Be explicit about things implicit in your patent application to avoid written description issues
Written Description Requirement To get a patent, an inventor must satisfy the written description requirement. This is accomplished through the preparation of a patent application which describes the invention and shows any drawings if necessary for the understanding of the invention. To satisfy the written description requirement, the discussion of the invention must correspond to the claims. [...]
(No Ratings Yet)
Loading ...
Print This Post
Be clear in drafting claims
Clear claim language is generally the primary goal of claim drafting. In the following case, the claim recited a means plus function limitation. These types of limitations appear to be broad but are limited to the specific structure disclosed in the patent application and linked to the function stated in the means plus function limitation. The means plus function limitation in the patent at issue recited “a release means for retaining” which is confusing because it is unclear whether the function is the release function or the retain function. The Court held that the claim is limited to structure related to both the release and the retain function. Court held: no infringement based on this claim construction. The point of this case is to follow the simple means plus function format of “means” followed by a function, preferably only one function.
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ... Print This Post
Claims are most important part of patent
The claims section of a patent defines the metes and bounds of what the inventor is claiming as their invention. As such, the claims section is an important part of the patent. The claims are located at the back of the patent document and usually begins with “What is claimed is:”, “We claim:” or “I [...]
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ... Print This Post
- Posted in: claim drafting, design around, Infringement
- Continue Reading →
Means plus function without the MEANS trigger
Means plus function language in a claim appears to be a broad form of claiming one’s invention. However, Congress by statute has limited the breadth of these types of limitations to those embodiments disclosed in the patent application which are linked to the means plus function limitation plus their equivalents. As a result, the means [...]
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ... Print This Post
- Posted in: claim drafting, means plus function
- Continue Reading →
