Chapter IV – Claims (Art. 84 and formal requirements)
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  7. 4. Clarity and interpretation of claims
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4. Clarity and interpretation of claims

Overview

4. Clarity and interpretation of claims 

4.1 Clarity
4.2 Interpretation
4.3 Inconsistencies
4.4 General statements, "spirit of the invention", claim-like clauses
4.5 Essential features
4.6 Relative terms
4.7 Terms such as "about", "approximately" or "substantially"
4.8 Trade marks
4.9 Optional features
4.10 Result to be achieved
4.11 Parameters
4.12 Product-by-process claim
4.13 Interpretation of expressions stating a purpose
4.14 Definition by reference to (use with) another entity
4.15 The expression "in"
4.16 Use claims
4.17 References to the description or drawings
4.18 Reference signs
4.19 Negative limitations (e.g. disclaimers)
4.20 "Comprising" vs "consisting of"
4.21 Functional definition of a pathological condition
4.22 Broad claims
4.23 Order of claims
4.24 Interpretation of terms such as identity and similarity in relation to amino or nucleic acid sequences
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