Patent Law for Scientists and Engineers, 2017 Edition

Written by a team of experts in patent law and engineering, Patent Law for Scientists and Engineers provides a substantive introduction to patent law for scientists, engineers, and decision makers involved in the patenting process. To that end, the book explains the origins and evolution, underlying motivations, and policies of the patent right and the conceptual framework of the modern United States patent system. Against this backdrop, the book explores the types and parts of patent applications available to applicants, the requirements and the conditions for patentability, and the patent prosecution process with particular attention paid to potential pitfalls for the uninitiated. In addition, pre-filing considerations are discussed to assist the reader in thinking through their goals in patenting prior to making a first filing and post-issuance considerations are discussed to assist the reader in preparing for next steps in the process once a patent has issued. This book is suitable for use as a textbook for undergraduate or graduate level science, engineering, or business courses in intellectual property law or business management.