This consise, up-to-date survey of U.S. patent law uses examples, many from actual cases, to explain the various aspects of the patent system, including issues of patent validity, infringement, the application process, and litigation. Although many large multi-volume patent treatises are already available, this book will serve as a useful overview or starting point for further research. Patent claim interpretation, equivalence, prior art, and the extension of patent protection to non-traditional subject matter such as computer software are covered in detail. Appendixes contain sample U.S. patents.