Patent Law in Biotechnology, Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals

A practical guide to patent prosecution and strategy in the US with particular reference to invention in chemicals and biotechnology. The presentation is focused on case law in the US and deals with specific cases. A section is devoted to international patent protection.

Inhalt
Overview; trade secrets; patent overview; the Paris convention; other treaties; patent procurement strategies; drafting the patent application; patent-eligible subject matter; novelty (anticipation); first inventor system; priority based upon an earlier patent application; priority based on proof of early date of invention; interference procedures; interference strategies; obviousness; homologs, isomers and analogs; proving a difference in properties; method of use claim obviousness issues; method of making obviousness issues; product-by-process claims; purity and activity level limitations; Jepson and other prior art "admissions"; claims and their interpretation; claim structure; "means" limitations; determining the literal scope of the claim; infringing acts under varying statutory categories; infringement determination; the doctrine of equivalents; file wrapper (prosecution history) Estoppel; the reverse doctrine of equivalents; disclosure requirements; the "written description" requirement; enablement, "how to make"; enablement, "how to use"; duty of disclosure; double patenting; restriction practice; election of species; markush-election interface; international unity standards; international practice differences; trade secrets.