Patent Law for Paralegals

Patent Law for Paralegals provides a complete overview of patent law, practice, and procedures, in an organized, logical approach. Cutting-edge and pending legislation are provides a comprehensive yet practical guide to patent law. The arrangement of the topics facilitates thorough mastery of patent law and practice. Many useful features including charts, diagrams, glossary, key terms, and examples illustrate the points made. The manner in which patent rights arise, patent searches, the procedure to obtain a patent, length of patent protection, protection from infringement, and new and international developments are all covered in depth. In essence, the "life cycle" of a patent is covered, from discussion of what may be protected by patent through how to obtain and maintain a patent in force.

Patent Laws for Paralegals approaches the topic of patent law in an organized and logical fashion, and provides a thorough grounding in the life cycle of a patent. The text begins with an introduction to the general topic of intellectual property, reviewing the agency responsible for issuing patents (the USPTO), proceeding to patent searches, patent applications, post-issuance actions, patent ownership and transfer, and patent infringement. The text concludes with chapters on new developments in patent law, international patent protection, and patent audits and due diligence. Information is arranged in a building-block approach so that the student is presented with comprehensive coverage of each topic. The substantive discussion of each topic is complemented by the use of forms, sample agreements, checklists, flowcharts, and other practical guides. References to useful Internet sites are provided in each chapter so students can obtain additional information. Discussion questions are provided throughout the text to ensure thorough understanding of each topic. A glossary highlights critical terms, and selected patent statutes are provided, together with a table showing signatories to various international patent agreements and treaties.

Deborah E. Bouchoux, J.D., is an adjunct faculty member at Georgetown University's Paralegal Studies Program where she teaches a variety of topics and serves on the Program's Advisory Board. She is a summa cum laude graduate of Santa Clara University School of Law and a member of the State Bar of California (inactive) and District of Columbia Bar (active). She has taught in a number of paralegal programs, including the University of San Diego's Paralegal Program and the Paralegal Studies Program at George Washington University. She is the author of nine textbooks in the paralegal field and several articles in national and local paralegal publications. She may be reached at [email protected].