2.11.2.3.7 Relative Terms

Date Published

Relative terms may be used in a patent specification, in an appropriate context, provided they convey the necessary meaning - see:

Leonardis v Sartas [1996] 449 FCA 1; Populin v H B Nominees Pty Ltd (1982) 41 ALR 471 at 473 ("relatively small");

Imperial Chemical Industries Limited (Clark's) Application [1969] RPC 574 at 583, 584 ("a minor amount of water ... small in comparison with the total amount of other liquid constituents");

Vax Appliances Limited v Hoover plc [1991] FSR 307 at 309, 318 ("substantially dropwise" flow);

Monsanto Company v Commissioner of Patents (1974) 48 ALJR 59 ("substantial effect").