Setting Up a Legal Scientific Notebook
LAB NOTEBOOKS Are these just busy work, or are they really important? Are these just busy work, or are they really important? They are actually LEGAL documents that are used for getting patents and for publishing research papers They are actually LEGAL documents that are used for getting patents and for publishing research papers
What makes a GOOD notebook? It is permanently bound (not spiral) It is permanently bound (not spiral) Written legibly in pen as a permanent record Written legibly in pen as a permanent record No erasing, whiting-out or tearing out page-mistakes are crossed out No erasing, whiting-out or tearing out page-mistakes are crossed out Every page is numbered and has your initials or signature and date on it Every page is numbered and has your initials or signature and date on it
A legal scientific notebook becomes the historical record of all work done by a biotechnology employee
Why is proper record keeping in a bound notebook important? In the United States, the first person to conceive and show diligence to develop an invention, product, or process is awarded the PATENT for that product or process. Notebooks that are properly prepared, maintained, and witnessed are LEGAL EVIDENCE of conception and diligence to practice an invention In the United States, the first person to conceive and show diligence to develop an invention, product, or process is awarded the PATENT for that product or process. Notebooks that are properly prepared, maintained, and witnessed are LEGAL EVIDENCE of conception and diligence to practice an invention Serves as a reference for procedures and ideas so that experiments can be repeated Serves as a reference for procedures and ideas so that experiments can be repeated
Examples of Use in Court Cases Settling patent disputes – who did it first/ Settling patent disputes – who did it first/ Report of a specialist’s finding: Report of a specialist’s finding: Paternity suitsPaternity suits Criminal casesCriminal cases
Title Page Set UP Biotechnology Strongsville High School Your Name Today’s Date
Miscellaneous You many need more than one notebook. You many need more than one notebook. Everything needs to be in your notebook. Everything needs to be in your notebook. Pre-lab quizzes you can use your notebooks. Pre-lab quizzes you can use your notebooks. Make them user friendly. Make them user friendly.