What type of example may be included to satisfy enablement criteria?

What type of example may be included to satisfy enablement criteria?

• A. Only actual working examples
• B. Only theoretical examples
• C. Either working examples or prophetic examples
• D. No examples are allowed

Answer: (C)

The correct choice acknowledges that both working examples and prophetic examples can be used to satisfy the enablement criteria of a patent application. Enablement requires that the specification of a patent provides sufficient detail for a person skilled in the art to make and use the claimed invention without undue experimentation. Working examples demonstrate that the invention can be reproduced using specific procedures and conditions, providing concrete evidence of the invention's feasibility. On the other hand, prophetic examples describe how an invention might be made or used based on predictions or reasonable extrapolations rather than empirical data. Prophetic examples are particularly valuable when it's impractical to provide actual examples, such as when disclosing cutting-edge technologies. Because either type of example—whether based on actual results or predicted outcomes—can adequately inform skilled practitioners about how to carry out the invention, the choice is correct in asserting that both are acceptable forms of evidence to meet the enablement requirement.

The correct choice acknowledges that both working examples and prophetic examples can be used to satisfy the enablement criteria of a patent application. Enablement requires that the specification of a patent provides sufficient detail for a person skilled in the art to make and use the claimed invention without undue experimentation.

Working examples demonstrate that the invention can be reproduced using specific procedures and conditions, providing concrete evidence of the invention's feasibility. On the other hand, prophetic examples describe how an invention might be made or used based on predictions or reasonable extrapolations rather than empirical data. Prophetic examples are particularly valuable when it's impractical to provide actual examples, such as when disclosing cutting-edge technologies.

Because either type of example—whether based on actual results or predicted outcomes—can adequately inform skilled practitioners about how to carry out the invention, the choice is correct in asserting that both are acceptable forms of evidence to meet the enablement requirement.