epc-search

What this skill does

# EPC/PCT Legal Search Skill

Hybrid RAG search across the European Patent Convention (EPC), EPO Guidelines for Examination, and PCT Rules for patent law research.

## When to Use

Invoke this skill when users ask to:
- Find EPC articles or rules on a specific topic
- Search EPO Guidelines for Examination
- Look up PCT rules or Administrative Instructions
- Compare EPC requirements with USPTO/MPEP practice
- Research EPO Board of Appeal case law principles
- Understand European patent prosecution procedure
- Find legal basis for EPO examination objections

## What This Skill Does

Provides legal research across European and international patent law:

1. **EPC Search** (European Patent Convention):
   - Articles 1-178 EPC
   - Rules 1-167 EPC (Implementing Regulations)
   - Protocol on Interpretation of Art. 69 EPC
   - Protocol on Centralisation
   - Protocol on Privileges and Immunities

2. **EPO Guidelines Search** (Guidelines for Examination):
   - Part A: Guidelines for Formalities Examination
   - Part B: Guidelines for Search
   - Part C: Guidelines for Procedural Aspects of Substantive Examination
   - Part D: Guidelines for Opposition and Limitation/Revocation
   - Part E: Guidelines for General Procedural Matters
   - Part F: Guidelines for Substantive Examination (The Patent Application)
   - Part G: Guidelines for Patentability
   - Part H: Guidelines for Amendments and Corrections

3. **PCT Rules Search** (Patent Cooperation Treaty):
   - PCT Articles 1-69
   - PCT Rules 1-96 (Regulations under the PCT)
   - Administrative Instructions under the PCT
   - WIPO Standards (ST.25, ST.26, ST.36)

4. **Cross-Jurisdiction Comparison**:
   - EPC vs 35 USC mapping
   - EPO Guidelines vs MPEP equivalents
   - PCT requirements vs national requirements

## Required Data

**MCP Tools Available**:
- `search_patent_law` - Search EPC, EPO Guidelines, PCT rules with jurisdiction parameter
- `search_mpep` - Search MPEP/35 USC/37 CFR for comparison

## How to Use

When this skill is invoked:

1. **Determine jurisdiction**:
   - EPO: search EPC articles/rules and EPO Guidelines
   - PCT: search PCT articles/rules and Administrative Instructions
   - Both: search across all sources
   - Comparison: search EPO + USPTO sources

2. **Execute search**:

   **EPC/EPO Guidelines search**:
   ```python
   results = search_patent_law(
       query="claim clarity requirements",
       jurisdiction="EPO",
       top_k=5
   )
   ```

   **PCT rules search**:
   ```python
   results = search_patent_law(
       query="unity of invention",
       jurisdiction="PCT",
       top_k=5
   )
   ```

   **Cross-jurisdiction comparison**:
   ```python
   epo_results = search_patent_law(query="sufficiency of disclosure", jurisdiction="EPO")
   us_results = search_mpep(query="enablement requirement")
   ```

3. **Present results**:
   - Show relevant provisions with full text
   - Provide article/rule numbers and section references
   - Include EPO Guidelines commentary
   - Note practical implications for prosecution

## Key EPC Provisions Reference

### Patentability

| Article | Topic | Description |
|---------|-------|-------------|
| Art. 52 | Patentable inventions | What can be patented |
| Art. 52(2) | Exclusions | Discoveries, theories, programs "as such" |
| Art. 53 | Exceptions | Morality, plant/animal varieties, medical methods |
| Art. 54 | Novelty | Absolute novelty, no grace period |
| Art. 55 | Non-prejudicial disclosures | 6-month grace for abuse or exhibitions |
| Art. 56 | Inventive step | Problem-solution approach |
| Art. 57 | Industrial applicability | Capable of industrial application |

### The Patent Application

| Article/Rule | Topic | Description |
|-------------|-------|-------------|
| Art. 78 | Requirements | What an EP application must contain |
| Art. 83 | Disclosure | Sufficiency of disclosure |
| Art. 84 | Claims | Clarity, conciseness, support |
| Rule 42 | Description | Content and form of description |
| Rule 43 | Claims | Two-part form, numbering, categories |
| Rule 46 | Drawings | Form and content requirements |
| Rule 47 | Abstract | Max 150 words, figure designation |

