1. Basic principles
1.3. Technical features
Under the EPC the claims must define the matter for which protection is sought "in terms of the technical features of the invention" (R. 43(1) EPC). In G 2/88 the Enlarged Board described the technical features of the invention as being the physical features which are essential to it. The technical features of a claim to a physical entity are the physical parameters of the entity, and the technical features of a claim to an activity are the physical steps which define such activity. The Enlarged Board also pointed out, however, that the boards of appeal had in a number of cases allowed the technical features to be defined functionally in certain instances. See in this chapter II.A.3.4.