4. Clarity and interpretation of claims
4.22 Broad claims
The EPC does not explicitly mention overly broad claims. However, objections to such claims may be raised for various reasons.
A lack-of-novelty objection may be raised, for example, if the claim is formulated in such broad terms that it also covers known subject-matter from other technical fields. Broad claims may also cover embodiments for which a purported effect has not been achieved. On raising an objection of lack of inventive step in such cases, see G‑VII, 5.2.
For broad claims in opposition proceedings, see also D‑V, 4 and D-V, 5.