Appeal 2007-0493
Application 10/289,967
Patent 6,144,380
(3)
In re Clement
The Federal Circuit’s opinion in Clement discusses a three-step test
for analyzing recapture.
Step 1 involves a determination of whether and in what aspect any
claims sought to be reissued are broader than the patent claims. The Federal
Circuit reasoned that a reissue application claim deleting a limitation or
element from a patent claim is broader as to that limitation’s or element’s
aspect. 131 F.3d at 1468, 45 USPQ2d at 1164.
Step 2 involves a determination of whether the broader aspects of the
reissue application claims relate to surrendered subject matter. 131 F.3d at
1468-69, 45 USPQ2d at 1164. In this respect, review of arguments and/or
amendments during the prosecution history of the application, which
matured into the patent sought to be reissued, is appropriate. In reviewing
the prosecution history, the Federal Circuit observed that “[d]eliberately
canceling or amending a claim in an effort to overcome a [prior art]
reference strongly suggests that the Applicant admits that the scope of the
claim before cancellation or amendment is unpatentable.” 131 F.3d at 1469,
45 USPQ2d at 1164.
Step 3 is applied when the broadening relates to surrendered subject
matter and involves a determination whether the surrendered subject matter
has crept into the reissue application claim. Id. The following principles
were articulated in Clement, 131 F.3d at 1469-70, 45 USPQ2d at 1165:
- 22 -
Page: Previous 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 Next
Last modified: September 9, 2013