Patent Law in Biotechnology, Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals

Overview; trade secrets; patent overview; the Paris convention; other treaties; patent procurement strategies; drafting the patent application; patent-eligible subject matter; novelty (anticipation); first inventor system; priority based upon an earlier patent application; priority based on proof of early date of invention; interference procedures; interference strategies; obviousness; homologs, isomers and analogs; proving a difference in properties; method of use claim obviousness issues; method of making obviousness issues; product-by-process claims; purity and activity level limitations; Jepson and other prior art "admissions"; claims and their interpretation; claim structure; "means" limitations; determining the literal scope of the claim; infringing acts under varying statutory categories; infringement determination; the doctrine of equivalents; file wrapper (prosecution history) Estoppel; the reverse doctrine of equivalents; disclosure requirements; the "written description" requirement; enablement, "how to make"; enablement, "how to use"; duty of disclosure; double patenting; restriction practice; election of species; markush-election interface; international unity standards; international practice differences; trade secrets.