AW: [PIUG List] Compositional Range

Dear Roger,
 
patent claims are not strictly limited to written ranges respectively descr=
iptions.
 
It also depends on the meaning and, in case of ranges of e.g. alloying elem=
ents on the technical effect of the element.
If one can reach a similar, equal result it can be still infringing the cla=
im even it is outside the written range of the claim.
 
Also factors like distance from the claimed range, standard deviation, accu=
racy of measurement, etc. can be additional factors for evaluation.
 
I'm not an expert for bismuth, but to my general experience 0,455 is very c=
lose to 0,5 (- 3.0) - if the technical effect is almost the same.
 
Finally, I'm pretty sure that there is no rule to round numbers in patents =
(or possible infringing methods/products) - as explained above, there is no=
 real need for that.
 
Hope this helps and want to wish you a nice day,
Peter
 
________________________________

Peter Atzmüller
Corporate Research
Intellectual Property Rights - Standards - Scientific Journals

voestalpine Stahl GmbH
voestalpine-Straße 3
4020 Linz, Austria
T. +43/50304/15-9114
F. +43/50304/55-9270
M. +43/664 615 59 95
peter.atzmueller_at_voestalpine.com
www.voestalpine.com <blocked::http://www.voestalpine.com/>

voestalpine - One step ahead.


________________________________

        Von: Roger Bilham [mailto:rbc.bilham_at_ntlworld.com]
        Gesendet: Montag, 15. September 2008 13:48
        An: PIUG Discussion List @ Listbox
        Betreff: [PIUG List] Compositional Range
        
        
        Dear List Members,
        
        I am a scientist but not a patent specialist and would like to know the me=
aning of compositional range in a patent claim. An example would be a metal=
 alloy containing 0.5-3.0% of bismuth.
        
        There is an international standard providing protocols on the rounding of =
numbers, which, as a scientist, I would expect to be valid. However, I have=
 found out that, in the field of products sold to the public, minimum 0.5li=
tres means at least 0.5 followed by an infinite number of noughts. Can you =
please tell me which convention applied to patents?
        
        Returning to the example above, would an alloy containing 0.455% bismuth f=
all within the range 0.5-3.0% bismuth?
        
        Best regards,
        Roger Bilham
        
________________________________


        PIUG -- Celebrating Our 20th Anniversary
        

        PIUG Discussion List @ Listbox
        List owner: Patent Information Users' Group Inc., http://www.piug.org <htt=
p://www.piug.org/>
        List rules and guidelines: http://www.piug.org/list.php
        List admins: piug_discussion_list-owner(at)v2(dot)listbox(dot)com
Modify <https://www.listbox.com/member/?&> Your Subscription <http://www=
.listbox.com>




-------------------------------------------
PIUG -- Celebrating Our 20th Anniversary

PIUG Discussion List @ Listbox
List owner: Patent Information Users' Group Inc., http://www.piug.org
List rules and guidelines: http://www.piug.org/list.php
List admins: piug_discussion_list-owner(at)v2(dot)listbox(dot)com

Modify Your Subscription: https://www.listbox.com/member/?member_id=11140=
452&id_secret=113770209-be7f70

Received on Mon Sep 15 2008 - 15:24:36