Patent decision
- BL number
- O/0391/26
- Concerning rights in
- GB2400673.6
- Hearing Officer
- S Vinall
- Decision date
- 7 May 2026
- Person(s) or Company(s) involved
- Sumitomo Electric industries Ltd
- Provisions discussed
- 1(1)(b), 14(5)(b)
- Keywords
- Clarity, Inventive step
- Related Decisions
- None
Summary
The application relates to an optical fibre cable for air-blown installation. The claims recite a method of laying a cable with given features, including ‘comprising’ a connection member. Whilst not stated in such terms the applicant argued that the invention lay in the fact the connection member was connected to the cable prior to laying the cable, rather than being connected in the field, and that this was clear from the claims. In considering the claims in the light of the description the Hearing Officer determined that the claims were sufficiently clear and as a result this difference provided an inventive step over the prior art. The case was remitted to the examiner for further processing.
Full decision O/0391/26 
257Kb
