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 parametersearch_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..."
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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 standardCross-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