II. Patent application and amendments

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II. Patent application and amendments
B. Unity of invention

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B. Unity of invention

Overview

B. Unity of invention

2.Unity in the context of different types of claims: 2.1.Plurality of independent claims
2.2.Dependent claims
2.3.Intermediate products
3.Assessing lack of unity of invention: 3.1.General approach – content of claims
3.2.Assessment of lack of unity at the search stage
3.3.Assessment of lack of unity and of requests for refund of further search fees in examination proceedings
3.4.No assessment of lack of unity in opposition proceedings
4.Criteria for determining lack of unity: 4.1.Analysis of the technical problem as a precondition
4.2.Examination as to novelty and inventive step
5.The single general inventive concept: 5.1.General
5.2.Special technical features and inventive character of the single general concept
5.3.Unity of single claims defining alternatives ("Markush claims")
6.Plurality of inventions – further search fees: 6.1.Consequences of non-payment of a further search fee
6.2.Euro-PCT applications
6.3.Applicability of Rule 64, (former) Rule 164(2) EPC or Rule 137(5) EPC
6.4.Dispensing with further search fees

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