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R. Polk Wagner

In our modern technologically-based economy, the creation and enforcement of patent rights can make or break a business. With record numbers of patents being issued every year, the stakes for inventors (and, indeed, their lawyers) continue to rise, even as the patent law and its administration faces growing criticism.

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In our modern technologically-based economy, the creation and enforcement of patent rights can make or break a business. With record numbers of patents being issued every year, the stakes for inventors (and, indeed, their lawyers) continue to rise, even as the patent law and its administration faces growing criticism.

This course begins with an examination of the fundamental justifications for and creation of U.S. patent rights as well as the relationship between patent law and other “intellectual property” concepts. We will then delve into the details of the U.S. requirements for patentability, and explore the scope of patent rights, again considering how the policies expressed reflect the justifications for patent rights. Then we will look at an actual patent document and analyze the different pieces of an issued patent with a special focus on the importance of patent claims. Finally, we will explore strategies for dealing with patent infringement.

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What's inside

Syllabus

What is Patent Law?
This module introduces patent law - what patents are, what they cover, how they are enforced, and the structure of the U.S. patent system.
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Patentability
What exactly can you patent? This module delves into the important details of the various patentability requirements.
The Scope of a Patent
Once you have a patent, what exactly do you have? This module explores the exact scope and limits of patent coverage through a close study of patent claims.
Patent Enforcement
Once you have a patent, how do you enforce it? This module looks at patent enforcement as well as patent avoidance. We also take a close look at the fascinating case of the Super Soaker patent.

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Develops fluency in the details of patent law and its enforcement
Introduces learners to the legal aspects of engineering
Is taught by experienced patent law instructors
This course may not be appropriate for non-engineering professions
May require business law background before taking this course
May require some knowledge in programming to understand the examples

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Reviews summary

Highly praised patent law

Learners say this well received course offers great patent law knowledge which is important for Patent Analysts, Examiners, Attorneys and Agents. While some students mention that some readings are outdated, the majority of students recommend it, saying that the course is informative, engaging and easy to grasp.
The course has a clear structure.
"Fantastic course in the way it is structured."
"It is clear, to the point and well thought out in terms of learning difficulty."
Mostly 5-star reviews.
"Amazing course! Totally recommended."
"Excellent course! Recommend it!"
"I absolutely recommend this course."
Students recognize and appreciate the instructor's contributions.
"Your lectures were engaging, informative and enjoyable."
"You have inspired me to pursue my passion for the subject and to challenge myself with new perspectives and skills."
Students express dissatisfaction with the certificate format.
"THE FORMAT OF CERTIFICATE OF SPECIALIZATION DOES NOT APPEAR PROPER."
Some students wish the course had more depth.
"Wish it was in more depth."
"Good course. Wish it was in more depth."
Some readings linked in the course are outdated.
"Outdated, dead links."
"Informative while some readings are broken."
"Somewhat redundant, and several of the "additional reading" links don't work."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Patent Law with these activities:
Analyze basic concepts of U.S. patent law
Refresh your knowledge of the fundamental principles of U.S. patent law, including what patents are, what they cover, and how they are enforced.
Browse courses on Patent Law
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  • Review the syllabus and course materials
  • Read the textbook chapters on patent law basics
  • Complete the online quizzes on patent law concepts
Review fundamental concepts of intellectual property law
Strengthen your foundation in intellectual property law to better grasp the complexities and nuances of patent law.
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  • Review course materials or online resources on intellectual property concepts.
