欧州特許条約（EPC）の研究(優先権主張)(5/8) [欧州特許実務(EP practices)]
欧州特許条約（ＥＰＣ）：優先権の主張
EPC2000（EPC改正条約：2007年12月13日に施行）により条文が（位置などを含めて）かなり変わったので、復習の意味を込めて目を通しておく。
European Patent Convention (EPC)
Rule 52
Declaration of priority
優先権の主張
(1) The declaration of priority referred to in Article 88, paragraph 1, shall indicate the date of the previous filing, the State party to the Paris Convention or Member of the World Trade Organization in or for which it was made and the file number. In the case referred to in Article 87, paragraph 5, the first sentence shall apply mutatis mutandis.
ＥＰＣ出願において優先権主張を行なうためには、出願日、出願がなされたパリ同盟国またはＷＴＯ加盟国の国名、および出願番号の特定が必要。
(2) The declaration of priority shall preferably be made on filing the European patent application. It may still be made within sixteen months from the earliest priority date claimed.
優先権主張は、「好ましくは」ＥＰＣ出願時に行なう。
最先の出願日より１６か月以内であれば、優先権の主張は可能である。
(3) The applicant may correct the declaration of priority within sixteen months from the earliest priority date claimed, or, where the correction would cause a change in the earliest priority date claimed, within sixteen months from the corrected earliest priority date, whichever sixteen-month period expires first, provided that such a correction may be submitted until the expiry of four months from the date of filing accorded to the European patent application.
(4) However, a declaration of priority may not be made or corrected after a request under Article 93, paragraph 1(b), has been filed.
一定要件の下に、優先権主張の訂正が認められる。
(5) The particulars of the declaration of priority shall appear in the published European patent application and the European patent specification.
優先権の主張については、公開公報、公開特許明細書に記載される。
[弁理士TY]
EPC2000（EPC改正条約：2007年12月13日に施行）により条文が（位置などを含めて）かなり変わったので、復習の意味を込めて目を通しておく。
European Patent Convention (EPC)
Rule 52
Declaration of priority
優先権の主張
(1) The declaration of priority referred to in Article 88, paragraph 1, shall indicate the date of the previous filing, the State party to the Paris Convention or Member of the World Trade Organization in or for which it was made and the file number. In the case referred to in Article 87, paragraph 5, the first sentence shall apply mutatis mutandis.
ＥＰＣ出願において優先権主張を行なうためには、出願日、出願がなされたパリ同盟国またはＷＴＯ加盟国の国名、および出願番号の特定が必要。
(2) The declaration of priority shall preferably be made on filing the European patent application. It may still be made within sixteen months from the earliest priority date claimed.
優先権主張は、「好ましくは」ＥＰＣ出願時に行なう。
最先の出願日より１６か月以内であれば、優先権の主張は可能である。
(3) The applicant may correct the declaration of priority within sixteen months from the earliest priority date claimed, or, where the correction would cause a change in the earliest priority date claimed, within sixteen months from the corrected earliest priority date, whichever sixteen-month period expires first, provided that such a correction may be submitted until the expiry of four months from the date of filing accorded to the European patent application.
(4) However, a declaration of priority may not be made or corrected after a request under Article 93, paragraph 1(b), has been filed.
一定要件の下に、優先権主張の訂正が認められる。
(5) The particulars of the declaration of priority shall appear in the published European patent application and the European patent specification.
優先権の主張については、公開公報、公開特許明細書に記載される。
[弁理士TY]
欧州特許条約（EPC）の研究(5/7) [欧州特許実務(EP practices)]
欧州特許条約（ＥＰＣ）14条
EPC2000（EPC改正条約：2007年12月13日に施行）により条文が（位置などを含めて）かなり変わったので、復習の意味を込めて目を通しておく。
European Patent Convention (EPC)
Article 14
(1) The official languages of the European Patent Office shall be English, French and German.
欧州特許庁 (European Patent Office：EPO)の公用語(official language)を、英語、フランス語、ドイツ語に規定。日本語ＥＰＣ出願が認められるが、公用語での翻訳文の提出が必要。また、ＥＰＣでの手続きは英語、フランス語、ドイツ語で行なう必要がある。
(2) A European patent application shall be filed in one of the official languages or, if filed in any other language, translated into one of the official languages in accordance with the Implementing Regulations. Throughout the proceedings before the European Patent Office, such translation may be brought into conformity with the application as filed. If a required translation is not filed in due time, the application shall be deemed to be withdrawn.
