<div dir="ltr"><div>Carl's word substitution works when you have two components. It doesn't work for three. Then you have to start exploding out the full cross product / power set of possible combinations.</div><div><br></div><div>There are times to tell an examiner to go suck eggs. This is one of them. Here's an argument I gave</div><div><br></div><div><div style="margin-left:40px">• Webster’s Third New International Dictionary (the dictionary most often relied on by the Federal Circuit) defines “and/or” as “a function word to indicate that words are to be taken together or individually.”<br>• Webster’s New Twentieth Century Dictionary gives the following definition, which is equivalent: “and/or either and or or; according to what applies: as, personal and/or real property.”<br>• Webster’s New Collegiate gives the same definition as Webster’s Third New International.<br>• The American Heritage Dictionary gives “and/or conj. Used to indicate that either or both of the items connected by it are involved.”<br>• In December 2013, the Patent Trial and Appeal Board held that “and/or” is not indefinite, <i>Ex parte Gross</i>, Appeal. No. 2011-4811, slip op. at 4, 2013 WL 6907805 at *2 (PTAB Dec. 31, 2013) (unpublished) (citations omitted):<br></div><div style="margin-left:40px"><div style="margin-left:40px">The Examiner rejected [claims] as indefinite based on the use of the term<br>“and/or.” We agree with Appellant that “and/or” covers embodiments having<br>element A alone, element B alone, or elements A and B taken together.<br></div></div><div style="margin-left:40px">• The expression “and/or” is used regularly throughout the MPEP, for example, in the form paragraphs that the PTO gives examiners to ensure that issues are communicated definitely. The PTO considers the term “and/or” to be clear and definite.<br></div><div style="margin-left:40px"><br></div><div style="margin-left:40px">MPEP §§ 2111 and 2111.01 instruct as follows (citations and quotations omitted):<br></div><div style="margin-left:40px"><div style="margin-left:40px">The broadest reasonable interpretation of the claims must also be consistent with the<br>interpretation that those skilled in the art would reach….<br></div></div><div style="margin-left:40px"><br></div><div style="margin-left:40px">The Office Action identifies no ambiguity in the term “and/or,” and no other reason to believe that it is indefinite. “And/or” is definite because it has one and only one meaning, equivalent to “inclusive or.” No other compact wording has the same unambiguous meaning.<br></div></div></div><br><div class="gmail_quote"><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_attr">On Sat, Dec 2, 2023 at 4:49 AM Carl Oppedahl <<a href="mailto:carl@oppedahl.com" target="_blank">carl@oppedahl.com</a>> wrote:<br></div><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex"><u></u>
<div>
<p>What he said. If anybody wonders what "and/or" means in a patent
claim, we already know the answer. The term "A and/or B" means "A
or B or 'A and B'". There is no reason to spend additional time
or energy working on some other way to say it. And yes, if an
Examiner gripes about the term "A and/or B" in a claim, the way to
shut up the Examiner is to make an amendment as to form that is "A
or B or 'A and B'". The scope of the claim will be unchanged for
Festo purposes and for all other purposes.</p>
<p>Yes I get it that sometimes the A and the B have high word
counts. Too bad so sad. Yes when we then do the symbol
manipulation that converts "A and/or B" into "A or B or 'A and
B'", we may end up with a wholly unreadable claim and a word count
in the hundreds. To the extent that blame must be assigned, it
lands on the Examiner. Everybody already knew what "and/or" meant
but the Examiner played dumb on this. Too bad so sad.</p>
<p>Look for the silver lining in the cloud. If there had been any
doubt about whether the claim was patentable under <a href="https://blog.oppedahl.com/imbrication/" target="_blank">the four-finger
rule</a>, the amendment to do the symbol manipulation that
converts "A and/or B" into "A or B or 'A and B'" will eliminate
any doubt as to patentability.<br>
</p>
<div>On 12/1/2023 7:50 PM, David Boundy via
Patentpractice wrote:<br>
</div>
<blockquote type="cite">
<div dir="ltr">
<div>A couple people asked about why I hold my view that
definitions are Bad Bad Bad. Reasons to lose definitions --</div>
<div> 0. for definitions that track the dictionary
definition, there's NO upside. It's just a waste.<br>
</div>
<div> 1. They tie your future litigator's hands. A
successful enforcement action has to get a claim construction
that is not too narrow, not too broad, just right. Every
definition takes away a degree of freedom that your litigator
might need.</div>
<div> 2. It takes away flexibility that you will likely
need. during prosecution.<br>
</div>
<div> 3. It gives infringers a green light -- some degree
of ambiguity is your friend for some portions of a patent's
life.<br>
</div>
<div> 4. Inevitably, if you have more than a page or so,
there will be an error. Typically that error will be about
some corner case you didn't think about. Then you're really
screwed.</div>
<div> 5. Technology evolves. Often technology words take
on broader meanings over time. A definition as of the time of
filing will lock out that future progress. Staley v Cultor is
a perfect case to illustrate the problem -- the patent had a
