<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:x="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:excel" xmlns:m="http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/2004/12/omml" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40">
<head>
<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8">
<meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 15 (filtered medium)">
<!--[if !mso]><style>v\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
o\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
w\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
.shape {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
</style><![endif]--><style><!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:Helvetica;
panose-1:0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Wingdings;
panose-1:5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;}
@font-face
{font-family:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;}
@font-face
{font-family:"Times New Roman \(Body CS\)";
panose-1:2 11 6 4 2 2 2 2 2 4;}
@font-face
{font-family:"Trebuchet MS";
panose-1:2 11 6 3 2 2 2 2 2 4;}
@font-face
{font-family:"Malgun Gothic";
panose-1:2 11 5 3 2 0 0 2 0 4;}
@font-face
{font-family:"Open Sans";
panose-1:2 11 6 6 3 5 4 2 2 4;}
@font-face
{font-family:"\@Malgun Gothic";}
@font-face
{font-family:remialcxesans;
panose-1:2 11 6 4 2 2 2 2 2 4;}
@font-face
{font-family:template-5QSGLunPEem16QANOhMLNA;
panose-1:2 11 6 4 2 2 2 2 2 4;}
@font-face
{font-family:zone-1;
panose-1:2 11 6 4 2 2 2 2 2 4;}
@font-face
{font-family:zones-AQ;
panose-1:2 11 6 4 2 2 2 2 2 4;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{margin:0in;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;}
a:link, span.MsoHyperlink
{mso-style-priority:99;
color:blue;
text-decoration:underline;}
p.MsoListParagraph, li.MsoListParagraph, div.MsoListParagraph
{mso-style-priority:34;
margin-top:0in;
margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:.5in;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;}
span.gmailsignatureprefix
{mso-style-name:gmail_signature_prefix;}
span.EmailStyle21
{mso-style-type:personal-reply;
font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;
color:windowtext;
font-weight:normal;
font-style:normal;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
font-size:10.0pt;
mso-ligatures:none;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
/* List Definitions */
@list l0
{mso-list-id:1489857541;
mso-list-type:hybrid;
mso-list-template-ids:-1811915914 1510891394 67698691 67698693 67698689 67698691 67698693 67698689 67698691 67698693;}
@list l0:level1
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:"";
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Malgun Gothic";}
@list l0:level2
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:o;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:"Courier New";}
@list l0:level3
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:\uf0a7;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:Wingdings;}
@list l0:level4
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:\uf0b7;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:Symbol;}
@list l0:level5
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:o;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:"Courier New";}
@list l0:level6
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:\uf0a7;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:Wingdings;}
@list l0:level7
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:\uf0b7;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:Symbol;}
@list l0:level8
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:o;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:"Courier New";}
@list l0:level9
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:\uf0a7;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:Wingdings;}
@list l1
{mso-list-id:1597011714;
mso-list-type:hybrid;
mso-list-template-ids:-2021073740 1887469484 67698691 67698693 67698689 67698691 67698693 67698689 67698691 67698693;}
@list l1:level1
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:-;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Malgun Gothic";}
@list l1:level2
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:o;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:"Courier New";}
@list l1:level3
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:\uf0a7;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:Wingdings;}
@list l1:level4
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:\uf0b7;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:Symbol;}
@list l1:level5
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:o;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:"Courier New";}
@list l1:level6
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:\uf0a7;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:Wingdings;}
@list l1:level7
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:\uf0b7;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:Symbol;}
@list l1:level8
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:o;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:"Courier New";}
@list l1:level9
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:\uf0a7;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:Wingdings;}
ol
{margin-bottom:0in;}
ul
{margin-bottom:0in;}
--></style><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapedefaults v:ext="edit" spidmax="1026" />
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapelayout v:ext="edit">
<o:idmap v:ext="edit" data="1" />
</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]-->
</head>
<body lang="EN-US" link="blue" vlink="purple" style="word-wrap:break-word">
<div class="WordSection1">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">\u201cA and/or B\u201d usually is intended to mean \u201ceither A or B or A and B\u201d so the spelled-out version may be clearest, although exceedingly verbose in some situations.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">I\u2019ve seen instances where \u201cat least one of A or B\u201d is interpreted to mean:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<ul style="margin-top:0in" type="disc">
