Claim categories
Indeed, there are also different categories of patent claims
that can be used. In general, a distinction can be made between two
different categories.
A first general category of patent claims is the "product
claim", which relates to physical entities such as products,
devices and apparatuses, but can also include, for example,
chemical substances and compositions.
A second general category of patent claims is the "process
claim", which relates to activities, such as methods,
processes and uses, as long as some material product is used for
effecting such activities. However, there are some exceptions to
this which are explicitly excluded from patentability, such as
biological processes for the production of plants or animals, and
surgical, therapeutic or diagnostic methods for treatment of the
human or animal body. Whereas, product claims relating to products
for the use in surgical, therapeutic or diagnostic methods are
permitted.
