Ex Parte McPherson - Page 3




          Appeal No. 2003-0348                                                        
          Application 09/567,145                                                      



          OPINION                                                                     
          We have carefully considered the subject matter on                          
          appeal, the rejection advanced by the examiner and the evidence             
          of obviousness relied upon by the examiner as support for the               
          rejection.  We have, likewise, reviewed and taken into                      
          consideration, in reaching our decision, the appellant’s                    
          arguments set forth in the briefs along with the examiner’s                 
          rationale in support of the rejection and arguments in rebuttal             
          set forth in the examiner’s answer.                                         
          It is our view, after consideration of the record before                    
          us, that the evidence relied upon and the level of skill in the             
          particular art would not have suggested to one of ordinary skill            
          in the art the obviousness of the invention as set forth in the             
          claims on appeal.  Accordingly, we reverse.                                 
          In rejecting claims under 35 U.S.C. § 103, it is                            
          incumbent upon the examiner to establish a factual basis to                 
          support the legal conclusion of obviousness.  See In re Fine, 837           
          F.2d 1071, 1073, 5 USPQ2d 1596, 1598 (Fed. Cir. 1988).  In so               
          doing, the examiner is expected to make the factual                         
          determinations set forth in Graham v. John Deere Co., 383 U.S. 1,           
          17, 148 USPQ 459, 467 (1966), and to provide a reason why one               

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