<li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left:0in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">at least one of A<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left:0in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">or B<o:p></o:p></span></li></ul>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.25in"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">I.e., either one or more of A,
<u>or</u> one B. Thus, the interpretation of \u201cA and B\u201d is lost.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Similarly \u201cat least one of A and B\u201d could be subject to interpretation as:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<ul style="margin-top:0in" type="disc">
<li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left:0in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">at least one of A<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left:0in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">and B<o:p></o:p></span></li></ul>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">or<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<ul style="margin-top:0in" type="disc">
<li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left:0in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">at least one of A<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left:0in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">and at least one of B<o:p></o:p></span></li></ul>
<ul style="margin-top:0in" type="disc">
<li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left:0in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></li></ul>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.25in"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">I.e., no fewer than one A
<u>and</u> no fewer (and possibly more) than one B. Thus, the interpretation of \u201cA or B\u201d is lost.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">RS\u2019s proposed language (\u201c</span><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Either one or both of A and B\u201d</span><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">)
looks like it would be a workable short(er) description to me, in the event an examiner will not be persuaded of the merits of \u201cand/or\u201d, or other reasons limit serial arguments.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Best regards,<br>
<br>
-Jim<br>
<br>
James C. Larsen<br>
Attorney<br>
Larsen IP PLLC<br>
p: 425.298.6846<br>
e: <a href="mailto:jim@Larsen-IP.com"><span style="color:#0563C1">jim@Larsen-IP.com</span></a><br>
w. <a href="http://www.Larsen-IP.com"><span style="color:#0563C1">www.Larsen-IP.com</span></a><br>
<br>
NOTICE OF CONFIDENTIALITY: The information contained in this email, including any attachments, is confidential and may be privileged. It is intended only for the use of the individual(s) or entity named herein. If the reader of this message is not the intended
recipient or authorized agent, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution, or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited. Unintended recipients are requested to notify the sender immediately and to permanently delete this e-mail,
any attachments, and copies.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<div id="mail-editor-reference-message-container">
<div>
<div style="border:none;border-top:solid #B5C4DF 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black">From:
</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black">Patentpractice <patentpractice-bounces@oppedahl-lists.com> on behalf of David Boundy via Patentpractice <patentpractice@oppedahl-lists.com><br>
<b>Date: </b>Friday, December 1, 2023 at 7:25 PM<br>
<b>To: </b>For patent practitioners. This is not for laypersons to seek legal advice. <patentpractice@oppedahl-lists.com><br>
<b>Cc: </b>David Boundy <DavidBoundyEsq@gmail.com><br>
<b>Subject: </b>Re: [Patentpractice] The use of "and/or" in claims<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">I'm with Randall. "and/or" has only one meaning. It is REALLY difficult to find other words that unambiguously mean the same thing. If you start with "and/or" and you amend, then you are just asking to
lose.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">I disagree with Jaroen to the extent that he characterizes "at least one of" as "more proper US claim language." "And/or" is as proper as it gets. Jaroen's anecdote points up the problem -- it is
<b><i>really</i></b> hard to write conjunctions that mean exactly what you mean. If "and/or" does it, it's foolish to try to improvise something else.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">When an examiner is dead wrong, it's our job to educate the examiner, not to crappify a perfectly good claim, or take the risk of trying to invent something else that is as unambiguous as "and/or." See 11/929,594
Reply of Nov 7, 2016, at pages 20-21. I cite <i>Ex parte Gross</i>, back in the days when the PTO made PTAB decisions citeable by URL.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">On Fri, Dec 1, 2023 at 3:27\u202fPM Scott C. Sample via Patentpractice <<a href="mailto:patentpractice@oppedahl-lists.com" target="_blank">patentpractice@oppedahl-lists.com</a>> wrote:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<blockquote style="border:none;border-left:solid #CCCCCC 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 6.0pt;margin-left:4.8pt;margin-right:0in">
<div>
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Snark and an actual instance of \u201cbegging the question\u201d in the wild from the bench\u2026double ouch.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<div>
<div>
