How does the Donaldson case impact single means claims?
The In re Donaldson Co. case has significant implications for single means claims. According to MPEP 2164.08(a):
“The Federal Circuit has held that a single means claim which covered every conceivable means for achieving the stated result was held nonenabling for the scope of the claim because the specification disclosed at most only those means known to the inventor.”
This ruling emphasizes that a claim covering all possible means of achieving a result, without adequate support in the specification, will be considered nonenabling and therefore invalid. The Donaldson case reinforces the principle that the scope of the claim must be commensurate with the disclosure in the specification.
To learn more:
Topics:
MPEP 2100 - Patentability,
MPEP 2164.08(A) - Single Means Claim,
Patent Law,
Patent Procedure