definition <i><b>taken from the relevant FDA reg</b></i>--which
you would think would be safe. But the preferred synthesis
for the compound changed over time. So a definition led
directly to non-infringement of a nine-figure patent.<br>
</div>
<div> 6. Examiners almost never look at definitions in the
spec. Getting the examiner to credit a definition in the spec
will almost always waste an office Action. So put the words
IN THE CLAIM.</div>
<div> 7. They lead to lazy writing.<br>
</div>
<div> 8. PCT, it costs you $15/page for zero upside.</div>
<div><br>
</div>
<div>In over 30 years, I don't think I have included three
definitions in my specs. Every time I have taken over a case
with a bunch of definitions, these damn definitions have been
a huge problem.<br>
</div>
<div><br>
</div>
<div>In the spec, I give definitions using word of example,
followed by examples, not words of definition:
"Tyraonosoursous platformate may be oxide of 2- or 3-platen,
complexed with tyranosor fluoride, oxide, or bromide, in its
up, down, charm, strange, bottom, or top flavor." I
sometimes put definitions in dependent claims<br>
</div>
<div><br>
</div>
<div>I've written a longer essay on why definitions are bad bad
bad several times to these lists -- if you search the archives
for the word "Cultor" you'll find a longer essay.<br>
</div>
</div>
<br>
<div class="gmail_quote">
<div dir="ltr" class="gmail_attr">On Fri, Dec 1, 2023 at 7:58 PM
David Boundy <<a href="mailto:DavidBoundyEsq@gmail.com" target="_blank">DavidBoundyEsq@gmail.com</a>>
wrote:<br>
</div>
<blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex">
<div dir="auto">Boilerplate definitions of this sort will do
you more harm than good. Lose the whole bunch.</div>
<br>
<div class="gmail_quote">
<div dir="ltr" class="gmail_attr">On Fri, Dec 1, 2023, 2:57
PM George Jakobsche via Patentpractice <<a href="mailto:patentpractice@oppedahl-lists.com" target="_blank">patentpractice@oppedahl-lists.com</a>>
wrote:<br>
</div>
<blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex">
<div lang="EN-US">
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt">For
whatever it is worth, my template patent
application includes the following boilerplate
language:</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt">As
used herein, including in the claims, the term
“and/or,” used in connection with a list of items
or categories, means one or more of the items or
categories in the list, i.e., at least one of the
items or categories in the list, but not
necessarily all the items in the list and not
necessarily one item from each category in the
list. As used herein, including in the claims, the
term “or,” used in connection with a list of items
or categories, means one or more of the items or
categories in the list, i.e., at least one of the
items or categories in the list, but not
necessarily all the items in the list and not
necessarily one item from each category in the
list. “Or” does not mean “exclusive or,” and “or”
does not mean “at least one from each (category).”</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt"> </span></p>
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt">Best
regards,</span></p>
<div style="border-color:currentcolor currentcolor windowtext;border-style:none none solid;border-width:medium medium 1.5pt;padding:0in 0in 1pt">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt">George</span></p>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt">George
Jakobsche Patent Counsel PLLC</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt">39
Old Farm Road, Concord, MA 01742-5234</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt"><a href="mailto:George@JakobscheLaw.com" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank"><span style="color:rgb(5,99,193)">George@JakobscheLaw.com</span></a>
| +1-978-245-8100</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This e-mail is from George
Jakobsche Patent Counsel PLLC, a law firm, and
it may contain confidential or privileged
information. If you are not the intended
recipient, do not read, copy, or distribute this
message or any attachment(s). Instead, please
notify the sender and delete the message and the
attachment(s). Thank you.</p>
</div>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt"> </span></p>
<div id="m_3105670812222606380m_-3459056250688212977m_-4115428830930365076m_5498788859378822975mail-editor-reference-message-container">
<div>
<div style="border-color:rgb(181,196,223) currentcolor currentcolor;border-style:solid none none;border-width:1pt medium medium;padding:3pt 0in 0in">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12pt"><b><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif;color:black">From:
</span></b><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif;color:black">Patentpractice
<<a href="mailto:patentpractice-bounces@oppedahl-lists.com" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">patentpractice-bounces@oppedahl-lists.com</a>>
on behalf of Bryan McWhorter via
Patentpractice <<a href="mailto:patentpractice@oppedahl-lists.com" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">patentpractice@oppedahl-lists.com</a>><br>
<b>Date: </b>Friday, December 1, 2023 at
2:24</span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black"> </span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif;color:black">PM<br>
<b>To: </b>For patent practitioners. This
is not for laypersons to seek legal advice.
