What is unity of invention in the context of international patent applications?

Unity of invention is a requirement in international patent applications that ensures all claims in an application are related to a single inventive concept. According to MPEP 1875, “Unity of invention is defined by 37 CFR 1.475 which describes the circumstances in which the requirement of unity of invention is considered fulfilled.” This requirement is examined during the international preliminary examination process.

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Tags: international patent applications, patent examination, PCT, unity of invention