功能性技術特徵的識別與保護範圍的界定－－最高人民法院法釋 [2009] 21號司法解釋第4條的適用與完善

Determining Means-Plus-Function Technical Features and Its Scope of Protection: Application and Perfection of the Article 4 of Judicial Interpretations No.21 of the Supreme People’s Cou

權利要求中的功能性技術特徵是指在權利要求中僅使用功能或者效果來限定的技術特徵。功能性技術特徵以說明書中公開的具體實施方式及其等同的實施方式確定保護範圍；如果該功能性技術特徵在專利申請日已經成為本領域普通技術人員約定俗成、普遍知曉的技術名詞或者上位概念，則以本領域普通技術人員在專利申請日所普遍知曉的具體實施方式及等同的實施方式確定保護範圍，不以說明書是否公開為限。將此類特徵的保護範圍限定在實現該功能或者效果的具體實施方式及等同的實施方式，意在合理界定專利權的保護範圍，以使保護範圍與技術貢獻相一致。說明書中的具體實施方式，應當是所屬領域普通技術人員閱讀說明書後，能夠概括出的實現該功能或效果的必要技術手段；等同的實施方式應當根據“等同原則”進行界定。

Means-plus-function technical features in patent claims means the technical features that are only defined with function or effect. The protection scope of means-plus-function technical features should be determined by the specific mode of execution and equivalents disclosed in the description; if the means-plus-function technical features have been the technical terms or generic concepts sanctioned by or widely known to a person who is skilled in the relevant field of technology before the date of filing, then the protection scope should be determined by the specific mode of execution and equivalents which are widely known to the person skilled in the relevant field of technology, regardless of the description’s disclosure. In order to determine an impartial scope of patent protection and keep the scope of patent protection in accordance with technology contribution, the protection of technical features should be defined to the patent specific mode of execution and equivalents. The specific mode of execution in the description should be the necessary technical means to implement the function or effect that the person who is skilled in the relevant field of technology could know after he read the description; the equivalent mode of execution should be determined by the doctrine of equivalents.