ＥＰＣ出願は公用語はもちろんのこと、「あらゆる言語」での出願が認められる。公用語でない出願の場合はＥＰＣ出願より２か月以内に、公用語のいずれかによる翻訳文を提出する必要がある（規則６（１））。
Rule 6 Filing of translations and reduction of fees
(1) A translation under Article 14, paragraph 2, shall be filed within two months of filing the European patent application.
期限内に翻訳文が提出されない場合は、原則出願は取り下げとみなされることとなっているが（ＥＰＣ14条(2)）、規則57によると、期限内に翻訳文が提出されない場合には審査官の補正命令の対象となる旨が規定されている。規則58によると、補正命令２か月内に翻訳文を提出することが可能である（下記参照）。
Rule 57 Examination as to formal requirements
If the European patent application has been accorded a date of filing, the European Patent Office shall examine, in accordance with Article 90, paragraph 3, whether:
(a) a translation of the application required under Article 14, paragraph 2, or under Rule 40, paragraph 3, second sentence, has been filed in due time;
.....
Rule 58 Correction of deficiencies in the application documents
If the European patent application does not comply with the requirements of Rule 57(a) to (d), (h) and (i), the European Patent Office shall inform the applicant accordingly and invite him to correct the deficiencies noted within two months. The description, claims and drawings may be amended only to an extent sufficient to remedy such deficiencies.
Article 14
(3) The official language of the European Patent Office in which the European patent application is filed or into which it is translated shall be used as the language of the proceedings in all proceedings before the European Patent Office, unless the Implementing Regulations provide otherwise.
出願時または翻訳文提出時に選択された公用語は、手続き言語（the language of the proceedings）となり、原則として途中で変更することはできない。
......
[弁理士TY]
EPC2000（EPC改正条約：2007年12月13日に施行）により条文が（位置などを含めて）かなり変わったので、復習の意味を込めて目を通しておく。
European Patent Convention (EPC)
Article 14
(1) The official languages of the European Patent Office shall be English, French and German.
欧州特許庁 (European Patent Office：EPO)の公用語(official language)を、英語、フランス語、ドイツ語に規定。日本語ＥＰＣ出願が認められるが、公用語での翻訳文の提出が必要。また、ＥＰＣでの手続きは英語、フランス語、ドイツ語で行なう必要がある。
(2) A European patent application shall be filed in one of the official languages or, if filed in any other language, translated into one of the official languages in accordance with the Implementing Regulations. Throughout the proceedings before the European Patent Office, such translation may be brought into conformity with the application as filed. If a required translation is not filed in due time, the application shall be deemed to be withdrawn.
ＥＰＣ出願は公用語はもちろんのこと、「あらゆる言語」での出願が認められる。公用語でない出願の場合はＥＰＣ出願より２か月以内に、公用語のいずれかによる翻訳文を提出する必要がある（規則６（１））。
Rule 6 Filing of translations and reduction of fees
(1) A translation under Article 14, paragraph 2, shall be filed within two months of filing the European patent application.
期限内に翻訳文が提出されない場合は、原則出願は取り下げとみなされることとなっているが（ＥＰＣ14条(2)）、規則57によると、期限内に翻訳文が提出されない場合には審査官の補正命令の対象となる旨が規定されている。規則58によると、補正命令２か月内に翻訳文を提出することが可能である（下記参照）。
Rule 57 Examination as to formal requirements
If the European patent application has been accorded a date of filing, the European Patent Office shall examine, in accordance with Article 90, paragraph 3, whether:
(a) a translation of the application required under Article 14, paragraph 2, or under Rule 40, paragraph 3, second sentence, has been filed in due time;
.....
Rule 58 Correction of deficiencies in the application documents
If the European patent application does not comply with the requirements of Rule 57(a) to (d), (h) and (i), the European Patent Office shall inform the applicant accordingly and invite him to correct the deficiencies noted within two months. The description, claims and drawings may be amended only to an extent sufficient to remedy such deficiencies.
