Claims are unarguably the heart of any patent application. A patent claim states the novel aspects of the invention, thereby defining the scope up to which a patent is protected. In other words, patent claims define the confines of the patent. Therefore, every patent application must have carefully drafted claims as these play a critical role during litigation. Without claims, anyone could imitate a patented product or process without facing any legal repercussions.
Carefully drafted patent claims can smoother the grant process and help avoid any unnecessary delays arising due to ambiguity in claim description. While drafting a patent application may appear to be a straightforward task, it is imperative to seek the assistance of skilled IP experts to avoid any hindrance in patent approval process and maximize the coverage.
This article will discuss the functions of patent claims, their parts, and different types of patent claims as per different categories. Let us first talk about the functions of patent claims to understand their need and importance. Read more