  • Take practice quizzes or exercises to assess your understanding.
  • Attend a webinar or online lecture on intellectual property fundamentals.
Create a comprehensive resource library on patent law
Develop a valuable repository of materials that you can refer to throughout the course and beyond, enhancing your understanding and accessibility of patent law information.
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  • Gather relevant articles, case studies, and legal documents related to patent law.
  • Organize the materials into a structured and accessible format.
  • Review and update the library regularly to ensure its relevance and currency.
Nine other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all 12 activities
Read 'Patent Law for Engineers and Scientists' by Howard B. Rockman
Gain a comprehensive understanding of patent law concepts and their practical implications from a leading expert in the field.
Show steps
  • Read the book thoroughly, taking notes and highlighting important passages.
  • Review the book after completing the course to reinforce your understanding.
Join a study group or discussion forum dedicated to patent law
Exchange ideas and insights with other students and professionals to deepen your understanding of complex patent law concepts.
Show steps
  • Identify relevant study groups or discussion forums.
  • Actively participate in discussions, sharing your knowledge and asking questions.
  • Organize group meetings or online sessions to delve deeper into specific topics.
Watch videos on patent law
Watching videos on patent law can help you learn the basics of patent law. This activity will help you understand the fundamental concepts of patent law.
Browse courses on Patent Law
Show steps
  • Search for videos on patent law on YouTube or other video sharing websites.
  • Watch the videos and take notes on the key concepts.
  • Review your notes and test your understanding of the concepts.
Attend a patent law workshop or webinar
Gain insights from experts and enhance your understanding of practical aspects of patent law.
Show steps
  • Research upcoming patent law workshops or webinars.
  • Register for a workshop or webinar that aligns with your interests.
  • Actively participate in the workshop or webinar, taking notes and asking questions.
  • Follow up with the presenter or other attendees to expand your network.
Practice analyzing patent claims
Familiarize yourself with the structure and language of patent claims to better understand how patents are granted and enforced.
Show steps
  • Review examples of patent claims from different industries.
  • Analyze the elements of a patent claim, including the preamble, transition phrase, and body.
  • Identify the key limitations and distinguish them from non-limiting elements.
  • Practice drafting simple patent claims based on real-world inventions.
Practice writing patent claims
Improve your ability to write clear and concise patent claims.
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  • Review the lecture notes on patent claims
  • Complete the practice exercises on patent claim drafting
  • Get feedback on your patent claims from a patent attorney
Draft a patent application for a hypothetical invention
Apply your knowledge of patent law and the patenting process to create a comprehensive patent application that meets the necessary requirements.
Show steps
  • Identify a novel and non-obvious invention.
  • Conduct a thorough patent search to ensure originality.
  • Prepare a detailed disclosure of the invention, including drawings and claims.
  • File the patent application with the appropriate patent office.
  • Monitor the progress of your application and respond to any requests for information or amendments.
Develop a patent strategy for a start-up business
Apply your understanding of patent law to develop a practical strategy for protecting and commercializing the intellectual property of a start-up business.
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Show steps
  • Identify the core technologies and inventions of the start-up.
  • Conduct a patent search to assess the patentability of these technologies.
  • Develop a patent filing strategy that balances cost and coverage.
  • Consider licensing or cross-licensing opportunities to expand the patent portfolio.
  • Monitor competitors' patent activity and adjust the strategy accordingly.
Develop a patent infringement strategy
Apply your knowledge of patent law to develop a strategy for dealing with patent infringement.
Show steps
  • Research the law of patent infringement
  • Identify potential patent infringement risks
  • Develop a plan to mitigate patent infringement risks
  • Create a presentation on your patent infringement strategy