<table class="MsoNormalTable" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" style="width:100.0%">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in">
<table class="MsoNormalTable" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" style="width:100.0%">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="padding:7.5pt 0in 0in 0in">
<table class="MsoNormalTable" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" style="width:100.0%">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in">
<table class="MsoNormalTable" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in">
<table class="MsoNormalTable" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td valign="top" style="padding:7.5pt 0in 0in 0in">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#0F172E">Scott C. Sample</span></b><b><span style="font-size:1.0pt;font-family:"remialcxesans",serif;color:white">\u200b</span></b><b><span style="font-size:1.0pt;font-family:"template-5QSGLunPEem16QANOhMLNA",serif;color:white">\u200b</span></b><b><span style="font-size:1.0pt;font-family:"zone-1",serif;color:white">\u200b</span></b><b><span style="font-size:1.0pt;font-family:"zones-AQ",serif;color:white">\u200b</span></b><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><b><span style="font-size:9.5pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;color:gray"><a href="http://www.culhanemeadows.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:11.5pt;color:#0F172E;text-decoration:none">CULHANE</span><span style="font-size:12.5pt;color:#DC1D3C;text-decoration:none">|</span><span style="font-size:11.5pt;color:#0F172E;font-weight:normal;text-decoration:none">MEADOWS</span><span style="color:#0F172E;font-weight:normal;text-decoration:none"> </span><span style="font-size:7.5pt;color:#0F172E;font-weight:normal;text-decoration:none">PLLC</span></a></span></b><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in">
<table class="MsoNormalTable" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td valign="top" style="padding:2.25pt 0in 0in 0in">
<table class="MsoNormalTable" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:1.0pt;color:gray"><img border="0" width="16" height="16" style="width:.1666in;height:.1666in" id="m_-6590699640396471439m_-1919698308981920622Picture_x0020_5" src="cid:ii_18c287d01ed5b16b21" alt="Direct:"></span><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:gray"> <a href="tel:469-444-1488" target="_blank"><span style="color:gray;text-decoration:none">469-444-1488</span></a></span><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in"></td>
<td style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in"></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in"></td>
<td style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in"></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:1.0pt;color:gray"><img border="0" width="16" height="16" style="width:.1666in;height:.1666in" id="m_-6590699640396471439m_-1919698308981920622Picture_x0020_2" src="cid:ii_18c287d01ee692e332" alt="Email:"></span><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:gray"> <a href="mailto:ssample@cm.law" target="_blank"><span style="color:gray;text-decoration:none">ssample@cm.law</span></a></span><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in"></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<div>
<div style="border:none;border-top:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in;border-color:currentcolor currentcolor">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt">From:</span></b><span style="font-size:11.0pt"> Patentpractice <<a href="mailto:patentpractice-bounces@oppedahl-lists.com" target="_blank">patentpractice-bounces@oppedahl-lists.com</a>>
<b>On Behalf Of </b>Randall Svihla via Patentpractice<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Friday, December 1, 2023 2:20 PM<br>
<b>To:</b> For patent practitioners. This is not for laypersons to seek legal advice. <<a href="mailto:patentpractice@oppedahl-lists.com" target="_blank">patentpractice@oppedahl-lists.com</a>><br>
<b>Cc:</b> Randall Svihla <<a href="mailto:rsvihla@nsiplaw.com" target="_blank">rsvihla@nsiplaw.com</a>><br>
<b>Subject:</b> Re: [Patentpractice] The use of "and/or" in claims<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<table class="MsoNormalTable" border="0" cellpadding="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt">
<div style="border:solid red 3.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;text-align:center;line-height:12.0pt;background:red">
<span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:white">EXTERNAL EMAIL</span><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">\u201cyou had what you originally wanted and you amended it out \u2013 that\u2019s on you.\u201d Ouch.</span><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"> </span><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<div>
<div style="border:none;border-top:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in;border-color:currentcolor currentcolor">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt">From:</span></b><span style="font-size:11.0pt"> Patentpractice <<a href="mailto:patentpractice-bounces@oppedahl-lists.com" target="_blank">patentpractice-bounces@oppedahl-lists.com</a>>
<b>On Behalf Of </b>Valensa, Jeroen via Patentpractice<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Friday, December 1, 2023 2:35 PM<br>
<b>To:</b> For patent practitioners. This is not for laypersons to seek legal advice. <<a href="mailto:patentpractice@oppedahl-lists.com" target="_blank">patentpractice@oppedahl-lists.com</a>><br>
<b>Cc:</b> Valensa, Jeroen <<a href="mailto:jevalensa@aosmith.com" target="_blank">jevalensa@aosmith.com</a>><br>
<b>Subject:</b> Re: [Patentpractice] The use of "and/or" in claims<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">I will weigh in with my own experience at the Fed. Circ. on this issue. Note that this was not at my current employer, but was at a prior (also in-house)
