35 U.S.C. § 112: Specification and claims

Citation: 35 U.S.C. § 112

Type: Statute

Jurisdiction: Federal

Issuing body: U.S. Congress

Status: In force

The specification must describe the invention and how to make and use it under subsection (a). The claims must particularly point out and distinctly claim the invention under subsection (b), and a claim is indefinite if it does not tell skilled readers its scope with reasonable certainty. Dependent claims refer to an earlier claim and add limits under subsection (d).

Related guides.

• Patent Basics for Litigation, with a Glossary
• Claim Construction (Markman)

Sources.

• Cornell LII: 35 U.S.C. § 112

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