Nicola Puckey (Patent) [2012] UKIntelP o21012 (23 May 2012)
Patent decision
BL number
O/210/12
Concerning rights in
GB 2444119A
Hearing Officer
Mr S Probert
Decision date
23 May 2012
Person(s) or Company(s) involved
Nicola Puckey
Provisions discussed
Section 3
Keywords
Inventive step
Related Decisions
None
Summary
The application concerned a garment with an upside down pocket at the bottom edge, that could be turned inside out to form a bag for storing the garment. The closest prior art was a combination blanket/garment with an upside down pocket in the same position and serving the same function. The original objection was lack of novelty, but the applicant was able to overcome this objection by disclaiming garments without sleeves, as the closest prior art garment did not have sleeves. Nevertheless, the hearing officer did not accept that the amended claim involved an inventive step.