<<a href="mailto:patentpractice@oppedahl-lists.com" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">patentpractice@oppedahl-lists.com</a>><br>
<b>Cc: </b>Bryan McWhorter <<a href="mailto:bryan@bggm.net" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">bryan@bggm.net</a>><br>
<b>Subject: </b>Re: [Patentpractice] The
use of "and/or" in claims</span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt">I generally agree
with you David, though I take issue with the
BRI of "and/or" being "or" (potentially in
an exclusive sense, though the examiner does
not seem to say). It's true that and/or
<i>encompasses</i> 'exclusive or', and so
this interpretation may work for art-based
rejections (at least to some extent). But
for other sections--Section 112 for
example--or for more complicated 103
questions, it's important to remember that
"exclusive or" is <i>not </i>the broadest
reasonable interpretation of "and/or".</span></p>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt"> </span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt">To be clear, I
concur that 'and/or' is not in any way
open to multiple interpretations. </span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt"> </span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt">Bryan</span></p>
</div>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt"> </span></p>
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt">On Fri, Dec 1, 2023
at 10:57 AM David Boundy via
Patentpractice <<a href="mailto:patentpractice@oppedahl-lists.com" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">patentpractice@oppedahl-lists.com</a>>
wrote:</span></p>
</div>
<blockquote style="border-color:currentcolor currentcolor currentcolor rgb(204,204,204);border-style:none none none solid;border-width:medium medium medium 1pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 6pt;margin-left:4.8pt;margin-right:0in">
<div>
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt">PL>
questions examiners interpretation
of and/or</span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt"><br>
I agree with the several comments
that the examiner's interpretation
is the correct "broadest reasonable
interpretation"</span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt"> </span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt">RS> So we
agree using "and/or" in claims is
open to multiple interpretations<br>
<br>
I disagree EMPHATICALLY with RS.
"and/or" has one and only one
meaning, "inclusive or." Naked
"or" is ambiguous, either "inclusive
or" or "exclusive or" with no
predictable rhyme or reeason. A
cynic could easily conclude that --</span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt"> </span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt">Naked "or"
means "exclusive or" if the
defendant raises a non-infringement
defense. Naked "or" means
"inclusive or" if the defendant
raises an invalidity defense.</span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt"> </span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt">I NEVER use
naked "or." I always use something
that is unambiguous -- "and/or"
often is my choice. If the examiner
says this is indefinite, I often
cite Gross, see Bryan Wheelock's
email.</span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt"> </span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt">You also have
to watch out for forms that can mean
"any one of x y or z in pure form,
no mixtures or alloys." Any
ambiguity gives a defendant a free
option to choose invalidity or
noninfringement.</span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt"> </span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt"> </span></p>
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt">On Fri,
Dec 1, 2023, 12:09 PM Randy
Smith via Patentpractice <<a href="mailto:patentpractice@oppedahl-lists.com" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">patentpractice@oppedahl-lists.com</a>>
wrote:</span></p>
</div>
<blockquote style="border-color:currentcolor currentcolor currentcolor rgb(204,204,204);border-style:none none none solid;border-width:medium medium medium 1pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 6pt;margin-left:4.8pt;margin-right:0in">
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt">So we
agree using "and/or" in claims
is open to multiple
interpretations. If you don't
want to create a potential
$$$litigation issue, use
unambiguous language like "at
least one of A, B or C" as
suggested below. </span></p>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt"> </span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt">I
agree the examiner uses the
broadest interpretation in
prosecution so he/she just
needs a reference with any
of them. </span></p>
</div>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt"> </span></p>
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt">On
Fri, Dec 1, 2023, 10:04
Patent Lawyer via
Patentpractice <<a href="mailto:patentpractice@oppedahl-lists.com" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">patentpractice@oppedahl-lists.com</a>>
wrote:</span></p>
</div>
<blockquote style="border-color:currentcolor currentcolor currentcolor rgb(204,204,204);border-style:none none none solid;border-width:medium medium medium 1pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 6pt;margin-left:4.8pt;margin-right:0in">
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14pt">We've
seen this before, but I
cannot find the
discussion.</span><span style="font-size:11pt"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14pt"> </span><span style="font-size:11pt"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14pt">In
an office action, an
examiner writes:</span><span style="font-size:11pt"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14pt"> </span><span style="font-size:11pt"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size:14pt;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:11pt"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14pt"> </span><span style="font-size:11pt"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14pt">I
believe the examiner is
wrong! And I will point
that out.</span><span style="font-size:11pt"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14pt"> </span><span style="font-size:11pt"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14pt">BUT
I recall that there was
some case that discussed
this.
</span><span style="font-size:11pt"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14pt">I
would appreciate a
pointer to a case or
other reference
discussing this issue.
