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The skilled person may use his common general knowledge to supplement the information contained in the application (T 206/83, OJ 1987, 5; T 32/85, T 51/87, OJ 1991, 177; T 212/88, OJ 1992, 28; T 580/88, T 772/89, T 231/92, T 818/97). He may even recognise and rectify errors in the description on the basis of such knowledge (T 206/83, OJ 1987, 5; T 171/84, OJ 1986, 95; T 226/85, OJ 1988, 336). Textbooks and general technical literature form part of the common general knowledge (T 171/84, T 51/87, T 580/88, T 772/89). However, information which can only be obtained after a comprehensive search is not to be regarded as part of the common general knowledge (T 206/83, T 654/90). According to the board in T 475/88, in the event of a dispute a claim of common general knowledge must be backed up by evidence. As a rule, demonstrating that the knowledge in question can be obtained from a textbook or monograph will be sufficient.
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