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Interpreting Patent Claims: Patent Drafters Say What They Mean, But Do They Mean What They Say?

What exactly does it mean to interpret claims "in light" of the specification? Do the descriptions and examples in a patent specification affect the interpretation of the patent's claims where there is no express statement that a specialized definition is being given to claim terms? Absent a specific glossary section, is it even necessary to read the specification or should the public be free to read and interpret the claims in a vacuum? Within 4 days, two separate panels of the Federal Circuit delivered seemingly conflicting answers to these questions, highlighting a growing rift regarding the significance of the specification and prosecution history to claim interpretation.

20 minute read August 09, 2004 at 09:25 AM
By
Matthew W. Siegal and Alfi S. Guindi
Interpreting Patent Claims: Patent Drafters Say What They Mean, But Do They Mean What They Say?

What exactly does it mean to interpret claims “in light” of the specification? Do the descriptions and examples in a patent specification affect the interpretation of the patent's claims where there is no express statement that a specialized definition is being given to claim terms?

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