Article 14
(3) The official language of the European Patent Office in which the European patent application is filed or into which it is translated shall be used as the language of the proceedings in all proceedings before the European Patent Office, unless the Implementing Regulations provide otherwise.
出願時または翻訳文提出時に選択された公用語は、手続き言語（the language of the proceedings）となり、原則として途中で変更することはできない。
......
[弁理士TY]
欧州特許条約の研究（4/28） [欧州特許実務(EP practices)]
欧州特許条約規則（ＥＰＣ規則）Rule 43
EPC2000（EPC改正条約：2007年12月13日に施行）により条文が（位置などを含めて）かなり変わったので、復習の意味を込めて目を通しておく。
European Patent Convention (EPC)
Implementing Regulations to the Convention on the Grant of European Patents
Chapter II (Provisions governing the application)
Rule 43 (Form and content of claims)
(1) The claims shall define the matter for which protection is sought in terms of the technical features of the invention. Wherever appropriate, claims shall contain:
(a) a statement indicating the designation of the subject-matter of the invention and those technical features which are necessary for the definition of the claimed subject-matter but which, in combination, form part of the prior art;
(b) a characterising portion, beginning with the expression "characterised in that" or "characterised by" and specifying the technical features for which, in combination with the features stated under sub-paragraph (a), protection is sought.
いわゆる２部形式のクレームを原則として記載すること。プレアンブルは、"necessary for the definition of the claimed subject-matter"なので、権利化後のことも考えると、最小限でよい。
(2) Without prejudice to Article 82, a European patent application may contain more than one independent claim in the same category (product, process, apparatus or use) only if the subject-matter of the application involves one of the following:
(a) a plurality of interrelated products,
(b) different uses of a product or apparatus,
(c) alternative solutions to a particular problem, where it is inappropriate to cover these alternatives by a single claim.
【参考】
Article 82 （Unity of invention）
The European patent application shall relate to one invention only or to a group of inventions so linked as to form a single general inventive concept.
他、単一性に関しては、規則44に規定されている。
(3) Any claim stating the essential features of an invention may be followed by one or more claims concerning particular embodiments of that invention.
(4) Any claim which includes all the features of any other claim (dependent claim) shall contain, if possible at the beginning, a reference to the other claim and then state the additional features.
A dependent claim directly referring to another dependent claim shall also be admissible.
All dependent claims referring back to a single previous claim, and all dependent claims referring back to several previous claims, shall be grouped together to the extent and in the most appropriate way possible.
従属クレームに関しての規定。米国、中国などと異なり、マルチ従属のマルチ従属は認められない、などの規定はない。日本実務と同様である。
(5) The number of claims shall be reasonable with regard to the nature of the invention claimed. The claims shall be numbered consecutively in Arabic numerals.
本規定に基づき、ＥＰ実務では時折、クレーム数がreasonableでない（ぐらいに多い）、との理由で拒絶を受けることがある（大概は単一性の拒絶と共に）。
(6) Except where absolutely necessary, claims shall not rely on references to the description or drawings in specifying the technical features of the invention. In particular, they shall not contain such expressions as "as described in part ... of the description", or "as illustrated in figure ... of the drawings".
オムニバスクレームは、原則認められていない。"absolutely necessary"という状況は、ほとんどないのではないかと思われる。
(7) Where the European patent application contains drawings including reference signs, the technical features specified in the claims shall preferably be followed by such reference signs relating to these features, placed in parentheses, if the intelligibility of the claim can thereby be increased. These reference signs shall not be construed as limiting the claim.
クレームの参照符号が、クレームの限定にならないことの確認規定。
[TY（弁理士）]
EPC2000（EPC改正条約：2007年12月13日に施行）により条文が（位置などを含めて）かなり変わったので、復習の意味を込めて目を通しておく。
European Patent Convention (EPC)
Implementing Regulations to the Convention on the Grant of European Patents
Chapter II (Provisions governing the application)
Rule 43 (Form and content of claims)
(1) The claims shall define the matter for which protection is sought in terms of the technical features of the invention. Wherever appropriate, claims shall contain:
(a) a statement indicating the designation of the subject-matter of the invention and those technical features which are necessary for the definition of the claimed subject-matter but which, in combination, form part of the prior art;
(b) a characterising portion, beginning with the expression "characterised in that" or "characterised by" and specifying the technical features for which, in combination with the features stated under sub-paragraph (a), protection is sought.
