-left: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 217); border-right: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 217); border-top: none; mso-border-left-alt: solid #D9D9D9 .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid #D9D9D9 .75pt; padding: 12pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">19.3 D1 teaches that an essential element of all erasable
ink compositions is the presence of a releasing agent.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="fontstyle01"><span color="windowtext" style="mso-ansi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><i>F – [002] "Generally, such erasable ink
compositions also include ... releasing and spreading agents" -
"Generally" means it is not essential</i></span></span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 3; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td style="background: transparent; border-top: none; border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 217); mso-border-bottom-alt: solid #D9D9D9 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #D9D9D9 .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid #D9D9D9 .75pt; padding: 12pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">19.4 D1 mentions that water in the solvent system
has disadvantages.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="fontstyle01"><span color="windowtext" style="mso-ansi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><i>F - It does not.</i></span></span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><br clear="all" style="break-before: page; mso-special-character: line-break; page-break-before: always;" />
</span>
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></p>
<h3 style="background: white; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; font-weight: normal;">Question 20</span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></h3>
<p class="western" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">Consider
that the following new set of claims (II.1 to II.3) was filed by the applicant
during the examination proceedings to expedite prosecution and the patent was
granted five months ago with the following set of claims:</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">II.1. An
erasable ink composition comprising:</span><span style="color: black;"><br />
</span><span style="background: white; color: black;">(a) from about 40%
to about 90% w/w </span><span style="color: black;">of water;<br />
(b)<span style="background: white;"> from about 1.5% to about 30% w/w of</span> a
colouring agent;<br />
(c) <span style="background: white;">from about 0.3% to about 30% w/w
of </span>a releasing agent; and preferably<br />
(d) <span style="background: white;">from about 1% to about 15% w/w </span>of
a film-forming polymeric binder.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">II.2. An
erasable ink composition comprising:<br />
(a) <span style="background: white;">from about 40% to about 90% w/w</span> of
water;<br />
(b) <span style="background: white;">from about 1.5% to about 30% w/w </span>of
a colouring agent;<br />
(c) <span style="background: white;">from about 0.3% to about 30% w/w
of </span>a <span style="background: white;">modified siloxane</span> releasing
agent.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">II.3. An
erasable ink composition, wherein said erasable ink has an erasability of
greater than 95% when erased within five minutes of applying the ink to the
sheet of paper.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.8pt; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">For each
of the statements, indicate whether the statement is true (T) or false (F):</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="background: white; border-collapse: collapse; border: none; mso-border-alt: solid #D9D9D9 .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;">
<tbody><tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;">
<td style="background: transparent; border-bottom: none; border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 217); mso-border-left-alt: solid #D9D9D9 .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid #D9D9D9 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #D9D9D9 .75pt; padding: 12pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">20.1 In an opposition procedure, an opponent will
likely be successful with a novelty attack against claim II.2 over D1.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="fontstyle01"><span color="windowtext" style="mso-ansi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><i>F – D1 has two types of disclosures:<br />
D1 [002] prior art water-based compositions: no modified siloxane releasing agent
and no ranges;<br />
D1 [003]-[004]: no water mentioned: ester-based solvent system, not water-based
solvent.</i></span></span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 1;">
<td style="background: transparent; border-bottom: none; border-left: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 217); border-right: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 217); border-top: none; mso-border-left-alt: solid #D9D9D9 .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid #D9D9D9 .75pt; padding: 12pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">20.2 In an opposition procedure, an opponent will
likely be successful with an attack under Article 83 EPC against claim
II.3.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>F - The patent application discloses
in [011] an erasable ink composition which would allow the skilled person to
carry out the invention defined by claim II.3 since this composition reaches
an erasability of 95% already after 10 seconds ([012])<o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Note: the claim itself is a
'result-to-be-achieved' claim and problematic under Art. 84 EPC but this is
not a ground for opposition.</i><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 2;">
<td style="background: transparent; border-bottom: none; border-left: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 217); border-right: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 217); border-top: none; mso-border-left-alt: solid #D9D9D9 .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid #D9D9D9 .75pt; padding: 12pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">20.3 In an opposition procedure, an opponent will
likely be successful with an attack under Article 123(2) EPC against
claim II.2.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>T - Not supported by the
original claim set (e.g., 1.5% lower bound is missing in claim I.4). There is
seemingly support in [009], but according to [006], when the releasing agent
includes modified siloxane, it has to contain less than 1% w/w of colloidal
silica. This essential feature is not in newly introduced claim II.2 ->
intermediate generalization.</i><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 3; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td style="background: transparent; border-top: none; border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 217); mso-border-bottom-alt: solid #D9D9D9 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #D9D9D9 .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid #D9D9D9 .75pt; padding: 12pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">20.4 In an opposition procedure, an opponent will
likely be successful with a novelty attack against claim II.1 over D2.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>F - Facts seem missing: <strike>D2 has a
film-forming dispersent but it is not clear that this is a 'polymeric
binder'. The specific examples of polymeric binders do not match the specific
examples of dispersants in D2. </strike>In addition, water-based solvent is present
from about 74% to about 94% w/w, of which 74% falls within the claimed range
of about 40% to about 90% w/w. However, it is not clear how much of the
water-based solvent in D2 is actually water, so that D2 cannot <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>be a direct and unambiguous disclosure of
some % w/w of water. <u>Further, there is no direct and unambiguous disclosure of the same combination of the same ranges, nor of an individualized ink within the terms of the claim (similar as two-list selection)</u> – hence not novelty-destroying [updated 20/3/2023]</i><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Note: initially, we also had an argument on the binder, as we missed the "preferably" because it is at the end of feature (c) rather than at the start of feature (d), where one would expect it.</i></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="color: #990000;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p>We look forward to your comment! (Please use your name or a nickname)</span></i></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">(c) DeltaPatents</span></p><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="fontstyle01"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="line-height: 17.12px;"><b>Annex – Pre-printables for Part 4 (copied from the pdf; added 19/3)<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="fontstyle01"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="line-height: 17.12px;"><b>EUROPEAN QUALIFYING EXAMINATION 2023</b></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b style="font-family: inherit;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span class="fontstyle01"><span style="line-height: 17.12px;">Pre-examination</span></span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span face="Arial, sans-serif">Documents for part 4<br />
</span></b><span face="Arial, sans-serif">* Description of the invention<br />
* Documents D1 and D2<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span face="Arial, sans-serif">Description of the invention <br />
PCT 2021/321654, filed 16.08.2019 <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face="Arial, sans-serif">[001] Some writing instruments, e.g. pens and
markers, include erasable inks which allow<br />
markings formed with the ink to be erased efficiently. It is desirable that
erasable inks<br />
provide good writing performance when compared with non-erasable inks.<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face="Arial, sans-serif">[002] This invention provides erasable inks that
provide good writing performance when<br />
used in writing instruments such as pens. The erasable inks are water-based
inks that<br />
have a short "waiting time", i.e. inks that can be erased soon after
they are applied on a<br />
surface made, for instance, of paper. Because the water-based inks are based on
using<br />
water as a solvent rather than on using other solvents, the erasable inks of
the invention<br />
are relatively non-toxic and odour-free.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face="Arial, sans-serif">[003] All the amounts are expressed, as per the
convention in the technical area, as %<br />
w/w, corresponding to a weight percent (%) of a given compound per weight of
the<br />
erasable ink composition.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face="Arial, sans-serif">[004] In one aspect, the invention features an
erasable ink composition that includes<br />
(a) water, (b) a colouring agent, (c) a releasing agent, and optionally (d) a
film-forming<br />
polymeric binder.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face="Arial, sans-serif">[005] The erasable ink compositions of the
present invention preferably contain from about<br />
1.0% to 30% w/w of the colouring agent, in the form of a pigment on a solid
basis, more<br />
preferably about 1.5% to 5% w/w of colouring agent. So to avoid that the colour
intensity is<br />
too weak for proper reading, the erasable ink has to contain more than 0.75%
w/w of the<br />
colouring agent.</span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face="Arial, sans-serif">[006] The releasing agent allows the erasable
ink composition to be erased from a surface<br />
made of paper. It is a finding of the inventors that if the releasing agent
includes a modified<br />
siloxane, the erasing is even more improved. When the releasing agent includes
a<br />
modified siloxane, it has to contain less than 1% w/w of colloidal silica. To
enhance<br />
erasability, it is necessary that the releasing agent has a water solubility
ranging from<br />
about 0.5% to 70%.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face="Arial, sans-serif">[007] The erasable ink compositions preferably
contain from about 0.3% to 30% w/w of the<br />
releasing agent, more preferably from about 1% to 7% w/w of said releasing
agent. If the<br />
amount of the releasing agent is too high, the erasable ink composition may
smear,<br />
whereas if the amount of the releasing agent is too low, then its erasability
may be<br />
compromised.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face="Arial, sans-serif">[008] When present, the polymeric binder is a
resin, such as a polyvinyl-based resin (e.g. a<br />
resin of PVC or of polyvinyl butyral (PVB)), an acrylic-based resin or a
melamine resin.<br />
The preferred polymeric binder includes a plasticised polyvinyl butyral resin.
It allows the<br />
erasable ink composition to shine under the light.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face="Arial, sans-serif">[009] Some implementations include one or more
of the following features. The water is<br />
present in an amount ranging from about 40% to about 90% w/w, the colouring
agent is<br />
present in an amount ranging from about 1.5% to about 30% w/w, the releasing
agent is<br />
present in an amount ranging from about 0.3% to about 30% w/w and the optional<br />
polymeric binder is present in an amount ranging from about 1% to about 15%
w/w,<br />
wherein the percentages are by weight of the erasable ink composition.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face="Arial, sans-serif">[010] In another aspect, the invention relates
to a pen comprising an outer body, a writing<br />
tip at one end of said body, a reservoir included within said body and
connected to said<br />
writing tip, and within said reservoir a water-based erasable ink as described
above.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face="Arial, sans-serif">[011] Example: An erasable ink composition was
formed by mixing the ingredients shown<br />
in Table 1, wherein the amounts are percentages by weight of the erasable ink<br />
composition:</span></p>
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-border-insideh: .75pt solid windowtext; mso-border-insidev: .75pt solid windowtext; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-table-layout-alt: fixed; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;">
<tbody><tr>
<td style="border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 160.5pt;" width="214">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><b><span face="Arial, sans-serif">Ingredient
</span></b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 101.5pt;" width="135">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><b><span face="Arial, sans-serif">Amount
(w/w) </span></b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 134.65pt;" width="180">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><b><span face="Arial, sans-serif">Description</span></b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 160.5pt;" width="214">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif">Water </span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 101.5pt;" width="135">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif">60% </span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 134.65pt;" width="180">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif">Solvent</span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 160.5pt;" width="214">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif">Polyvinyl butyral </span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 101.5pt;" width="135">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif">23% </span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 134.65pt;" width="180">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif">Binder</span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 160.5pt;" width="214">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif">Ethylhexyl Phthalate </span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 101.5pt;" width="135">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif">8% </span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 134.65pt;" width="180">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif">Plasticiser</span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 160.5pt;" width="214">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif">Blue pigment </span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 101.5pt;" width="135">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif">3.5% </span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 134.65pt;" width="180">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif">Colouring agent</span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 160.5pt;" width="214">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif">Polyethylene oxide
modified<br />
poly (dimethyl) siloxane</span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 101.5pt;" width="135">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif">5% </span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 134.65pt;" width="180">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif">Releasing agent</span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 160.5pt;" width="214">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif">Oleic acid </span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 101.5pt;" width="135">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif">0.5% </span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 134.65pt;" width="180">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif">Emulsifier</span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span face="Arial, sans-serif">[012] This ink was applied to a piece of paper.
After 30 seconds, an eraser was used to<br />
remove the ink of the paper. The ink erased cleanly, leaving no visible residue
or staining.<br />
A second marking was applied to the piece of paper and allowed to dry for a
longer period<br />
(60 seconds). This marking also erased cleanly. The ink exhibited an erasability
of 95%<br />
after a waiting time of 10 seconds, and an erasability of 100% when completely
dry.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><i>(No drawings with the application)</i><br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span face="Arial, sans-serif">D1 – Advertisement in <i>The Local Sun</i>,
published on the 15 August 2019<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face="Arial, sans-serif">[001] For a number of years, there has been a
desire to produce a pen that produces an<br />
erasable, pencil-like trace. The particular choice of colouring pigments is
important for<br />
maintaining the erasability of traces formed by the erasable ink composition.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face="Arial, sans-serif">[002] Similarly, numerous water-based erasable
ink compositions exist in the prior art.<br />
Typically, such water-based compositions include a block copolymer such as
styrenebutadiene and a pigment. Generally, such erasable ink compositions also
include one or<br />
more additives such as releasing and spreading agents, antioxidants,
surfactants,<br />
gelatinisers, lubricants and various waxes.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face="Arial, sans-serif">[003] The erasable ink composition of our new
pen produces traces that are substantially<br />
erasable with a common pencil eraser and are erasable for at least one day
after the tracs<br />
are formed on paper.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face="Arial, sans-serif">[004] Some specificities of our product are:<br />
</span><span style="font-family: Symbol;">-</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"> The pigment, of any colour, is present in an amount of 2% to 25%
weight per weight<br />
(w/w).<br />
</span><span style="font-family: Symbol;">-</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"> An organic ester-based solvent system is present in an amount of
25% to 55 % w/w.<br />
</span><span style="font-family: Symbol;">-</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"> The solvent system comprises a component selected from the group
consisting of an<br />
optionally substituted cycloalkane, an optionally substituted cycloalkanone, an<br />
optionally substituted cycloalkene, and mixtures thereof; and an organic ester.
The<br />
solvent system may comprise additionally other types of commonly known
solvents.<br />
</span><span style="font-family: Symbol;">-</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"> A polymeric binder being a liquid butene polymer combined to a
plasticiser.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">(No drawings with D1)</i><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span face="Arial, sans-serif">D2 – Editorial paper published in <i>Pen
Technology </i>on 1 March 1995<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face="Arial, sans-serif">[001] Erasable ink compositions, and more
particularly erasable ink compositions for use<br />
in writing instruments, are becoming more and more popular. However, erasable
ink<br />
compositions should not only be erasable but also provide good writing
performance when<br />
used in writing instruments.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face="Arial, sans-serif">[002] The simplest erasable ink composition for
use in a writing instrument, such as a pen,<br />
comprises a solvent and a pigment. Preferably, said pigment has a flake-like
morphology.<br />
The pigment, whatever its colour, is dispersed in the solvent. It seems that
for the most<br />
efficient systems, the erasable ink compositions include from about 5% to about
20% w/w<br />
of the flake-like pigment and from about 74% to about 94% w/w of the
water-based solvent<br />
system. Such erasable ink compositions exhibit an erasability of at least 80%.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal">
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face="Arial, sans-serif">[003] Optionally, the erasable ink composition
can comprise a dispersant. Typically, the<br />
dispersants are water-soluble polymers that include polymeric chains. When
present, the<br />
dispersant is typically included at about 1% to 4% w/w, and most preferably
about 1.5% to<br />
2% w/w. Examples of suitable dispersants include, but are not limited to,
nonionic<br />
copolymers or anionic substituted alkoxylated polymers. One of the advantages
of the<br />
dispersant is that it forms a film at the surface of the writing as well as to
have a releasing<br />
effect.<o:p></o:p></span></p></span></div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">(No drawings with D2)</i></p>Roel van Woudenberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15823355175016282250noreply@blogger.com259tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-584401433841434859.post-87797358068672796352023-03-18T15:14:00.011+01:002023-03-23T08:44:50.384+01:00Pre-Exam 2023 (part 3): cleaning utensils - our answers<p><span style="background-color: white;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ4Ml1RUymUkep2yoptJ3tFS214tI4UCbxphEfgvevSxZLqPUnYkzouzF7kko70dGPTiY-zFy5cqctTjoLMVvt6lyiSGupFzGMQfSUYUgqr381ISMChh8V_kPdtBW5StybMGunej-aE4Ot6vHmNr6QoPV1VluHng_C3ot0naOu2PjYur40r8IGP-7D1Q/s653/Pre2023-Part3-Fig3.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="653" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ4Ml1RUymUkep2yoptJ3tFS214tI4UCbxphEfgvevSxZLqPUnYkzouzF7kko70dGPTiY-zFy5cqctTjoLMVvt6lyiSGupFzGMQfSUYUgqr381ISMChh8V_kPdtBW5StybMGunej-aE4Ot6vHmNr6QoPV1VluHng_C3ot0naOu2PjYur40r8IGP-7D1Q/w400-h215/Pre2023-Part3-Fig3.png" width="400" /></a></div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">The first claims part was about cleaning
utensils, in particular cleaning cloths.</span></p></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 9pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">Our answers to this first claims analysis part are given below. We have numbered the questions and statements for
easy reference in the discussion.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 9pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span></span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 9pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">During the exam,
candidates had access to the EPO Legal Text pages, so including the Guidelines.
Access was to the live versions, so to the versions in force on 17 March 2023
(so not the version of 31.10.2022 acc REE/IPEE).</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 9pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">Candidates could access
the exam in all languages, English, French and German.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 9pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">In the claims analysis
parts (as in the legal parts), the order of the four statements of each of the
questions was randomized, i.e., it was different for different
candidates. </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 9pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">In view of the
randomized order, we provide the questions and statements together with our
answers. If you check your answers with ours, note that the order of the
questions and of the four statements from a single question may be different!!!</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 9.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 9pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="color: #990000;"><i>Please feel invited to comment!</i></span></b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; margin-bottom: 9.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 9pt; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">The exam had a mix of common and less-common claims
analysis topics.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; margin-bottom: 9.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 9pt; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">Please do not post your comments anonymously - it is
allowed, but it makes responding more difficult and rather clumsy ("Dear
Mr/Mrs/Ms Anonymous of 18-03-2022 18:03"), whereas using your real name or
a nickname is more personal, more interesting and makes a more attractive
conversation. You do not need to log in or make an account - it is OK to just
put your (nick) name at the end of your post.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; margin-bottom: 9.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 9pt; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">Note: the other claims part is discussed in another
blog post: <a href="http://pre-exam.blogspot.com/2023/03/pre-exam-2023-part-4-erasable-inks-our.html" target="_blank">here</a>; the legal part is discussed in another blog post: <a href="http://pre-exam.blogspot.com/2023/03/pre-exam-2023-our-answers-to-legal.html" target="_blank">here</a>;
first impressions and general comments can be posted <a href="http://pre-exam.blogspot.com/2023/03/pre-exam-2023-first-impressions.html" target="_blank">here</a>. </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 9.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 9pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We look forward to your comments!</span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 9.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 9pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">Nico & Roel</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<h3 style="background: white; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"> </span></o:p></span></h3>
<h3 style="background: white; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; font-weight: normal;">Question 11</span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></h3>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="color: black;">Claim set I</span></b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 27.75pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt 27.75pt; text-indent: -28.05pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">I.1.
Cleaning utensil comprising:<br />
a first layer comprising a sponge material;<br />
a second layer comprising fibres.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 27.75pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt 27.75pt; text-indent: -28.05pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">I.2.
Cleaning utensil according to claim I.1, wherein the cleaning utensil is a
cleaning cloth and the sponge material comprises a synthetic sponge.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 27.75pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt 27.75pt; text-indent: -28.05pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">I.3.
Cleaning utensil according to claim I.1, wherein the fibres comprise
polypropylene.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 27.75pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt 27.75pt; text-indent: -28.05pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">I.4.
Cleaning utensil according to claim I.1, wherein the cleaning utensil is a
cleaning cloth and the second layer comprises fibres having loops or upstanding
ends.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 27.75pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt 27.75pt; text-indent: -28.05pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">I.5.
Cleaning utensil according to claim I.1, wherein the cleaning utensil is a
cleaning cloth and a first portion of the fibres of the second layer is woven
to form a web and a second portion of the fibres of the second layer has
upstanding ends or loops protruding upwardly from the web.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 27.75pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt 27.75pt; text-indent: -28.05pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">I.6.
Cleaning utensil according to claim I.5, further comprising a reinforcement
layer arranged between the first layer and the second layer.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 27.75pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt 27.75pt; text-indent: -28.05pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">I.7.
Cleaning utensil according to claim I.1, wherein the second layer comprises a
first portion of fibres having a first weight and a second portion of fibres
having a second weight, wherein the first weight is equal to or less than 25
decitex and the second weight is at least 100 decitex.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.8pt; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">Assume that the claim
set I was filed with the above description of the invention. For each of
the statements, indicate whether the statement is true (T) or false (F):</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="background: white; border-collapse: collapse; border: none; mso-border-alt: solid #D9D9D9 .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;">
<tbody><tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;">
<td style="background: transparent; border-bottom: none; border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 217); mso-border-left-alt: solid #D9D9D9 .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid #D9D9D9 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #D9D9D9 .75pt; padding: 12pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">11.1
Claim I.4 is disclosed in the application as filed.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">T
– as the application as filed is description, claims and drawings, if claims
are filed on the filing date <o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">Claim I.4 when written out reads:</span></i></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt 27.75pt; text-indent: -28.05pt;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">I.4.
Cleaning utensil comprising:<br />
a first layer comprising a sponge material;<br />
a second layer comprising fibres,<br />
wherein the cleaning utensil is a cleaning cloth and the second layer comprises
fibres having loops or upstanding ends.</span></i><span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 1;">
<td style="background: transparent; border-bottom: none; border-left: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 217); border-right: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 217); border-top: none; mso-border-left-alt: solid #D9D9D9 .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid #D9D9D9 .75pt; padding: 12pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">11.2
Claim I.1 covers the third embodiment.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">T
- Covers as in: the third embodiment falls within the scope of claim I.1<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 2;">
<td style="background: transparent; border-bottom: none; border-left: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 217); border-right: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 217); border-top: none; mso-border-left-alt: solid #D9D9D9 .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid #D9D9D9 .75pt; padding: 12pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">11.3
Claim I.1 covers the second embodiment.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">T
- Covers as in: the second embodiment falls within the scope of claim I.1<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 3; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td style="background: transparent; border-top: none; border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 217); mso-border-bottom-alt: solid #D9D9D9 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #D9D9D9 .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid #D9D9D9 .75pt; padding: 12pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">11.4
Claim I.3 covers all alternatives of the first embodiment.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">F
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>- According to [008], also polyamide,
polyester or a combination of these polymers may be used<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">Claim I.3 when written out reads:</span></i></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt 27.75pt; text-indent: -28.05pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;"><i>I.3.
