What every ESD engineer needs to understand about patents

This work provides a general overview of patents and, more importantly, information each engineer needs to know to be ensured of receiving the patent coverage he deserves. Patents and their importance are described generally. In reviewing patents, the main focus is on the claims since they define the legal rights afforded to the patent owner. The inventor should understand the relationship of claims to three other things: (1) the patent\´s own specification, (2) the "prior art," and (3) potentially infringing products. A fictional example demonstrates these relationships.