Fusion Coursework  

Patent Law (3cr)

This course, designed for students schooled in all disciplines, including the humanities, will endeavor to introduce the student to the law and policy of the United States patent system.  We begin with a discussion of the origins and theoretical underpinnings of the patent system followed by a look at the composition of an issued patent and the procedural mechanism for obtaining patent rights.  We proceed with a detailed examination of the substantive requirements of patentability, including the disclosure requirements, novelty, nonobviousness, utility, and subject matter.  Thereafter, we explore the issues associated with enforcing a patent, including the scope of a patent owner’s rights, and the common defenses to a patent infringement suit.  We close with a discussion of remedies available to the patent owner; and, if time permits, we will cover the basics of trade secret law.