Cleaning utensil comprising:<br />
a first layer comprising a sponge material;<br />
a second layer comprising fibres, <br />
wherein the fibres comprise polypropylene.</i></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "inherit",serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></p>
<h3 style="background: white; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; font-weight: normal;">Question 12</span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></h3>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.8pt; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">Assume that the claim
set I was filed after the description and drawings in response to a
communication under Rule 58 EPC. For each of the statements, indicate
whether the statement is true (T) or false (F):</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="background: white; border-collapse: collapse; border: none; mso-border-alt: solid #D9D9D9 .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm; mso-table-layout-alt: fixed; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184; width: 593px;">
<tbody><tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;">
<td style="background: transparent; border-bottom: none; border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 217); mso-border-left-alt: solid #D9D9D9 .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid #D9D9D9 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #D9D9D9 .75pt; padding: 12pt; width: 444.7pt;" width="593">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">12.1
Claim I.4 meets the requirements of Article 123(2) EPC.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">F
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>- The nearest support is the third
embodiment in [005] (and Fig, 3) but the claim is an intermediate
generalization with respect to this embodiment, at least for the reason that
the claim fails to specify that (part of) the fibers of the second layer are
woven to form a web.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">Claim I.4 when written out reads:</span></i></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt 27.75pt; text-indent: -28.05pt;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">I.4. Cleaning utensil comprising:<br />a first layer comprising a sponge material;<br />a second layer comprising fibres,<br />wherein the cleaning utensil is a cleaning cloth and the second layer comprises fibres having loops or upstanding ends.</span></i></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 1;">
<td style="background: transparent; border-bottom: none; border-left: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 217); border-right: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 217); border-top: none; mso-border-left-alt: solid #D9D9D9 .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid #D9D9D9 .75pt; padding: 12pt; width: 444.7pt;" width="593">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">12.2
Claim I.5 meets the requirements of Article 123(2) EPC.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">T
– Fig. 3 embodiment [005]<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Note:
[008] lists a number of materials for the third embodiment while claim I.5
fails to specify any of these materials, but this omission could be argued to
satisfy the intermediate generalisation test / golden standard.</i><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">Claim I.5 when written out reads:</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt 27.75pt; text-indent: -28.05pt;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">I.5. Cleaning utensil comprising:<br />a first layer comprising a sponge material;<br />a second layer comprising fibres,<br />wherein </span></i><span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>the cleaning utensil is a cleaning cloth and a first portion of the fibres of the second layer is woven to form a web and a second portion of the fibres of the second layer has upstanding ends or loops protruding upwardly from the web</i></span></span><i style="background-color: transparent; text-indent: -28.05pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">.</span></i></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 2;">
<td style="background: transparent; border-bottom: none; border-left: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 217); border-right: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 217); border-top: none; mso-border-left-alt: solid #D9D9D9 .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid #D9D9D9 .75pt; padding: 12pt; width: 444.7pt;" width="593">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">12.3
Claim I.6 meets the requirements of Article 123(2) EPC.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">F
– seems to be an (undisclosed) combination of the second and third embodiment<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">Claim I.6 when written out reads:</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt 27.75pt; text-indent: -28.05pt;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">I.6. Cleaning utensil comprising:<br />a first layer comprising a sponge material;<br />a second layer comprising fibres,<br /></span></i><i style="font-size: small; text-indent: -37.4px;">a reinforcement layer arranged between the first layer and the second layer [feature of claim I.6],</i><i><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;"><br />wherein </span></i><span style="background-color: transparent; text-indent: -37.4px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>the cleaning utensil is a cleaning cloth and a first portion of the fibres of the second layer is woven to form a web and a second portion of the fibres of the second layer has upstanding ends or loops protruding upwardly from the web [feature of claim I.5].<br /></i></span></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 3; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td style="background: transparent; border-top: none; border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 217); mso-border-bottom-alt: solid #D9D9D9 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #D9D9D9 .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid #D9D9D9 .75pt; padding: 12pt; width: 444.7pt;" width="593">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">12.4
Claim I.1 meets the requirements of Article 123(2) EPC.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">F
– Too broad, for example not limited to a cleaning cloth and generalized to
any fiber arrangement,<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Comment:
the question tests Art.123(2) in context of late-filed claims – GL H-IV
2.2.4., and shows very clearly that late-filed claims have the risk to have a
serious Art. 123(2) problem, preventing any generalization which would be
possible is the claims would have been filed together with the other
application documents.</i><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></p>
<h3 style="background: white; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">Question 13</span><o:p></o:p></span></h3>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.8pt; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">For each of the
statements, indicate whether the statement is true (T) or false (F):</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="background: white; border-collapse: collapse; border: none; mso-border-alt: solid #D9D9D9 .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;">
<tbody><tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;">
<td style="background: transparent; border-bottom: none; border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 217); mso-border-left-alt: solid #D9D9D9 .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid #D9D9D9 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #D9D9D9 .75pt; padding: 12pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">13.1
The subject-matter of claim I.7 is novel over D1.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">F
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>– D1 discloses the layers and the
respective weights ('20' is '25 or less' and '150' is 'at least 100')<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">Claim I.7 when written out reads:</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt 27.75pt; text-indent: -28.05pt;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">I.7. Cleaning utensil comprising:<br />a first layer comprising a sponge material;<br />a second layer comprising fibres,<br />wherein</span></i><span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i> the second layer comprises a first portion of fibres having a first weight and a second portion of fibres having a second weight, wherein the first weight is equal to or less than 25 decitex and the second weight is at least 100 decitex</i></span></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 1;">
<td style="background: transparent; border-bottom: none; border-left: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 217); border-right: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 217); border-top: none; mso-border-left-alt: solid #D9D9D9 .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid #D9D9D9 .75pt; padding: 12pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">13.2
The subject-matter of claim I.1 is novel over D1.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">F
– D1 discloses the layers: sponge layer 12 and fibre layer 11 / 13<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 2;">
<td style="background: transparent; border-bottom: none; border-left: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 217); border-right: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 217); border-top: none; mso-border-left-alt: solid #D9D9D9 .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid #D9D9D9 .75pt; padding: 12pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">13.3
The subject-matter of claim I.4 is novel over D1.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">T
– D1 has no loops and no upstanding ends<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Note:
as “up” refers to an orientation and no reference plane is explicitly
defined, one could argue that the ends of 11 and 12 in Fig. 1 are “upstanding
ends” (rotate the figure by 90 degrees). However, it seems a reasonable
interpretation that “upstanding” is meant to be relative to the second layer.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">Claim I.4 when written out reads:</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt 27.75pt; text-indent: -28.05pt;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">I.4. Cleaning utensil comprising:<br />a first layer comprising a sponge material;<br />a second layer comprising fibres,<br />wherein the cleaning utensil is a cleaning cloth and the second layer comprises fibres having loops or upstanding ends.</span></i></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 3; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td style="background: transparent; border-top: none; border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 217); mso-border-bottom-alt: solid #D9D9D9 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #D9D9D9 .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid #D9D9D9 .75pt; padding: 12pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">13.4
The subject-matter of claim I.3 is novel over D1.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">F
– See 13.2, D1 also discloses polypropylene in layer 13<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">Claim I.3 when written out reads:</span></i></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt 27.75pt; text-indent: -28.05pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;"><i>I.3. Cleaning utensil comprising:<br />a first layer comprising a sponge material;<br />a second layer comprising fibres,<br />wherein the fibres comprise polypropylene.</i></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="NL"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<h3 style="background: white; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">Question 14</span><o:p></o:p></span></h3>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">Claim II. 1 corresponds to claim I.1
amended to include the features of claim I.5:</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">II.1 Cleaning utensil comprising:</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">a first layer comprising a sponge
material;<br />
a second layer comprising fibres,<br />
wherein <u>the cleaning utensil is a cleaning cloth and a first
portion of the fibres of the second layer is woven to form a web and
a second portion of the fibres of the second layer has upstanding
ends or loops protruding upwardly from the web</u>.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">Note: So embodiment 3</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">Claim III. 1 corresponds
to claims I.1 amended to include the features of claim
I.5, I.7 and the additional features of the mass of the fibres disclosed in the
description:</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">Note: I.5 and I.7 were each
single-dependent on I.1.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">III.1 Cleaning utensil comprising:</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">a first layer comprising a sponge
material;<br />
a second layer comprising fibres,<br />
wherein <u>the cleaning utensil is a cleaning cloth and a first
portion of the fibres of the second layer is woven to form a web and
a second portion of the fibres of the second layer has upstanding
ends or loops protruding upwardly from the web,<br />
wherein the second layer comprises a first portion of fibres having a
first weight and a second portion of fibres having a second weight,
wherein the first weight is equal to or less than 25 decitex and the second
weight is at least 100 decitex,<br />
wherein the first portion of fibres make up 65% to 75% of the
total mass of the fibres and the second portion fibres make up 25% to
35% of the total mass of fibres.</u></span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.8pt; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">For each of the
statements, indicate whether the statement is true (T) or false (F):</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="background: white; border-collapse: collapse; border: none; mso-border-alt: solid #D9D9D9 .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;">
<tbody><tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;">
<td style="background: transparent; border-bottom: none; border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 217); mso-border-left-alt: solid #D9D9D9 .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid #D9D9D9 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #D9D9D9 .75pt; padding: 12pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">14.1
Using the problem-solution approach applied to the subject-matter of
claim II.1an objective technical problem can be formulated as how to provide
a more abrasive cleaning action.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">T
– Assuming D1 is the CPA (not given in statement), the difference is the
'loops or upstanding ends', [005] “The loops 9 and upstanding ends 8 provide more
abrasive cleaning of a surface and also capture dirt removed from the surface
thus improving the cleaning efficiency.”, i.e., an effect of the difference
is as the effect of providing more abrasive cleaning.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>We
considered whether F could also be argued, as the second effect “also capture
dirt removed from the surface thus improving the cleaning efficiency” is not
reflected in the proposed OTP. However, the statement says “an” OTP rather
than “the” OTP,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>so we consider the
correct answer T: it is a valid OTP although not maximally ambitious (to
refer to wording from the Boards).</i><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 1;">
<td style="background: transparent; border-bottom: none; border-left: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 217); border-right: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 217); border-top: none; mso-border-left-alt: solid #D9D9D9 .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid #D9D9D9 .75pt; padding: 12pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">14.2
Using the problem-solution approach applied to the subject-matter of
claim II.1, an objective technical problem can be formulated as how to
improve the cleaning action of a layer comprising fibres.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">T
– Assuming D1 is the CPA (not given in statement), the difference is the
'loops or upstanding ends', [005] “The loops 9 and upstanding ends 8 provide more
abrasive cleaning of a surface and also capture dirt removed from the surface
thus improving the cleaning efficiency.”, i.e., an(other) effect of the difference
is improving the cleaning efficiency, and this effect is attributed to the
layers with the fibers.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Note
that the reference to the fibres in the OTP is not a pointer to the solution
(D1 also has fibres) so also an acceptable formulation.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>F
can also be argued as the cleaning efficiency is attributed to the cleaning
cloth as a whole and not to the layer comprising the fibers, but this seems
overly strict.</i><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 2;">
<td style="background: transparent; border-bottom: none; border-left: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 217); border-right: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 217); border-top: none; mso-border-left-alt: solid #D9D9D9 .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid #D9D9D9 .75pt; padding: 12pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">14.3
An objective technical problem solved by the subject-matter of claim I.2 over
D1 can be formulated as how to provide a material for releasing water into
the first layer to increase the cleaning efficiency.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 27.75pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt 27.75pt; text-indent: -28.05pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="color: black;">F – no
effects are given that relate to the use of , specifically, a synthetic sponge</span><o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;"><i>Note that this statement does not
relate to II.1 or III.1, but to I.2 </i>(<i>Note: Probably a typo as the
statement refers to claim I.2, but considering claim I.2: F, as the effect of
releasing water into the first layer is provided by the reinforcement layer
(see [004]) but which is not part of claim I.2.</i>)</span><i><o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 27.75pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt 27.75pt; text-indent: -28.05pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="color: black; font-size: x-small;">Claim I.2 reads:</span></i></span></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 27.75pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt 27.75pt; text-indent: -28.05pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="color: black; font-size: x-small;">I.2.
Cleaning utensil comprising:<br />
a first layer comprising a sponge material;<br />
a second layer comprising fibres.<br />
wherein the cleaning utensil is a cleaning cloth <u>and the sponge material
comprises a synthetic sponge.</u></span></i><i><u><o:p></o:p></u></i></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 3; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td style="background: transparent; border-top: none; border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 217); mso-border-bottom-alt: solid #D9D9D9 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #D9D9D9 .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid #D9D9D9 .75pt; padding: 12pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">14.4
A valid argument that the cleaning utensil of claim III.1 involves an
inventive step is that the claimed ranges of the fibre portions are not
obvious from D1 since D1 gives the skilled person no hint at a technical
advantage associated with a larger portion of lighter fibres so that the
skilled person would not increase the portion of the lighter fibres to more
than the maximum 64% disclosed in D1.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">F
– as D1 does not give any advantage or disadvantage, the skilled person will
contemplate check what happens at the end of the listed range and just over
it. There is no teaching away in D1 that would lead him away from going just
outside the listed range.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">T
could also be argued as, even though certainly not a sole/sufficient
argument, but D1 indeed doesn't give any of such hints, which is (one factor)
in support of inventive step, and hence could be consider “a” valid argument
(which needs further arguments to support inventive step).<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Note:
the wording “a valid argument” has been used more often in Pre-Exam questions
and leads more often to discussions as to what it means. If it can be any
argument that can be part of a complete reasoning, then many arguments would
be “valid arguments” even if not at all critical. <o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>It
is tempting to say T – application seems to give it in [006] : “lighter
fibres ensure sufficient flexibility of the cloth when cleaning non-planar
surfaces.”, but it does not attribute a specific advantage of 65% or more, so
this does not seem a valid conclusion.</i><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<h3 style="background: white; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"> </span></o:p></span></h3>
<h3 style="background: white; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">Question 15</span><o:p></o:p></span></h3>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.8pt; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">Assume that the claim
set I was filed with the above description of the invention. For each of
the statements, indicate whether the statement is true (T) or false (F):</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="background: white; border-collapse: collapse; border: none; mso-border-alt: solid #D9D9D9 .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;">
<tbody><tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;">
<td style="background: transparent; border-bottom: none; border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 217); mso-border-left-alt: solid #D9D9D9 .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid #D9D9D9 .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #D9D9D9 .75pt; padding: 12pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">15.1
Claim I.1, amended during examination proceedings as follows (amendments
are underlined), meets the requirement of Article 123(2) EPC:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Cleaning
utensil comprising:<br />
a first layer comprising a sponge material;<br />
a second layer comprising fibres; and<br />
<u>a reinforcement layer arranged between the first layer and the second
layer, wherein the reinforcement layer comprises a sponge material.<o:p></o:p></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">F
– reinforcement comprising a sponge is only disclosed as “a sponge material
which has a higher water absorption capacity than the material of the lower
sponge layer 3 and the upper textile layer 2” – so the higher water
absorption capacity of the sponge layer needs to be in as well.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 1;">
<td style="background: transparent; border-bottom: none; border-left: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 217); border-right: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 217); border-top: none; mso-border-left-alt: solid #D9D9D9 .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid #D9D9D9 .75pt; padding: 12pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">15.2
Claim I.7, amended during examination proceedings in such a way that it is
dependent on claim I.5, meets the requirement of Article 123(2) EPC.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">So,
this relates to a claim having all features of claims I.1 + I.5 + I.7.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">T
– Claim I.5 corresponds to the third embodiment of [005] and the subject
matter of claim I.7 is taken from [006] and [007] which according to the
first sentence applies to third embodiment.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 2;">
<td style="background: transparent; border-bottom: none; border-left: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 217); border-right: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 217); border-top: none; mso-border-left-alt: solid #D9D9D9 .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid #D9D9D9 .75pt; padding: 12pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">15.3
Claim I.2, amended during examination proceedings as follows (amendments are
underlined), meets the requirement of Article 123(2) EPC:<br />
Cleaning utensil according to claim I.1, wherein the cleaning utensil is
a cleaning cloth and the sponge material comprises a synthetic <u>or
a natural</u> sponge.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">F
– Support for 'natural' sponge material is provided by [008] last sentence
but this refers to the embodiments which all have 'woven' fibres which are
omitted from claim I.2 -> intermediate generalization.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Also,
[008] only refers to the first, second and third embodiments, and not to any cleaning
cloth having a first layer comprising a sponge material and a second layer
comprising fibres, as the claim does.</i><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 3; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td style="background: transparent; border-top: none; border: 1pt solid rgb(217, 217, 217); mso-border-bottom-alt: solid #D9D9D9 .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #D9D9D9 .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid #D9D9D9 .75pt; padding: 12pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">15.4
Claim I.3, amended during examination proceedings as follows (amendments are
underlined), meets the requirement of Article 123(2) EPC:<br />
Cleaning utensil according to claim I.1, wherein the fibres comprise <s>polypropylene</s> <u>a
polymer</u>.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">F
– The application as filed only provides support for a list of specific
polymers, see [008], and not for 'a polymer' (genus).<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="color: #990000; font-family: inherit;"><b><i> We look forward to your comments! (Please use your name or a nickname)</i></b></span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">(c)
DeltaPatents</span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="fontstyle01"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><b>Annex
– Pre-printables for Part 3 (copied from the pdf; added 19/3)<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="fontstyle01"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><b>EUROPEAN
QUALIFYING EXAMINATION 2023</b></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b style="font-family: inherit;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span class="fontstyle01"><span style="line-height: 107%;">Pre-examination</span></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="fontstyle01"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Documents
for part 3<br />
</span></span><b><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><br />
</span></b><span class="fontstyle21"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">*
Description of the application</span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><br />
<span class="fontstyle21"><span style="line-height: 107%;">* Document D1<br /></span></span><br />
</span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif"><br />
<span class="fontstyle01"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><b>Description of the
application</b></span></span><b><o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="fontstyle21"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Cleaning
utensil<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="fontstyle21"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">[001]
The present invention relates to a cleaning utensil, in particular a cleaning
cloth.</span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="fontstyle21"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">[002]
Cleaning utensils such as cloths, mops and brushes may be used to clean many</span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><br />
<span class="fontstyle21"><span style="line-height: 107%;">types of surface.
Different types of cleaning utensils may be more effective depending on</span></span><br />
<span class="fontstyle21"><span style="line-height: 107%;">the type and amount of
dirt which has to be removed from the surface.</span></span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="fontstyle21"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">[003]
Figure 1 illustrates a first embodiment of a cleaning cloth 1 which comprises
an</span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><br />
<span class="fontstyle21"><span style="line-height: 107%;">upper layer 2 and a
lower layer 3. The lower layer 3 is made of a sponge material and the</span></span><br />
<span class="fontstyle21"><span style="line-height: 107%;">upper layer 2 is made
of fibres 4 that are woven to form a textile. The lower layer 3 may be</span></span><br />
<span class="fontstyle21"><span style="line-height: 107%;">used to distribute
water and cleaning solution over a surface in order to wet and soften the</span></span><br />
<span class="fontstyle21"><span style="line-height: 107%;">dirt which has to be
removed. The textile surface of the upper layer 2 is stiffer than the</span></span><br />
<span class="fontstyle21"><span style="line-height: 107%;">sponge surface of the
lower layer 3 and provides a more abrasive cleaning of the surface</span></span><br />
<span class="fontstyle21"><span style="line-height: 107%;">to better remove dirt
from the surface. The sponge surface of the lower layer 3 may also</span></span><br />
<span class="fontstyle21"><span style="line-height: 107%;">be used to remove dirt
loosened from the surface by the textile surface of the upper</span></span><br />
<span class="fontstyle21"><span style="line-height: 107%;">layer 2. The cleaning
cloth 1, therefore, includes two different types of cleaning surface</span></span><br />
<span class="fontstyle21"><span style="line-height: 107%;">which can be used for
different cleaning actions for an improved cleaning effect.</span></span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="fontstyle21"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">[004]
Figure 2 illustrates a second embodiment of the cleaning cloth 1 that
additionally</span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><br />
<span class="fontstyle21"><span style="line-height: 107%;">includes a
reinforcement layer 5 that is positioned between the lower sponge layer 3 and</span></span><br />
<span class="fontstyle21"><span style="line-height: 107%;">the upper layer 2 of
woven fibres 4 forming the textile. The reinforcement layer 5 provides</span></span><br />
<span class="fontstyle21"><span style="line-height: 107%;">an additional
mechanical reinforcement of the cleaning cloth 1 which is useful when using</span></span><br />
<span class="fontstyle21"><span style="line-height: 107%;">the cloth 1 to clean
large surfaces. In some embodiments, the reinforcement layer 5</span></span><br />
<span class="fontstyle21"><span style="line-height: 107%;">comprises a sponge
material which has a higher water absorption capacity than the</span></span><br />
<span class="fontstyle21"><span style="line-height: 107%;">material of the lower
sponge layer 3 and the upper textile layer 2. For example, the sponge</span></span><br />
