By Ronald Slusky
Invention Analysis and Claiming: Means-Plus-Function—Part V1
Ronald Slusky mentored dozens of attorneys in "old school" invention analysis and claiming principles over a 31-year career at Bell Laboratories. He is now in private practice in New York City. This column is adapted from the Second Edition of Ron's book, "Invention Analysis and Claiming: A Patent Lawyer's Guide" (American Bar Association, 2012). Ron presents CLE-accredited one- and two-day seminars based on his book both in public venues and in-house. Details at www.sluskyseminars.com Ron can be reached at 212-246-4546 and rdslusky@verizon.net.
This is the fifth and last in a series of columns2 on means-plus-function claiming under 35 USC 112, ¶6,3 which provides that
An element in a claim for a combination may be expressed as a means or step for performing a specified function without the recital of structure, material, or acts in support thereof, and such claim shall be construed to cover the corresponding structure, material, or acts described in the...