Career center

Learners who complete Patent Law will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Patent Attorney
Patent Attorneys advise clients on obtaining U.S. patent rights for new inventions. They prepare and file patent applications with the USPTO (United States Patent and Trademark Office). They also advise clients on avoiding patent infringement and how to enforce patents. This course provides a solid foundation in patent law, including the requirements for patentability, the scope of patent rights, and patent enforcement strategies. Taking this course can help you develop the skills needed to succeed as a Patent Attorney.
Patent Agent
Patent Agents prepare and file patent applications with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). They also advise clients on avoiding patent infringement and how to enforce patents. This course provides a strong foundation in patent law, including the requirements for patentability, the scope of patent rights, and patent enforcement strategies. Taking this course can help you develop the skills needed to succeed as a Patent Agent.
Intellectual Property Lawyer
Intellectual Property Lawyers advise clients on protecting their intellectual property rights. This may include obtaining patents, trademarks, copyrights, or trade secrets. They also advise clients on how to avoid infringing on the intellectual property rights of others. This course provides a strong foundation in patent law, which is an important part of intellectual property law. Taking this course can help you develop the skills needed to succeed as an Intellectual Property Lawyer.
Copyright Attorney
Copyright Attorneys advise clients on protecting their copyrights. This may include obtaining copyright registrations, filing copyright infringement lawsuits, and negotiating copyright licenses. This course provides a solid foundation in patent law, which is related to copyright law. Taking this course can help you develop the skills needed to succeed as a Copyright Attorney.
Trademark Attorney
Trademark Attorneys advise clients on protecting their trademarks. This may include obtaining trademark registrations, filing trademark infringement lawsuits, and negotiating trademark licenses. This course provides a solid foundation in patent law, which is related to trademark law. Taking this course can help you develop the skills needed to succeed as a Trademark Attorney.
Technology Transfer Officer
Technology Transfer Officers help universities and research institutions transfer their technologies to the private sector. This may involve negotiating licensing agreements, forming joint ventures, or creating start-up companies. This course provides a solid foundation in patent law, which is an important part of technology transfer. Taking this course can help you develop the skills needed to succeed as a Technology Transfer Officer.
Patent Examiner
Patent Examiners examine patent applications to determine whether they meet the requirements for patentability. They also issue patents to inventors who have successfully met the requirements. This course provides a strong foundation in patent law, which is essential for Patent Examiners. Taking this course can help you develop the skills needed to succeed as a Patent Examiner.
Product Manager
Product Managers are responsible for planning, developing, and marketing new products and technologies. They may also work on improving existing products and technologies. This course provides a solid foundation in patent law, which can be helpful for Product Managers who are involved in developing new products and technologies. Taking this course can help you develop the skills needed to succeed as a Product Manager.
Research Scientist
Research Scientists conduct research and development to create new products and technologies. They may also work on improving existing products and technologies. This course provides a solid foundation in patent law, which can be helpful for Research Scientists who are involved in developing new products and technologies. Taking this course can help you develop the skills needed to succeed as a Research Scientist.
Engineer
Engineers design, develop, and test new products and technologies. They may also work on improving existing products and technologies. This course provides a solid foundation in patent law, which can be helpful for Engineers who are involved in developing new products and technologies. Taking this course can help you develop the skills needed to succeed as an Engineer.
Business Development Manager
Business Development Managers are responsible for identifying and developing new business opportunities for their companies. They may also work on forming partnerships, joint ventures, and other strategic alliances. This course provides a solid foundation in patent law, which can be helpful for Business Development Managers who are involved in developing new business opportunities for their companies. Taking this course can help you develop the skills needed to succeed as a Business Development Manager.
Entrepreneur
Entrepreneurs start and operate their own businesses. They may be involved in developing new products and technologies, or they may be involved in providing services. This course provides a solid foundation in patent law, which can be helpful for Entrepreneurs who are involved in developing new products and technologies. Taking this course can help you develop the skills needed to succeed as an Entrepreneur.
Consultant
Consultants provide advice and expertise to businesses and organizations. They may work on a variety of projects, including developing new products and technologies, improving existing products and technologies, and forming partnerships and joint ventures. This course provides a solid foundation in patent law, which can be helpful for Consultants who are involved in developing new products and technologies, or who are involved in forming partnerships or joint ventures. Taking this course can help you develop the skills needed to succeed as a Consultant.
Journalist
Journalists write and report on news stories for newspapers, magazines, and other media outlets. They may also write and report on intellectual property issues. This course provides a solid foundation in patent law, which can be helpful for Journalists who are involved in writing and reporting on intellectual property issues. Taking this course can help you develop the skills needed to succeed as a Journalist.
Policy Analyst
Policy Analysts research and analyze public policy issues. They may also develop and recommend政策reform. This course provides a solid foundation in patent law, which can be helpful for Policy Analysts who are involved in developing and recommending policies related to intellectual property. Taking this course can help you develop the skills needed to succeed as a Policy Analyst.

Reading list

We've selected 18 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Patent Law.
This casebook provides a comprehensive overview of intellectual property law, including patent law. It covers the historical development of patent law, the different types of patents, and the requirements for obtaining and enforcing a patent.
A comprehensive textbook on intellectual property law, including a detailed discussion of patent law. Provides a good overview of the legal and policy issues surrounding patents.
A classic book on innovation and technology management. Provides insights into the challenges faced by companies that are trying to develop and commercialize new technologies.
A book on marketing and sales strategies for technology companies. Provides valuable insights into the challenges of selling new technologies to mainstream customers.
A book on entrepreneurship and innovation. Provides valuable insights into the challenges of creating new markets and building successful companies.
A book on创业公司development and management. Provides valuable insights into the challenges of building and launching a successful创业公司.
A book on创业公司management and leadership. Provides valuable insights into the challenges of building and running a successful创业公司.
Provides a practical guide to patent drafting, with a focus on the techniques and strategies that can be used to write clear and effective patents.
Provides a practical guide to patent law for scientists and engineers, with a focus on the legal and technical issues that arise in the context of patent prosecution, litigation, and licensing.
A book on business strategy and design thinking. Provides valuable insights into the challenges of designing and executing successful business strategies.
A book on product development and management. Provides valuable insights into the challenges of building and launching successful products.
A book on marketing and sales for创业公司. Provides valuable insights into the challenges of acquiring and retaining customers.
A book on innovation and creativity. Provides valuable insights into the process of developing and implementing new ideas.
Provides a rigorous analysis of the economic impact of patents. It great resource for students and practitioners who are interested in understanding the role that patents play in the innovation process.
A book on data analysis and measurement for创业公司. Provides valuable insights into the challenges of measuring and improving business performance.
Provides a basic overview of patent law, with a focus on the legal and technical issues that arise in the context of patent prosecution, litigation, and licensing.

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