中美欧专利审查确定区别特征和技术问题的比较——基于照明技术376专利族审查的实证分析  

Analysis of Determining Distinguishing Features and Technical Problems in Patent Examination Among China,the US,and Europe——An Empirical Study Based on 376 Lighting Technology Patent Families

作　　者：陈晓清 CHEN Xiaoqing(Law School,South China University of Technology,Guangzhou 510641,China;Guangzhou Haoyang Electronic Co.,Ltd.,Guangzhou 511450,China)

机构地区：[1]华南理工大学法学院,广东广州510641 [2]广州市浩洋电子股份有限公司,广东广州511450

出　　处：《照明工程学报》2025年第2期22-30,共9页China Illuminating Engineering Journal

摘　　要：在经济全球化竞争加剧的背景下,中国虽专利申请量居首,但发明专利质量差,凸显“量质失衡”困境。本文聚焦创造性审查的关键环节——“确定区别特征与技术问题”,以照明技术376专利族案例为实证样本,对比分析中美欧三地规则差异。研究发现:中国遵循“三步法”同步确定区别特征与技术问题,欧洲依托“问题-解决法”路径构建客观技术问题,美国则通过判例法侧重“区别特征”的考量。同时,揭示了中美欧审查实践中由于技术效果分析的缺位,导致技术问题的误判,从而影响创造性判断的准确性的问题。提出强化“技术问题→区别特征→技术效果”的逻辑链条,以技术效果为客观校准器,提升创造性判断的科学性。本研究为优化我国专利审查标准、培育高质量专利提供理论与实践路径参考。In the context of intensified global economic competition,while China leads in the number of patent applications,the quality of its invention patents is lacking,highlighting a dilemma of“quantity versus quality imbalance”.This paper focuses on a crucial aspect of the inventive examination process—“determining distinguishing features and technical problems.”Using the case study of 376 patent families in lighting technology as empirical samples,we conduct a comparative analysis of the differences in regulations among China,the US,and Europe.The study finds that China follows a“three-step method”to simultaneously determine distinguishing features and technical problems,Europe employs a“problem-solution approach”to construct objective technical problems,and the US emphasizes the assessment of“distinguishing features”through case law.Additionally,the study reveals that the absence of technical effect analysis in the examination practices of China,the US,and Europe leads to misjudgment of technical problems,thereby affecting the accuracy of inventive judgments.The paper suggests strengthening the logical chain of“technical problem→distinguishing features→technical effect,”using technical effects as an objective benchmark to enhance the scientific nature of inventive judgments.This research provides theoretical and practical guidance for optimizing China’s patent examination standards and fostering high-quality patents.

关 键 词：区别特征 技术问题 技术效果 三步法 Graham四要素 问题-解决法 

分 类 号：TM923[电气工程—电力电子与电力传动]