Part II – Substantive patent law
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Chapter I – Patentability

Overview

Article 5646
Inventive step

16th edition: this version presents the text in force on 1 July 2020.

An invention shall be considered as involving an inventive step if, having regard to the state of the art, it is not obvious to a person skilled in the art. If the state of the art also includes documents within the meaning of Article 54, paragraph 3, these documents shall not be considered in deciding whether there has been an inventive step.


46See the decisions/opinions of the Enlarged Board of Appeal G 2/98, G 3/98, G 2/99, G 1/03, G 2/03, G 1/16 (Annex I).

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EPC - Reference
  • Art. 52, 100, 138
    R. 30, 42, 61
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