position. Similar to your case, we had a US patent that originated from a foreign priority filing (German, in this case). The claim had and/or language as originally filed, from the translation. We proactively (i.e. not in response to a rejection) amended
it to more proper US claim language: \u201cat least one of an A and a B\u201d, instead of the original \u201can A and/or a B\u201d.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">The patent ended up being asserted against a competitor, and at the district court the claim construction that the judge adopted (wrongly) was that
the claim required both an A and a B, and since the accused infringer\u2019s product only had an A and not a B, summary judgement for defendant.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">We appealed. Fed. Circ. affirmed with no opinion (Rule 36). Notably, (then Chief-)Judge Prost, who wrote the opinion in
<i>SuperGuide Corp. v. DirecTV Enters., Inc.</i>, 358 F.3d 870 (Fed. Cir. 2004), headed up the panel. In
<i>SuperGuide, </i>the Fed. Circ. distinguished between categories on the one hand, and individual items that may serve as replacements for each other on the other hand. The Federal Circuit repeatedly discusses that the plain and ordinary meaning of \u201cat least
one of A and B\u201d is \u201cat least one of category A and at least one of category B\u201d (the conjunctive interpretation) when A and B are categories of things. According to the Fed Circ., the plain and ordinary meaning of "at least one of A and B", at least when the
two are categories, is the conjunctive, requiring at least one A and at least one B. In order for it to be treated in the disjunctive (e.g. A or B or both) requires a clear indication in the specification or prosecution record that this is the intended interpretation.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Since there was no opinion written, I have no definitive answer to why they affirmed, but I\u2019m fairly certain that we were hamstrung by the very limited
written description (typical of German applications), which did not provided a clear interpretation that you could have an A or a B or both.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">I still remember one statement at oral argument by Judge Clevenger, which I want to impart to you. Referring to the original \u201cand/or\u201d language of
the claim, he said something to the effect of, \u201cyou had what you originally wanted and you amended it out \u2013 that\u2019s on you.\u201d<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:#00853E">Jeroen Valensa</span></b><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="color:#7F7F7F">Assistant General Counsel \u2013 Intellectual Property</span><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><a href="https://www.aosmith.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:windowtext;text-decoration:none"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><img border="0" width="127" height="44" style="width:1.3229in;height:.4583in" id="m_-6590699640396471439m_-1919698308981920622Picture_x0020_4" src="cid:ii_18c287d01ee772f6c3"></span></span></a><br>
<b><span style="color:black">11270 W Park Place</span></b><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><b><span style="color:black">Milwaukee, WI 53224</span></b><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:8.0pt;font-family:Wingdings;color:#7F7F7F">*</span><span style="font-size:8.0pt;color:#7F7F7F"> email:</span><span style="font-size:8.0pt;color:#00853E">
</span><a href="mailto:jevalensa@aosmith.com" target="_blank">jevalensa@aosmith.com</a><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"> <span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<div>
<div style="border:none;border-top:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in;border-color:currentcolor currentcolor">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt">From:</span></b><span style="font-size:11.0pt"> Patentpractice <<a href="mailto:patentpractice-bounces@oppedahl-lists.com" target="_blank">patentpractice-bounces@oppedahl-lists.com</a>>
<b>On Behalf Of </b>Patent Lawyer via Patentpractice<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Friday, December 1, 2023 12:00 PM<br>
<b>To:</b> For patent practitioners. This is not for laypersons to seek legal advice. <<a href="mailto:patentpractice@oppedahl-lists.com" target="_blank">patentpractice@oppedahl-lists.com</a>><br>
<b>Cc:</b> Patent Lawyer <<a href="mailto:patentlawyer995@gmail.com" target="_blank">patentlawyer995@gmail.com</a>><br>
<b>Subject:</b> Re: [Patentpractice] The use of "and/or" in claims<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<div>
<table class="MsoNormalTable" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" style="width:100.0%;border-collapse:collapse">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width="4" style="width:3.0pt;border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-right:none;background:#CF0000;padding:3.0pt 3.0pt 3.0pt 3.0pt;border-color:currentcolor black black">
</td>
<td style="border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-left:none;background:#FFD11C;padding:3.0pt 3.0pt 3.0pt 3.0pt;border-color:currentcolor">
<p><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black">This message has originated from an
<strong><span style="font-family:Helvetica">External Source</span></strong>. Please use proper judgment and caution when opening attachments, clicking links, or responding to this email.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding:3.0pt 3.0pt 3.0pt 3.0pt"></td>
<td style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in"></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Thanks for this and other responses.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">I think the correct (low risk) approach is to rewrite the claims without the term \u201cand/or\u201d.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Why risk some weird Federal Circuit interpretation?
