The US Patent System
A Practical Guide to the Law, Practice and Procedure
Published on 24. April 2026
Book
Hardback
366 pages
978-1-0353-8263-7 (ISBN)
Description
In this insightful guide, experienced patent attorney Michael A. Sanzo demystifies the patent process in the US, from invention conception through to product commercialization. Using practical examples, Sanzo sets out clearly and effectively how patents are drafted, challenged, enforced, and strategically leveraged by inventors, attorneys, and entrepreneurs.
Key Features:
Highlights common pitfalls drawn from experience in patent practice
Provides helpful guidance on emerging technologies, such as the use of AI in patent searching and drafting
Brings together legal and practical perspectives to help readers use patents as both legal tools and business assets
Covers the full patent lifecycle, from invention and application to enforcement, litigation, and post-grant procedures
The US Patent System is an essential reference guide for patent attorneys and their clients, legal advisors, and also for inventors and entrepreneurs navigating the legal landscape. In addition it is a superb resource for students in patent law, particularly for anyone undertaking clinical studies such as those within the USPTO Law School Clinic Certification Program.
Key Features:
Highlights common pitfalls drawn from experience in patent practice
Provides helpful guidance on emerging technologies, such as the use of AI in patent searching and drafting
Brings together legal and practical perspectives to help readers use patents as both legal tools and business assets
Covers the full patent lifecycle, from invention and application to enforcement, litigation, and post-grant procedures
The US Patent System is an essential reference guide for patent attorneys and their clients, legal advisors, and also for inventors and entrepreneurs navigating the legal landscape. In addition it is a superb resource for students in patent law, particularly for anyone undertaking clinical studies such as those within the USPTO Law School Clinic Certification Program.
Reviews / Votes
'Thorough, crisp and highly readable, this guide to the US patent system provides a very modern view of an always-changing system. As a European patent attorney, this is going to be my first pick from the shelf when I need to check out practical or contemporary issues in the US. If I was still training, it would be my bible.' -- Gwilym Roberts, Kilburn & Strode LLP, London, UK 'The guide is beneficial for new practitioners and US law school patent clinic students.' -- Darrell G. Mottley, Suffolk University Law School, USA 'The US Patent System by Michael A. Sanzo contains not only a detailed explanation of the US patent system, but also practical recommendations on how to safely steer through the sometimes jungle-like system on the journey to creating and maintaining valid patents! In view of the rapid development of technology worldwide, the sections on using AI for inventing and patenting will become the basis for discussions on streamlining drafting, prosecution, litigation and licensing practices.' -- Heinz Goddar, Boehmert & Boehmert, GermanyMore details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Cheltenham
United Kingdom
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Dimensions
Height: 216 mm
Width: 138 mm
ISBN-13
978-1-0353-8263-7 (9781035382637)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Michael A. Sanzo, Patent Attorney, Florida, USA
Content
Contents
Preface
PART I INTRODUCTION
1 A brief overview of intellectual property
2 Sources of US intellectual property law
PART II THE BASICS
3 Patents: benefits and risks
4 Types of patent applications
5 Understanding patents
PART III PATENT BASED INVENTING
6 Searching the patent literature
7 Using patents to create inventions
PART IV DRAFTING AND PROSECUTING PATENT APPLICATIONS
8 Drafting patent applications
9 Patent prosecution: patent eligibility
10 Patent prosecution: prior art
11 Patent prosecution: disclosure requirements
12 Patent prosecution: double patenting
13 Patent prosecution: after final prosecution and appeal
14 Patent prosecution: the duty of disclosure
PART V PATENT ACTIVITIES AFTER ISSUANCE
15 Correction of patents
16 Challenging claim validity
17 Patent infringement
PART VI ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
18 Using AI for inventing and patenting
PART VII BUSINESS ASPECTS OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
19 Filing and prosecution strategies
20 Early stage companies
21 Developing resilience
Preface
PART I INTRODUCTION
1 A brief overview of intellectual property
2 Sources of US intellectual property law
PART II THE BASICS
3 Patents: benefits and risks
4 Types of patent applications
5 Understanding patents
PART III PATENT BASED INVENTING
6 Searching the patent literature
7 Using patents to create inventions
PART IV DRAFTING AND PROSECUTING PATENT APPLICATIONS
8 Drafting patent applications
9 Patent prosecution: patent eligibility
10 Patent prosecution: prior art
11 Patent prosecution: disclosure requirements
12 Patent prosecution: double patenting
13 Patent prosecution: after final prosecution and appeal
14 Patent prosecution: the duty of disclosure
PART V PATENT ACTIVITIES AFTER ISSUANCE
15 Correction of patents
16 Challenging claim validity
17 Patent infringement
PART VI ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
18 Using AI for inventing and patenting
PART VII BUSINESS ASPECTS OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
19 Filing and prosecution strategies
20 Early stage companies
21 Developing resilience