Subjects:

Intellectual Property Law

Contents:

PART I: INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND TO THE MODERN PATENT SYSTEM

1: The nature and origins of patent monopolies

2: The development of patent law

3: Patents in developing countries

PART II: PATENT LAW AND PATENT PROCEDURE

4: What can be patented

5: Filing a patent application

6: Obtaining a granted patent national procedures compared

7: Obtaining a granted patent EPC and PCT procedures

8: Maintaining a patent in force and extension of term

9: Patent infringement

10: Invalidity and amendment of granted patents

PART III: PATENTABILITY OF INVENTIONS IN SPECIFIC TECHNICAL FIELDS

11: Chemical inventions

12: Pharmaceutical inventions

13: Biotechnological inventions

14: Patenting of genes, plants and animals

15: Electronic and computer-related inventions

PART IV: PATENTING IN PRACTICE

16: The patent practitioner and his functions

17: Drafting the patent specification

18: Drafting the claims

19: Prosecution of the patent application to grant

20: Patents and information

PART V: COMMERCIAL EXPLOITATION OF PATENTS

21: Inventorship, ownership and compensation

22: The commercial value of patents

23: How to catch the infringer - and how not to infringe oneself

24: Patent aspects of licensing

25: Patents and competition law.

The chemicals, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology industries worldwide rely upon being able to patent inventions in order to protect investment in research and development, and to reap commercial rewards. This text guides the reader through the legal and procedural complexities of the British, European, Japanese and US patent systems, and explains the role of patent practitioners (both in-house and in private practice) in maximizing the commercial potential of their client's or company's innovative products.

The text provides a description of the techniques and industry know-how that underlie successful patent practice and portfolio management and should be of value to all patent agents and practitioners working in the area of patent law.