いわゆる２部形式のクレームを原則として記載すること。プレアンブルは、"necessary for the definition of the claimed subject-matter"なので、権利化後のことも考えると、最小限でよい。
(2) Without prejudice to Article 82, a European patent application may contain more than one independent claim in the same category (product, process, apparatus or use) only if the subject-matter of the application involves one of the following:
(a) a plurality of interrelated products,
(b) different uses of a product or apparatus,
(c) alternative solutions to a particular problem, where it is inappropriate to cover these alternatives by a single claim.
【参考】
Article 82 （Unity of invention）
The European patent application shall relate to one invention only or to a group of inventions so linked as to form a single general inventive concept.
他、単一性に関しては、規則44に規定されている。
(3) Any claim stating the essential features of an invention may be followed by one or more claims concerning particular embodiments of that invention.
(4) Any claim which includes all the features of any other claim (dependent claim) shall contain, if possible at the beginning, a reference to the other claim and then state the additional features.
A dependent claim directly referring to another dependent claim shall also be admissible.
All dependent claims referring back to a single previous claim, and all dependent claims referring back to several previous claims, shall be grouped together to the extent and in the most appropriate way possible.
従属クレームに関しての規定。米国、中国などと異なり、マルチ従属のマルチ従属は認められない、などの規定はない。日本実務と同様である。
(5) The number of claims shall be reasonable with regard to the nature of the invention claimed. The claims shall be numbered consecutively in Arabic numerals.
本規定に基づき、ＥＰ実務では時折、クレーム数がreasonableでない（ぐらいに多い）、との理由で拒絶を受けることがある（大概は単一性の拒絶と共に）。
(6) Except where absolutely necessary, claims shall not rely on references to the description or drawings in specifying the technical features of the invention. In particular, they shall not contain such expressions as "as described in part ... of the description", or "as illustrated in figure ... of the drawings".
オムニバスクレームは、原則認められていない。"absolutely necessary"という状況は、ほとんどないのではないかと思われる。
(7) Where the European patent application contains drawings including reference signs, the technical features specified in the claims shall preferably be followed by such reference signs relating to these features, placed in parentheses, if the intelligibility of the claim can thereby be increased. These reference signs shall not be construed as limiting the claim.
クレームの参照符号が、クレームの限定にならないことの確認規定。
[TY（弁理士）]
ヨーロッパ特許制度の研究(4/25) [欧州特許実務(EP practices)]
ヨーロッパ特許制度の研究
EP0964166のクレーム
【考察】
(1) 欧州特許実務において、独立クレームは「原則として」２部形式で記載する（欧州特許条約施行規則43(1)（改正条約（ＥＰＣ２０００）で条文の位置が変わっているので注意））。特徴部分は、「characterized in that ...」（または、「characterized by ...」など）として記載。
(2) プレアンブル部分では、あまり多くのことを記載しない方がよい。侵害訴訟などにおいてプレアンブル部分は公知として扱われることが多いため。
(3) クレーム中に、丸カッコで図面の参照符号が必要。（日本出願時にこれを意識していないと、図面におけるクレームの対応要素がなくて苦労するので注意）［以上は、中国の特許実務にも関連する］
(4) 米国特許実務ほどに、「means」の使用に関しては気を使わなくてもよい。むしろ、「means」を使うことにより広い権利を取得できる可能性がある。但し、meansクレームの権利範囲の解釈はヨーロッパの各国において異なる。
【クレーム(EP0964166より)】
1. A control system for a hydraulic valve block (16) including an electrically operated valve (22, 24, 26),
the system including control means (30), arranged to supply an electric control current to the valve,
characterized in that
the control means (30) is further arranged to monitor a temperature dependent parameter of the control current thereby to measure the temperature of the valve.
2. A system according to claim 1 wherein
the control current is a pulse width modulated current and
said parameter is the duty ratio of the control current.
