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Path to a Patent, Part V - Understanding the role of claims in a patent application

Published on: Jun 17, 2026 03:53 PM EDT

Are you an inventor preparing to file a patent application? In part five of this eight-part series, United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) experts will discuss the elements of the claim, show examples of claim illustrations from issued U.S. patents, and help participants develop a better appreciation of how a patent examiner views a claim.

To get the most from this workshop, you should have an intermediate understanding of the intellectual property (IP) system and of patents specifically. We recommend that you complete the previous sessions, Part I: IP basics and Part IV: Learn how to draft your patent application, before attending.