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">I won\u2019t say that \u201cand/or\u201d is a lazy way of writing, because I do it all the time and I know exactly what it means and what I mean. But the Federal
Circuit has changed the rules of English grammar before.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">I\u2019ll just take the issue off the table. (The claims are already being amended for other reasons.)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Also, this application was written outside the US and there is no option to add something now to the specification explaining what \u201cand/or\u201d means.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Again, thanks to all for responses.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<div style="border:none;border-top:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in;border-color:currentcolor currentcolor">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black">From:
</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black">Patentpractice <<a href="mailto:patentpractice-bounces@oppedahl-lists.com" target="_blank">patentpractice-bounces@oppedahl-lists.com</a>> on behalf of Alan Taboada via Patentpractice <<a href="mailto:patentpractice@oppedahl-lists.com" target="_blank">patentpractice@oppedahl-lists.com</a>><br>
<b>Reply-To: </b>"For patent practitioners. This is not for laypersons to seek legal advice." <<a href="mailto:patentpractice@oppedahl-lists.com" target="_blank">patentpractice@oppedahl-lists.com</a>><br>
<b>Date: </b>Friday, December 1, 2023 at 12:35 PM<br>
<b>To: </b>"For patent practitioners. This is not for laypersons to seek legal advice." <<a href="mailto:patentpractice@oppedahl-lists.com" target="_blank">patentpractice@oppedahl-lists.com</a>><br>
<b>Cc: </b>Alan Taboada <<a href="mailto:ataboada@mtiplaw.com" target="_blank">ataboada@mtiplaw.com</a>><br>
<b>Subject: </b>Re: [Patentpractice] The use of "and/or" in claims</span><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"> </span><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#44546A">Not sure about a case citation, but the following is my view on this matter.</span><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#44546A"> </span><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#44546A">There mght be situations where it doesn\u2019t work out this way, but without further information, I think examiner might be
correct on this one.</span><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#44546A"> </span><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#44546A">In general, \u201cA and/or B\u201d covers claim scope of \u201cA and B\u201d and \u201cA or B\u201d so any prior art that shows either would be relevant
to the claim.</span><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#44546A"> </span><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#44546A">Generally speaking, \u201cA or B\u201d is typically broader than \u201cA or B\u201d (again, we do not know the exact claim language, but I
think that typically this would be the case).</span><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#44546A"> </span><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#44546A">Since the examiner only needs to meet the limitations of either one of A or B to read on the claim limitation, then the
examiner will (rightly) construe the claim more broadly and not worry about having to find art that shows both A and B.</span><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#44546A"> </span><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#44546A"> </span><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#44546A"> </span><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<div>
<div style="border:none;border-top:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in;border-color:currentcolor currentcolor">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt">From:</span></b><span style="font-size:11.0pt"> Patentpractice <<a href="mailto:patentpractice-bounces@oppedahl-lists.com" target="_blank">patentpractice-bounces@oppedahl-lists.com</a>>
<b>On Behalf Of </b>Patent Lawyer via Patentpractice<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Friday, December 1, 2023 11:04 AM<br>
<b>To:</b> For patent practitioners. This is not for laypersons to seek legal advice. <<a href="mailto:patentpractice@oppedahl-lists.com" target="_blank">patentpractice@oppedahl-lists.com</a>><br>
<b>Cc:</b> Patent Lawyer <<a href="mailto:patentlawyer995@gmail.com" target="_blank">patentlawyer995@gmail.com</a>><br>
<b>Subject:</b> [Patentpractice] The use of "and/or" in claims<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">We've seen this before, but I cannot find the discussion.</span><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"> </span><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">In an office action, an examiner writes:</span><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"> </span><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><i><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">All claim limitations that include "and/or" are interpreted as "or". If applicant disagrees with this interpretation,
they are invited to amend the "and/or" to "and".</span></i><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"> </span><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">I believe the examiner is wrong! And I will point that out.</span><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"> </span><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">BUT I recall that there was some case that discussed this.
