An invention shall be considered as involving an inventive step if, having regard to the state of the art, it is not obvious to a person skilled in the art. If the state of the art also includes documents within the meaning of Article 54, paragraph 3, these documents shall not be considered in deciding whether there has been an inventive step.

Notes

1. See decisions/opinions of the Enlarged Board of Appeal G 2/98, G 3/98, G 2/99, G 1/03, G 2/03, G 1/16, G 1/23 (Annex I).