European Patent Office

T 0132/02 (Management pattern/IBM) of 21.06.2005

European Case Law Identifier
ECLI:EP:BA:2005:T013202.20050621
Date of decision
21 June 2005
Case number
T 0132/02
Petition for review of
-
Application number
95304215.7
IPC class
G06K 7/14
Language of proceedings
English
Distribution
Distributed to board chairmen (C)
OJ versions
No OJ links found
Other decisions for this case
-
Abstracts for this decision
-
Application title
Two dimensional management pattern
Applicant name
International Business Machines Corporation
Opponent name
-
Board
3.5.01
Headnote
-
Keywords
Functional features in product claims
Catchword
A functional feature in a product claim should be construed as an implicit definition of those structural features which are necessary to achieve a particular effect when the product is used or applied in accordance with the teaching inherent in the claim; the effect to be achieved and the use should be disclosed in the application. The capability of attaining such a particular effect may thus be considered as an implicit feature of the product itself, even if the realization of the particular effect requires a particular use or interaction with another product, system or apparatus, provided that such use or interaction are disclosed in the application.
Cited cases
T 1194/97
Citing cases
-

ORDER

For these reasons it is decided that:

1. The decision under appeal is set aside.

2. The case is remitted to the department of first instance for further prosecution.