Five strategies for overcoming obviousness

Among rejections issued by the US Patent and Trademark Office, by far the most refer to section 103 of US Code Title 35.Patents, which says, basically, "Although your invention may be new, it's also obvious." Philip Emma explores five strategies for overcoming an obviousness rejection: arguing nonworkability, different universes, or opposition to normal practice; claiming a combination patent; and "peeling the onion." © 2006 IEEE.