Introduction to Patent Law Class Notes: January 14, 2003 Law 677 | Patent Law | Spring 2003 Professor Wagner

1/14/032 Today’s Agenda 1.Administration & Course Information 2.The History of the U.S. Patent System 3.Patent Structure: What is a Patent? 4.Basics of Patent Prosecution

1/14/033 Course Administration 1.Course web site: patents.pennlaw.net/sp2003/ 2.Assignments Readings oCasebook, Supplement (downloadable) oRelatively Heavy ~ pp. per class oAll students “on call” each day (mostly volunteers) Commentary Posts (CPs) oShort essays on topic-of-the-day oSee web site for more details, examples, etc. oKey: don’t forget

1/14/034 Course Administration (ii) 3.Bulletin Board (also linked from web site) Use it to post CPs; also for questions and discussion Check-in by Thursday’s class 4.Grading Scheme Final Exam: 60% oMultiple choice, true-false (long fact patterns) Commentary posts: 25% (two during the term) Course participation: 15% (includes bulletin board)

1/14/035 Course Administration (iii) 5.Class Notes Typically available before class (PDF) 6.Class Audio All classes recorded, linked to web site (MP3s) Important: use the microphones to talk 7.Contacting me is best: Office: T-333 (Library), Hours: Wednesday, Friday - 10:30-11:30 AM Generally available Tuesday-Friday 9:30 to 5:30 (or by appointment) 8.No food in classroom (drinks fine)

1/14/036 History of the US Patent System Article I, § 8, cl. 8: [to] promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts by securing for limited Times to Authors and Inventors the exclusive right to their respective Writings and Discoveries. Patent Statute: 35 U.S.C. et seq. Since 1790 Most recently new in 1952 (The ‘52 Act)

1/14/037 History of the US Patent System Structure of the Patent System 1.Prosecution Phase (also: Examination) Administrative Agency (USPTO) End: an “Issued Patent” 2.Enforcement Phase Private actions (civil suits, enforced by patentees) Litigation under federal law oWhere? 28 U.S.C. § 1338 (p. 28); 28 U.S.C. § 1295 (p. 26) The Federal Circuit

1/14/038 The Structure of Patents US Patent No. 6,203,230 1.Specification a)Front page b)Abstract c)Written Description 1)Description of Technical Field 2)Background of the Invention 3)Summary of the Invention 4)Detailed Description of the Invention 2.Drawings 3.Claims

1/14/039 Patent Prosecution Basics The Life of a Patent

1/14/0310 Patent Prosecution Basics Key Points about Prosecution 1.Ex parte process 2.Private/secret (for 24 months) 3.Procedures allow “continuing” applications a)Around 90% of all applications eventually result in a patent b)Internal procedural incentives to issue patents 4.Two-stage appeals 1.Board Patent Appeals and Interferences (Board) 2.Federal Circuit (also: District DC + Fed. Cir.) 5.Reexamination (ex parte, inter-partes)

1/14/0311 Next Class Patent Economics I The Basis of Patent Law