4. Generic disclosure and specific examples 

In considering novelty, it is to be borne in mind that a generic disclosure usually does not take away the novelty of any specific example falling within the terms of that disclosure, but that a specific disclosure does take away the novelty of a generic claim including that disclosure. For example, a disclosure of copper takes away the novelty of metal as a generic concept, but not the novelty of any metal other than copper, while a disclosure of rivets takes away the novelty of fastening means as a generic concept, but not the novelty of any fastening other than rivets. See also G‑VI, 7 on selection inventions.