Coming soon · Book Profile
Patent Law Essentials Durham
A concise guide to the principles, processes, and litigation of United States patent law, designed to be accessible for non-lawyers and a useful reference for legal practitioners.
A profile of this book is on the way.
What it’s about
For anyone from engineers and business leaders to attorneys and judges confronting the arcane world of patent law, this book serves as the ideal guide to the "rules of the game." Born from the need for a resource with the right mixture of sophistication and simplicity, this concise volume demystifies the entire patent lifecycle. It begins by explaining what a patent is and how it differs from other intellectual property, then walks through the process of obtaining a patent, the strict requirements for an invention to be patentable, and the critical art of interpreting patent claims. Finally, it provides a clear-eyed view of the high-stakes world of patent litigation, covering infringement, defenses, and remedies, making it an indispensable desk reference for navigating the challenging and dynamic field of patent law.
The through-line
- Who it’s for
- An inventor, engineer, businessperson, or lawyer who needs to understand the complex rules of patent law to protect an invention, avoid infringement, or manage intellectual property assets.
- The problem
- The patent system is an arcane and complex legal field filled with jargon, making it difficult to understand one's rights, obligations, and strategic options. They feel intimidated, confused, and at risk of making a costly mistake that could jeopardize a valuable invention or lead to expensive litigation.
- The plan
- Learn the fundamental concepts of intellectual property and how to read a patent.
- Understand the key requirements an invention must meet to be patentable.
- Follow the complete lifecycle of a patent from application (prosecution) to enforcement (litigation).
- The payoff
- Gaining the clarity and confidence to make strategic decisions about inventions and patents. · Successfully protecting valuable intellectual property from competitors. · Avoiding costly and time-consuming legal disputes by understanding the boundaries of patent rights.
See our guide
Additional reading
- Patent Engineering: A Guide to Building a Valuable Patent Portfolio · Donald S. Rimai
The author's previous book, which introduces foundational concepts like 'owning the problem' and conducting clearance searches that are referenced and built upon in this guide.
- Rembrandts in the Attic · Kevin G. Rivette and David Kline
Cited as a key reference for understanding the significant commercial and economic value that a well-structured patent portfolio can have for a company.
- Connections · James Burke
Referenced for its thesis that modern technology arises from combining previously unrelated components, which supports the book's argument about where to find patentable inventions when combining known technologies.
- Basic Drawing Techniques · Greg Albert and Rachel Wolf
Recommended by the authors for readers who need to learn fundamental drawing skills before attempting to create drawings manually with pen and ruler.
- Keys to Drawing · Bert Dodson
Suggested as a resource to develop the basic drawing abilities required for the manual methods described in the book.
- The New Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain · Betty Edwards
A classic book recommended to help aspiring drawers develop their observational and rendering skills, which are foundational for manual patent drawing.
- Patent It Yourself · David Pressman
This book is presented as a companion to 'Patent It Yourself', which covers the written portion and formal paperwork of the patent application that this book does not.
- Profit From Your Idea: How to Make Smart Licensing Deals · Richard Stim
The book recommends this title for detailed guidance on the invention licensing process, including finding licensees, negotiating terms, and drafting a comprehensive agreement.
- How to Make Patent Drawings · Jack Lo and David Pressman
This companion book is recommended for step-by-step instructions on creating formal patent drawings that meet the USPTO's strict formatting rules.
- Trademark: Legal Care for Your Business & Product Name · Stephen Fishman
Referenced for readers who need more in-depth information on selecting, searching, and registering trademarks to supplement their patent rights.