In a number of chemistry decisions the problem and solution approach – based on landmark decisions T 1/80 (OJ 1981, 206), T 24/81 (OJ 1983, 133) and T 248/85 (OJ 1986, 261) – involves the following steps:
a) establishing the closest prior art;
b) defining the problem in the light of that prior art;
c) identifying the solution;