Patent Prosecution

This skill-based course examines the core requirements and strategies for drafting and prosecuting a patent application before the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office (PTO). The class brings in real inventors and patent examiners to give students a real-world experience of developing a patent, understanding patentability, building patent portfolios, and getting a patent application prosecuted through the patent office. Students will interact with inventors in a startup-type environment and help the startup protect the IP in its technology -- through interactions with the inventors to identify and develop concepts and draft corresponding patent applications, and through interactions with the PTO to get the patents assessed against prior art and eventually granted. The course is open to all students, regardless of your technical (or non-technical) undergraduate background. All you require is an interest in technology or patent law. This class will give you a solid understanding of what patents are, provide real-life experience in identifying and helping companies protect the IP in their technologies, and help you understand the mechanics of patent structure and development, all of which will be helpful experience and background for students interested in pursuing any technology-based litigation or transactional practices. Students are evaluated on participation, in-class and take-home exercises, and projects relating to the drafting and prosecution of a patent application.