O Glossary of patent law terms

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1.1 objective technical problem
1.2 office action
1.3 on-sale bar
1.4 opposition proceeding

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objective technical problem

in so-called problem-solution approach applied european patent office (epo) assess whether claimed invention involves inventive step (article 56 epc), problem notional skilled person tasked solving. if skilled person, starting closest prior art , faced objective technical problem, have arrived, without exercising inventive skill, @ claimed invention, claimed invention regarded being obvious, i.e. claimed invention not involve inventive step.

office action

a formal report patent office examiner inventor or attorney detailing claims in patent application allowed later issue (publication) in patent , claims rejected. examiner gives reasons allowance or rejection.

on-sale bar

a concept of u.s. law in grant of patent prevented if invention subject of patent application on sale more 1 year prior priority date.

opposition proceeding

proceedings in third party opposes grant of patent in attempt prevent grant, or have patent revoked. opposition proceedings may pre- or post-grant.