Ex parte PIMENTA et al. - Page 7




          Appeal No. 1998-3380                                                        
          Application 08/542,591                                                      


          is a schematic representation of the layout of various                      
          complements on a chip shown in Figure 5 of Crowder.  For the                
          probe 7 of Figure 5 (also Figure 2) to function, there                      
          inherently must be an interaction among all the complements                 
          which are shown in Figure 5.  Therefore, we conclude that the               
          components shown in Figure 5 are coupled, contrary to the                   
          assertions made by Appellants.  Our position is supported by                
          the case law, which states that "[t]o establish inherency, the              
          extrinsic evidence 'must make clear that the missing                        
          descriptive matter is necessarily present in the thing                      
          described in the reference, and that it would be so recognized              
          by persons of ordinary skill.'"  In re Robertson, 169 F.3d                  
          743, 745, 49 USPQ2d 1949, 1950-1951 (Fed. Cir. 1999), citing                
          Continental Can Co. v. Monsanto Co., 948 F.3d 1264, 1268, 20                
          USPQ2d 1746, 1749 (Fed. Cir. 1991).  "Inherency, however, may               
          not be established by probabilities or possibilities.  The                  
          mere fact that a certain thing may result for a given set of                
          circumstances is not sufficient."  Id. citing Continental Can               
          Co. v. Monsanto Co., 948 F.3d at 1269, 20 USPQ2d at 1749.  In               
          the instant case, this is further buttressed by the disclosure              
          of Kogure at col. 4,                                                        
                                         -7-                                          





Page:  Previous  1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10  11  12  Next 

Last modified: November 3, 2007