</span><span style="font-size:11pt"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14pt">Thanks
in advance.</span><span style="font-size:11pt"></span></p>
</div>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt">-- <br>
Patentpractice mailing list<br>
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</blockquote>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt">-- <br>
Patentpractice mailing list<br>
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</blockquote>
</div>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12pt"><span style="font-size:11pt"> </span></p>
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt">On Fri, Dec
1, 2023, 12:09 PM Randy Smith via
Patentpractice <<a href="mailto:patentpractice@oppedahl-lists.com" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">patentpractice@oppedahl-lists.com</a>>
wrote:</span></p>
</div>
<blockquote style="border-color:currentcolor currentcolor currentcolor rgb(204,204,204);border-style:none none none solid;border-width:medium medium medium 1pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 6pt;margin-left:4.8pt;margin-right:0in">
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt">So we
agree using "and/or" in claims
is open to multiple
interpretations. If you don't
want to create a potential
$$$litigation issue, use
unambiguous language like "at
least one of A, B or C" as
suggested below. </span></p>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt"> </span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt">I agree
the examiner uses the broadest
interpretation in prosecution
so he/she just needs a
reference with any of them. </span></p>
</div>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt"> </span></p>
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt">On Fri,
Dec 1, 2023, 10:04 Patent
Lawyer via Patentpractice <<a href="mailto:patentpractice@oppedahl-lists.com" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">patentpractice@oppedahl-lists.com</a>>
wrote:</span></p>
</div>
<blockquote style="border-color:currentcolor currentcolor currentcolor rgb(204,204,204);border-style:none none none solid;border-width:medium medium medium 1pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 6pt;margin-left:4.8pt;margin-right:0in">
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14pt">We've
seen this before, but I
cannot find the
discussion.</span><span style="font-size:11pt"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14pt"> </span><span style="font-size:11pt"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14pt">In
an office action, an
examiner writes:</span><span style="font-size:11pt"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14pt"> </span><span style="font-size:11pt"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size:14pt;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:11pt"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14pt"> </span><span style="font-size:11pt"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14pt">I
believe the examiner is
wrong! And I will point
that out.</span><span style="font-size:11pt"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14pt"> </span><span style="font-size:11pt"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14pt">BUT
I recall that there was
some case that discussed
this.
</span><span style="font-size:11pt"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14pt">I
would appreciate a pointer
to a case or other
reference discussing this
issue.
</span><span style="font-size:11pt"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14pt">Thanks
in advance.</span><span style="font-size:11pt"></span></p>
</div>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt">-- <br>
Patentpractice mailing list<br>
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</blockquote>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt">-- <br>
Patentpractice mailing list<br>
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</blockquote>
</div>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12pt"><span style="font-size:11pt"> </span></p>
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt">On Fri, Dec
1, 2023, 12:09 PM Randy Smith via
Patentpractice <<a href="mailto:patentpractice@oppedahl-lists.com" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">patentpractice@oppedahl-lists.com</a>>
wrote:</span></p>
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<blockquote style="border-color:currentcolor currentcolor currentcolor rgb(204,204,204);border-style:none none none solid;border-width:medium medium medium 1pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 6pt;margin-left:4.8pt;margin-right:0in">
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt">So we agree
using "and/or" in claims is open
to multiple interpretations. If
you don't want to create a
potential $$$litigation issue,
use unambiguous language like "at
least one of A, B or C" as
suggested below. </span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt"> </span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt">I agree
the examiner uses the broadest
interpretation in prosecution so
he/she just needs a reference
with any of them. </span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt"> </span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt">On Fri,
Dec 1, 2023, 10:04 Patent Lawyer
via Patentpractice <<a href="mailto:patentpractice@oppedahl-lists.com" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">patentpractice@oppedahl-lists.com</a>>
wrote:</span></p>
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<blockquote style="border-color:currentcolor currentcolor currentcolor rgb(204,204,204);border-style:none none none solid;border-width:medium medium medium 1pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 6pt;margin-left:4.8pt;margin-right:0in">
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14pt">We've
seen this before, but I
cannot find the discussion.</span><span style="font-size:11pt"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14pt"> </span><span style="font-size:11pt"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14pt">In an
office action, an examiner
writes:</span><span style="font-size:11pt"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14pt"> </span><span style="font-size:11pt"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size:14pt;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:11pt"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14pt"> </span><span style="font-size:11pt"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14pt">I
believe the examiner is
wrong! And I will point
that out.</span><span style="font-size:11pt"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14pt"> </span><span style="font-size:11pt"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14pt">BUT I
recall that there was some
case that discussed this.
</span><span style="font-size:11pt"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14pt">I
would appreciate a pointer
to a case or other reference
discussing this issue.
</span><span style="font-size:11pt"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14pt">Thanks
in advance.</span><span style="font-size:11pt"></span></p>
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