EPC/PCT Legal Search Skill Skill

EPC/PCT Legal Search Skill

Hybrid RAG search across the European Patent Convention (EPC), EPO Guidelines for Examination, and PCT Rules for patent law research.

When to Use

Invoke this skill when users ask to:

Find EPC articles or rules on a specific topic
Search EPO Guidelines for Examination
Look up PCT rules or Administrative Instructions
Compare EPC requirements with USPTO/MPEP practice
Research EPO Board of Appeal case law principles
Understand European patent prosecution procedure
Find legal basis for EPO examination objections

What This Skill Does

Provides legal research across European and international patent law:

EPC Search (European Patent Convention):
- Articles 1-178 EPC
- Rules 1-167 EPC (Implementing Regulations)
- Protocol on Interpretation of Art. 69 EPC
- Protocol on Centralisation
- Protocol on Privileges and Immunities
EPO Guidelines Search (Guidelines for Examination):
- Part A: Guidelines for Formalities Examination
- Part B: Guidelines for Search
- Part C: Guidelines for Procedural Aspects of Substantive Examination
- Part D: Guidelines for Opposition and Limitation/Revocation
- Part E: Guidelines for General Procedural Matters
- Part F: Guidelines for Substantive Examination (The Patent Application)
- Part G: Guidelines for Patentability
- Part H: Guidelines for Amendments and Corrections
PCT Rules Search (Patent Cooperation Treaty):
- PCT Articles 1-69
- PCT Rules 1-96 (Regulations under the PCT)
- Administrative Instructions under the PCT
- WIPO Standards (ST.25, ST.26, ST.36)
Cross-Jurisdiction Comparison:
- EPC vs 35 USC mapping
- EPO Guidelines vs MPEP equivalents
- PCT requirements vs national requirements

Required Data

MCP Tools Available:

search_patent_law - Search EPC, EPO Guidelines, PCT rules with jurisdiction parameter
search_mpep - Search MPEP/35 USC/37 CFR for comparison

How to Use

When this skill is invoked:

Determine jurisdiction:
- EPO: search EPC articles/rules and EPO Guidelines
- PCT: search PCT articles/rules and Administrative Instructions
- Both: search across all sources
- Comparison: search EPO + USPTO sources

Execute search:

EPC/EPO Guidelines search:

results = search_patent_law(
    query="claim clarity requirements",
    jurisdiction="EPO",
    top_k=5
)

PCT rules search:

results = search_patent_law(
    query="unity of invention",
    jurisdiction="PCT",
    top_k=5
)

Cross-jurisdiction comparison:

epo_results = search_patent_law(query="sufficiency of disclosure", jurisdiction="EPO")
us_results = search_mpep(query="enablement requirement")

Present results:
- Show relevant provisions with full text
- Provide article/rule numbers and section references
- Include EPO Guidelines commentary
- Note practical implications for prosecution

Key EPC Provisions Reference

Patentability

| Article | Topic | Description | |---------|-------|-------------| | Art. 52 | Patentable inventions | What can be patented | | Art. 52(2) | Exclusions | Discoveries, theories, programs "as such" | | Art. 53 | Exceptions | Morality, plant/animal varieties, medical methods | | Art. 54 | Novelty | Absolute novelty, no grace period | | Art. 55 | Non-prejudicial disclosures | 6-month grace for abuse or exhibitions | | Art. 56 | Inventive step | Problem-solution approach | | Art. 57 | Industrial applicability | Capable of industrial application |

The Patent Application

| Article/Rule | Topic | Description | |-------------|-------|-------------| | Art. 78 | Requirements | What an EP application must contain | | Art. 83 | Disclosure | Sufficiency of disclosure | | Art. 84 | Claims | Clarity, conciseness, support | | Rule 42 | Description | Content and form of description | | Rule 43 | Claims | Two-part form, numbering, categories | | Rule 46 | Drawings | Form and content requirements | | Rule 47 | Abstract | Max 150 words, figure designation |

Examination Procedure

| Article | Topic | Description | |---------|-------|-------------| | Art. 90 | Formalities examination | Initial formality check | | Art. 92 | European search | Search report | | Art. 94 | Substantive examination | Examination on request | | Art. 97 | Grant/refusal | Decision on application | | Art. 99 | Opposition | 9-month opposition period |