<span class="fontstyle21"><span style="line-height: 107%;">material of the
reinforcement layer 5 may include a higher degree of porosity which</span></span><br />
<span class="fontstyle21"><span style="line-height: 107%;">enables it to store a
larger amount of water. Thus, the sponge material of the</span></span><br />
<span class="fontstyle21"><span style="line-height: 107%;">reinforcement layer 5
can release water to the upper and lower layers 2, 3 to prevent the</span></span><br />
<span class="fontstyle21"><span style="line-height: 107%;">upper and lower layers
2, 3 from becoming too dry. This release of water into the upper</span></span><br />
<span class="fontstyle21"><span style="line-height: 107%;">and lower layers 2, 3
improves the cleaning action of the cleaning cloth 1.</span></span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face="Arial, sans-serif">]<span class="fontstyle21"><span style="line-height: 107%;">005] Figure 3
illustrates a third embodiment of the cleaning cloth 1 illustrated in Figure 1</span></span><br />
<span class="fontstyle21"><span style="line-height: 107%;">which includes a
different arrangement of the fibres 4 of the upper layer 2. The lower</span></span><br />
<span class="fontstyle21"><span style="line-height: 107%;">layer 3 includes the
sponge material. In this third embodiment, a first portion of the fibres 4</span></span><br />
<span class="fontstyle21"><span style="line-height: 107%;">is woven to form a web
7 and a second portion of the fibres 4 has upstanding ends 8 or</span></span><br />
<span class="fontstyle21"><span style="line-height: 107%;">loops 9 protruding
upwardly from the web 7. The loops 9 and upstanding ends 8 provide</span></span><br />
<span class="fontstyle21"><span style="line-height: 107%;">more abrasive cleaning
of a surface and also capture dirt removed from the surface thus</span></span><br />
<span class="fontstyle21"><span style="line-height: 107%;">improving the cleaning
efficiency.</span></span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="fontstyle21"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">[006]
The fibres 4 of the upper layer 2 of each of the first, second and third
embodiments</span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><br />
<span class="fontstyle21"><span style="line-height: 107%;">may preferably comprise
two portions that include fibres of different weights in order to</span></span><br />
<span class="fontstyle21"><span style="line-height: 107%;">enhance the cleaning
effect. The heavier fibres provide an enhanced mechanical cleaning</span></span><br />
<span class="fontstyle21"><span style="line-height: 107%;">action by virtue of
their stiffness and the lighter fibres ensure sufficient flexibility of the
cloth</span></span><br />
<span class="fontstyle21"><span style="line-height: 107%;">when cleaning
non-planar surfaces. If used in the third embodiment, the lighter fibres are</span></span><br />
<span class="fontstyle21"><span style="line-height: 107%;">used to provide the web
7 and the heavier fibres are used to form the upstanding ends 8</span></span><br />
<span class="fontstyle21"><span style="line-height: 107%;">and loops 9 protruding
from the face of the web 7.</span></span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="fontstyle21"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">[007]
Preferably, the fibres 4 of the first portion have a weight equal to or less
than 25</span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><br />
<span class="fontstyle21"><span style="line-height: 107%;">decitex and the fibres
4 of the second portion have a weight of at least 100 decitex. The</span></span><br />
<span class="fontstyle21"><span style="line-height: 107%;">weight of the fibre
refers to the mass per unit length, which is measured in decitex (grams</span></span><br />
<span class="fontstyle21"><span style="line-height: 107%;">per 10 000 m). The
lighter fibres of the first portion make up 65% to 75% of the total mass</span></span><br />
<span class="fontstyle21"><span style="line-height: 107%;">of the fibres and the
heavier fibres of the second portion make up 25% to 35% of the total</span></span><br />
<span class="fontstyle21"><span style="line-height: 107%;">mass of fibres.</span></span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="fontstyle21"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">[008]
In each of the first, second and third embodiments, the fibres 4 comprise one
of the</span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><br />
<span class="fontstyle21"><span style="line-height: 107%;">following polymers: a
polypropylene, a polyamide, a polyester or a combination of these</span></span><br />
<span class="fontstyle21"><span style="line-height: 107%;">polymers. The sponge
material of the first, second and third embodiments may be a</span></span><br />
<span class="fontstyle21"><span style="line-height: 107%;">natural sponge or a
synthetic sponge.</span></span><br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--><span class="fontstyle21"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="fontstyle01"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><b>Drawings
of the application</b></span></span><br /></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWNwrFWKLobbyjffiDEdIVxh9ATbx5cYkZWkELTepyKBgM5oixupTIHMwKRnoiqw9C-_9BCIseqxDgZImnRMnzp7Z-me5UozYNJK8Bnu8lkyGq805xYA7tluiuX4fi_R4lp2kiyn5qB8eOTjNfc0uLtM8--J8yyKq5H04VU0omD9fbEcjTkeqrFmveKA/s3035/Part%203%20-%20Application%20-%20Fig.1-3.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3035" data-original-width="2147" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWNwrFWKLobbyjffiDEdIVxh9ATbx5cYkZWkELTepyKBgM5oixupTIHMwKRnoiqw9C-_9BCIseqxDgZImnRMnzp7Z-me5UozYNJK8Bnu8lkyGq805xYA7tluiuX4fi_R4lp2kiyn5qB8eOTjNfc0uLtM8--J8yyKq5H04VU0omD9fbEcjTkeqrFmveKA/s320/Part%203%20-%20Application%20-%20Fig.1-3.png" width="226" /></a></div><i>(click on the image for a larger view)</i><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="fontstyle21"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="fontstyle21"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Assume
that the following document D1 is prior art under Article 54(2) EPC.</span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><br />
<!--[endif]--><span class="fontstyle01"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="fontstyle01"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><b>Document
D1: Cleaning cloth</b></span></span><b><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="fontstyle21"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">[001]
Figure 1 illustrates a cleaning cloth 10. The cleaning cloth 10 comprises a
first</span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><br />
<span class="fontstyle21"><span style="line-height: 107%;">layer 11 comprising
fibres woven to form a textile, a second layer 12 comprising a natural</span></span><br />
<span class="fontstyle21"><span style="line-height: 107%;">sponge material and a
third layer 13 comprising fibres woven to form a textile. The second</span></span><br />
<span class="fontstyle21"><span style="line-height: 107%;">layer 12 is arranged
between the first layer 11 and the third layer 13 such that the sponge</span></span><br />
<span class="fontstyle21"><span style="line-height: 107%;">material is held in a
pouch formed of woven fibres. In some embodiments, the fibres of</span></span><br />
<span class="fontstyle21"><span style="line-height: 107%;">both the first layer 11
and the third layer 13 comprise polypropylene with an antibacterial</span></span><br />
<span class="fontstyle21"><span style="line-height: 107%;">coating.</span></span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="fontstyle21"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">[002]
The fibres of each of the first and third layers 11, 13 comprise two portions
having</span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><br />
<span class="fontstyle21"><span style="line-height: 107%;">different weights in
order to improve the cleaning action. The fibres of the first portion have</span></span><br />
<span class="fontstyle21"><span style="line-height: 107%;">a weight of 20 to 35
decitex and the fibres of the second portion have a weight of at</span></span><br />
<span class="fontstyle21"><span style="line-height: 107%;">least 150 decitex. The
weight of the fibre refers to the mass per unit length, which is</span></span><br />
<span class="fontstyle21"><span style="line-height: 107%;">measured in decitex
(grams per 10 000 m). The lighter fibres make up 54% to 64% of the</span></span><br />
<span class="fontstyle21"><span style="line-height: 107%;">total mass of the
fibres and the heavier fibres make up 36% to 46% of the total mass of</span></span><br />
<span class="fontstyle21"><span style="line-height: 107%;">fibres.</span></span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="fontstyle21"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">[003]
The sponge material of the second layer 12 has a greater water absorption
capacity</span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><br />
<span class="fontstyle21"><span style="line-height: 107%;">than the outer textile
layers 11, 13 and can release water into the outer textile</span></span><br />
<span class="fontstyle21"><span style="line-height: 107%;">layers 11, 13 in use to
increase the cleaning efficiency of the cleaning cloth 10.<br /><br /><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="fontstyle01"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><b>Drawing
Document D1</b></span></span><b><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><br /></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="fontstyle01"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSsMcJN0s4AYPZQV0Cfr6hEf6VYuiuvRjrV3ljfSn1UlsbG4hoWfXBYcS8NbEWcGYfsAMxLe_Nto8jm-9VcMJl9zIWg1c2sHxkcXpgnHDXnPkAh3PALHZFiKwrDnVTkrK8Tt3yrEgUQJMJe7iY82ZtE44k0Vkqsq034pmHKykMsXowmoqS5PPebgwfJQ/s3035/Part%203%20-%20D1%20-%20Fig.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3035" data-original-width="2147" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSsMcJN0s4AYPZQV0Cfr6hEf6VYuiuvRjrV3ljfSn1UlsbG4hoWfXBYcS8NbEWcGYfsAMxLe_Nto8jm-9VcMJl9zIWg1c2sHxkcXpgnHDXnPkAh3PALHZFiKwrDnVTkrK8Tt3yrEgUQJMJe7iY82ZtE44k0Vkqsq034pmHKykMsXowmoqS5PPebgwfJQ/s320/Part%203%20-%20D1%20-%20Fig.png" width="226" /></a></div><i style="font-family: inherit;">(click on the image for a larger view)</i><p></p></span></div>Roel van Woudenberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15823355175016282250noreply@blogger.com56tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-584401433841434859.post-1734157724100757992023-03-17T21:24:00.007+01:002023-03-18T15:28:21.164+01:00Pre-Exam 2023 (part 1 & 2): our answers to the legal questions<p><span style="font-family: inherit;">This was the third online -EQE with the Pre-Exam being held
in four parts, and with the questions almost fully being taken from the screen
(only the description of the application and the prior-art documents in the
claims analysis parts were printable; also no calendars were provided).</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">Our answers to the legal part are given below. We have numbered the questions and statements for easy reference in the discussion.</span></p><p><span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">During the exam, candidates had access to the EPO Legal Text
pages, so including the full EPC Articles and Rules, Guidelines, GL/PCT-EPO,
National Law Tables, Case Law, and the Euro-PCT Guide (HTML versions), as well
as to some of the PCT Legal Texts, esp. PAT Articles and Rules and the PCT
Applicant’s Guide in the new eGuide format (as on www.wipo.int/pct/en). Access
was to the live versions, so to the versions in force on 17 March 2023 (so not
the version of 31.10.2022 acc REE/IPEE).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Candidates could access the exam in all languages, English,
French and German.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In the legal as well as the claims analysis parts, the order
of the four statements of each of the questions was randomized, i.e., it was
different for different candidates. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Also the order of the questions was randomized in the legal
parts (e.g., the sequence shown below was presented to one candidate, while
another candidate reported getting what is shown below as Q.2 as the first
question,), but not in the claims analysis parts.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In view of the randomized order, we provide the questions
and statement together with our answers. If you check your answers with ours,
note that the order of the questions and of the four statements from a single
question may be different!!!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This year’s exam reused quite some questions from earlier
Pre-Exams, with essentially just names of persons and dates adapted. Well-prepared
candidates that practiced all old exams from the Compendium, including the 2019 Pre-Exam in rhe Wiseflow EQE Compendium, or the updated versions
thereof from <a href="https://webshop.deltapatents.com/pre_exam_cande" target="_blank">our P-book</a> will presumably have appreciated this approach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It also had a strange side-effect: it led to one
statement of which candidates may not have understood why it was the way it
was, as it hinted/related to a legal provision that was in force from 1/4/2010
until 31/3/2014 and hence the topics of a statement in Pre-Exam 2014… <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Please feel invited to comment!<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Please do not post your comments anonymously - it is
allowed, but it makes responding more difficult and rather clumsy ("Dear
Mr/Mrs/Ms Anonymous of 17-03-2023 20:23"), whereas <i>using your real name or
a nickname is more personal, more interesting and makes a more attractive
conversation</i>. You do not need to log in or make an account - it is OK to just
put your (nick) name at the end of your post.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">You may also want to check the other blogs: <a href="http://pre-exam.blogspot.com/2023/03/pre-exam-2023-first-impressions.html" target="_blank">first impressions</a> and claims analysis (<a href="http://pre-exam.blogspot.com/2023/03/pre-exam-2023-part-3-cleaning-utensils.html" target="_blank">part 3</a> & <a href="http://pre-exam.blogspot.com/2023/03/pre-exam-2023-part-4-erasable-inks-our.html" target="_blank">part 4 </a>- added 18/3)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Diane & Roel <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 9.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 9pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="color: black;">Pre-Exam 2023</span></b><span style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 9.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 9pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="color: black;">Part 1&2 - Legal Questions (2 x 70 minutes)<br /><br /></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Question 1<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">You are a professional representative before the EPO. Today,
6 March 2023 you have received an email from your client, Alvar, a national of
Finland. He wants you to file a European patent application EP-A in his name,
claiming priority from FI-A, a Finnish patent application. FI-A was jointly
filed in the name of Alvar and Aino on 4 March 2022. A copy of FI-A is attached
to the email. No other document or information is sent with the email.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">For each of the statements, indicate whether the statement
is true (T) or false (F):<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1.1. Alvar as a natural person is not entitled to a reduction of
the filing fee.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>F – Assuming the statement related to the filing fee for
EP-A when that is filed in the name of only Alvar - R.6(3)-(7): he is entitled
if he files it in Finnish and files a declaration</i><i> </i> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1.2. On the basis of the information given above, you can file
today, 6 March 2023, a European patent application EP-A in Alvar's name at the
EPO and it will be accorded 6 March 2023 as the date of filing.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>T – R.40(1)</i><i> </i> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1.3. You can validly file EP-A in Finnish.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">T – Art.14(2)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1.4. On the basis of the information given above, you can be sure
that EP-A can validly claim priority from FI-A.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>F – do not know if pri was transferred to Alvar only<o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>NB: substantially the same Q as in another very recent
pre-exam (2019,Q.1)</i><i> </i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>NB: confusing that "Today" is not the day of the exam, as is the usual case at the EQE questions. </i> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Question 2<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Paula is resident in Romania and has no EPO mailbox for
electronic notification. On 13 February 2023, Paula filed the European patent
application EP-P as a first filing. The EPO noticed that the drawings mentioned
in the description were missing. In a communication dated 22 February 2023, the
EPO invited Paula to file the missing drawings.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">For each of the statements, indicate whether the statement
is true (T) or false (F):<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">2.1. If Paula ignores an invitation by the EPO to file missing
parts of the description or missing drawings, EP-P will be deemed to be
withdrawn.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>F – references thereto deemed deleted – R.56(4) </i><i> -, application stays alive </i> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">2.2. Paula may validly file the missing drawings for EP-P on 6
June 2023, provided she pays the fee for further processing.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>F – excluded</i><i> </i> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">2.3. If applicants are not invited by the EPO to file missing
parts of the description or missing drawings, they may validly file them within
two months of the date of filing.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>T – R.56(2)</i><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">2.4. If Paula files the missing drawings on 3 May 2023, EP-P
will receive 3 May 2023 as its date of filing.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>T – R.56(2), no pri so no R.56(3) possible<o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>NB: substantially the same Q as in an earlier pre-exam
(2018, Q.2)</i><i> </i> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Question 3<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Saïd intends to file the following patent applications in
French language:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">(1) a European patent application EP-S<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">(2) an international patent application PCT-SE.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">PCT-SE will be jointly filed in the name of Saïd and Eric. Eric
lives in Paris. Saïd lives in Lebanon and is of Lebanese nationality. Lebanon
is not a PCT member state.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">For each of the statements, indicate whether the statement
is true (T) or false (F):<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">3.1. If, two months after validly filing PCT-SE, Saïd moves to
Paris, the EPO will, upon request, record the change of residence in relation
to PCT-SE.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>F – you can file the request for the recordal with the EPO
if the EPO as used as rO (not given in the Q; could also be FR or IB), but IB
does the recordal --- see also<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pre-Exam
2019 statement 5.4<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></i><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">3.2. PCT-SE can be validly filed with the International Bureau
as receiving Office.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>T – Eric Paris, IB always possible if at least one from a PCT state</i><i> </i> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">3.3. Saïd can validly file EP-S with the EPO.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>T – Art.58, Art.133(2)</i><i> </i> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">3.4. PCT-SE can be validly filed with the EPO as receiving
Office.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>T – Eric Paris<o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>NB: substantially the same Q as in another very recent Pre-Exam (2019, Q.5)</i><i> </i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>NB:Although French national security restrictions apply, t</i><i>he PCT application is still a valid application</i><i> i</i></span><i>f a French resident does not use INPI as RO for first PCT filing - there is no penalties in PCT, but there may be penalties under French law. </i><i>See https://pctlegal.wipo.int/eGuide/view-doc.xhtml?doc-code=IB&doc-lang=en#RO: </i><i>"It is the responsibility of the applicant or the applicant’s agent to comply with any applicable national security provisions before filing an international application with the International Bureau as receiving Office.</i><i style="font-family: inherit;"> </i><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Question 4<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In 2020, company A was interested in exploiting a new
medical device it had developed, and, for this purpose, details of the device
were disclosed in confidence to company B. Unknown to company A, company B
filed a European patent application EP-B with an effective filing date of 6
June 2021. Made aware of the publication of EP-B, company A sought before a
national court to be recognised as entitled to the grant of a European patent
for the invention disclosed in EP-B. By a final decision of the national court
dated 10 January 2023, it has been adjudged that company A is entitled to the
grant of a European patent for the invention disclosed in EP-B. This final
decision is recognised by all contracting states designated in the application
EP-B.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">For each of the statements, indicate whether the statement
is true (T) or false (F):<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">4.1. If EP-B is still pending and has not yet been granted, a
request that company B must withdraw EP-B, filed by company A at the EPO, will
be allowed.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>F – no such option in Art.61(1), no other legal basis either
<o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>NB: no stay requested; EPO not yet informed of outcome, so
will still assume </i><i> </i> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">4.2. If EP-B is still pending and has not yet been granted,
company A may prosecute EP-B as its own application in place of company B.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>T – after informing EPO Art. 61(1)(a)</i></span><i>; GL A-IV, 2.4</i><i> </i> <i style="font-family: inherit;"> </i><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">4.3. If EP-B is still pending and has not yet been granted,
company A may validly request that EP-B be refused.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>T – after informing EPO Art. 61(1)(c); GL A-IV, 2.6</i><i> </i> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">4.4. If EP-B has been deemed to be withdrawn and is thus no
longer pending, company A may still file a new European patent application EP-A
in respect of the same invention, wherein EP-A shall be deemed to have been
filed on 6 June 2021.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>T – after informing EPO Art. 61(1)(b), G 3/92; </i><o:p></o:p></span><i>; GL A-IV, 2.5</i><i> </i> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Question 5<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">On 31 January 2022, Susanne, a German national living in
Germany, filed a PCT application PCT-S in German, validly claiming priority
from her European patent application EP-S, filed on 29 January 2021 in German.
PCT-S contains claim 1 as originally disclosed in EP-S and claim 2 directed to an
improved embodiment that was not disclosed in EP-S. PCT-S was published in
German on 7 August 2022. Susanne sold PCT-S to Ian, a British national. The
international search report issued by the EPO as International Searching
Authority states that claim 1 is not novel over the prior art and the
subject-matter of claim 2 is novel and involves an inventive step. Ian wants to
enter the regional phase before the EPO for PCT-S. Today is 6 March 2023. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">For each of the statements, indicate whether the statement is
true (T) or false (F):<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">5.1. When entering the regional phase before the EPO, Ian can
file an English translation of PCT-S so that the language of the proceedings of
the regional phase of PCT-S will be English.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>F – G 4/08 </i><i> </i> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">5.2. Withdrawing the priority claim of EP-S will affect the
effective date of claim 2.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>F – prio for for claim 2 not valid as subject-matter not in
EP-S, so no effect of withdrawal of pri on its effective date (Claim 1 has
valid pri (same subject-matter & 29/1/2021 after R.134(1)) and claim 2 has
not (31/1/2022))</i><i> </i> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">5.3. Today, 6 March 2023, Ian can withdraw the priority claim
of PCT-S in the international phase so that the time limit for entering the
regional phase before the EPO for PCT-S expires on 2 September 2024.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>T – can withdraw until 29/1/2021 + 30m R.90bis.3 ->
29/7/2023 (Sat) -> 31/7/23;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>then
EP-entry time limit becomes<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>31/1/22 +
31m R.156(1) EPC -> 31/8/24 (Sat) -> 2/9/24<o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>But one could also answer:<o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>F – because we weren’t told that Ian has been recorded to IB
as new applicant</i><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>NB: It has never been necessary that a calendar of the next
year was needed!</i><i> </i> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">5.4. The time limit for entering the regional phase before the
EPO for PCT-S claiming priority from EP-S ends on 31 July 2023.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>F – 29/1/2021 + 31 -> 29/8/2023 (Tue)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(incorrectly using 30m would lead to T)</i><i> </i> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Question 6<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">European patent application EP-P was filed as a first filing
on 2 December 2019 and was published on 13 June 2021. On 28 November 2021, you
received the first communication from the examining division under Article
94(3) EPC regarding EP-P. European patent application EP-D was filed with the
EPO on 8 December 2022 as a divisional application of EP-P. Today, 6 March
2023, EP-P is still pending. Some of the claims of EP-D contain subject-matter
that was not originally disclosed in EP-P. The renewal fees for EP-D have not
yet been paid.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">For each of the statements, indicate whether the statement
is true (T) or false (F):<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">6.1. The renewal fees, already fallen due, may be validly paid
for EP-D on 11 April 2023 without an additional fee.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>T – 8/12/22 + 4m R.51(3) -> 8/4/23 (Sat) -> 11/4/23
(Tue, as 10/4 is Easter Monday)</i><i> </i> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">6.2. In the present case EP-P will be regarded as prior art
under Article 54(2) EPC against EP-D.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>F – Art.76(1)</i><i> </i> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">6.3. At present, EP-D is deemed to have 8 December 2022 as its
date of filing.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>F – Art. 76(1): 2 Dec 2019</i><i> </i> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">6.4. An EP divisional application cannot be validly filed
after 24 months from the issuance of the first communication under Article
94(3) EPC in respect of EP-P and therefore EP-D was not validly filed as a
divisional application.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>F – you can only go wrong here if you have a really old
legal text (there was a rule to this effect between 1/4/2010 and 31/3/2014)<o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>NB: substantially the same Q as in an earlier pre-exam
(2014, Q.2) – at the time of that exam, the rule with a 24m time limit was in
force.</i><i> </i> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Question 7<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A company having its principal place of business in France
files an international patent application at the French national patent office.
The language of this international patent application is English. As a
receiving Office, the French national patent office accepts international
patent applications filed in French only. The International Searching Authority
for this international patent application is the European Patent Office, which
accepts the following languages for international search: English, French and
German.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">For each of the statements, indicate whether the statement
is true (T) or false (F):<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">7.1. The search fee is collected by the International
Searching Authority for its own benefit.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>F – rO – PCT Rule 16.1(b)</i><i> </i> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">7.2. The international patent application will be considered
to have been received by the French national patent office on behalf of the
International Bureau as receiving Office.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>T – R.19.4(a)(ii) wrong language</i><i> </i> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">7.3. The international patent application will be transmitted
to the International Bureau.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>T – R.19.4(b)</i><i> </i> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">7.4. A translation is required by the European Patent Office
for the international search.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>F – EPO as ISA accepts English – last sentence of case statement of the question itself - see also EPO-WIPO Agreement or Euro-PCT Guide 3.1.015<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span><o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i> </i></span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Question 8<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A European patent application, EP-A, was filed in English on
2 September 2021 claiming priority from a Swedish national patent application,
SE-A, which was filed on 2 September 2020. EP-A was published on 9 March 2022.
EP-A is pending.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">For each of the statements, indicate whether the statement
is true (T) or false (F):<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">8.1. The European examination proceedings are in progress.
