What is the significance of the Phillips v. AWH Corp. case in claim interpretation?
The Phillips v. AWH Corp. case is a landmark decision that significantly impacts claim interpretation in patent examination and litigation. MPEP 2111 states:
“The Federal Circuit’s en banc decision in Phillips v. AWH Corp., 415 F.3d 1303, 1316, 75 USPQ2d 1321, 1329 (Fed. Cir. 2005) expressly recognized that the USPTO employs the ‘broadest reasonable interpretation’ standard.”
This case affirmed the USPTO’s use of the broadest reasonable interpretation (BRI) standard during patent examination. It also emphasized the importance of considering the specification and prosecution history when interpreting claims, rather than relying solely on dictionary definitions. The Phillips case helps balance the breadth of claim interpretation with the need for clarity and support in the specification.
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