Key PCT Rules Reference

Application Requirements

| Rule | Topic | Description | |------|-------|-------------| | Rule 4 | The request | Form PCT/RO/101 contents | | Rule 5 | The description | Required sections and order | | Rule 6 | The claims | Numbering, form, categories | | Rule 8 | The abstract | Max 150 words, figure | | Rule 11 | Physical requirements | Paper, margins, fonts | | Rule 12 | Language | Accepted languages |

Unity and Search

| Rule | Topic | Description | |------|-------|-------------| | Rule 13 | Unity of invention | Single general inventive concept | | Rule 33 | Relevant prior art | ISA search scope | | Rule 39 | Subject matter not searched | Excluded from ISA search | | Rule 43bis | International search report | Written opinion of ISA |

National Phase

| Rule | Topic | Description | |------|-------|-------------| | Rule 49 | Physical requirements | National phase format | | Rule 49.6 | Translation | Language requirements | | Rule 51bis | Certain national requirements | National law compliance |

EPO Guidelines Structure

Part A: Formalities Examination
├── Chapter I: Checking the application on filing
├── Chapter II: Filing and examination for formalities
├── Chapter III: Special cases (divisionals, PCT)
└── Chapter IV: Designation of inventor

Part F: The Patent Application
├── Chapter I: Description
├── Chapter II: Claims (MOST COMMONLY SEARCHED)
│   ├── F-IV, 2: Independent claims
│   ├── F-IV, 3: Two-part form
│   ├── F-IV, 4: Clarity
│   ├── F-IV, 6: Support by description
│   └── F-IV, 7: Dependent claims
├── Chapter III: Sufficiency of disclosure
├── Chapter V: Abstract
└── Chapter VI: Drawings

Part G: Patentability
├── Chapter I: Excluded subject matter
├── Chapter II: Non-technical subject matter
├── Chapter III: Novelty
├── Chapter V: Non-prejudicial disclosures
├── Chapter VI: Inventive step (problem-solution)
└── Chapter VII: Inventive step (combinability)

Presentation Format

Present search results as:

EPC/EPO LEGAL RESEARCH RESULTS
=================================

Query: "claim clarity requirements"
Jurisdiction: EPO (EPC + Guidelines)

[1] Art. 84 EPC - The Claims
    "The claims shall define the matter for which protection
    is sought. They shall be clear, concise and be supported
    by the description."

    EPO Guidelines F-IV, 4 - Clarity
    "Each claim should be read giving the words the meaning
    and scope which they normally have in the relevant art..."

    Key Points:
    - Claims must be clear on their own (not by reference to spec)
    - Technical terms given their normal meaning in the art
    - Relative terms need objective reference point
    - Functional features must be verifiable

[2] Rule 43(1) EPC - Form and content of claims
    "...shall contain: (a) a statement indicating the designation
    of the subject-matter and those technical features necessary
    for the definition... (preamble); and (b) a characterising
    portion preceded by 'characterised in that'..."

    EPO Guidelines F-IV, 3.2 - Two-part form
    "Independent claims should normally be in the two-part form..."

---

Related MPEP Comparison:
- MPEP 2173: Claims Must Particularly Point Out and Distinctly Claim
- 35 USC 112(b): Equivalent US clarity requirement
- Key difference: EPO applies stricter objective clarity standard

Cross-Jurisdiction Mapping

| EPO (EPC) | USPTO (35 USC) | PCT | |-----------|----------------|-----| | Art. 54 (Novelty) | 35 USC 102 | Art. 33(2) | | Art. 56 (Inventive step) | 35 USC 103 | Art. 33(3) | | Art. 83 (Sufficiency) | 35 USC 112(a) Enablement | Rule 5.1(a)(v) | | Art. 84 (Clarity) | 35 USC 112(b) | Rule 6.1 | | Art. 84 (Support) | 35 USC 112(a) Written desc. | Rule 6.1 | | Rule 42 (Description) | MPEP 608 | Rule 5 | | Rule 43 (Claims) | 37 CFR 1.75 | Rule 6 | | Rule 47 (Abstract) | 37 CFR 1.72 | Rule 8 | | Art. 52(2) (Exclusions) | 35 USC 101 | N/A | | Art. 53(c) (Medical methods) | N/A (allowed in US) | N/A |

Tools Available

Read: To load legal documents
Bash: To run legal search queries
Write: To save research results and legal memoranda

Agent Skills: EPC/PCT Legal Search Skill

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