Third-party observations written in English are filed today and explain why a
scientific journal article published in Swedish on 10 August 2020 is
novelty-destroying for the claimed subject-matter of EP-A. The third-party
observations are filed anonymously at the European Patent Office, together with
a copy of the Swedish publication.<br />
In view of this, the third-party observations are validly filed.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>T – GL E-VI, 3 and R.3(3) – evidence may be in any language</i><i> </i> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">8.2. Third-party observations must cite prior art documents.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>F – can be e.g. Art.123(2) or Art.84</i><i> </i> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">8.3. The decision to grant a patent based on EP-A has already
been sent to the applicant. Third-party observations are received by the EPO
just before the publication of the mention of the grant. They cite a new
document destroying the novelty of the allowed claims.<br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">In view of this, the examining division will consider them
and resume the examination proceedings.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>F – only considered ad resumed R.71a(2) if filed before the
decision to grant (EPO Form 2006A) has been handed over to the EPO postal
service - GL E-VI, 3 </i><i> </i> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">8.4. A patent based on EP-A has been granted. The mention of
the grant was published on 1 March 2023. Third-party observations are validly
filed today.<br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">In view of this, the person filing the third-party
observations will be a party to the opposition proceedings if opposition
proceedings start.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>F – Art.115, also G 2/19</i><i> </i> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Question 9<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">When filing a European patent application with 14 claims,
the applicant also submits a request for examination by filing the written
request and paying the examination fee. The European Patent Bulletin mentions
the publication of the European search report on 20 January 2023. The European
search opinion states that claim 1 lacks novelty. The applicant receives an
invitation under Rule 70(2) and Rule 70a(2) EPC dated 13 February 2023 setting
a time limit of six months running from the publication of the European search
report.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">For each of the statements, indicate whether the statement
is true (T) or false (F):<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">9.1. The applicant can validly file a request for accelerated
examination before timely filing of a valid reply to the invitation.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>F – Ex Div must be responsible, only after reply</i><i> </i> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">9.2. If the applicant omits in his timely reply to the
European search opinion to indicate that he wishes to proceed further with the
application, the application is deemed to be withdrawn.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>F – response = indication</i><i> </i> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">9.3. The application shall be deemed to be withdrawn if the
applicant files a reply to the invitation on 14 August 2023.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>T – 20/1/23 + 6m -> 20/7/23 (you would wrongly answer F
if you do 6m from 13/2/2023 or 10d+6m from 13/2/2023)</i><i> </i> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">9.4. If the applicant validly replies to the invitation and
files three additional claims, he must pay the claims fees for two claims
within one month of filing the claims.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>F – R.45(1) or R.71(4) not now</i><i> </i> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Question 10<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Applicant Andrew names Berta as sole inventor in his
European patent application EP-A.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">For each of the statements, indicate whether the statement
is true (T) or false (F):<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">10.1. The EPO informs Berta in a communication about her
designation as inventor in the European patent application EP-A.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>F – not anymore – R.19 as amended per 1/4/2021; was done
before that time</i><i> </i> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">10.2. Berta can pay any fees to the EPO.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>T – anyone can pay – GL2022/GL2023 A-X, 1</i><i> </i> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">10.3. Berta can waive her right to be mentioned as inventor in
the published European patent application EP-A<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>T – R.20(1)</i><i> </i> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">10.4. If Carla was incorrectly designated as inventor in the
European patent application EP-A, there is no way to request rectification of
the incorrect designation.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>F – R.21<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span></i><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We look forward to your comments!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">(c) DeltaPatents</span></p>Roel van Woudenberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15823355175016282250noreply@blogger.com72tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-584401433841434859.post-60197503106542906042023-03-17T16:10:00.079+01:002023-03-18T15:29:04.568+01:00Pre-Exam 2023: first impressions?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgSNHgjbR2v8PmszHsB2tK7ZpN1iiMhekArD1mXDo1Osa24pBBGBddm5wVTJ_wkE2SBM5q7WQU_ldsXeDBdwdG0YQjoGXp_UnK2kTy_OvkD1PWRqTNIiUh3aUzkPbI_XnZpzLH_TFUpoyVpze9GQ3rL9pIZNY_HSzVB-oV8DKFcvNUnR5GZmTCD0mTfQ/s1933/Pre-Exam%20Flows%20Compendium%202022.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="659" data-original-width="1933" height="136" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgSNHgjbR2v8PmszHsB2tK7ZpN1iiMhekArD1mXDo1Osa24pBBGBddm5wVTJ_wkE2SBM5q7WQU_ldsXeDBdwdG0YQjoGXp_UnK2kTy_OvkD1PWRqTNIiUh3aUzkPbI_XnZpzLH_TFUpoyVpze9GQ3rL9pIZNY_HSzVB-oV8DKFcvNUnR5GZmTCD0mTfQ/w400-h136/Pre-Exam%20Flows%20Compendium%202022.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhgVCBmcZfXtd1K6CntmKPFGGSxj-5AcAIrQN-FTjNxUq5MfzNL3SQGaIqZNrlx2QxEZ8dXiKn9IXPBzx4phSTOqxLK-S7ZIBlo5pVQo0dNovq5n1fp1P3KelTIzvux9x_AGgqwV1ewwLiC35eg6SEH7E16PigeCYv59Ch_yhtWbTfyTloxLKjOb7LQsA=s891" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="719" data-original-width="891" height="323" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhgVCBmcZfXtd1K6CntmKPFGGSxj-5AcAIrQN-FTjNxUq5MfzNL3SQGaIqZNrlx2QxEZ8dXiKn9IXPBzx4phSTOqxLK-S7ZIBlo5pVQo0dNovq5n1fp1P3KelTIzvux9x_AGgqwV1ewwLiC35eg6SEH7E16PigeCYv59Ch_yhtWbTfyTloxLKjOb7LQsA=w400-h323" width="400" /></a></div><p> <strong style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><i>To all who sat the Pre-Exam today:</i></strong></p><div style="background-color: white; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>What are your first impressions to this year's Pre-Exam</span><span>?</span><span> </span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Any general or specific comments?</span></div><div style="background-color: white; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-US">Were the<span style="color: #990000;"><b> legal topics</b></span> well balanced? </span><span>Was the balance between EPC and PCT right for you? </span><span>Were recent changes and stable legal provisions tested in the right balance for you? </span>Which of the legal questions did you consider particularly difficult, and which relatively 'easy'?</span></div><div style="background-color: white; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Were the various aspects of <span style="color: #990000;"><b>claims analysis</b></span> well balanced? How did you deal with the situation that only part of the paper (only the prior art) could be printed? <br />(How) did you use the <b><span style="color: #990000;">available online legal texts </span></b>(EPO legal texts incl Guidelines, EPC Articles and Rules, RFees; PCT Applicant's Guide, PCT Treaty Articles and Rules)?</span></div><div style="background-color: white; margin: 0cm;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">What is your <span style="color: #990000;"><b>expectation </b></span>of the pass rate and the average score? </span>How many marks do you expect to have scored in the legal part, in the claims analysis, and for the whole paper?</div><div style="background-color: white; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Were you able to finish each of the legal parts of the exam in the 70 minutes available for the appropriate part? And each of the claims analysis parts? </span></div><div style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Did you experience any <span style="color: #990000;"><b>technical difficulties</b></span> during the exam? Which? How and how fast were they solved? Did you use the search functions? Did you use annotation, sticky notes and other Wiseflow tools?</span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif">How did this year's paper</span><b><span style="color: #990000;"> compare to the earlier pre-exams</span></b><span face="Arial, sans-serif"> w.r.t. the pre-exam as a whole, w.r.t. the legal part and w.r.t. the claims analysis part?</span><br /><br /></span><span><a name='more'></a></span></div><div style="background-color: white; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><br /></span><span><b><i>The paper and our answers</i></b></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; margin: 0cm;"><em><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #990000; font-family: inherit;">We expect that the paper will become available in all three official EPO languages on the <a href="https://www.epo.org/learning-events/eqe/compendium/preexamination.html" style="background: transparent;" target="_blank">EQE website, Compendium, Pre-Exam</a> at the end of the week or early next week.</span></em></div><div style="background-color: white; margin: 0cm;"><em><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #990000; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></em></div><div style="background-color: white; margin: 0cm;"><b><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="color: #990000;">Copies of the paper will be provided on this blog as soon as we have received copies of the papers, preferably in all three languages (English, French and German). Should you have a copy, please send it to any of our tutors or to training@deltapatents.com.</span><br /></b></div><div style="background-color: white; margin: 0cm;"><span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><span><br />Our Pre-Exam 2023 blogs will have three separate blogs:</span></div><div style="margin: 0cm;"><ul><li>first impressions with your comments as to first impressions, the Pre-Exam 2023 as a whole, the e-EQE platform (this blog), etc</li><li>legal part with our answers to the legal questions (available in due course)</li><li>claims part with our answers to the claims analysis questions (available in due course)</li></ul></div></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><span face=""arial" , sans-serif"><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">Please be reminded that you can <b><span style="color: #990000;">view your exam answer after the exam</span></b>, via the eye below the "1. Paper"-icon in the bottom left part of the flow window of the respective flow. (It may not be available immediately after the official end of the respective part of the paper, but only 30-60 minutes later.) Apart from the pre-printable parts, the paper itself cannot be downloaded (but in 2021 and 2022, the text of the questions and the statements are included in the answer).</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">Note that the questions (legal part) and 4 statements within a question (all parts) may appear in a different order here than they were in your actual exam, as the exam presents them in a randomized order to you. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtQBH5ce5CgbVT1NR8v684F4J6sallEKypi6v3QZa-RQau1eqTo-nVdJ_w5bWhD136cu85FNBykJWCIUzV4sgnq1wuvEtBT0rbvzl3v_0GgZyV03kVeqVcLjTcNT-nmGssjj5X8zJ6fv_Qqvs70daJGAqBpHWjoag_CQb2Df0FxEWIQIMticQ_gNWJAQ/s2533/D2%20flow%20page%20after%20handin%20-%20detail%20annotated.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="927" data-original-width="2533" height="146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtQBH5ce5CgbVT1NR8v684F4J6sallEKypi6v3QZa-RQau1eqTo-nVdJ_w5bWhD136cu85FNBykJWCIUzV4sgnq1wuvEtBT0rbvzl3v_0GgZyV03kVeqVcLjTcNT-nmGssjj5X8zJ6fv_Qqvs70daJGAqBpHWjoag_CQb2Df0FxEWIQIMticQ_gNWJAQ/w400-h146/D2%20flow%20page%20after%20handin%20-%20detail%20annotated.png" width="400" /></a></div></div></span></div><span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><strong><i>We look forward to your comments!</i></strong></span><span><br /></span><span>Comments are welcome in any official EPO language, not just English. So, <b><i>comments in German and French are also very welcome</i></b>!</span><span><br /></span><span><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>Please do not post your comments anonymously - it is allowed, but it makes responding more difficult and rather clumsy ("Dear Mr/Mrs/Ms Anonymous of 17-03-2023 23:24"), whereas using your real name or a nickname is more personal, more interesting and makes a more attractive conversation.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>You do not need to log in or make an account - it is OK to just put your (nick) name at the end of your post.</span><span><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>Please post your comments as to <strong>first impressions</strong> and <strong>general remarks</strong> to the Pre-Exam paper <strong>as a whole</strong>, and to the two parts (legal part and claims analysis)<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><b>as whole</b><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>parts to this blog. </span><br /><span lang="EN-US">Please post <strong>substantial questions</strong> to <strong>specific legal questions </strong>to <a href="http://pre-exam.blogspot.com/2023/03/pre-exam-2023-our-answers-to-legal.html" target="_blank">our post for the legal part</a> and <strong>claims analysis related</strong> questions to our post for the claims analysis parts (<a href="http://pre-exam.blogspot.com/2023/03/pre-exam-2023-part-3-cleaning-utensils.html" target="_blank">part 3</a> & <a href="http://pre-exam.blogspot.com/2023/03/pre-exam-2023-part-4-erasable-inks-our.html" target="_blank">part 4</a>)</span>. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>Roel van Woudenberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15823355175016282250noreply@blogger.com169tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-584401433841434859.post-60096837136969528232023-03-17T08:00:00.003+01:002023-03-17T08:00:00.221+01:00Our Pre-Exam 2023 blogs will open after the exam, 17 March 2023, 16:10<p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">Good luck with the Pre-Exam 2023!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white; color: black;">Our EQE blogs will be open for your comments and opinions w.r.t. the </span><span style="color: black;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/479165730362492593/710818085466571364"><span style="color: #da8044;">Pre-Exam</span></a><span style="background: white;">, </span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/479165730362492593/710818085466571364"><span style="color: #da8044;">A</span></a><span style="background: white;">, </span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/479165730362492593/710818085466571364"><span style="color: #da8044;">B</span></a><span style="background: white;">, </span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/479165730362492593/710818085466571364"><span style="color: #da8044;">C </span></a><span style="background: white;">and </span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/479165730362492593/710818085466571364"><span style="color: #da8044;">D </span></a><span style="background: white;">shortly after the exams. We will post our (provisional) answers to the various papers shortly after the exam - for the Pre-Exam, we will use separate blog posts for the legal part and for the claims analysis part, and one for first impressions. </span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i><span style="color: #990000;">Do not post any comments as to the merits of the answers of a certain exam paper/flow on the blogs while an exam/flow is still ongoing. Also, do not post the invigilator password or anything else that may be considered the breach of the exam regulations, instructions to the candidates, code of conducts, etc </span></i></b><span style="color: black;"><b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #990000;">(see, e.g., <a href="https://www.epo.org/learning/eqe.html" target="_blank">EQE homepage</a>, <a href="https://www.epo.org/learning/eqe/notices.html" target="_blank">EQE notices,</a> </span></i></b><b><i><span style="color: #990000;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #da8044; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><a href="https://www.epo.org/learning/eqe/e-eqe.html" target="_blank">EQE online website</a></span></span></i></b><b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #990000;">, MyEQE, and the emails from the EQE secretariat).</span></i></b><br /><br />All candidates, as well as tutors who helped candidates prepare for EQE 2023, are invited to contribute to the discussions on our EQE blogs! You can post your comments in English, French or German. You are invited to post your comments under your real name, but it is also possible to use a nickname if you wish to hide your identify.<br /><br />The DeltaPatents team</span><span style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black;">NB: you can not comment to this blog post; comments will be accepted from a new blog post "First impressions" as of 16:10, i.e., which will become available after the Pre-Exam has finished.</span></p>Roel van Woudenberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15823355175016282250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-584401433841434859.post-16973774160217851992022-09-28T09:19:00.004+02:002022-12-20T14:17:14.263+01:00EQE 2023 exam schedule now available: Pre-Exam<p>The "<a href="https://documents.epo.org/projects/babylon/eponot.nsf/0/D0B406A4EAF99D0DC12588CA00285642/$FILE/Schedule_EQE2023_EN_Dec2022.pdf" target="_blank">Information on the schedule for the EQE 2023 examination papers</a>" is now available on <a href="https://www.epo.org/learning/eqe.html" target="_blank">the EQE website</a> (first version 27 September 2022; updated version 19 December 2022)</p><p>The EQE 2023 will take place online using the same setup as the EQE of 2021 and 2022.</p><p>The pre-examination will have the same syllabus and character as before, but -as in 2021 and 2022- it will be split into four parts of 70 minutes, each part having 5 questions (4 statement per question). Each part must be completed before the start of the next break, with the next set of questions only becoming available after the break. Once the time allowed for a part has elapsed, it will not be possible to go back to that part. The pre-examination lasts four hours and forty minutes.</p><p>Candidates will be allowed to print the <span style="color: #990000;">description of the invention</span> as well as <span style="color: #990000;">the prior-art documents for the claim analysis parts</span> <b><span style="color: #990000;">before </span></b>the start of the appropriate part. The documents allowed for printing will be made available during the break preceding the relevant claim analysis part.</p><p>No calendars will be provided (see <a href="https://documents.epo.org/projects/babylon/eponot.nsf/0/57AFEA700788146EC125879200349036/$FILE/Notice_on_calendars_EN.pdf" target="_blank">here</a>).</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-4ZQqtwcDoB9fSdd6NESf4uGXqwXLdP5WH6lnMYUeLkVX5Dx9vBRrrnFNcCYrtiJTd79xahV3IB_KiHMTfGchYcxnxS02NTqdDIFuL4n9UX15Fn9iH44_8VTr6RlZuGacYiQ4cZ_D63hkGAzFr6oKjv2Ft7PxllggpZ8z8rdpDa4KRENOIY3X3LsBFQ/s1346/Schedule_EQE2023_EN_Dec2022%20-%20Pre-Exa.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="757" data-original-width="1346" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-4ZQqtwcDoB9fSdd6NESf4uGXqwXLdP5WH6lnMYUeLkVX5Dx9vBRrrnFNcCYrtiJTd79xahV3IB_KiHMTfGchYcxnxS02NTqdDIFuL4n9UX15Fn9iH44_8VTr6RlZuGacYiQ4cZ_D63hkGAzFr6oKjv2Ft7PxllggpZ8z8rdpDa4KRENOIY3X3LsBFQ/w400-h225/Schedule_EQE2023_EN_Dec2022%20-%20Pre-Exa.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTOo8hPnQj2dB5-b-vv9prKPzzDjTpUVk9h9RSXE4KL82HPe5xBX58ZyDmJLYJtqKZ71EzLTSl96dI0NRlWpsB3KwDCRjYN5IH0Bwk4AwLQqhJLRaJrE3TH-Mt8A1mjcVo45I-9crbt3VI_HewejuI6qTJ2stwvhlpFVTmZwidYxG9HQTlGiJu7tJUoQ/s1345/Schedule_EQE2023_EN_Dec2022%20-%20Intro%20General.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1007" data-original-width="1345" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTOo8hPnQj2dB5-b-vv9prKPzzDjTpUVk9h9RSXE4KL82HPe5xBX58ZyDmJLYJtqKZ71EzLTSl96dI0NRlWpsB3KwDCRjYN5IH0Bwk4AwLQqhJLRaJrE3TH-Mt8A1mjcVo45I-9crbt3VI_HewejuI6qTJ2stwvhlpFVTmZwidYxG9HQTlGiJu7tJUoQ/w400-h300/Schedule_EQE2023_EN_Dec2022%20-%20Intro%20General.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p style="text-align: left;">(Note that that the document may be subject to minor changes as testing continues. Please check the EQE website for updates)</p><p style="text-align: left;">Please feel invited to post your comments. You are allowed to post anonymously and do not need an account, but please give your name or a nickname for an easy and inter-human interaction.</p><p style="text-align: left;"><i>Updated 20.12.2022: New version of Information about the Schedule document - also allows to print the description of the invention for each claims analysis part before the start of the appropriate part.</i></p></div><br />Roel van Woudenberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15823355175016282250noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-584401433841434859.post-60194252950453102332022-04-08T15:21:00.002+02:002022-04-15T09:12:38.552+02:00Pre-Exam 2022: congratulations to all that passed! (Result letters are now available in MyEQE)<p>Congratulations to all that passed!!! </p><p>The Examiners' Report is not yet available [8 April 2022], so if you did not score 100 marks, you still need a bit of patience to know where you lost some - and where we may have given a different answer in our blog posts to <a href="http://pre-exam.blogspot.com/2022/03/pre-exam-2022-our-answers-to-legal.html" target="_blank">legal </a>and <a href="http://pre-exam.blogspot.com/2022/03/pre-exam-2022-our-answers-to-claims.html" target="_blank">claims </a>parts. And to know what has been neutralized and for what reasons.</p><p><i>Update 15 April 2022: Yesterday, the Examiner’ 'Report has been published on the<a href="https://www.epo.org/learning/eqe/compendium/preexamination.html" target="_blank"> EQE Compendium pages</a> (<a href="https://documents.epo.org/projects/babylon/eponot.nsf/0/D21CEC56C82B8074C12588240032E24F/$FILE/Pre_ExRep_2022_final.pdf" target="_blank">in English </a>only; German and French translations will follow shortly</i>).</p><p><i>The Examiners' Report addresses the translation/transcription error in [005] of part 3 </i><i>(Q.11-15; 25 marks)</i><i>, and provides:</i></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p><i><span style="color: #990000;">Remark: There is a <b>translation error</b> in the German version [005] of the description, second line. It should read Poly-Y and not Poly-X.</span></i></p><p><i><span style="color: #990000;">Due to this translation error the Examination Board decided to award <b>full marks to all candidates for questions 11 to 15</b>.</span></i></p></blockquote><p><i>W.r.t. Question 20 (5 marks) in part 4, the </i><i>Examiners' Report</i><i> confirms that the question (as presented to the candidates in Wiseflow) failed to indicate which claim was to be assessed for all statements of Question 20, and it provides:</i></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p><i><span style="color: #990000;">Since <b>the following sentence was missing on WiseFlow</b>:</span></i></p></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="color: #990000;">“Assume in the following that inventive step has to be assessed in respect of claim II.9.”</span></i></p></blockquote></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p><i><span style="color: #990000;">the Examination Board decided to award <b>full marks to all candidates for question 20</b>.</span></i></p></blockquote><p><i>No statements were neutralized in the legal parts; no other statements were neutralized in claims analysis part 4. </i></p><p><i>So, 5 + 1 = 6 questions, 30 marks, were neutralized in this year's Pre-Exam. As a result, the pass-rate will not be in the typical range of 85-90%, but it may be expected to be over 95% - we will know from the official statistics (probably late June or early July).</i></p><p><i>The Examiners' Report also provides the missing/corrected text of part 3 and Q.20, and provides the intended answers for the neutralized statements, so that all candidates can determine the score that they would have achieved without neutralization.</i></p>Roel van Woudenberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15823355175016282250noreply@blogger.com37tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-584401433841434859.post-45528342193276029582022-03-18T22:17:00.011+01:002022-04-15T10:04:17.768+02:00Pre-Exam 2022: our answers to the claims analysis questions<p>The first claims part was about yoga mats and textile bags for completely covering and for transporting yoga mats. The second claims part was about sethod for preserving wine, or -more general- alcoholic beverages, in a bottle.</p><p>As in the legal part, when you check your answers with ours, note that the order of the statements within a question may be different!</p><p><b><span style="color: #990000;">Please feel invited to comment!</span></b></p><p>During the exam, candidates had access to the EPO Legal Text pages, so including the full EPC Articles and Rules, Guidelines, GL/PCT-EPO, National Law Tables, Case Law, and the Euro-PCT Guide (HTML versions), but not to the PCT Legal Texts on www.wipo.int/pct/en. Access was to the live versions, so to the versions in force on 18 March 2022 (so not the version of 31.10.2021 acc REE/IPEE).</p><p>Candidates could access the exam in all languages, English, French and German.</p><p>The exam had a mix of common and less-common claims analysis topics.</p><p>Please do not post your comments anonymously - it is allowed, but it makes responding more difficult and rather clumsy ("Dear Mr/Mrs/Ms Anonymous of 18-03-2022 22:23"), whereas using your real name or a nickname is more personal, more interesting and makes a more attractive conversation. You do not need to log in or make an account - it is OK to just put your (nick) name at the end of your post.</p><p>Note: the legal part is discussed in our other blog post: <a href="http://pre-exam.blogspot.com/2022/03/pre-exam-2022-our-answers-to-legal.html" target="_blank">here</a>. </p><p>First impressions and general comments can be posted <a href="http://pre-exam.blogspot.com/2022/03/pre-exam-2022-first-impressions.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</p><span><a name='more'></a></span><p><span style="color: #990000; font-size: medium;"><b><u>Part 3</u></b></span></p><p><b><span style="color: #990000;">Question 11</span></b></p><p></p><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>The features of claim 11 imply a limitation of the dimensions of the textile bag.</li><li>A yoga mat consisting of poly-X is covered by the scope of claim 7.</li><li>The material of claim 5 is defined by means of a functional feature.</li><li>The subject-matter of claim 13 lacks clarity.</li></ol><p></p><p><i>Our answers:</i></p><p></p><ol style="text-align: left;"><li><i>T – [001]: yoga mats have a standardized size – so the bag shall not be too small to cover such mat – GL F-IV, 4.14.2 covering sheet for …</i></li><li><i>F – in view of “consist”</i></li><li><i>T – “providing …”</i></li><li><i>T – the organic material is growing in an active way (even after a bad has been made from it?) & relatively slow growth has no clearly defined meaning</i></li></ol><p></p><p><b><span style="color: #990000;">Question 12</span></b></p><p></p><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>The subject-matter of claim 2 is novel over D3.</li><li>A valid argument that the subject-matter of claim 4 is novel over D3 is that in D3 the first face is the face that is in contact with the athlete.</li><li>A valid argument that the subject-matter of claim 6 is novel over D2 is that in D2 the yoga mat is only partially coated with a layer of poly-X.</li><li>The subject-matter of claim 8 is novel over each of D1, D2, D3 and D4.</li></ol><p></p><p><i>Our answers:</i></p><p></p><ol style="text-align: left;"><li><i>F </i></li><li><i>F </i></li><li><i>F – “has a” does not imply fully coated</i></li><li><i>T</i></li></ol><p></p><p><b><span style="color: #990000;">Question 13</span></b></p><p></p><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>The subject-matter of claim 10 is novel over D1.</li><li>The subject-matter of claim 13 is novel over D2.