T 0426/88 (Combustion engine) vom 09.11.1990

1. When books, representing common general knowledge, describe a basic general technical theory or methodology and exemplify the same with specific applications in certain technical fields only, these do not limit the general scope and relevance of such disclosures so as to exclude possible applications in other fields.

2. Furthermore, it is also the view of the Board that the language of publication alone cannot be decisive for the admissibility of a technical book representing the common general knowledge of the skilled person. Otherwise, there would be a differentiation between skilled persons according to their nationality as regards their knowledge, which would be against the objective assessment of the inventive step and be prejudicial to equal treatment.