The Parts of a Utility Patent Application
|
Utility patent applications are traditionally divided into three main parts: a specification, claims, and drawings. The specification is the main descriptive portion of the application. Traditionally, it contains a background of the invention section, a summary of the invention, a brief description of any drawing figures that accompany the application, and a detailed description of the invention that describes the invention in complete detail. In drafting a patent application, a good patent attorney or agent will attempt to identify not only the most preferred or best way of implementing an invention, but also any alternatives and/or possible future developments in technology. The claims define the legal scope of protection sought by the patent applicant. The claims section begins with a phrase such as "I claim," "We claim," or "What is claimed is." Following that introductory phrase, a number of legal claims are typically presented. Each claim presents its subject matter using legal and technical terminology in the form of a complete sentence. Technically, the claims are a part of the specification, but they are thought of separately by tradition. The drawings are referenced in the specification and are provided to aid in the understanding of the invention. Drawings are nearly always required, except for some very specific types of invention. Typically, patent drawings are created by a professional draftsperson who specializes in patent illustration, in cooperation with the patent agent. A professional draftsman is typically used because drawings are required to meet very specific requirements. All contents copyright Andrew McAleavey. This website is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. Read the disclaimer. |