Brian Cronin
Posts by Brian Cronin
Flexible problem-solution analysis for drafters with Europe in mind
The problem-solution paradigm has become a cornerstone of patentability in Europe. If the invention cannot be reduced to the format of a technical solution to a technical …
Could or should the USPTO adopt the EPO problem-and-solution approach for assessing obviousness?
There is a plausible case that the US law on obviousness is indeed compatible with the EPO problem-and-solution approach. It could even be said that the steps …
The quest for patent quality: European inventive step and US obviousness
In Europe and the US, patentability depends on a showing of inventiveness that is based on similar legal requirements but practice differs substantially and the resulting patent …
Comparing and Contrasting European 2-part claims with US Jepson claims
European practice requires a strict distribution of the features before and after "characterizing", where those prior art features that are common with the definition of the invention …