Product Description

Business has always been driven by ingenuity and innovation. Now, more than ever, with an economy built on knowledge work and intangible value, developing—and protecting—intellectual property is vital for individuals and organizations alike. This book presents a brief but thorough survey of U.S. patent law, presented in the clearest possible terms for nonspecialists—including scientists, engineers, business managers, and entrepreneurs—as well as students and practitioners of patent and intellectual property law. Drawing from both practical and academic experience, Alan Durham explains the basis of patent law and covers such topics as the application process, claim interpretation, the requirements of novelty and non-obviousness, disclosure requirements (such as enablement and best mode), and infringement—including infringement under the controversial doctrine of equivalents. Complex legal issues are explained through in-depth examples, many borrowed from actual cases, and feature such timely topics as patent protection of computer software, business methods, and biological materials. This revised and updated edition discusses recent developments in the law and draws from the most current case authority. Used as an introduction to the topic or a handy desk reference, this book will be an indispensable guide to the dynamics and mechanics of patent law.

Durham illustrates complex legal issues through dozens of in-depth examples, many borrowed from actual cases. Of particular interest are cases involving patent disputes over computer software, business practices, and biological materials. From building a better mousetrap to building a better mouse, Patent Law Essentials defines the coverage and limitations of patent law and its protections, and shows how they are applied in the courts and in practical application. This revised and updated edition discusses recent developments in the law and draws from the most current case authority. Used as an introduction to the topic or a handy desk reference, this book will be an indispensable guide to the dynamics and mechanics of patent law.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #759210 in Books
• Published on: 2004-09-30
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 264 pages

Review
“[U]ses examples from industries including software and biotechnology to explain the mechanics of the fast-changing intellectual property field.”–SciTech Book News

“A useful resource for students and non-lawyers. It explains the complex subject of patent law in a clear, accurate, and lively way, with examples anyone can understand.”–Mark Lemley, Professor of Law and Director of the Program in Law, Science & Technology, Stanford University

“An invaluable companion for students and practitioners alike. It offers a patient, thorough, and accessible introduction to patent law and plicy, and it reminds its reader why the patent system is at once frustrating and inspiring. Truth be told, it is one of the few books appropriate both for my students and for my Mom.”–Douglas Lichtman, Professor of Law The University of Chicago

About the Author
ALAN L. DURHAM is Associate Professor of Law at the University of Alabama School of Law, where he teaches in the areas of intellectual property, antitrust, and torts. A native of California's Silicon Valley, he practiced law there from 1989 to 1998, primarily in the field of high-technology patent litigation.

Customer Reviews

The best concise manual for beginners and experts alike.
This book represents the best one-volume reference for beginners and experts interested in patent law. It is immensely helpful as a quick reference guide for materials that might be useful in legal proceedings. It is also an invaluable teaching tool that presents a fluid, cogent view of the full breadth of patent law. Students would be well advised to secure a copy and read it from cover to cover. (Thankfully, the book has none of the boring and irrelevant historical anecdotes that seem to grow like vestigial flesh on all the other treatises as the law and events pass them by.) The book strikes a fair balance between the detail necessary to comprehend fully the depth of patent law issues and the generality needed by those who are in search of a quick and ready understanding of patent law as a whole or one of its narrow component parts. In short, this book is an invaluable source for executives, technical experts, patent prosecutors, litigators and students.

An excellent warm-up for the real thing
While waiting to find out if my application to the PTO to sit for the next patent bar exam was approved, and prior to obtaining a full-fledged course of study on patent practice, I decided to invest in this book to get a better idea of what I was getting into. I must say that not only did I get a comprehensive introduction to the topic, but it was also an enjoyable read. The author uses subtle humor to get the points across, as exemplified by his use of various, patented mousetrap designs as examples, and his knowledge of patent law is superb. Indeed, there is hardly a page in the book sans footnotes and citations to case law.

Now that I am into the thick of learning the subject in detail in preparation for the exam, I find the subject matter familiar and that the overall perspective gained from Patent Law Essentials is invaluable.

This is a well organized, informative book that should be useful to any technical professional, especially, who wishes to demystify the arcane practice of patent prosecution.

A five star book
This book provides an excellent, concise and clear explanation of basic patent law and current "hot" issues in the law. I am an experienced lawyer who wanted to inform himself about this area of law, and it was great for that purpose. In addition, many cases illustrative of the decisional law on various issues are cited in footnotes, so it is very easy to follow up on any issues one desires. Well worth the price.