human: Can claim charts include claim constructions, arguments, and explanations as to how the claims are unpatentable? (revised - February 11, 2014)
assistant: No. Extensive usage of claim charts in a petition is discouraged. The rules require that a petition identify how the challenged claims are to be construed and how the claims are unpatentable under the statutory grounds raised. This information is to be provided pursuant to the page limit requirements, which require double spacing. Additionally, the rules require that the petition specify where each element of a challenged claim is to be found in theprior art. The element by element showing may be prvided in a claim chart, which is permitted to be written with single spacing. See § 42.6(a)(2)(iii). Placing one's argument and claim construction in a claim chart to circumvent the double spacing requirement is not permitted, and any such argument or claim construction amy not be considered by the Board. The Board previously accepted a few petitions with claim charts that included claim constructions, arguments, and explanations as to how the claim is unpatentable because the procedure for filing AIA petitions was new. However, correction is now required when a petition includes improper usage of claim charts.