This course covers the major aspects of patent law, primarily as applied in the United States: patentability, including novelty, nonobviousness, and enablement; infringement; and remedies. The emphasis is on essential legal principles and a policy analysis of the patent system. The course is designed to be useful both as a solid background for non-patent-specialists and for those planning a career in the field.
This course is one of three basic building-block courses in intellectual property law and policy. For a complete grounding in intellectual property law, students should also take IP: Copyright and IP: Trademarks and Unfair Competition Law. There are no prerequisites for this course, and no technical background is required.