What is the “same or corresponding special technical features” requirement in unity of invention?

The “same or corresponding special technical features” requirement in unity of invention refers to the technical relationship among the inventions involving one or more of the same or corresponding special technical features. According to MPEP 1893.03(d):

“The expression “special technical features” shall mean those technical features that define a contribution which each of the claimed inventions, considered as a whole, makes over the prior art.”

This means that the inventions must be technically related and have a common novel and non-obvious feature to be considered unified. If this requirement is not met, the application may face a lack of unity objection.

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Tags: PCT applications, special technical features, unity of invention