3. A hydraulic control system comprising a hydraulic circuit (10) including a source (12) of fluid pressure,
an electrically operated valve (22) for controlling the pressure in a part of the hydraulic circuit,
a pressure transducer (28) for producing a pressure signal indicative of the pressure in said part of the hydraulic circuit, and
control means (30) arranged to supply an electric control current to the valve (22) to control the valve in response to signals from the pressure transducer (28),
characterized in that
the control means (30) is further arranged to monitor a temperature dependent parameter of the control current thereby to monitor the temperature of the valve (22), and to compensate accordingly for the effect of temperature changes on the pressure signal.
4. A system according to claim 3 wherein
the output voltage of the pressure transducer (28) is temperature dependent and
the control means (30) is arranged to calibrate its temperature dependence by monitoring its output voltage when the measured pressure is at a known level and the temperature is at each of at least two levels.
【参考：Abstract of EP0964166】
A hydraulic actuator for a vehicle roll control system includes a fluid pressure transducer 28, housed in a valve block 16, the output characteristic of which is temperature dependent. In order to correct for this the temperature of the fluid is monitored. This is done by monitoring the duty ratio of the pulse width modulated driving signal to a control valve 22 in the block, which varies with temperature to produce a constant total current.
（追伸） 明日からゴールデンウィークです。大型連休を取得される方も、そうでない方も楽しい週末となることをお祈り致します。![[晴れ]](https://blog.ss-blog.jp/_images_e/1.gif)
[TY（弁理士）]
EP0964166のクレーム
【考察】
(1) 欧州特許実務において、独立クレームは「原則として」２部形式で記載する（欧州特許条約施行規則43(1)（改正条約（ＥＰＣ２０００）で条文の位置が変わっているので注意））。特徴部分は、「characterized in that ...」（または、「characterized by ...」など）として記載。
(2) プレアンブル部分では、あまり多くのことを記載しない方がよい。侵害訴訟などにおいてプレアンブル部分は公知として扱われることが多いため。
(3) クレーム中に、丸カッコで図面の参照符号が必要。（日本出願時にこれを意識していないと、図面におけるクレームの対応要素がなくて苦労するので注意）［以上は、中国の特許実務にも関連する］
(4) 米国特許実務ほどに、「means」の使用に関しては気を使わなくてもよい。むしろ、「means」を使うことにより広い権利を取得できる可能性がある。但し、meansクレームの権利範囲の解釈はヨーロッパの各国において異なる。
【クレーム(EP0964166より)】
1. A control system for a hydraulic valve block (16) including an electrically operated valve (22, 24, 26),
the system including control means (30), arranged to supply an electric control current to the valve,
characterized in that
the control means (30) is further arranged to monitor a temperature dependent parameter of the control current thereby to measure the temperature of the valve.
2. A system according to claim 1 wherein
the control current is a pulse width modulated current and
said parameter is the duty ratio of the control current.
3. A hydraulic control system comprising a hydraulic circuit (10) including a source (12) of fluid pressure,
an electrically operated valve (22) for controlling the pressure in a part of the hydraulic circuit,
a pressure transducer (28) for producing a pressure signal indicative of the pressure in said part of the hydraulic circuit, and
control means (30) arranged to supply an electric control current to the valve (22) to control the valve in response to signals from the pressure transducer (28),
characterized in that
the control means (30) is further arranged to monitor a temperature dependent parameter of the control current thereby to monitor the temperature of the valve (22), and to compensate accordingly for the effect of temperature changes on the pressure signal.
4. A system according to claim 3 wherein
the output voltage of the pressure transducer (28) is temperature dependent and
the control means (30) is arranged to calibrate its temperature dependence by monitoring its output voltage when the measured pressure is at a known level and the temperature is at each of at least two levels.
【参考：Abstract of EP0964166】
A hydraulic actuator for a vehicle roll control system includes a fluid pressure transducer 28, housed in a valve block 16, the output characteristic of which is temperature dependent. In order to correct for this the temperature of the fluid is monitored. This is done by monitoring the duty ratio of the pulse width modulated driving signal to a control valve 22 in the block, which varies with temperature to produce a constant total current.
（追伸） 明日からゴールデンウィークです。大型連休を取得される方も、そうでない方も楽しい週末となることをお祈り致します。
[TY（弁理士）]