</li><li>The subject-matter of claim 10 is novel over D2.</li><li>The present application indicates that a yoga mat made of poly-Y is more effective than a yoga mat made of poly-X or poly-Z in reducing sweat generation on the body of the athlete while the athlete is in contact with the yoga mat.</li></ol><p></p><p><i>Our answers:</i></p><p></p><ol style="text-align: left;"><li><i>F – poly-Y [005]</i></li><li><i>T – fully organic</i></li><li><i>F – poly-Y in claim only preferred; poly-Z satisfied material features</i></li><li><i>T – [005], SRV of Poly-Y is 100, whereas it is 84 and 93 for Poly-X resp poly-Z</i></li></ol><p></p><p><b><span style="color: #990000;">Question 14</span></b></p><p></p><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>A modified single claim 1 which reads “Yoga mat having a first face and a second face, wherein the first face has a coating of poly-X, the poly-X covering 100% of the first face.” would be allowable under Article 123(2) EPC.</li><li>A modified single claim 1 which reads “Yoga mat having a first face and a second face, wherein the first face and the second face contain silver ions.” would be allowable under Article 123(2) EPC.</li><li>A modified single claim 1 which reads “Yoga mat having a first face and a second face, wherein the yoga mat has an SRV of 90 or more.” would be clear under Article 84 EPC.</li><li>A modified single claim 1 which reads “Yoga mat having a first face and a second face, wherein the yoga mat has an SRV of 90 or more.” would be allowable under Article 123(2) EPC.</li></ol><p></p><p><i>Our answers:</i></p><p></p><ol style="text-align: left;"><li><i>T – would be 1+5+6+9(max) w/o 5, but that is OK as poly-X (claim 6) is a "material providing secure but reversible adhesion of the mat onto the floor" (claim 5). I.e., the functional feature is limited to the specific poly-X</i></li><li><i>F – silver only described on second surface, not on both</i></li><li><i>F – secret protocol – [005]</i></li><li><i>T - [005], last sentence. But it would not be clear.</i></li></ol><p></p><p><b><span style="color: #990000;">Question 15</span></b></p><p></p><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>In D2 and in the present application the material poly-X has essentially the same purpose.</li><li>The additional features defined in claim 8, whereby the second face of the yoga mat contains silver ions, has the technical effect of reducing bacteria growth.</li><li>The subject-matter of claim 13 solves the objective technical problem of providing an organic, sustainable yoga mat with respect to D1 as closest prior art.</li><li>The subject-matter of claim 14 is novel over D1.</li></ol><div><i>Our answers:</i></div><p></p><p></p><ol style="text-align: left;"><li><i>T - provides secure but reversible adhesion of the yoga mat onto the floor</i></li><li><i>T – [004]</i></li><li><i>F – [006] very fashionable</i></li><li><i>F – D1 “because it is made entirely of poly-Y” implicitly discloses ‘Use of poly-Y in the production of yoga mats’</i></li></ol><p></p><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="color: #990000; font-size: medium;"><u>Part 4</u></span></b></div><div><br /></div><div><div><b><span style="color: #990000;">Question 16</span></b></div><div><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>D12 destroys the novelty of the subject-matter of claim II.2.</li><li>D12 destroys the novelty of the subject-matter of claim II.1.</li><li>D11 destroys the novelty of the subject-matter of claim II.2.</li><li>D13 destroys the novelty of the subject-matter of claim II.1.</li></ol></div><div><i>Our answers:</i></div><div><ol style="text-align: left;"><li><i>T – [002] “We have additionally noted that a part of the injected carbon dioxide reaches the headspace of the bottle and pushes the air (and therefore also oxygen) contained therein out of the headspace of the bottle. Moreover, we found that wine can be better preserved when carbon dioxide is injected therein”</i></li><li><i>T – idem</i></li><li><i>T – [ 002] “The stopper has a one-way valve through which air and oxygen from within the bottle can be extracted using a vacuum pump”</i></li><li><i>F – no wine in D13</i></li></ol></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="color: #990000;">Question 17</span></b></div><div><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>D12 describes that wine can have a chemical reaction with a gas.</li><li>D11 destroys the novelty of the subject-matter of claim II.3.</li><li>D13 destroys the novelty of the subject-matter of claim II.5.</li><li>D12 destroys the novelty of the subject-matter of claim II.4.</li></ol><div><i>Our answers:</i></div></div><div><ol style="text-align: left;"><li><i>T – “When carbon dioxide is injected into wine, a similar chemical reaction occurs as when carbon dioxide is added to water”</i></li><li><i>F – no direct injection</i></li><li><i>T – 5(3)(2) – although D13 [002] does not explicitly say “exclusively” nitrogen, there is no indication that it would be a mixture; “some oxygen is removed as well”</i></li><li><i>F – feature of II.3 not in [002]</i></li></ol></div><div><b><span style="color: #990000;">Question 18</span></b></div><div><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>The subject-matter of claim II.6 can be introduced into the description without contravening Article 123(2) EPC.</li><li>The EPO may issue a communication under Rule 62a EPC in the search phase for the present set of claims.</li><li>The presence of an inert gas is described in the application documents as an essential feature.</li><li>The subject-matter of claim II.5 is clear.</li></ol><div><i>Our answers:</i></div></div><div><ol style="text-align: left;"><li><i>T – claims are part of appl as filed</i></li><li><i>T – claims 1&2</i></li><li><i>F – [003] “preferred”</i></li><li><i>F – due to dependence on II.4</i></li></ol></div><div><b><span style="color: #990000;">Question 19</span></b></div><div><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>Although argon is described as the most preferred inert gas, deleting all references to argon from the claims would be allowable under Article 123(2) EPC.</li><li>Amending claim II.2 to recite “Method for preserving an alcoholic beverage having 10 vol.% alcohol or more, wherein the amount of oxygen in the headspace of the bottle is reduced” would be allowable under Article 123 (2) EPC.</li><li>Amending claim II.7 to recite “Method for preserving an alcoholic beverage according to claim II.3, wherein the inert gas is a noble gas” would not be allowable under Article 123(2) EPC.</li><li>Amending claim II.3 to recite “Method for preserving an alcoholic beverage according to claim II.2, wherein an inert gas is directly injected into the headspace of the bottle to create a gas cap on top of the wine level” would be allowable under Article 123(2) EPC.</li></ol></div><div><i>Our answers:</i></div><div><ol style="text-align: left;"><li><i>T – [003] on inert gasses in general & [004] giving specific examples of inert gasses. Deleting the preferred embodiment is allowed, as still subject-matter remaining (similar to G 2/10 when it would have been written as an amendment to "insert gas but not argon").</i></li><li><i>T – [001] “or other alcoholic beverages like beer or other beverages having 10 vol.% alcohol or more”. Comment [added 21/3/22]: We consider the (intentional or accidental?) deletion of "<u>in a bottle</u>" in the title of the claim not to violate 123(2) as one could consider that implicit from the "headspace <u>of the bottl</u>e" - the amendment does however introduce a clarity problem as "the bottle" has no antecedent.</i><i><span style="color: #990000;"><br />Update 15 April 2022: The Examiners' Report confirms that the deletion of "in a bottle" does not violate Art.123(2): " Although the amended claim II.2 omits the expression “in the bottle”, this does not violate the requirements of Article 123(2) EPC. Amended claim II.2 still references a bottle in the second part of this claim with reference to its headspace."</span></i></li><li><i>T – noble gas not in application; note that the statement says “not allowable”</i></li><li><i>F – only with argon [004]</i></li></ol></div><div><b><span style="color: #990000;">Question 20</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div><i>Comment: In the copy we had, Q.20 and its the statements did not refer to a specific claim, while there are 9 different claims... and while GL G-VII, 5.1 (esp. first paragraph) defines the CPA relative to the "claimed invention" and not to, e.g. the invention as specified in quite general terms in the opening paragraph [001] of the description of the application.</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i><span style="color: #990000;">Update 15 April 2022: The Examiners' Report indicated:</span></i></div><div><i><span style="color: #990000;">"</span></i><span style="color: #990000;"><i>Since the following sentence was missing on WiseFlow:</i></span></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #990000;"><i>“Assume in the following that inventive step has to be assessed <b><u>in respect of claim II.9</u></b>.”</i></span></div></div></blockquote><div><div><span style="color: #990000;"><i>the Examination Board decided to award full marks to all candidates for </i></span><span style="color: #990000;"><i>question 20.</i></span><i><span style="color: #990000;">"</span></i></div><div><i><span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span></i></div><div><i><span style="color: #990000;">Note that claim II.9, when written out fully, reads:</span></i></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><i><span style="color: #990000;">II.9. Method for preserving an alcoholic beverage [=wine] in a bottle [from claim II.2], wherein</span></i></span></div></div><i><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="background-color: white;">- the amount of oxygen in the headspace of the bottle is reduced [from claim II.2],</span><br /><span style="background-color: white;">- an inert gas is injected directly into the headspace of the bottle [from claim II.3],</span><br /><span style="background-color: white;">- the inert gas is argon [from claim II.7], and</span><br /></span></i><div style="text-align: left;"><div><span style="background-color: white;"><i><span style="color: #990000;">- the alcoholic beverage is wine and the wine is contained in an opened bottle [from claim II.9]</span></i></span></div></div><div><div><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>If D12 is selected as the closest prior art, a possible objective technical problem can be formulated as how to preserve an alcoholic beverage by injecting an inert gas directly into the headspace of the bottle.</li><li>Assuming that D13 is considered to be the closest prior art, an objective technical problem to be solved may be regarded as how to reduce the amount of gas required to remove air from above the wine level.</li><li>One valid argument as to why D11 is not the closest prior art is that D11 does not require the addition of gas.</li><li>One valid argument as to why D13 is not the closest prior art is that D13 deals only with the preservation of fish oil.</li></ol></div><div><i>Our answers:</i></div><div><ol style="text-align: left;"><li><i>F – this is not the problem, but rather the solution; Also note that the statement does not refer to a specific claims, while there are 9 different claims… And claim 1 is “Method for preserving wine in a bottle”, so that this OTP would not match claim 1.</i></li><li><i>F – there is no wine in D13, so also no wine level<br /><i><span style="color: #990000;">Update 15 April 2022: w.r.t claim II.9, the statement may be argued to be T (as in the Examiners' Report), even though it feels uncomfortable or even incorrect to consider D13 the CPA (it does not relate to wine, and one has to generalize "nitrogen" in D13 to "gas" in the formulation of the CPA). Note that we do not know whether the statement would possibly have be neutralized individually (if Q.20 would not have been neutralized in full).</span></i></i></li><li><i>F – it is same field and same purpose, and does not add fuzz to the wine, so keep the wine as it is<br /><i><i><i><span style="color: #990000;">Update 15 April 2022: F may be argued for claim II.1 and II.2; but w.r.t claim II.9 which specifies addition of gas (more specifically, inert gas = argon), T may be argued as is dione in the <i style="color: black;"><i><i><i><span style="color: #990000;"><i style="color: black;"><i><span style="color: #990000;">Examiners' Report</span></i></i></span></i></i></i></i>.</span></i></i></i></i></li><li><i>F <i>– </i>“[003] Clearly, this method can be applied to many types of liquid, such as perfumes and beer”<br /></i></li></ol></div><div><b><span style="color: #990000;"><i>We are looking forward to your comments!</i></span></b></div></div><div><div><br /></div><div>Diane, Roel</div><div><br /></div><div>(c) DeltaPatents</div></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><u>Annex: claim
sets and pre-printable material</u><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"> </span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #990000; font-size: medium;">Part 3
Claims Analysis</span><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Claims filed
together with the European patent application:</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.8pt; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1.
Yoga mat having a first face and a second face.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.8pt; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">2.
Yoga mat according to claim 1, wherein the first face and the second face
are distinguishable.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.8pt; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">3.
Yoga mat according to claim 2, wherein the first face has a first colour
and the second face has a second colour different from the first colour.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.8pt; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">4.
Yoga mat according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein, in use, the first
face is in contact with the floor and the second face is in contact with the
athlete.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.8pt; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">5.
Yoga mat according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first face has a
coating of material, said material providing secure but reversible adhesion of
the mat onto the floor.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.8pt; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">6.
Yoga mat according to claim 5, wherein the material is poly-X.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.8pt; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">7.
Yoga mat according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the second face
contains an antibacterial material.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.8pt; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">8.
Yoga mat according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the second face of
the yoga mat contains silver ions.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.8pt; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">9.
Yoga mat according to claim 6, wherein the material covers 10 to 100% of
the first face.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.8pt; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">10.
Yoga mat according to any of claims 1 to 9, wherein the second face
contains a material, preferably poly-Y, wherein the material is such that upon
contact with the athlete’s body it reduces the generation of sweat on the
athlete’s body.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.8pt; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">11.
Textile bag for completely covering and for transporting yoga mats.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.8pt; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">12.
The textile bag of claim 11, containing the yoga mat according to any of
claims 1 to 10.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.8pt; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">13.
The textile bag of claim 12, wherein the bag is made from fully organic
material which grows relatively slowly.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.8pt; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">14.
Use of poly-Y in the production of yoga mats.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Documents
for part 3</span></span></b></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">* Description of a European patent application<br />* Documents D1 to D4</span></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Description of a European patent application</span></b></p><div style="text-align: left;"><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">[001] It is generally known that yoga mats are used by athletes to perform yoga exercises.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">Yoga mats are thin, soft mats which are easily rolled and transported to allow the athlete to</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">use them in various locations. Once rolled out on the floor, a yoga mat has a length of 1.5</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">to 2.2 metres and a width of 0.6 to 1.0 metres. Described herein is an improved yoga mat.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">[002] In an embodiment, we provide a yoga mat with a first colour on a first face and a</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">different second colour on the second face. When the yoga mat is rolled out and in use,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">the first face is in contact with the floor and the second face is in contact with the athlete.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">This allows the athlete to always use the yoga mat such that the same face of the yoga</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">mat is in contact with the floor.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">[003] In an embodiment, the first face of the yoga mat has a coating of material which</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">provides secure but reversible adhesion of the yoga mat onto the floor. Preferably, the</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">material is poly-X. The material covers 10 to 100% of the first face.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">[004] In an embodiment, the yoga mat contains antibacterial material, such as e.g. silver</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">ions on the second face, so as to reduce the growth of bacteria.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">[005] In an embodiment, the second face contains a material which reduces the</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">generation of sweat on the athlete’s body. We have found that poly-Y <i>[note: here, </i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>the German version said poly-; the French version also said poly-Y] </i>is a highly suitable</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">material, since it provides improved reduction of sweat generation on the body of the</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">athlete while the athlete is in contact with the mat. Using our new special secret test</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">protocol we established a sweat reduction value (SRV) of 100 for yoga mats made of</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">poly-Y. Higher SRVs correspond to a higher level of sweat reduction. For yoga mats made</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">of poly-X the SRV is 84, and for yoga mats made of poly-Z the SRV is 93. In an</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">embodiment of the invention the yoga mat has an SRV of 90 or more.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">[006] In an embodiment, we provide the yoga mat with a very fashionable, fully organic</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">textile container made from slow-growing cotton.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></div><div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: inherit;"><i>Update 15 April 2022: </i></span></div><div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: inherit;"><i>The Examiners' Report provides the answers to all statements of Part 3, but it also indicates that complete Part 3 was neutralized in view of the Poly-Y/Poly-X error of translation/transcription:</i></span></div></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><i><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">"</span>There is a translation error in the German version [005] of the description, second line. It should read Poly-Y and not Poly-X.</span></i></div></div></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><i><span style="color: #990000;">Due to this translation error the Examination Board decided to award <span><b>full marks to all candidates for questions 11 to 15</b>.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">"</span></span></i> </div></div></div></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div><div style="text-align: left;"><div> </div></div></div></blockquote><div>
<div style="text-align: left;"><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">--</span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;">Assume in the following that documents D1, D2, D3, and D4
are prior art in accordance<br />with Art. 54(1) and (2) EPC:<br /><o:p> </o:p></span></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Document D1<br /></b>This document discloses a yoga mat. Before use, the athlete
rolls out the yoga mat onto<br />the floor. Then, the athlete steps on it to perform
exercises. After use, the athlete rolls up<br />the yoga mat and places it in a bag made from plastic or
cotton, in order to transport it<br />from one location to another. The yoga mat is very easy to
transport, because it is made<br />entirely of poly-Y, a very light, synthetic material.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Document D2<br /></b>This document discloses a yoga mat containing the material
poly-Z on at least one face<br />of the mat. Poly-Z has the following advantage: upon contact
with the athlete’s body it<br />reduces the generation of sweat on the athlete’s body.
Advantageously, in a preferred<br />embodiment, one face of the yoga mat is partially coated
with a layer of poly-X. This<br />material provides a strong adhesion of the yoga mat onto the
floor while the athlete<br />performs exercises. After use, the mat can be easily removed
from the floor.</span></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Document D3<br /></b>Many athletes mark their yoga mats (e.g. by writing their
names on one of the faces) to<br />clearly distinguish the first face of the mat, which is in
contact with the athlete, and the<br />second face, which remains in contact with the floor.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p> <br /></o:p><b>Document D4</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Silver ions are used as antibacterial materials in many
textiles (such as clothes, carpets)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">and on polymer material used for covering the floor of
gymnastic halls. Antibacterial<br />materials have the effect that they prevent or at least
reduce the growth of bacteria.<br />Such an effect is only to be found in very special metal
materials such as silver ions or<br />copper ions.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>No figures in part 3 (not in application, not in prior art)</i></span></div>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #990000; font-size: medium;">Part 4
Claims Analysis</span><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Claims filed
together with the second European patent application:</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.8pt; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">II.1.
Method for preserving wine in a bottle, wherein the composition of a gas
in the headspace of the bottle is modified.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.8pt; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">II.2.
Method for preserving an alcoholic beverage in a bottle, wherein the
amount of oxygen in the headspace of the bottle is reduced.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.8pt; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">II.3.
Method for preserving an alcoholic beverage according to claim II.2,
wherein an inert gas is injected directly into the headspace of the bottle.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.8pt; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">II.4.
Method for preserving an alcoholic beverage according to claim II.3,
wherein the inert gas is carbon dioxide.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.8pt; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">II.5.
Method for preserving an alcoholic beverage according to claim II.3 or
II.4, wherein the inert gas is exclusively nitrogen.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.8pt; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">II.6.
Method for preserving an alcoholic beverage according to claim II.3,
wherein the inert gas is a mixture of carbon dioxide with nitrogen or with
argon.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.8pt; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">II.7.
Method for preserving an alcoholic beverage according to claim II.3,
wherein the inert gas is argon.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.8pt; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">II.8.
Method for preserving an alcoholic beverage according to claim II.5,
wherein the alcoholic beverage is wine and the wine is contained in an opened
bottle.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.8pt; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">II.9.
Method for preserving an alcoholic beverage according to claim II.7,
wherein the alcoholic beverage is wine and the wine is contained in an opened
bottle.</span><o:p style="font-size: 10.5pt;"></o:p></span></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Documents
for part 4<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>* Description of a second European patent application<br /></b><b>* Document D11<br /> </b><b>* Document D12<br /> </b><b>* Document D13</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></b></div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Description of a second European patent application<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">[001] The present invention aims at preserving wine (or
other alcoholic beverages like<br />beer or other beverages having 10 vol.% alcohol or more)
that remains in a bottle once the<br />bottle has been opened but not all the wine in the bottle
has been consumed. Oxygen from<br />the air that remains in the bottle, in the space between the
wine level and the opening of<br />the bottle (the so-called “headspace”), causes oxidation of
the wine. The oxidation of the<br />wine renders the wine unpleasant in taste.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />[002] A device for preserving wine is known from D11. This
device consists of a hand</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">actuated vacuum pump that is used to remove air (and
therefore also oxygen) from the<br />headspace of the opened bottle. A disadvantage of this
device is that the volatile aroma<br />substances included in the wine are also removed by the
pumping process. Another<br />disadvantage is that many hand actuations are necessary to
remove sufficient air from the<br />headspace.<o:p><br /></o:p><o:p> <br /></o:p>[003] The present invention provides a device that instead
of creating a vacuum simply<br />replaces air (and therefore also oxygen) in the headspace
with another gas comprising<br />less oxygen than air. A preferred other gas is an inert gas.
This is achieved by injecting the<br />other gas (e.g. the inert gas) into the headspace. The
injected gas pushes the air out of<br />the headspace.<br /><o:p> <br /></o:p>[004] By inert gas we mean a gas that does not undergo any
chemical reaction with the<br />volatile aroma substances included in the wine. Examples of
inert gases are carbon<br />dioxide, nitrogen and argon. Argon is the most preferred
inert gas, because it is heavier<br />than oxygen and heavier than air, so that a layer of argon
creates a “gas cap” on top of the<br />wine level. Even a very small volume of argon is sufficient
to create the gas cap and<br />prevent the oxidation processes.</span></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Assume in the following that documents D11, D12, and D13 are
prior art in accordance<br />with Art. 54(1) and (2) EPC:</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>[Comment: in the German version, the above sentence was missing]</i></span></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Document D11<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">[001] This document discloses a vacuum pump that is used to
extract air or oxygen from<br />an opened bottle in order to preserve the wine contained in
the opened bottle.<br /><o:p> <br /></o:p>[002] The principle is very simple. The opened bottle is
closed with a water-tight and </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">airtight reusable stopper. The stopper is easily
applied onto the neck of the bottle to<br />hermetically seal the opening of the bottle. The stopper can
be easily removed again<br />from the bottle by hand. The stopper has a one-way valve
through which air and oxygen<br />from within the bottle can be extracted using a vacuum pump.
