2.1.1 Principles

The wording of Art. 76(1) EPC and the wording of Art. 123(2) EPC is so similar (in all three languages) that it is clear that exactly the same principles are to be applied for both types of cases when determining what extends beyond the content of the earlier application (G 1/05 date: 2007-06-28, OJ 2008, 271). The mere fact that the wording of the French version differs (Art. 76(1), second sentence, EPC: "éléments"; Art. 123(2) EPC: "objet") does not justify a different interpretation (T 276/97). The case law on added subject-matter is summarised in chapter II.E.1.

Article 76(1) and Art. 123(2) EPC have the same purpose, i.e. to create a fair balance between the interests of applicants and patentees, on the one hand, and competitors and other third parties on the other. The idea underlying these provisions is that an applicant should not be allowed to improve their position by adding subject-matter not disclosed in the application as filed, which would give them an unwarranted advantage and could be damaging to the legal security of third parties relying on the content of the original application (G 1/93, OJ 1994, 541; T 873/94, OJ 1997, 456; T 276/97, T 701/97). Both Art. 76(1) EPC 1973 and Art. 123(2) EPC 1973 enshrine the principle that before grant the legal security of third parties is sufficiently protected by the prohibition of extending the content of the application by amendment beyond what was originally disclosed (T 1387/05). Since the underlying requirements of Art. 123(2) and 76(1) EPC are the same, there is no harm done if the examining division incorrectly refers to Art. 123(2) EPC (instead of Art. 76(1) EPC) when refusing a divisional application on the grounds that its subject-matter extended beyond the parent application (T 542/94).