Patent Fundamentals For Scientists And Engineers

Patent Fundamentals for Scientists and Engineers Second Edition Thomas T. Gordon Arthur S. Cookfair LEWIS PUBLISHERS Boca Raton New York Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Gordon, Thomas T. Patent fundamentals for scientists and engineers / Thomas T. Gordon, Arthur S. Cookfair.— 2nd ed. p. cm. Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 1-56670-517-7 (alk. paper) 1. Patents. 2. Patents — United States. I. Cookfair, Arthur S. II. Title. T339.G67 2000 608.773 — dc21 99-056999 CIP This book contains information obtained from authentic and highly regarded sources. Reprinted material is quoted with permission, and sources are indicated. A wide variety of references are listed. Reasonable efforts have been made to publish reliable data and information, but the author and the publisher cannot assume responsibility for the validity of all materials or for the consequences of their use. Neither this book nor any part may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, microfilming, and recording, or by any information storage or retrieval system, without prior permission in writing from the publisher. The consent of CRC Press LLC does not extend to copying for general distribution, for promotion, for creating new works, or for resale. Specific permission must be obtained in writing from CRC Press LLC for such copying. Direct all inquiries to CRC Press LLC, 2000 N.W. Corporate Blvd., Boca Raton, Florida 33431. Trademark Notice: Product or corporate names may be trademarks or registered trademarks, and are used only for identification and explanation, without intent to infringe. © 2000 by CRC Press LLC Lewis Publishers is an imprint of CRC Press LLC No claim to original U.S. Government works International Standard Book Number 1-56670-517-7 Library of Congress Card Number 99-056999 Printed in the United States of America 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 Printed on acid-free paper ©2000 CRC Press LLC About the Authors Thomas T. Gordon. After graduation from college with a B.S. in chemistry, Mr. Gordon worked as a chemist in the pharmaceutical and polymer industries. He did graduate work in organic chemistry and studied law, receiving his J.D. from St. Louis University. Mr. Gordon has over 30 years’ experience in the patent field, working in various areas of patent preparation, searching, and prosecution. He has conducted patent licensing programs in the U.S. and Europe, and has worked for major industrial corporations. He is currently in private patent practice in the Arlington, Virginia, area. Arthur S. Cookfair is a patent agent with more than 25 years’ experience in patent law in both corporate and private practice. He has, in addition, served as a patent examiner in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and is the author of numerous publications on patents and inventions. Based on his undergraduate work in chemistry and geoscience, and graduate work in science and education, Dr. Cookfair has had a varied career as a chemist, educator, and patent practitioner. He has lectured and taught extensively on science and patent law in this country and abroad and has been the recipient of a Fulbright grant. ©2000 CRC Press LLC Contents Preface to the Second Edition Chapter 1 Patents as Intellectual Property Chapter 2 Patents — History, Philosophy, and Purpose Chapter 3 The U.S. Patent System Chapter 4 The Canadian Patent System Chapter 5 The Patentable Invention Chapter 6 The Evolution