A “Claim” in a patent is a precise legal description of what the invention encompasses and what it is protected by. Claims are crucial because they define the scope of protection granted by the patent. When someone patents an invention, the claims are the most important component of the patent, as they determine exactly what is protected.
You’ve invented a new type of bicycle that is particularly lightweight and fast. In your patent application, you will use claims to precisely describe what makes your bicycle unique.
Each claim describes a specific feature or combination of features of your invention. The first claim is usually the broadest and most general, while subsequent claims add more specific details.
The claims are essentially the rules of the game for the patent. If someone else manufactures or sells a bicycle that exhibits one or more of these features without your permission, they infringe on your patent.
Another practical example from practice would be if you had invented a device for a specific type of smartphone display. Your claims could look like this:
If another company sells a smartphone with a display that exactly matches these features, they might infringe on your patent, and you could take legal action against them.
Claims are the precise descriptions that define what makes your invention unique and what it is protected by. They are indispensable for the legal protection of your innovation.