</span><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">I would appreciate a pointer to a case or other reference discussing this issue.
</span><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Thanks in advance.</span><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><br>
<br>
Links contained in this email have been replaced. If you click on a link in the email above, the link will be analyzed for known threats. If a known threat is found, you will not be able to proceed to the destination. If suspicious content is detected, you
will see a warning.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">-- Patentpractice mailing list
<a href="mailto:Patentpractice@oppedahl-lists.com" target="_blank">Patentpractice@oppedahl-lists.com</a>
<a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__http:/oppedahl-lists.com/mailman/listinfo/patentpractice_oppedahl-lists.com__;!!NJahUI48xw!SzeXYjLtySIBMJxQ5lPYT3g1G4F2a2ciYYM3zqITQUzkdJmppyAHLf6D3axgVt0g9L12E-K3QqAG9yK8Eq2HCUc0Mw56lMMm$" target="_blank">
http://oppedahl-lists.com/mailman/listinfo/patentpractice_oppedahl-lists.com [oppedahl-lists.com]</a>
</span><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">-- <br>
Patentpractice mailing list<br>
<a href="mailto:Patentpractice@oppedahl-lists.com" target="_blank">Patentpractice@oppedahl-lists.com</a><br>
<a href="http://oppedahl-lists.com/mailman/listinfo/patentpractice_oppedahl-lists.com" target="_blank">http://oppedahl-lists.com/mailman/listinfo/patentpractice_oppedahl-lists.com</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
</blockquote>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><br clear="all">
<br>
<span class="gmailsignatureprefix">-- </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:7.5pt;margin-left:0in">
<span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans",sans-serif;color:#667FA0"><a href="https://www.iam-media.com/strategy300/individuals/david-boundy" target="_blank"><span style="color:#667FA0;border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in;text-decoration:none"><img border="0" width="73" height="92" style="width:.7604in;height:.9583in" id="_x0000_i1025" src="cid:~WRD2427.jpg" alt="Image removed by sender."></span><span style="color:#667FA0;text-decoration:none">
<br>
</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin:0in;text-align:start"><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#606E9A">David Boundy </span></b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#7C869A">| Partner <span style="background:white">| </span>Potomac Law
Group, PLLC</span><span style="font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#323130"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin:0in;text-align:start"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#7C869A">P.O. Box 590638, Newton, MA 02459</span><span style="font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#323130"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin:0in"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:#7C869A">Tel (646) 472-9737 </span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:gray">|</span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:#7C869A"> Fax:
(202) 318-7707</span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:#7C869A"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin:0in"><u><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#0C64C0"><a href="mailto:dboundy@potomaclaw.com" target="_blank" title="mailto:dboundy@potomaclaw.com"><span style="color:#FE46A5">dboundy@potomaclaw.com</span></a></span></u><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#0C64C0"> </span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#7C869A">| <u><a href="http://www.potomaclaw.com" target="_blank" title="http://www.potomaclaw.com/"><span style="color:#0C64C0">www.potomaclaw.com</span></a></u></span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:#7C869A"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin:0in"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><a href="http://ssrn.com/author=2936470" target="_blank">Articles at http://ssrn.com/author=2936470</a><a href="https://www.keynect.us/requestCardAccess/USA500DBOUN?" target="_blank"><span style="color:windowtext"><br>
</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin:0in"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><a href="https://www.keynect.us/requestCardAccess/USA500DBOUN?" target="_blank"><span style="color:windowtext">Click here to add me to your contacts.</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</body>
</html>