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Question:
List 2 non-structural generic placeholders that may invoke 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, paragraph 6.
Answer:
The following is a list of non-structural generic placeholders that may invoke 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, paragraph 6:
- “mechanism for,”
- “module for,”
- “device for,”
- “unit for,”
- “component for,”
- “element for,”
- “member for,”
- “apparatus for,”
- “machine for,” or
- “system for”
Chapter Details:
The answer to this question can be found in chapter 2100 of the MPEP. This chapter covers Patentability.
The answer is from the 9th Edition, Revision 07.2015. Depending on future changes to the MPEP, the question and answer may or may not be applicable in later Editions or revisions.
Section Summary:
This question and answer comes from section 2181 of the MPEP. The following is a brief summary of section 2181.
2181 Identifying and Interpreting a 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or Pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, Sixth Paragraph Limitation
This section sets forth guidelines for the examination of 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, “means or step plus function” limitations in a claim. It covers the steps for determining whether a claim limitation invokes 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph. A description is necessary to support a claim limitation which invokes 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph.
This section covers how to determine 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, second paragraph compliance when 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph. This section also covers how to determine whether 35 U.S.C. 112(a) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, first paragraph support exists.