In this way the quality of<br />the wine in the opened bottle can be preserved for many
days.</span></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Document D12</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br /></b>[001] Devices for household use are known for introducing
carbon dioxide into water.<br />Carbon dioxide is a gas that is contained in a pressurized
capsule within the device.<br />Once carbon dioxide is released into water, the gas and the
water undergo a chemical<br />reaction to provide carbonic acid, which gives water
pleasant taste and fizz. With the<br />help of such devices sparkling water can be prepared
inexpensively from tap water.<br /><o:p> <br /></o:p>[002] We have now found that the same devices can be used to
inject the carbon<br />dioxide into wine. When carbon dioxide is injected into
wine, a similar chemical reaction<br />occurs as when carbon dioxide is added to water. Thereby a
pleasant fizz is added to<br />the wine. We have additionally noted that a part of the
injected carbon dioxide reaches<br />the headspace of the bottle and pushes the air (and
therefore also oxygen) contained<br />therein out of the headspace of the bottle. Moreover, we
found that wine can be better<br />preserved when carbon dioxide is injected therein.</span></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Document D13</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br /></b>[001] This document discloses an industrial method for
preserving liquids. It is known<br />that fish oil is easily spoiled by oxygen upon storage. The
method consists of injecting<br />nitrogen into the headspace of a bottle filled with fish oil
before closing the bottle and<br />transporting such bottles to the various points of sale.<br /><o:p> <br /></o:p>[002] It is known by the skilled person that nitrogen is
lighter than oxygen. Therefore, the<br />nitrogen must be injected just above the level of the fish
oil within the bottle. Nitrogen<br />evacuates through the opening of the bottle, but some oxygen
is removed as well. After<br />injecting a volume of nitrogen equal to 20 times of the
volume of the headspace into the<br />headspace of the bottle, virtually no oxygen can be traced
in the headspace of the<br />bottle.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />[003] Clearly, this method can be applied to many types of
liquid, such as perfumes and<br />beer.</span></div>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">No figures in part 4 (not in application, not in prior art)</span></i></p></div>Roel van Woudenberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15823355175016282250noreply@blogger.com182tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-584401433841434859.post-13766595388642373652022-03-18T20:59:00.011+01:002022-04-19T14:25:18.474+02:00Pre-Exam 2022: our answers to the legal questions<p>This was the second online -EQE with the Pre-Exam being held in 4 parts, and with the questions almost fully being taken from the screen (only the description of the application and the prior art in the claims analysis parts were printable).</p><p>In the legal as well as the claims analysis parts, the order of the four statements of each of the questions was randomized, i.e., it was different for different candidates. </p><p>Also the order of the questions was randomized in the legal parts (e.g., the sequence shown below was presented to one candidate, while another candidate reported getting what is shown below as Q.2 as the first question,), but not in the claims analysis parts.</p><p>During the exam, candidates had access to the EPO Legal Text pages, so including the full EPC Articles and Rules, Guidelines, GL/PCT-EPO, National Law Tables, Case Law, and the Euro-PCT Guide (HTML versions), but not to the PCT Legal Texts on www.wipo.int/pct/en. Access was to the live versions, so to the versions in force on 18 March 2022 (so not the version of 31.10.2021 acc REE/IPEE).</p><p>Candidates could access the exam in all languages, English, French and German.</p><p>The exam had a mix of topics (common and some less-common), with some surprising absences: no time limits, no remedies, no EP entry, no 71(3) acts, no priority. Entitlement was certainly unexpected for many candidates, as well as some elements of the appeal question and details on (late) fee payment under PCT.</p><p>Until 2019, we just provided a list of T and F's for the 4 statements per question, as all candidates had the same order of them in the paper exam. In view of the randomized order, we now also provide the questions and statements.<i> If you check your answers with ours, note that the order of the questions and of the four statements from a single question may be different</i>!!!</p><p><b><span style="color: #990000;"><i>Please feel invited to comment!</i></span></b></p><p>Please do not post your comments anonymously - it is allowed, but it makes responding more difficult and rather clumsy ("Dear Mr/Mrs/Ms Anonymous of 18-03-2022 22:23"), whereas using your real name or a nickname is more personal, more interesting and makes a more attractive conversation. You do not need to log in or make an account - it is OK to just put your (nick) name at the end of your post.</p><p>You mYay also want to check the other blogs: <a href="http://pre-exam.blogspot.com/2022/03/pre-exam-2022-first-impressions.html" target="_blank">first impressions</a> and <a href="http://pre-exam.blogspot.com/2022/03/pre-exam-2022-our-answers-to-claims.html" target="_blank">claims analysis</a></p><span><a name='more'></a></span><p><br /></p><p><b>Pre-Exam 2022</b></p><p><b>Part 1&2 - Legal Questions (2x 70 minutes)</b></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b><span style="color: #990000;"><u>Part 1</u></span></b></p><p><b><span style="color: #990000;">Question 1</span></b></p><p>Francesca has filed a European patent application EP-F before the EPO. Francesca did not develop the invention which is the subject of EP-F. In drafting EP-F Francesca used information in Andrew’s laboratory notebook, without Andrew’s consent. EP-F was published in December 2017 and is still pending.</p><p></p><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>Andrew can validly request that EP-F be refused no later than three months after the decision recognising his entitlement to EP-F has become final.</li><li>Francesca can withdraw EP-F at any time from the date on which Andrew provides evidence to the EPO that he has instituted proceedings against Francesca seeking a decision that Andrew is entitled to the grant of the European patent based on EP-F.</li><li>Andrew can seek a stay of proceedings if he provides evidence that he has instituted proceedings against Francesca seeking a decision that Andrew is entitled to the grant of the European patent based on EP-F.</li><li>No renewal fee has to be paid during a stay of proceedings.</li></ol><p></p><p><i>Our answers</i></p><p></p><ol style="text-align: left;"><li><i>T – Art.61(1)(c) + R.16(1)</i></li><li><i>F – R.15</i></li><li><i>T – R.14(1) </i></li><li><i>T / F – this is a point under debate as Rule 14 is silent about the due dates for divisionals, but only mentions periods (esp. that of R.51(2)). <br />GL A-IV, 2.2.3 “Legal nature and effects of the stay” says “Stay of proceedings implies that the legal status quo existing at the time of the suspension is maintained, i.e. neither the EPO nor the parties can validly perform any legal acts while proceedings are suspended (J 38/92)”. So, as no legal acts can be validly done, no legally valid payments can be done/required. <br />GL A-IV, 2.2.4 says “As far as renewal fees are concerned, they continue to fall due during the period of stay.”. <br />From combining those two GL paragraphs, it may be considered that renewals that fall due are deferred to the date of resumption as in the case of an interruption under R.142 (GL E-VII, 4; J 902/87 mut.mut.), so that they do not need to be paid during the stay. <br />However, some legal texts provide that the renewal fee must be paid during the stay by either F or A, which appears to be at odds with the legal nature of the stay.<br /><span style="color: #990000;">[Update 15 April 2022:] The Examiners' Report provides:<br />"FALSE: All periods other than those for the payment of renewal fees, running at the date of the stay of proceedings, shall be interrupted by such stay, Rule 14(4) EPC and Guidelines A-IV, 2.2.4: hence renewal fees must be paid even during such stay."</span></i></li></ol><p></p><p><b><span style="color: #990000;">Question 2</span></b></p><p>Hans filed an admissible notice of opposition against European patent EP-1, which was granted with two independent claims, namely claim 1 and claim 2 relating respectively to two different parts of the patent. The only ground for opposition that he raised was lack of inventive step in respect of claim 1. The opposition is not filed against the patent as a whole, but only against claim 1. In particular, he argued in the notice of opposition that the subject-matter of claim 1 lacked inventive step over the combination of D1 and D2, both published before the effective date of EP-1. Theresa filed third-party observations during the pending opposition proceedings, arguing that claim 2 lacked novelty over D3, a Japanese patent application published before the effective date of EP-1.</p><p>For the following statements, assume that the right to be heard of all parties involved has been respected and no amendments have been filed during the opposition proceedings.</p><p></p><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>After the opposition division has considered Theresa’s third-party observations, the opposition division may revoke EP-1 based on lack of novelty of the subject-matter of claim 2.</li><li>If the opposition division considers that the subject-matter of claim 2 lacks inventive step over D2 in combination with D3, the opposition division may revoke EP-1 for lack of inventive step of the subject-matter of claim 2 over D2 in combination with D3</li><li>If the opposition division considers that the subject-matter of claim 1 is not sufficiently disclosed, the opposition division may revoke EP-1 because the subject-matter of claim 1 is not disclosed in a manner sufficiently clear and complete for it to be carried out by a person skilled in the art.</li><li>If the opposition division considers that the subject-matter of claim 1 lacks novelty over D1, the opposition division may revoke EP-1 for lack of novelty of the subject-matter of claim 1.</li></ol><p></p><p><i>Our answers</i></p><p></p><ol style="text-align: left;"><li><i>F – claim 2 not in extent, and extent cannot be broadened – G 9/91</i></li><li><i>F – claim 2 not in extent, and extent cannot be broadened – G 9/91</i></li><li><i>T – Art.114(1), R.81(1) & G 10/91</i></li><li><i>T – Art.114(1), R.81(1 & G 10/91</i></li></ol><p></p><p><b><span style="color: #990000;">Question 3</span></b></p><p>For each of the statements, indicate whether the statement is true (T) or false (F):</p><p>A board of appeal …</p><p></p><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>… may exercise any power within the competence of the department which was responsible for the decision appealed.</li><li>… may decide in a three-member composition without a legally qualified member.</li><li>... may base its decision on a fresh ground for opposition only submitted during the appeal proceedings without the consent of the patentee.</li><li>… may remit a case to the department which was responsible for the decision appealed for further prosecution.</li></ol><p></p><p><i>Our answers</i></p><p></p><ol style="text-align: left;"><li><i>T – Art.111(1)</i></li><li><i>F – in any type of appeal, at least one legal member needed – see Art.21(2)-(4)</i></li><li><i>F – G 10/91 assuming there is no intervention during the appeal (An interventer may raise a different ground – G 1/94 -, but "if a fresh ground for opposition is raised by the intervener, the case should be remitted to the first instance for further prosecution unless special reasons present themselves for doing otherwise, for example when the patentee himself does not wish the case to be remitted" - G 1/94, reason 13).</i></li><li><i>T – Art.111(1)</i></li></ol><div><b><span style="color: #990000;">Question 4</span></b></div><p>Company A has filed a European patent application EP-A with the EPO. Company B has negotiated with Company A the transfer of European patent application EP-A to Company B.</p><p></p><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>The transfer of a European patent application becomes effective vis-à-vis the EPO only when it is published in the European Patent Register</li><li>The transfer of a European patent may be recorded in the European Patent Register during the opposition period.</li><li>It is possible to validly transfer EP-A from Company A to Company B only for the designated contracting states FR and DE.</li><li>The transfer of EP-A may be recorded in the European Patent Register at the request of Company B, upon production of documents providing evidence of such transfer and payment of an administration fee.</li></ol><p></p><p><i>Our answers</i></p><p></p><ol style="text-align: left;"><li><i>F – R.22(3) effective as from date on which transfer requested, evidence provided and fee paid</i></li><li><i>T – R.85</i></li><li><i>T – Art.71</i></li><li><i>T – R.22</i></li></ol><p></p><p><span style="color: #990000;"><b>Question 5</b></span></p><p>Roberto and Mario are Brazilian citizens living in São Paolo, Brazil. They are the applicants for European patent application EP1, which has been filed today in Portuguese together with a French translation. EP1 claims the priority of a previous Brazilian application P1.</p><p></p><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>If EP1 is assigned to a British company, the language of the proceedings may be changed to English after registration of the transfer.</li><li>EP1 will be accorded by the EPO a filing date, only if the content of EP1 does not extend beyond the content of P1 as originally filed.</li><li>Roberto and Mario are entitled to a reduction of the filing fee.</li><li>If the French translation had not been filed in due time, EP1 would be deemed not to have been filed.</li></ol><p></p><p><i>Our answers</i></p><p></p><ol style="text-align: left;"><li><i>F – G 4/08</i></li><li><i>F – Art.80, R.,40; only effect is that priority is not valid for the extra matter</i></li><li><i>F – not Art.14(4) persons</i></li><li><i>F – deemed withdrawn, Art.14(2)</i></li></ol><p></p><p><b><span style="color: #990000;"><u>Part 2</u></span></b></p><p><b><span style="color: #990000;">Question 6</span></b></p><p>Roberto and Mario are Brazilian citizens living in São Paolo, Brazil. They are the applicants for European patent application EP1, which has been filed today in Portuguese together with a French translation. EP1 claims the priority of a previous Brazilian application P1. It is assumed now that Roberto and Mario intend to file a divisional application EP1-DIV relating to the pending patent application EP1.</p><p></p><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>EP1-DIV may be validly filed with the EPO at the filing offices in Munich, The Hague and Vienna.</li><li>EP1-DIV may be validly filed in English.</li><li>EP1-DIV may be validly filed in Portuguese.</li><li>EP1-DIV must be filed within 12 months from the filing date of EP1.</li></ol><p></p><p><i>Our answers</i></p><p></p><ol style="text-align: left;"><li><i>F – Not in Vienna - Art.76, R.36(2)</i></li><li><i>F – R.36(2): PT or FR</i></li><li><i>T – R.36(2)</i></li><li><i>F – R.36(1), any pending</i></li></ol><p><b><span style="color: #990000;">Question 7</span></b></p><p>The dimethyl fumarate molecule (DMF) is known from the prior art in the following respects:</p><p>Document D1 discloses DMF as a biocide for the treatment of clothing, shoes and furniture against mould growth.</p><p>Document D2 concerns a patent which discloses DMF for the treatment of the skin disease psoriasis and of multiple sclerosis.</p><p>The prior art does not disclose any further disease that can be treated with DMF</p><p></p><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>The subject-matter of the claim “DMF for use as a medicament” in a European patent application filed today is novel over the above-mentioned prior art.</li><li>The subject-matter of the claim “DMF for use in the treatment of cancer” in a European patent application filed today is novel over the above-mentioned prior art.</li><li>The following claim wording is allowable in a European patent application filed today: “Use of DMF for the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of cancer”.</li><li>The subject-matter of the claim “DMF for use in the treatment of skin diseases” in a European patent application filed today is novel over the above-mentioned prior art.</li></ol><p></p><p><i>Our answers</i></p><p></p><ol style="text-align: left;"><li><i>F – D2 already shows DMF for a medical treatment</i></li><li><i>T – Art.54(5)</i></li><li><i>F – G 5/83 <span style="color: #990000;">-> G 2/08</span>, GL G-VI, 7.1</i></li><li><i>F – D2 already shows DMF for treatment of a specific skin disease</i></li></ol><p><b><span style="color: #990000;">Question 8</span></b></p><p>Jan, a US national and resident of the USA, filed an international application PCT-J with the USPTO on 10 January 2022. On filing, Jan indicated the EPO as one of the designated Offices. The EPO was immediately informed of its designation.</p><p>The USPTO charges the late payment fee for a delayed payment of the international filing fee as allowed under the PCT.</p><p></p><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>If the international filing fee is not paid in due time, Jan can validly pay the international filing fee together with the late payment fee within a time limit of one month from the date of the invitation sent by the receiving Office.</li><li>A consequence of not paying the international filing fee with the late payment fee within the prescribed time limit is that the USPTO will notify the EPO as the designated Office that PCT-J is considered to be withdrawn.</li><li>Jan must pay the international filing fee to the International Bureau.</li><li>A consequence of not paying the international filing fee with the late payment fee within the prescribed time limit is that the USPTO will declare that PCT-J is considered to be withdrawn.</li></ol><p></p><p><i>Our answers</i></p><p></p><ol style="text-align: left;"><li><i>T – R.16bis.1(a) PCT</i></li><li><i>F – 29.1(ii) PCT: IB informs dO</i></li><li><i>F – R.15.1 PCT: competent rO, so USPTO</i></li><li><i>T – Art.14(3) PCT, R.16bis.1(c) PCT; AG-IP 5.195</i></li></ol><p></p><p><b><span style="color: #990000;">Question 9</span></b></p><p>For each of the statements, indicate whether the statement is true (T) or false (F):</p><p></p><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>A Japanese citizen resident in Japan may validly file a European patent application without being represented by a professional representative.</li><li>The EPO will accord a date of filing to a European patent application filed by an identifiable applicant using EPO Form 1001, even if the description is filed in Chinese.</li><li>If an international application contains no part which on the face of it appears to be a claim or claims, a date of filing will not be accorded to that international application.</li><li>If a request for grant is not filed on a form drawn up by the EPO, an application filed together with that request will not be dealt with as a European patent application.</li></ol><p></p><p><i>Our answers</i></p><p></p><ol style="text-align: left;"><li><i>T – Art.133(2) EPC “other than in filing a European patent application”</i></li><li><i>T – Art.80, R.40; Art.14(2) EPC</i></li><li><i>T – Art.11(1)(iii)(e) PCT</i></li><li><i>F – Art.80, R.40; GL A-II, 4.1.1</i></li></ol><p></p><p><b><span style="color: #990000;">Question 10</span></b></p><p>A communication pursuant to Rule 71(3) EPC has been issued for a European patent application. The applicant has fulfilled all the necessary requirements. The related decision to grant a European patent has been despatched on the basis of the documents (Druckexemplar) transmitted to the applicant with the communication under Rule 71(3) EPC. The mention of the grant of the European patent has been published in the European Patent Bulletin.</p><p>However, in the course of the preparation of the publication of the specification of this European patent an error arose, whereby page 2 of the description is missing in the published specification of this European patent. As a result of this error, the published specification of this European patent as a whole does not disclose the claimed invention in a manner sufficiently clear and complete for it to be carried out by a person skilled in the art.</p><p></p><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>If the language of the grant proceedings for this European patent was English, a notice of opposition may be validly filed in German</li><li>To transfer the status of opponent to a different person during opposition proceedings, it is sufficient to file a declaration including the names, addresses and signatures of both the original opponent and the person wishing to take over the status of opponent.</li><li>The European patent could be revoked on the basis of an opposition based on the ground of Art. 100(b) EPC because in the published specification of this European patent the invention without page 2 of the description is not disclosed in a manner sufficiently clear and complete for it to be carried out by a person skilled in the art.</li><li>This error in the published specification of this European patent may be corrected at any time.</li></ol><p></p><p><i>Our answers</i></p><p></p><ol style="text-align: left;"><li><i>T – R.3(1), DE is off EPO language Art.14(1)</i></li><li><i>F – cannot freely transfer G 2/04</i></li><li><i>F – text of grant is decisive, not of erroneous B1 publ – GL C-V, 10 & H-VI, 6</i></li><li><i>T - GL H-VI, 6</i></li></ol><div>We are looking forward to your comments!</div><div><br /></div><div>Diane, Roel</div><div><br /></div><div>(c) DeltaPatents</div><p></p><div><br /></div>Roel van Woudenberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15823355175016282250noreply@blogger.com69tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-584401433841434859.post-83021133710744450322022-03-18T16:40:00.011+01:002022-04-07T17:32:51.316+02:00Pre-Exam 2022: first impressions?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhgVCBmcZfXtd1K6CntmKPFGGSxj-5AcAIrQN-FTjNxUq5MfzNL3SQGaIqZNrlx2QxEZ8dXiKn9IXPBzx4phSTOqxLK-S7ZIBlo5pVQo0dNovq5n1fp1P3KelTIzvux9x_AGgqwV1ewwLiC35eg6SEH7E16PigeCYv59Ch_yhtWbTfyTloxLKjOb7LQsA=s891" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="719" data-original-width="891" height="323" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhgVCBmcZfXtd1K6CntmKPFGGSxj-5AcAIrQN-FTjNxUq5MfzNL3SQGaIqZNrlx2QxEZ8dXiKn9IXPBzx4phSTOqxLK-S7ZIBlo5pVQo0dNovq5n1fp1P3KelTIzvux9x_AGgqwV1ewwLiC35eg6SEH7E16PigeCYv59Ch_yhtWbTfyTloxLKjOb7LQsA=w400-h323" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong style="background-color: white;"><i>To all who sat the Pre-Exam today:</i></strong></span></p><div style="background-color: white; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>What are your first impressions to this year's Pre-Exam</span><span>?</span><span> </span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Any general or specific comments?</span></div><div style="background-color: white; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-US">Were the<span style="color: #990000;"><b> legal topics</b></span> well balanced? </span><span>Was the balance between EPC and PCT right for you? </span><span>Were recent changes and stable legal provisions tested in the right balance for you? </span>Which of the legal questions did you consider particularly difficult, and which relatively 'easy'?</span></div><div style="background-color: white; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Were the various aspects of <span style="color: #990000;"><b>claims analysis</b></span> well balanced? How did you deal with the situation that only part of the paper (only the prior art) could be printed? </span></div><div style="background-color: white; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">How many marks do you expect to have scored in the legal part, in the claims analysis, and for the whole paper?</span></div><div style="background-color: white; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">What is your <span style="color: #990000;"><b>expectation </b></span>of the pass rate and the average score?</span></div><div style="background-color: white; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Were you able to finish each of the legal parts of the exam in the 70 minutes available for the appropriate part? And for each of the claims analysis parts? </span></div><div style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Did you experience any <span style="color: #990000;"><b>technical difficulties</b></span> during the exam? How & how fast were they solved?</span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif">How did this year's paper</span><b><span style="color: #990000;"> compare to the earlier pre-exams</span></b><span face="Arial, sans-serif"> of 2015-2019 and 2021 (assuming your practiced those) w.r.t. the pre-exam as a whole, w.r.t. the legal part and w.r.t. the claims analysis part?</span><br /><br /></span><span><a name='more'></a></span></div><div style="background-color: white; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><br /></span><span><b><i>The paper and our answers</i></b></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; margin: 0cm;"><em><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #990000; font-family: inherit;">We expect that the paper will become available in all three official EPO languages on the <a href="https://www.epo.org/learning-events/eqe/compendium/preexamination.html" style="background: transparent;" target="_blank">EQE website, Compendium, Pre-Exam</a> at the end of the week or next week</span></em></div><div style="background-color: white; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; margin: 0cm;"><span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><span>Our Pre-Exam 2022 blog will be composed of three separate blogs:</span></div><div style="margin: 0cm;"><ul><li>first impressions with your comments as to first impressions, the Pre-Exam 2021 as a whole, the e-EQE platform, etc</li><li><a href="http://pre-exam.blogspot.com/2022/03/pre-exam-2022-our-answers-to-legal.html" target="_blank">legal part with our answers to the legal questions</a></li><li><a href="http://pre-exam.blogspot.com/2022/03/pre-exam-2022-our-answers-to-claims.html" target="_blank">claims part with our answers to the claims analysis questions</a></li></ul></div></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><strong><i>We look forward to your comments!</i></strong></span><span><br /></span><span>Comments are welcome in any official EPO language, not just English. So, <b><i>comments in German and French are also very welcome</i></b>!</span><span><br /></span><span><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>Please do not post your comments anonymously - it is allowed, but it makes responding more difficult and rather clumsy ("Dear Mr/Mrs/Ms Anonymous of 18-03-2022 20:22"), whereas using your real name or a nickname is more personal, more interesting and makes a more attractive conversation.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>You do not need to log in or make an account - it is OK to just put your (nick) name at the end of your post.</span><span><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>Please post your comments as to <strong>first impressions</strong> and <strong>general remarks</strong> to the Pre-Exam paper <strong>as a whole</strong>, and to the two parts (legal part and claims analysis)<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><b>as whole</b><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>parts to this blog. </span><br /><span lang="EN-US">Please post <strong>substantial questions</strong> to <strong>specific legal questions </strong>to our post for the legal part and <strong>claims analysis related</strong> questions to our post for the claims analysis part (once those are available)</span>. </span></div><div style="background-color: white; margin: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; margin: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">Thanks!</span></div>Roel van Woudenberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15823355175016282250noreply@blogger.com56tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-584401433841434859.post-22462186623196798132022-03-18T08:00:00.003+01:002022-03-18T08:05:22.381+01:00Pre-Exam 2022 blogs will open after the end of the exam, 18 March 2022 16:40<p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Good luck with the Pre-Exam!</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white; color: black;">Our EQE blogs will be open for your comments and
opinions w.r.t. the </span><span style="color: black;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/479165730362492593/710818085466571364"><span style="color: #da8044;">Pre-Exam</span></a><span style="background: white;">, </span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/479165730362492593/710818085466571364"><span style="color: #da8044;">A</span></a><span style="background: white;">, </span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/479165730362492593/710818085466571364"><span style="color: #da8044;">B</span></a><span style="background: white;">, </span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/479165730362492593/710818085466571364"><span style="color: #da8044;">C </span></a><span style="background: white;">and </span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/479165730362492593/710818085466571364"><span style="color: #da8044;">D </span></a><span style="background: white;">shortly
after the exams. We will post our (provisional) answers to the various papers
shortly after the exam - for the Pre-Exam, we will use separate blog posts for the legal part and for the claims analysis part, and one for first impressions. To facilitate the discussions, we will also post copies
of the papers as soon as possible after we received reasonably clean copies.</span></span><span style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i><span style="color: #990000;">Do not post any comments as to the merits of the answers of a
certain exam paper/flow on the blogs while an exam/flow is still ongoing. Also,
do not post the invigilator password or anything else that may be considered
the breach of the exam regulations, instructions to the candidates, code of
conducts, etc (see, e.g., <a href="https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/479165730362492593/710818085466571364"><span style="color: #da8044;">e-EQE website</span></a> and the emails from the EQE
secretariat).</span></i></b><span style="color: black;"><br />
<br />
All candidates, as well as tutors who helped candidates prepare for EQE 2022,
are invited to contribute to the discussions on our EQE blogs! You can post
your comments in English, French or German. You are invited to post your
comments under your real name, but it is also possible to use a nickname if you
wish to hide your identify.<br />
<br />
The DeltaPatents team</span><span style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">NB: you can not comment to this blog post; comments will be
accepted from a new blog post "First impressions" as of 16:40, i.e., which will become available after the Pre-Exam has
finished.</span></span></p>Roel van Woudenberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15823355175016282250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-584401433841434859.post-5999470795054601812022-02-09T12:17:00.014+01:002022-12-20T13:20:35.008+01:00On the interpretation of Pre-Exam Questions and on Pre-Exam appeals<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg2OZ_2kXcDN7QtgMr-hRXQWjGlhq9zQh7jFUBUQAQzDcLckpxkrZNeMHTt9fBPbx3-uYdvKtAMFe3M9EiMkVPl0i0mupdbd4gFR6uIZI0RumgGWHAg5feieRUHV7X1Do2foYraR7MtALKf2uqh2O4CpDZtfTdK3tZpLQ1gGZQCb241uvWL_HU7rVM9vw=s4134" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2728" data-original-width="4134" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg2OZ_2kXcDN7QtgMr-hRXQWjGlhq9zQh7jFUBUQAQzDcLckpxkrZNeMHTt9fBPbx3-uYdvKtAMFe3M9EiMkVPl0i0mupdbd4gFR6uIZI0RumgGWHAg5feieRUHV7X1Do2foYraR7MtALKf2uqh2O4CpDZtfTdK3tZpLQ1gGZQCb241uvWL_HU7rVM9vw=w400-h264" width="400" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">Candidates often ask us questions on possibilities to file a Pre-Exam
appeals based on an alleged unclarity, alleged ambiguity or alleged error in a
Pre-Exam question or statement or in the Examiner's Report or based on a
different understanding or interpretation of the question or statement. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">Below, a recent decision from the Disciplinary Board of Appeal (which is the
competent Board of Appeal for EQE appeals) is discussed that presents a nice overview of the (limited) extent of the competence of the DBA, and also addresses how Pre-Exam questions and
statements need to be interpreted by candidates, the Pre-Exam Committee and the Examination Board. The decision answers substantially all questions that candidates ask us on Pre-Exam appeals, so we present it in this Pre-Exam blog rather than in our Case law Blog. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">Also, we present a (non-exhaustive) overview of neutralizations of Pre-Exam statements/questions and of Pre-Exam appeals.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p><b><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Interpretation<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">D 2/21, reason 5 provides: “T</span><span style="background: white; color: #0b2a43; font-family: inherit;">he questions to be answered and the statements
to be evaluated in a multiple-choice test such as the pre-examination should
therefore be formulated clearly and unambiguously (see also decisions D 5/16
and D 6/16). Therefore, when setting an examination question for the
pre-examination, it must be ensured that </span><b style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white; color: #c00000;">only one answer
can be given to the respective statement <u>when taking an informed and objective
view or interpretation of the wording of the facts and the respective
statements in the question</u></span></b><span style="background: white; color: #c00000; font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="background: white; color: #0b2a43; font-family: inherit;">(D 15/16, point 2.3 of the Reasons). It is thus crucial to
formulate the statements in such a way that clearly only one answer, i.e. either
"True" or "False", is possible and "correct"
under the given circumstances (see also decisions D 5/16 and D 6/16).”</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">D 2/21, reason 5 concludes from this that: “<span style="background: white; color: #0b2a43;">[…] in a
pre-examination, unclear and confusing facts or statements constitute a serious
and obvious mistake (see also D 3/19, point 2.3 of the Reasons with reference
to D 13/02, point 4 of the Reasons).”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p><span style="background: white; color: #0b2a43;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">D 2/21, referring to D 5./16, r. 33, also clarifies that candidates shall not dig
for exotic exceptions and candidates cannot twist the interpretation tot their
advantage, and that it is rather a question of the correct interpretation or
general understanding, rather than looking for exceptions or far-fetched
interpretations. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">D 2/21, reason 5: “<span style="background: white; color: #0b2a43;">However, </span><b><span style="background: white; color: #c00000;">if a <u>statement
is logical and makes sense, so that, using common sense, it is clear what
answer was expected, candidates cannot rely on exceptions to the rule or
explore alternative interpretations with a view to showing that a different
answer might also be conceivable in specific instances</u></span></b><span style="background: white; color: #c00000;"> </span><span style="background: white;"><span style="color: #0b2a43;">(see e.g. D 5/16, point 33 of the Reasons). It
follows that in the case of a pre-examination, the review requested by the
appellant </span><b><span style="color: #990000;">does not concern</span></b><span style="color: #0b2a43;"> the question of whether the evaluation of the
assessment of the respective statement </span><b><span style="color: #990000;">stricto sensu</span></b><span style="color: #0b2a43;">, i.e. the appellant's
assessment of the statement concerned as "True" or "False",
is correct. </span></span><b><span style="background: white; color: #c00000;">It is rather a question of the correct
interpretation or the general understanding of the statement concerned,
including the facts underlying the pre-examination question and the conclusion
to be drawn therefrom as to whether the statement concerned is clearly to be
assessed as "True" or "False". […]</span></b>”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white; color: #0b2a43;">Although the decision does not give an example, I can imagine
that examples could be where, when filing a PCT application, nationality and/or
residence of an application or the language of the application are not given,
one can strictly not confirm that the EPO is the competent rO while this is
strictly speaking of relevance – but where it would be clear from the question
as a whole that this is not an aspect tested (as in Pre-Exam 2021, Question 2.
