A graphical representation of the problem-solution approach (PSA) to the assessment of inventive step Original Research Article

The significant advantage of applying the problem-solution approach to the assessment of inventive step of patent applications is that this approach, contrary to other approaches enables a complete abstraction and clear logic. Complete abstraction and clear logic are important conditions for an expert assessment of inventive step. The graphical presentation of concrete examples attempts to clarify why at least in chemistry the problem-solution approach corresponds exactly to the empirical structure-activity-relationships for compounds and structure-reactivity-relationships for chemical reactions very well known to the skilled person.