### Examination Procedure

| Article | Topic | Description |
|---------|-------|-------------|
| Art. 90 | Formalities examination | Initial formality check |
| Art. 92 | European search | Search report |
| Art. 94 | Substantive examination | Examination on request |
| Art. 97 | Grant/refusal | Decision on application |
| Art. 99 | Opposition | 9-month opposition period |

## Key PCT Rules Reference

### Application Requirements

| Rule | Topic | Description |
|------|-------|-------------|
| Rule 4 | The request | Form PCT/RO/101 contents |
| Rule 5 | The description | Required sections and order |
| Rule 6 | The claims | Numbering, form, categories |
| Rule 8 | The abstract | Max 150 words, figure |
| Rule 11 | Physical requirements | Paper, margins, fonts |
| Rule 12 | Language | Accepted languages |

### Unity and Search

| Rule | Topic | Description |
|------|-------|-------------|
| Rule 13 | Unity of invention | Single general inventive concept |
| Rule 33 | Relevant prior art | ISA search scope |
| Rule 39 | Subject matter not searched | Excluded from ISA search |
| Rule 43bis | International search report | Written opinion of ISA |

### National Phase

| Rule | Topic | Description |
|------|-------|-------------|
| Rule 49 | Physical requirements | National phase format |
| Rule 49.6 | Translation | Language requirements |
| Rule 51bis | Certain national requirements | National law compliance |

## EPO Guidelines Structure

```
Part A: Formalities Examination
├── Chapter I: Checking the application on filing
├── Chapter II: Filing and examination for formalities
├── Chapter III: Special cases (divisionals, PCT)
└── Chapter IV: Designation of inventor

Part F: The Patent Application
├── Chapter I: Description
├── Chapter II: Claims (MOST COMMONLY SEARCHED)
│   ├── F-IV, 2: Independent claims
│   ├── F-IV, 3: Two-part form
│   ├── F-IV, 4: Clarity
│   ├── F-IV, 6: Support by description
│   └── F-IV, 7: Dependent claims
├── Chapter III: Sufficiency of disclosure
├── Chapter V: Abstract
└── Chapter VI: Drawings

Part G: Patentability
├── Chapter I: Excluded subject matter
├── Chapter II: Non-technical subject matter
├── Chapter III: Novelty
├── Chapter V: Non-prejudicial disclosures
├── Chapter VI: Inventive step (problem-solution)
└── Chapter VII: Inventive step (combinability)
```

## Presentation Format

Present search results as:

```
EPC/EPO LEGAL RESEARCH RESULTS
=================================

Query: "claim clarity requirements"
Jurisdiction: EPO (EPC + Guidelines)

[1] Art. 84 EPC - The Claims
    "The claims shall define the matter for which protection
    is sought. They shall be clear, concise and be supported
    by the description."

    EPO Guidelines F-IV, 4 - Clarity
    "Each claim should be read giving the words the meaning
    and scope which they normally have in the relevant art..."

    Key Points:
    - Claims must be clear on their own (not by reference to spec)
    - Technical terms given their normal meaning in the art
    - Relative terms need objective reference point
    - Functional features must be verifiable

[2] Rule 43(1) EPC - Form and content of claims
    "...shall contain: (a) a statement indicating the designation
    of the subject-matter and those technical features necessary
    for the definition... (preamble); and (b) a characterising
    portion preceded by 'characterised in that'..."

    EPO Guidelines F-IV, 3.2 - Two-part form
    "Independent claims should normally be in the two-part form..."

---

Related MPEP Comparison:
- MPEP 2173: Claims Must Particularly Point Out and Distinctly Claim
- 35 USC 112(b): Equivalent US clarity requirement
- Key difference: EPO applies stricter objective clarity standard
```

## Cross-Jurisdiction Mapping

| EPO (EPC) | USPTO (35 USC) | PCT |
|-----------|----------------|-----|
| A