This course provides an introduction to essentially all substantive aspects of patent law, including the legal doctrines, public policies, and intellectual theories that inform the practices of patent prosecution, counseling, and litigation. You will initially develop an understanding of the form and substance of the patent instrument, with particular attention to the claims that define the substantive scope of the patent grant. You will then study the statutory requirements for obtaining a patent grant, including utility, novelty, non-obviousness, and adequacy of disclosure. Finally, you will examine the law governing patent infringement, including literal infringement and infringement under the doctrine of equivalents, as well as the applicable defenses and remedies. No prior technical background or knowledge is required or expected, but students should be comfortable with expository readings in science and technology.

Fall 2011 Syllabus