USPTO、IDSルールの改正を検討

CAFCのTherasense判決を受けて、USPTOはmaterialityの基準を変更するルール改正を検討している。

改正案では、IDS義務発生の基準となるmaterialityをTherasense判決と同一の基準(but for)にするもの。以下は、改正案の抜粋。

Sec. 1.56 Duty to disclose information material to patentability.

* * * * *

(b) Information is material to patentability if it is material under the standard set forth in Therasense, Inc. v. Becton, Dickinson & Co., — F.3d — (Fed. Cir. 2011). Information is material to patentability under Therasense if:

(1) The Office would not allow a claim if it were aware of the information, applying the preponderance of the evidence standard and giving the claim its broadest reasonable construction; or

(2) The applicant engages in affirmative egregious misconduct before the Office as to the information.

キルパトリック・タウンゼント知財総合事務所/ 穐場 仁