Note that in Pre-Exam 2018, the EB did take an expection into account, i.e.
Art.25 EPC while the question was -in my view- clearly directed to pre-grant
proceedings and neutralized 4.4; the Examiner;as Report even indicates “</span><span class="fontstyle01">On account of </span><span class="fontstyle01"><i>this rare
possibility</i> the statement 4.4 has been neutralised and marks are awarded
for both answers</span><span style="background: white; color: #0b2a43;">”)<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p><b><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Appeals<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p><p><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Before you sit the exam<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">Come well-prepared to the Pre-Exam. The Pre-Exam shows pass rates of 85% and
higher, indicating that Pre-Exam is well doable for well-prepared candidates.
Prepare for a good legal knowledge and a good understanding of claims analysis
topics (e.g., taking our Pre-Exam Intergrated course and practicing from our L-book
and P-book), learn how to read and understand exam questions, to recognize what
is tested and to come to answer efficiently. Also get acquantained with the
exam platform wit hits secure brower, Wiseflow, and get familiar with the way
the questions and statements are presented to you in Wiseflow; also participate
in the mock exams under exam situations where the exam platform is tested in
full operation, including camera, microphon and proctoring/invigilation.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">While sitting the Pre-Exam, you can only answer with TRUE or FALSE and
cannot hand-in any notes or comments. It is recommended to take some notes on
paper as to how you came to an answer, such as your legal basis or your
interpretation of special terms, notably the ones which you consider ambiguous, and where you sense or expect that they will be subject to discussion after the exam.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Try to prevent the need to appeal<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">You may possibly prevent an appeal by drawing the attention of the Pre-Exam
Committee and the Examination Board to the issue via comments to <span style="color: #990000;"><b><a href="http://pre-exam.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">our Pre-Exam blogs</a></b>
</span>-where others may support and strenghten your point, and/or indicate why your
reasoning is not convincing (yet)- and via e-mail to the Pre-Exam Committee and
the Examination Board via the EQE secretariat (Art. 19(1) REE). If the
Committee and he Examination Board are convinced that a statement must be
neutralized before the results letters and the Examiner's Report are issued,
the neutralization will be performed for all candidates and no appeals are
necessary. The EQE Committees and the Examination Board have indicates at various occasions that they are considering the blogs and the comments posted there on when deciding whether neutralization of a statement needs to be considered (also considering otehr factors, such as statistics). The marking will thus immediately have included the neutralizations.
This is presumably the<span style="color: #990000;"><b> most efficient, and certainly the quickest, way to get
statements neutralized.</b></span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">You can also file a <b><span style="color: #990000;">formal complaint</span></b>. For EQE 2023, the "</span>Instructions to candidates concerning the conduct of the European qualifying examination<span style="font-family: inherit;">" dd December 2022 (</span><a href="https://documents.epo.org/projects/babylon/eponot.nsf/0/0EBC9DA304DF20A4C125868100424C67/$FILE/Instructions_EN.pdf">https://documents.epo.org/projects/babylon/eponot.nsf/0/0EBC9DA304DF20A4C125868100424C67/$FILE/Instructions_EN.pdf</a><span style="font-family: inherit;">), item 8, provides: "</span>Candidates wishing to lodge a complaint concerning the conduct of the examination must do, so a<b><span style="color: #990000;">t the latest by the end of the day on which the paper concerned takes place</span></b>, by filling in the <b><span style="color: #990000;">dedicated form made available by the Examination Secretariat</span></b>.<span style="font-family: inherit;">"</span></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">For EQE 2022, the “ Instructions to candidates
concerning the conduct of the EQE” (<a href="https://documents.epo.org/projects/babylon/eponot.nsf/0/0EBC9DA304DF20A4C125868100424C67/$FILE/Instructions%20to%20candidates%202022.pdf)">https://documents.epo.org/projects/babylon/eponot.nsf/0/0EBC9DA304DF20A4C125868100424C67/$FILE/Instructions%20to%20candidates%202022.pdf)</a>,
item 8 provided: “Candidates wishing to lodge a complaint concerning the
conduct of the pre-examination or the main examination can do so <b><span style="color: #c00000;">at the latest by the end of the day on which the
examination takes place</span></b><span style="color: #c00000;"> </span>by
sending an email with a written statement of the facts to the Examination
Secretariat (helpdesk@eqe.org) and stating their full name and EQEReg number.” </span></span></p></blockquote><p><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">If that is not <o:p></o:p></span>successful</i></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">If neither the "informal" way via the blogs or the formal way via
complaints is not </span>successful<span style="font-family: inherit;"> and the reasoning given in the Examiner’s Report does
not make you reconsider, you may want to <b><span style="color: #990000;">appeal </span></b>if you obtained a FAIL – Art.
24(1) REE. If you do not individually appeal your individual FAIL decision
within the 1-month appeal time limit, the <b><span style="color: #990000;">individual </span></b>FAIL decision in respect of <span style="color: #990000;"><b>your
</b></span>Pre-Exam becomes final and can in principle not be overturned anymore. However,
in some cases, in particular where the appeal was granted quickly by the
Examination Board in interlocutory revision, the neutralization that resulted
from the appeal was applied widely; one should however not rely on this, and it
is recommended to file your individual appeal.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">A notice of appeal including the statement setting out the grounds for
appeal must be filed in writing with the Examination Secretariat <b><span style="color: #990000;">within one month
of the date of notification of the decision</span></b> appealed against – Article 24(2)
REE. The appeal fee must also be paid within the same one month period - Article
24(2) REE. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">Note <a href="https://www.epo.org/law-practice/case-law-appeals/recent/d210036eu1.html" target="_blank">D 36/21</a>, reasons 1.4.2-1.4.3 emphasized that the appeal needs to be filed according to the provisions of Art. 24(2) REE in conjunction with Article 6(1), second sentence, RPDBA, <o:p></o:p></span>which sets out that the appeal "shall be signed by the appellant", and Article 6(2) RPDBA, which stipulates that a "notice of appeal and any written statement setting out the grounds of appeal may be filed by facsimile but<b><span style="color: #990000;"> a signed document reproducing the contents of every such notice and statement shall be filed within two weeks of the receipt of the facsimile</span></b>". "[...] Consequently, the standard means of communication for filing an appeal [...] is an appeal document in paper form signed by the appellant;</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>this document may be sent b<b><span style="color: #990000;">y postal services or delivered by hand to the Secretariat</span></b>. </li><li>Article 6(2) RPDBA provides for the sole exception to this rule, namely the option to file the appeal by fax in due time p<span style="color: #990000;"><b>rovided that the original is subsequently filed within two weeks</b></span>."\</li></ul><div>An appeal filed <b><span style="color: #990000;">solely by email within the time limit is not admissible</span></b> - D 36.21, reason 2.</div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">Note that, if the Board of Appeal allows the appeal, or the appeal is
withdrawn, it shall order reimbursement in full or in part of the fee for
appeal if this is equitable in the circumstances of the case - Article 24(4)
REE. Unfortunately, no information is available (to my knowledge) in the public
documentation woth respect tot he conditions and amounts of the refunds – it is
e.g. not known whether whether the fee will be refunded in full or in (which)
part if the appeal is withdrawn immediately after the EB forwarded the appeal
tot he DBA, or when the DBA issued its preliminary opinion, just before oral
proceedings (if requested), or during oral proceedings but before the decision
is pronounced. Also, there is no public information as to how many appeals are
withdrawn and at which moment; there is also no information published about the
topics that have been raised in appeals that were withdrawn.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">An appeal is examined in two-steps:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="color: #990000;">First, the Examination Board</span></b> (</span>who issued the FAIL decision based on the marking done by the Pre-Exam Committee) will review their decision in view of the arguments submitted.<span style="font-family: inherit;"> If the
Examination Board considers the appeal to be admissible and well-founded, it
shall rectify its decision and order reimbursement of the fee for appeal – Art. 24(3), 1st sentence REE -, i.e. <span style="color: #990000;"><b>interlocutory revision</b></span> is granted. The Examination Board can only consider arguments
based on the grounds that the REE or any provision relating to its application
has been infringed – Art.24(1) REE. Arguments will need to be convincing as the
Examination Board also approved the original answers, so you will need to make
them change their mind. The EB has not indicated what the scope of their
competence and the extent of their examination as to, e.g., substantive
arguments and interpreation is, but it seems that they follow the scheme set
out by the DBA, albeit taking a less strict approach.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">Then, <span style="color: #990000;"><b>if the appeal is not allowed by the EB within two months from
notification of the decision</b></span> -i.e., if the EB did not grant interlocutory
revision-, <b><span style="color: #990000;">it is remitted to the Disciplinary Board of Appeal</span></b> of the EPO – Art.
24(3), 2nd sentence REE. In D 2/12, the DBA gives a nice overview as to how
they apply the principle that appeal may only be on the grounds that the REE or
any provision relating to its application has been infringed – Art.24(1) REE:
their scope is quite limited by, in particular, Art. 24(1) REE and consistent
case law of the DBA. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p><a href="https://www.epo.org/law-practice/case-law-appeals/recent/d210002eu1.html" target="_blank">D 2/12</a> provides the following (emphasis added; line breaks added):</p><p>"3. The appellant requested that the contested decision be set aside. He alleged obvious and serious errors in the assessment of his answers to statement 12.4 in question 12 and statement 19.4 in question 19 of the pre-examination 2021. He essentially argued that in the Examiners' Report - Pre-examination 2021 (hereinafter "the report"), the answers to the statements 12.4 and 19.4 and the reasoning given for them were not correct.</p><p>4. In accordance with <span style="color: #990000;">Article 24(4) REE and the consistent case law of the Disciplinary Board of Appeal</span> (hereinafter "the DBA"), which followed decision D 1/92 (OJ EPO 1993, 357), <b><span style="color: #990000;">decisions of the Examination Board may in principle only be reviewed for the purposes of establishing that they do not infringe the REE, the provisions relating to its application, or higher-ranking law. It is not the function of the DBA to reconsider the entire examination procedure on the merits</span></b>. This is because the Examination Committees and the Examination Board have some latitude in their evaluation which is subject to only limited judicial review by the DBA.<b><span style="color: #990000;"> </span></b></p><p><b><span style="color: #990000;">Only if the appellant can show that the contested decision is based on <i>serious and obvious mistakes</i> can the DBA take this into account.</span></b> </p><p><b><span style="color: #990000;">The alleged mistake must be so obvious that it can be established w<i>ithout reopening the entire marking procedure</i>.</span></b> </p><p>This is for instance the case if an examiner is found to have based his evaluation on <span style="color: #990000;"><b><i>a technically or legally incorrect premise</i></b></span> upon which the contested decision rests (D 2/14). </p><p>Another example of an obvious mistake would be <b><span style="color: #990000;">a question whose wording is <i>ambiguous or incomprehensible</i></span></b> (D 13/02). </p><p><b><span style="color: #990000;">All other claims to the effect that the papers have been marked incorrectly are not the responsibility of the DBA. Value judgments are not, in principle, subject to judicial review </span></b>(see e.g. D 1/92, supra, points 3 to 5 of the Reasons).</p><p>5. This established case law on the limitation of judicial review in relation to the European qualifying examination within the meaning of Article 1(1) REE (hereinafter: "the examination"), <span style="color: #990000;">applies mutatis mutandis to the European qualifying pre-examination (hereinafter "the pre-examination"), just as the provisions of the REE apply mutatis mutandis to the pre-examination pursuant to Article 1(7) REE.</span></p><p>However, insofar as the award of points for the pre-examination paper is based on a pre-determined solution scheme (e.g. a multiple-choice test), the pre-examination leaves no room for discretionary marking. In the pre-examination, candidates are expected to respond to clearly defined statements in a multiple-choice mode, to which they can only answer "True" or "False" by ticking a box; they have no possibility to add any reasons or explanatory notes. Any such indications will not be taken into account (see Instructions for answering the pre-examination paper and marking scheme for the pre-examination 2021, No. 1.(d)). </p><p>The formulation of the facts and the statements to be evaluated in a question are therefore of utmost importance in the pre-examination. <span style="color: #990000;">The questions to be answered and the statements to be evaluated in a multiple-choice test such as the pre-examination shou</span>ld therefore be formulated clearly and unambiguously (see also decisions D 5/16 and D 6/16). </p><p>Therefore, when setting an examination question for the pre-examination, <b><span style="color: #990000;">it must be ensured that only one answer can be given to the respective statement <i><u>when taking an informed and objective view or interpretation</u></i> of the wording of the facts and the respective statements in the question</span></b> (D 15/16, point 2.3 of the Reasons). </p><p>It is thus crucial to formulate the statements in such a way that clearly only one answer, i.e. either "True" or "False", is possible and "correct" under the given circumstances (see also decisions D 5/16 and D 6/16). </p><p>In particular, <span style="color: #990000;">terms and formulations are to be avoided which</span> initially lead the candidates to an interpretation, which, as a result, partly leads them away from the answer and technical and/or legal assessment actually pursued by the authors of the paper, and which thus l<span style="color: #990000;">eads the candidates to considerations and results which do not do justice to the sense and purpose of the pre-examination</span> (see e.g. D 5/16, point 32 of the Reasons; D 6/16, point 19 of the Reasons). </p><p>Contradictory, <span style="color: #990000;"><b>misleading or ambiguously formulated facts and/or statements can have the consequence that candidates judge them differently from the solution scheme of the Examination Board without having the possibility to present a different opinion which is not wrong but justifiable. </b></span></p><p><span style="color: #990000;">Unlike in the examination, such deficiencies in the pre-examination paper can therefore not already be recognised in the course of the correction of the papers and taken into account in the marking, but can only be corrected - if at all - in the course of an appea</span>l (see also D 15/16, point 2.3 of the Reasons). </p><p><span style="color: #990000;">Therefore, in a pre-examination, unclear and confusing facts or statements constitute a serious and obvious mistake</span> (see also D 3/19, point 2.3 of the Reasons with reference to D 13/02, point 4 of the Reasons).</p><p><span style="color: #990000;"><b>However, if a statement is logical and makes sense, so that,<i><u> using common sense,</u></i> it is clear what answer was expected, candidates <i><u>cannot rely on exceptions to the rule or explore alternative interpretations </u></i>with a view to showing that <i><u>a different answer might also be conceivable in specific instances</u></i></b></span> (see e.g. D 5/16, point 33 of the Reasons). </p><p>It follows that in the case of a pre-examination, <span style="color: #990000;">the review requested by the appellant <b>does not concern</b> the question of whether the evaluation of the assessment of the respective statement <b>stricto sensu,</b> i.e. the appellant's assessment of the statement concerned as "True" or "False", is correct. <b>It is rather a <i><u>question of the correct interpretation or the general understanding of the statement concerned, including the facts underlying the pre-examination question and the conclusion to be drawn therefrom</u></i></b> as to whether the statement concerned is clearly to be assessed as "True" or "False". </span></p><p>The assessment itself, i.e. the awarding of points, is then usually carried out on the basis of the simple solution scheme of a multiple-choice test with solution statements that are either "True" or "False", i.e. on a <span style="color: #990000;">completely objective basis </span>(see also decision D 15/16, point 2.2 of the Reasons). […]</p><p>7. However, the Board of Appeal considers that statement 12.4, including the facts underlying the pre-examination question, <span style="color: #990000;">cannot be answered clearly and unambiguously with "False"</span> for the following reasons. […]</p><p>13. In view of the above, the expectation that candidates should be able to derive the clarity of the term "low temperature" in feature (vi) of claim I-8 from the term "high temperature" in feature (ii) of that claim is not considered justifiable by the Board of Appeal. […]</p><p>15. This further reasoning in the report also does not justify that the answer to statement 12.4 can be clearly and unambiguously stated as "False": […]</p><p>17. For the above reasons, th<span style="color: #990000;"><b>e answer "False" cannot be considered to be the only correct answer that can be given to statement 12.4 <i><u>when taking an informed and objective view or interpretation</u></i> of the wording of the facts underlying the pre-examination question 12 and the statement 12.4. </b></span>As a consequence, the question of whether or not statement 12.4 is correct cannot be answered with either "True" or "False" as required by a "multiple-choice" question in the pre-examination.</p><p>18. Since in a pre-examination unclear and confusing facts or statements constitute a serious and obvious mistake, the appeal is well founded and allowable. The further objection concerning statement 19.4 need not be dealt with in this decision. According to Article 24(4), second sentence, REE, the contested decision is to be set aside."</p><p><br /></p><p><b><i>Examples of Pre-Exam appeals and neutralizations (not exhaustive)</i></b></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://documents.epo.org/projects/babylon/eponot.nsf/0/D21CEC56C82B8074C12588240032E24F/$FILE/Pre_ExRep_2022_final.pdf" target="_blank">Examiners' Report - 2022</a>, Pre-Exam 2022, complete Part 3 (Q.11 - Q.15) was immediately neutralized due to a translation error in the German version [005] of the description, second line (It should have read Poly-Y and not Poly-X).<br /><br /></li><li><a href="https://documents.epo.org/projects/babylon/eponot.nsf/0/D21CEC56C82B8074C12588240032E24F/$FILE/Pre_ExRep_2022_final.pdf" target="_blank">Examiners' Report - 2022</a>, Pre-Exam 2022, Part 4: Q.20 was immediately neutralized as the question as presented in Wiseflow to the candidates missed the information in respect of which claim the (cloasest prior art) question had to be assessed.<br /><br /></li><li><a href="https://www.epo.org/law-practice/case-law-appeals/recent/d210002eu1.html" target="_blank">D 2/21</a>, <a href="https://www.epo.org/law-practice/case-law-appeals/recent/d210004eu1.html" target="_blank">D 4/21</a>, <a href="https://www.epo.org/law-practice/case-law-appeals/recent/d210007eu1.html" target="_blank">D 7/21 (EN)</a>, <a href="https://www.epo.org/law-practice/case-law-appeals/recent/d210006du1.html" target="_blank"> D 6/21 (DE)</a>, <a href="https://www.epo.org/law-practice/case-law-appeals/recent/d210005fu1.html" target="_blank">D 5/21</a>, <a href="https://www.epo.org/law-practice/case-law-appeals/recent/d210003fu1.html" target="_blank">D 3/21 (FR)</a> - Pre-Exam 2021, statement 12.4 "Claim I-8 is <u><i>unclear </i></u>due to the use of the term <i><u>low</u></i>": <br />"2. According to the report the question "Claim I-8 is unclear due to the use of the term low" had to be answered "FALSE". However, the Board holds that on the basis of this report the question "Claim I-8 is unclear due to the use of the term low" cannot clearly and unambiguously be answered "FALSE"."; <br />"3. [...] Case Law Book, II.A.3.1 and II.A.6.3.5, according to which "The clarity stipulation under Article 84 EPC 1973 concerned only the claims, and therefore ... required that they be clear in themselves, without there being any need for the skilled person to refer to the description." With regard to this case law there is a strong indication that the appellant's answer "TRUE" to question 12.4 may a priori not be evaluated as incorrect taking into account the examination questions as a whole, hence, a categorically "FALSE"-answer appears not to be justified."<br />"4. The reasoning provided in the report does not justify the "FALSE"-answer either, since it is not comprehensible that "feature (vi) in claim I-8 is clearly distinguished from the term "high" in feature (ii) of claim I-8"."<br />"5. Furthermore, as pointed out in the statement of grounds of appeal, the argumentation in the report "Although broad, the term is not necessarily unclear [GL 2019 F-IV 4.6.1]" explicitly concedes that the statement 12.4 cannot unambiguously be answered as FALSE or as TRUE. "Not necessarily unclear" does not allow an unambiguous clear or unambiguous unclear, which is required for a pre-examination statement (see D 3/19, point 2.3 of the reasons)."<br />"6. The Board also agrees with the appellant that the statement in the report, referring to GL 2019 F-IV 4.6.1, "if a relative term is not the only feature to distinguish the subject- matter of a claim from the prior art", does not allow the conclusion that "the use of the relative term may not be objected to under Article 84 EPC". Rather, the actual text of the GL 2019 F-IV 4.6.1 only states that ...[...] Hence, it is not tenable that the term "low" categorically "may not be objected to" as stated in the report."<br /> </li><li><a href="https://www.epo.org/law-practice/case-law-appeals/recent/d210005fu1.html" target="_blank">D 5/21 (FR)</a> - Pre-Exam 2021, statement 19.4 "Conformément à l'article 123(2) CBE, il y a une base pour modifier comme suit la revendication IV.1 de la demande déposée initialement: [...]" / "Under Article 123(2) EPC, there is basis for amending claim IV.1 of the originally filed application as follows: [...]":<br />"3.6 En ce qui concerne l'omission de la caractéristique 1, c'est à dire l'exigence que les charnières entre les trois sections parallèles de la couverture ne soient pas seulement parallèles entre eux, mais aussi parallèles à la charnière reliant la partie de couverture et la partie de réception, <a href="https://documents.epo.org/projects/babylon/eponot.nsf/0/8298DC45DE6A404AC12586AF00428C17/$FILE/ExRep_PreEx2021_EN_.pdf" target="_blank">le rapport des Examinateurs</a> ne donne aucune explication pourquoi cette omission serait conforme à l'article 123 (2) CBE. La Chambre considère qu'il est acceptable et justifié de soutenir que la caractéristique 1 se rapporte uniquement au deuxième mode de réalisation de l'invention et est liée de façon inextricable à la caractéristique extraite du paragraphe [05]. En effet, selon le paragraphe [05] les trois sections parallèles ne doivent pas seulement êtres plates et rigides, mais aussi parallèles à la charnière reliant la partie de couverture et la partie de réception afin de pouvoir former un prisme triangulaire qui peut servir de support incliné à la partie de réception. Par conséquent, la caractéristique 1 ne pourrait pas être omise sans enfreindre l'article 123 (2) CBE. L'affirmation 19.4 peut donc être considérée comme fausse."<br /><br /></li><li><a href="https://documents.epo.org/projects/babylon/eponot.nsf/0/8298DC45DE6A404AC12586AF00428C17/$FILE/ExRep_PreEx2021_EN_.pdf" target="_blank">Examiner’s Report 2021</a>: Q.10 was immediately neutralized due to an erroneous wording in the question introduced by a late amendment to the question. The issue was widely spotted and reported and no appeals were necessary.<br /> </li><li><a href="https://www.epo.org/law-practice/case-law-appeals/recent/d190003eu1.html" target="_blank">D 3/19</a>, Pre-Exam 2019, statement 4.1 "If Didier files the application in Dutch, he <u><i>must </i></u>file a translation into one of the EPO's official languages within two months of filing the application.”: The Appeal Board agrees with the appellant that the term "must" in the first statement leads to ambiguity. It is not clear whether or not this term implies that the direct consequence of failure to observe the time limit is a loss of rights that can be remedied under Article 121 or 122 EPConly.</li></ul><p></p><ul><li><a href="https://documents.epo.org/projects/babylon/eponot.nsf/0/91790E61546CFE5BC12582580032256A/$File/ExRep_PreEx_June2018.pdf" target="_blank">Examiner’s Report - 2018</a>, Pre-Exam 2018, statement 5.3: The Examiner’s Report as amended after interlocutory revision of Pre-Exam appeals indicates: “In view of arguments raised on appeal it appears that the statement 5.3 could be understood as referring to the concept of “entry” versus “early entry” into the European phase with regard to 26 February 2018. This would additionally require the lifting of the processing ban before the 31-month time limit has expired by filing a request for early entry (cf. GL E-IX, 2.8 and OJ EPO 2013, 156). Thus in view of this interpretation it was decided to neutralise the statement 5.3 and award marks for both answers.." <br /><br /></li><li><a href="https://documents.epo.org/projects/babylon/eponot.nsf/0/91790E61546CFE5BC12582580032256A/$File/ExRep_PreEx_June2018.pdf" target="_blank">Examiner’s Report - 2018</a>, Pre-Exam 2018, statements 12.2 and 12.4 were immediately neutralized. <br /><br /></li><li><a href="https://documents.epo.org/projects/babylon/eponot.nsf/0/91790E61546CFE5BC12582580032256A/$File/ExRep_PreEx_June2018.pdf" target="_blank">Examiner’s Report - 2018</a>, Pre-Exam 2018, statement 13.1: Initially, the Examiner’s Report indicated False (indicating that "the dependency of claim II.3 is not correct (Article 84 EPC). Claim II.3 should be dependent only on claim II.1"). The Examiner's Report was revised after interlocutory revision to neutralize statement 13.1, including revised comments, and indicating "In view of these arguments both possible answers are considered to be correct. For this reason it was exceptionally decided to award marks for both answers."