Webinar: Claim Interpretation and Novelty – How to Read the Claim, How to Read the Prior Art

Venue

Online

Description

The first session will address two fundamental aspects of substantive patent law before the Unified Patent Court: claim interpretation and the assessment of novelty. The discussion will focus on the principles guiding the reading of patent claims, including the role of the description and drawings, as well as the treatment of purpose-oriented and functionally defined features. On this basis, the session will examine the standards applied by the UPC when comparing the claimed subject-matter with the state of the art. Particular attention will be given to the question of what constitutes a direct and unambiguous disclosure in prior art documents and how the Court distinguishes between technical features that are limiting and those that are not. Throughout, the UPC’s approach will be set in context by comparison with established practice before the EPO and, where relevant, with national case law, highlighting points of convergence and divergence.

Speakers

• Tilman Pfrang
• Andrea Perronace

Target group

Level of expertise
Intermediate / advanced level

Medium
Online training

Technical requirements
In order to attend the on-line course participants need a computer with an internet browser and a high-speed broadband internet connection. For the webinar, epi uses Zoom. Security settings on local Firewalls need to be checked. In order to make full use of the webinar session, we recommend to use headsets.

To access to the webinar epi sends out a link and the guidelines for participants shortly before the webinar.

Application and use of personal data

Please do not use capital letters when filling the online registration form. Please indicate only personal email addresses.

By registering for this event, you accept that all your personal data may be used by the epi and authorised third parties (e.g. EPO) to the extent necessary to provide services or content you have requested. Please note our leaflet on privacy policy regarding the processing of your personal data.  

Please note our "privacy policy" regarding the processing of your personal data.

Working language

• English

Contact

For further information, please contact Barbara Riffert ([email protected]).

Minimum number of participants

30*
*If the minimum number of participants was not reached by the registration deadline, the event will be cancelled. In this case the epi will inform you immediately.

Registration deadline

Registration is open until 15.10.2025 The order of receipt by epi will determine the attendance in case of over-subscription.