Using common terms in a patent specification with undefined or common meanings can create issues, such as confusion or broad/multiple interpretations during application examination. This can easily lead to a delay in approval or even rejection of the patent application. So, to avoid such risks, the applicant should use well-defined terminology in a patent specification and its elements, such as background, description, claims, drawings, etc.
This article discusses how using standard terms in a patent application can make the examiner develop broad interpretations, creating a problem for the applicant, and how one can avoid such ambiguities with simple measures, such as defining common terms in description and reciting embodiments in claims, to enhance the chances of approval. Read more