<br /><br /></li><li><a href="https://www.epo.org/law-practice/case-law-appeals/recent/d170001eu1.html" target="_blank">D 1/17</a> (EN), <a href="https://www.epo.org/law-practice/case-law-appeals/recent/d170002du1.html" target="_blank">D 2/17</a> (DE), Pre-Exam 2017, statement 18.4: "2. It is undisputed and also admitted in the Examiner's Report that there is a 'slight difference' of the German language version compared to the French and English version in the third sentence of paragraph [003] of document D2.", "4. When resorting to the German version the Candidate in an attempt to solve any possible ambiguity emanating from the English and French versions could consider that the vibrations of the melody could be independent and not generated via the loudspeaker. A Candidate resorting only to the English or French version was therefore provided with different information compared to Candidates also referring to the German version."<br /> </li><li><a href="https://www.epo.org/law-practice/case-law-appeals/recent/d160001du1.html" target="_blank">D 1/16</a> (DE), <a href="https://www.epo.org/law-practice/case-law-appeals/recent/d160002du1.html" target="_blank">D 2/16</a> (DE), <u><a href="https://www.epo.org/law-practice/case-law-appeals/recent/d160004eu1.html" target="_blank">D 4/16</a> (EN)</u>, statement 5.4: German version different from English version; definite article ("<i><u>der </u></i>Vertreter") vs indefinite article ("<i><u>a </u></i>representative"): "3. The definite article "der" before "Vertreter" refers in this context to a specific individual. Contrary to the note of the Examination Board in its letter dated 15 June 2016, the definite article in the context of statement 5.4 cannot be interpreted in a generalised sense as "representatives in general". With regard to Rule 22(3) IPREE, which applies analogously to the pre-examination, the words "der Vertreter" can only be seen as a reference to the representative Hassan indicated in the introductory case."</li><li><a href="https://www.epo.org/law-practice/case-law-appeals/recent/d160006eu1.html" target="_blank">D 6/16</a> and <a href="https://www.epo.org/law-practice/case-law-appeals/recent/d160010du1.html" target="_blank">D 10/16</a> were <b>not </b>successful. D 6/16: "3. The appellant's submissions regarding the alleged mistakes would require an in-depth review of the content of the examination material. In order to establish whether the alleged mistakes actually occurred, the board in fact would have to review if not all, then at least a substantial part of the examination paper and the corresponding part of Examiner's Report. The board would have to perform a detailed, partly technical analysis of the facts presented, e.g. of the description and the drawings of the client's European patent application, of the statements as such or of the claims and the state of the art mentioned in the statements. Therefore, the subject of the review requested in the present appeal appears to be the 'correct' interpretation of the contested statements for the assessment in the examination paper, and equally the examination of the corresponding solutions in the Examiner's report as to their correctness. Thus, an examination of the lines of argument put forward by the appellant would result in an exercise which obviously could not be carried out without a value judgment. In the board's view, the assessment of claim features on the one hand and their comparison with technical details of the disclosed invention and the prior art documents on the other hand would be such a value judgment, which inevitably would have to be based on at least a significant portion of the facts presented in the examination paper."<br />"4. However, in accordance with the consistent jurisprudence of the Disciplinary Board of Appeal,<b> <span style="color: #990000;">value judgments are not, in principle, subject to judicial review</span></b> (see Case Law of the Boards of Appeal, 8th Edition 2016, Chapter V.2.6.3). The board considers that this settled jurisprudence of the Disciplinary Boards of Appeal is also applicable to appeals concerning the pre-examination. This is so even though the marking of the papers, the latter being understood as the according of the marks on the basis of the answers, is hardly ever in dispute, given the simple marking scheme of a multiple choice test where the answers are merely 'True' or 'False', so that their evaluation is straightforward and objective. However, the review requested in the present case is clearly not directed to the marking itself, but to the content of the pre-examination as presented to the candidates. <span style="color: #990000;">As explained above, deciding on the issues raised by the appellant (the application as filed and interpretation of the terms therein, analysis of claims and their scope in relation to novelty, extended subject-matter and choice of closest prior art) would result in an exercise which appears to be well beyond the powers of the board, as this would in fact be tantamount to reviewing the substantive content of the examination material</span>."<br /><br /></li><li><a href="https://www.epo.org/law-practice/case-law-appeals/recent/d150002du1.html" target="_blank">D 2/15</a> (DE), Pre-Exam 2015, statements 16.3, 20.4 and 5.2 <b>not </b>successful<br /><br /></li><li><a href="https://documents.epo.org/projects/babylon/eponot.nsf/0/2C84373E123C6347C1257E0D0030F12A/$File/ExReport_Pre_2015.pdf" target="_blank">Examiner's Report 2015</a>, statement 20.2 was neutralized: "The formulation of 20.2 was however unnecessarily complex. Just by using the expression “D2 could be replaced by” instead of “D2 could replace” the solution would become “True”, since there is no teaching that solid wood could be replaced by the material of D1. For this reason, it is exceptionally decided to award marks for the answer “True” as well."<br /> </li><li><a href="https://documents.epo.org/projects/babylon/eponot.nsf/0/2C84373E123C6347C1257E0D0030F12A/$File/AddendumPreEx2015.pdf" target="_blank">Pre-Exam 2015, addendum to the Examiner's Report</a>: the Examination Board allowed interlocutory revision in appeals based on 15.2 and 17.3. The EB informed the appellants at the end of March and this addendum was published on the Compendium pages,statements 15.2 and 17.3: <br />"Since it can be argued (as it was done in some appeals) that the disclosure of D1 may not be sufficient for the candidate to conclude that cardboard generally comprises wood fibres, it was decided to award marks also for the answer “True” in statement 15.2 and for the answer “False” in statement 17.3 to the appellants (Art. 24(3) of the Regulation on the EQE for professional representatives). In addition, also candidates who did not file an appeal on this issue but in the light of these considerations would have passed, were upgraded and were informed accordingly."</li> <li><a href="https://www.epo.org/law-practice/case-law-appeals/recent/d140002du1.html" target="_blank">D 2/14</a> (DE), <a href="https://www.epo.org/law-practice/case-law-appeals/recent/d140003eu1.html" target="_blank">D 3/14</a> (EN), <a href="https://www.epo.org/law-practice/case-law-appeals/recent/d140004fu1.html" target="_blank">D 4/14</a> (FR), D 5/14 (DE), D 6/14 (DE), Pre-Exam 2014, statement 10.4: <br />"6. [...] Consequently, <span style="color: #990000;">the examiner's evaluation of the examination papers rests upon a question that cannot, upon an objective reading, be derived from statement </span>10.4 of the pre-examination 2014."';"7. T<span style="color: #990000;">he appellant's understanding of statement 10.4 of question 10, on the basis of which she arrived at her answer, is<b> justified from an objective point of view</b></span>. [...] As a consequence, the answer to statement 10.4 was "false" and not "true" as indicated in the Examiner's Report for the pre-examination 2014. The discrepancy between the question underlying statement 10.4 and the expected answer according to the Examiner's Report was thus to the disadvantage of the appellant."; "8. As a result, the examiners of Examination Committee IV have based their evaluation of the pre-examination 2014 on an incorrect premise, since the Examiner's Report for that examination was based with respect to statement 10.4 on a different question from that inferable from said statement on an objective reading. <span style="color: #990000;">Therefore, the contested decision is based on serious and obvious mistakes which can be established without reopening the entire marking procedure</span>. The appeal is thus well founded and allowable. According to Article 24(4) REE, the contested decision has to be set aside and the appeal fee reimbursed."<br />The DBA also commented on the need to get to a quick decision by interlocatory revision in clear and unequivocal cases:<br />"9. Pursuant to Article 24(3) REE, the department whose decision was contested (in the present case the Examination Board) must rectify its decision if it considers the relevant requirements to be fulfilled. This also means that<span style="color: #990000;"> the Examination Board is obliged to assess carefully whether or not these requirements are met before deciding to grant or refuse rectification and, in the latter case, referring the matter to the board of appeal</span> (D 38/05 of 17 January 2007, point 3 of the Reasons; D 4/06 of 29. November 2006, point 3 of the Reasons). <span style="color: #990000;">In clear and unequivocal cases, rectification is a quick and simple way of cancelling flawed decisions and spares the parties the cost, in time and money, of appeal proceedings.</span> Rectification is thus in the public interest and in particular in the interest of the appellant (D 38/05 of 17 January 2007, point 2 of the Reasons; D 4/06 of 29. November 2006, point 2 of the Reasons). <span style="color: #990000;">Having regard to the obvious discrepancy between the question underlying statement 10.4 and the expected answer according to the Examiner's Report, <b>rectification (Article 24(3) REE) was warranted in the present case, </b>especially in view of the fact that candidates who apply to sit the European qualifying examination must first pass the pre-examination (Article 11(7), last sentence, REE).</span>"</li></ul><p></p><p><span><i>Decision <a href="https://www.epo.org/law-practice/case-law-appeals/recent/d210002eu1.html" target="_blank">D 2/21 of 3.2.2022</a></i></span><span><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"> (<a href="https://www.epo.org/law-practice/case-law-appeals/pdf/d210002eu1.pdf" target="_blank">pdf</a></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">) has European Case Law Ide<span style="font-family: inherit;">ntifier: </span></span></i></span><i>ECLI:EP:BA:2022:D000221.20220203</i><span><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">. </span></i></span><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Photo</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"> "Red flags" by </span><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/nahemoth/" target="_blank">=Nahemoth=</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"> </span></i><i>obtained </i><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">via <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/nahemoth/13375414053/in/photolist-mnWuB8-2bqrasJ-2ghe1H8-2ggonkt-XdyEn1-2kM4WqN-2jt8tNP-2hbDBbs-2kQPAic-5emhrz-2g8JgqN-5fJymx-5dRQ1K-2kVbxhn-2kKkqex-51Z6NW-2hxAasn-KhD675-2huUvQQ-7dMwRA-2iNCK9z-2bXKRhj-6ryvHF-gx4u61-2cL4uDU-2a4TEBd-QGPjLN-4d9rG-P5f7sP-2iAsNNL-f6VZrp-2bHSLb9-2cKwZTC-XzfzRc-dijo9-4m3Nm9-2cQpg4n-gx52gD-WxW7ng-2mipx3U-51SQcN-2g935Pf-L14yrB-N7Lf2T-2m8fDDt-2khrk4Y-2mZDxSf-2ktVoqd-2j3Qrkq-SgUH9L" target="_blank">Flickr</a></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/nahemoth/13375414053/in/photolist-mnWuB8-2bqrasJ-2ghe1H8-2ggonkt-XdyEn1-2kM4WqN-2jt8tNP-2hbDBbs-2kQPAic-5emhrz-2g8JgqN-5fJymx-5dRQ1K-2kVbxhn-2kKkqex-51Z6NW-2hxAasn-KhD675-2huUvQQ-7dMwRA-2iNCK9z-2bXKRhj-6ryvHF-gx4u61-2cL4uDU-2a4TEBd-QGPjLN-4d9rG-P5f7sP-2iAsNNL-f6VZrp-2bHSLb9-2cKwZTC-XzfzRc-dijo9-4m3Nm9-2cQpg4n-gx52gD-WxW7ng-2mipx3U-51SQcN-2g935Pf-L14yrB-N7Lf2T-2m8fDDt-2khrk4Y-2mZDxSf-2ktVoqd-2j3Qrkq-SgUH9L" target="_blank"> </a>under </span><a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank">CC BY 2.0 license</a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> (no changes made).<br /></span></i><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://www.epo.org/law-practice/case-law-appeals/recent/d210004eu1.html" target="_blank">D 4/21</a> (in English) and <a href="https://www.epo.org/law-practice/case-law-appeals/recent/d210006du1.html" target="_blank">D 6/21</a> (in German) have substantially the same content.</span></i></p><p><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Posted 9/2/2022; Updated 10/2/22 in view of D 4/21 and D 6/21; Updated 14/2/2022 in view of D 5/21 (12.4 & 19.4); Updated 19/2/2022 in view of D 7/21 (12.4); Updated 24/2/2022 in view of D 3/21 (12.4); Updated 25/4/2022 in view of Examiners' Report 2022 (Q.11-15, Q.20); updated 16/11/2022 in view of D 36/21 (how to file an appeal); updated 20/12/22 in view of Instructions to the candidates for EQE 2023 (amended compared to EQE 2022 version).</span></i></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Roel van Woudenberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15823355175016282250noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-584401433841434859.post-11503577709586408452022-01-27T14:25:00.005+01:002022-02-07T08:43:52.392+01:00 Planning to sit Pre-Exam 2023: Enrolment possible from 1 Feb until 16 May 2022<p>If you plan to sit the Pre-Exam 2023, be aware that enrolment opened on 1 February 2022 and that <span style="color: #990000;"><b>the enrolment deadline</b></span><b><span style="color: #990000;"> is 16 May 2022. </span></b></p><p>Note that for a first time enrolment to the pre-examination candidates must have registered at the latest by 15 January 2022 (see the <a href="https://www.epo.org/learning/eqe/registration.html" target="_blank">EQE registration webpage</a> and our <a href="http://pre-exam.blogspot.com/2021/12/planning-to-sit-pre-exam-2023-deadline.html" target="_blank">earlier blog post</a>).</p><p>Please refer to the <a href="https://www.epo.org/learning/eqe/enrolment.html" target="_blank">EQE enrolment webpage</a> for details.</p><p>Also refer to <a href="https://www.epo.org/law-practice/legal-texts/official-journal/2022/01/a12.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #990000;">OJ 2022, A12</span></b> "Announcement of the European qualifying examination 2023 - Pre-examination and main examination"</a></p>Roel van Woudenberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15823355175016282250noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-584401433841434859.post-84228038318828441532021-12-17T08:53:00.004+01:002021-12-17T08:55:03.834+01:00Planning to sit Pre-Exam 2023: Deadline for compulsory registration prior to first-time enrolment is 15 January 2022!!<p><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: inherit;">Candidates wishing to enrol for the pre-examination 2023 for the first time must have completed a total period as defined in Article 11(2)(a) REE of at least two years by 1 March 2023.</span></p><p class="DOC4NET2_EPOP1" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Candidates who have passed the pre-examination and wish to enrol for the main examination for the first time must at the date of the examination have completed a total period as defined in Article 11(2)(a) REE of at least three years.</span></p><p class="DOC4NET2_EPOP1" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em; padding: 0px;"><b style="background-color: transparent; color: #990000; font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">B</span>e reminded that c<span>andidates must <a href="https://www.epo.org/learning/eqe/registration.html" target="_blank">register </a>once they have commenced their professional training (<a href="https://www.epo.org/law-practice/legal-texts/official-journal/2019/etc/se2/p2.html" target="_blank">Article 11(2) REE</a>; <a href="https://www.epo.org/law-practice/legal-texts/official-journal/2019/etc/se2/p18.html" target="_blank">Rule 28 IPREE</a>).</span></b></p><p class="DOC4NET2_EPOP1" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="color: #990000;">Enrolment to the <u>pre-examination 2023</u></span></b><span style="color: #333333;"> will </span><b><span style="color: #990000;">only be possible</span></b><span style="color: #333333;"> for candidates who have registered </span><b><span style="color: #990000;">by <u>15 January 2022</u> at the latest </span></b><span style="color: #333333;">(see Notice of the Examination Secretariat </span><a href="https://www.epo.org/law-practice/legal-texts/official-journal/2018/11/a99.html" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url("/modules/epogui/images/icon_sprite.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0b2a43; cursor: pointer;">OJ EPO 2018, A99</a><span style="color: #333333;">).</span></span></p><p class="DOC4NET2_EPOP1" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em; padding: 0px;"><span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p class="DOC4NET2_EPOP1" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">With their application, candidates declare that the information they have provided is true and accurate and notably that they will have completed the required period of professional activity by the date of the examination.</span></p><p class="DOC4NET2_EPOP1" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Candidates who have already been admitted to the EQE (pre- or main examination) are already registered and therefore do not need to register again even if they have not yet sat an examination paper.</span></p><p class="DOC4NET2_EPOP1" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em; padding: 0px;"><b><span style="color: #990000;">Registration can be done via</span><span style="color: #333333;"> h</span><a href="ttps://www.epo.org/learning/eqe/registration.html" style="color: #333333;">ttps://www.epo.org/learning/eqe/registration.html</a><span style="color: #333333;">.</span></b></p><p class="DOC4NET2_EPOP1" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em; padding: 0px;">After your registration has been accepted, can enrol to the Pre-Ezxam. The opening and closure dates for enrolment are not yet known, but enrolment for the Pre-Exam of EQE 2023 is expected to be possible in May and June 2022 (if a similar time schedule is followed as for Pre-Exam2022) - please monitor the <a href=" https://www.epo.org/learning/eqe/enrolment.html" target="_blank">Enrolment page</a> and <a href="https://www.epo.org/learning/eqe.html" target="_blank">the EQE website</a>.</p><p class="DOC4NET2_EPOP1" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333;">Please note that there are </span><span style="color: #990000;"><b>no remedies</b></span><span style="color: #333333;"> for missing the registration deadline, nor for missing the enrolment deadline.</span></p>Roel van Woudenberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15823355175016282250noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-584401433841434859.post-82028599223291389052021-11-25T15:06:00.007+01:002022-09-28T14:53:27.635+02:00Pre-Exam Mock under exam conditions on 7 December 2021 - and on 3 February 2022<p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">A mock Pre-Exam under exam conditions will be available on 7 December 2021, based on the exam of 2019. See also</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"> </span><a href="http://eqe-deltapatents.blogspot.com/2021/08/detailed-time-schedule-eqe-2022.html" style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;" target="_blank">here</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">Note that the Mock Pre-Exam paper may not include calendars - you can take them from the Pre-Exam 2019 Compendium <a href="https://documents.epo.org/projects/babylon/eponot.nsf/0/4177da9a2a79e7ddc125837f004100d9/$FILE/PreEx_2019_en_Calendar.pdf" target="_blank">here</a>.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><i>Update 14/1/2022</i>: Pre-Exam candidates have been informed by the EQE secretariat that: </span></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">"A further </span><a name="EPOSignatureCopy"><span lang="EN-US">mock flow is offered </span></a><a name="EPOSignatureCopy"><span lang="EN-US">on <b><span style="color: #990000;">3 February 2022 between 9:30 and 17:30 CET</span> </b>under</span></a><a name="EPOSignatureCopy"></a><a name="EPOSignatureCopy"><span lang="EN-US"> examination-like conditions<b> </b>to test your equipment and settings (e.g. camera and microphone). <br /><b><span style="color: #990000;">For those who have not yet done such a test, please note that this one is indispensable before sitting the EQE.</span>"</b> </span></a></p></blockquote><p><a name="EPOSignatureCopy"><span lang="EN-US">(See below for the full message)</span></a></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Note that the Mock Pre-Exam paper may not include calendars - you can take them from the Pre-Exam 2021 Compendium <a href="https://documents.epo.org/projects/babylon/eponot.nsf/0/9C5C649FDD5D844BC12586650030DE72/$FILE/Calendars_PreExam_EN.pdf" target="_blank">here</a>.</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">You will not receive calendars with the actual Pre-Exam 2022. In the actual exam E</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">QE 2022 the basis for calculating time limits are the days on which the EPO filing offices are closed as published in the Official Journal. Candidates are encouraged to have the closing days of 2020, 2021 and 2022 at hand during the examination, as wella s a list of Saturdays and Sundays in these years. No calendars will be provided with the examination papers. See </span><a href="http://eqe-deltapatents.blogspot.com/2021/11/calendars-for-eqe-2022.html#more" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank">here</a><span style="font-family: inherit;">.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="color: #990000;">Please feel invited to post your experiences with the Mock and the platform, comments and tips</span></b> as comments to this blog. It is appreciated if you use your name or a nickname in your post, for easy reference (you can use the Anonymous option and close the message with your name, or use the google account or name option).</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span></span></span></p><a name='more'></a><i style="font-family: inherit;">Update 14/1/2022: </i><p></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">The message from the EQE secretariat informing candidates about the Mock on 3 Feb 2022 (emphasis added):</span></p><p><a name="EPOSignatureCopy" style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-US">"Please
be informed that a further mock flow is offered<b> </b>on<span style="color: #990000;"> </span><b>3 February 2022
between 9:30 and 17:30 CET </b><span style="color: #990000;">under <b>examination-like conditions <u>to test
your equipment and settings</u> (e.g. camera and microphone)</b>.</span> <b>For those who have
not yet done such a test, please note that this one is indispensable before
sitting the EQE.</b></span></a></p><span style="font-family: inherit;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #990000;">It will contain part 3 of the pre-examination 2021 only</span>. <i>[Note from the blog editor: the main purpose os to test the equipment; if you want to practice the exam, use the set of 4 currently available flows comprising the full pre-examination 2021 that has no proctoring and no chat.]</i><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><b><span style="color: #990000;">The mock is with video and audio surveillance and you will also be able
to try the integrated chat widget. </span></b>Human invigilation will however be very
limited.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="mso-bookmark: EPOSignatureCopy;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">When taking the entry image at the start of the flow, you must hold your
valid ID card or passport into the camera, next to your face.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="mso-bookmark: EPOSignatureCopy;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The participant password is: abc<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="mso-bookmark: EPOSignatureCopy;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Candidates are advised to strictly follow the recommendations of
WISEflow when setting up their equipment.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="mso-bookmark: EPOSignatureCopy;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">For your convenience, we repeat some useful links:<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><span style="mso-bookmark: EPOSignatureCopy;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">WISEflow recommendations for the configuration of
the environment for the upcoming EQE: </span></span><a href="https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fepo-wiseflow.ladesk.com%2F772936-Lockdown-computer-recommendations&data=04%7C01%7Cj.pet%40aomb.nl%7C180d58f9ddea4b77dc6108d9d6c8a591%7Cbfd2356bf90f489596a6cc23604609d8%7C1%7C0%7C637776979613160073%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000&sdata=Z3m9xotzSNkoYz2XXkkE1Ve5WcUdNmsBS4SFhHojRHE%3D&reserved=0"><span style="mso-bookmark: EPOSignatureCopy;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">https://epo-wiseflow.ladesk.com/772936-Lockdown-computer-recommendations</span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: EPOSignatureCopy;"></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: EPOSignatureCopy;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><span style="mso-bookmark: EPOSignatureCopy;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">documentation on the examination system (user
guides, troubleshooting, etc) available on the dedicated </span></span><a href="https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwiseflow.zendesk.com%2Fhc%2Fen-gb%2Fcategories%2F4405644298386-Participant&data=04%7C01%7Cj.pet%40aomb.nl%7C180d58f9ddea4b77dc6108d9d6c8a591%7Cbfd2356bf90f489596a6cc23604609d8%7C1%7C0%7C637776979613160073%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000&sdata=GYQ%2FDVGuly2xhtrD89w30HOuBe48R8CidxxNhx0FJaw%3D&reserved=0"><span style="mso-bookmark: EPOSignatureCopy;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">WISEflow website</span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: EPOSignatureCopy;"></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: EPOSignatureCopy;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">.<o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
</ul>
<span style="mso-bookmark: EPOSignatureCopy;"></span>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Please be reminded that the
currently available mock flows will remain open until <b>6 March 2022</b>."</span></p><br /></span><p></p>Roel van Woudenberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15823355175016282250noreply@blogger.com13