GLOSSARY
What are Patent Claims?
Understanding patent claims—the most important part of any patent, defining exactly what is protected.
Definition
Patent claims are the numbered statements at the end of a patent document that define the legal scope of the patent's protection. They describe exactly what the inventor claims as their invention and determine what constitutes infringement.
Types of Patent Claims
- Independent claims: Stand alone and define the broadest scope of protection
- Dependent claims: Reference and narrow an independent claim, adding additional limitations
- Method claims: Describe a process or series of steps
- Apparatus/system claims: Describe a physical device or system
- Composition claims: Describe a chemical compound or mixture
Why Claims Matter
Claims are the most legally significant part of a patent:
- Infringement: Only the claims (not the description) define what constitutes infringement
- Validity: Claims are examined against prior art for novelty and non-obviousness
- Licensing: License scope is defined by the claims covered
- Valuation: Broader, stronger claims generally mean more valuable patents
Claim Analysis with AI
AI can help analyze patent claims by:
- Parsing claim structure and identifying key elements
- Comparing claims across patents for overlap
- Mapping claims to products or standards
- Assessing claim breadth and strength relative to prior art