Patent: 6,399,357

Summary for Patent: 6,399,357

Title:	Filtration
Abstract:	Filtration methods comprise virus-filtering a solution containing at least one macromolecule. The total salt content of the solution is within the range of from about 0.2M to 2M or within the range of from about 0.2M up to saturation with the salt.
Inventor(s):	Winge; Stefan (Stockholm, SE)
Assignee:	Biovitrum AB (Stockholm, SE)
Application Number:	09/511,953
Patent Claims:	see list of patent claims

Understanding the Scope and Claims of United States Patent 6,399,357

Introduction to Patent Analysis

When analyzing a patent, it is crucial to delve into its scope, claims, and the broader patent landscape to fully comprehend its implications and value. This article will provide a detailed analysis of United States Patent 6,399,357, focusing on its claims, scope, and the patent landscape it inhabits.

What is a Patent?

A patent is a form of intellectual property that grants the owner exclusive rights to an invention for a specified period, typically 20 years from the filing date. Patents are issued by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and are categorized into utility, design, and plant patents[1].

Understanding Patent Claims

Patent claims are the most critical part of a patent application, as they define the scope of the invention and what is protected by the patent. Claims are statements that describe the invention in precise terms and are used to determine the boundaries of the patent's protection[5].

Types of Claims

• Independent Claims: These claims stand alone and define the invention without reference to other claims.
• Dependent Claims: These claims refer back to and further limit an independent claim.
• Method Claims: These claims describe a process or method.
• Apparatus Claims: These claims describe a device or system.

Analyzing the Claims of Patent 6,399,357

To analyze the claims of Patent 6,399,357, one must review the patent document itself. Here are some key points to consider:

• Claim Structure: Identify whether the claims are independent or dependent and how they relate to each other.
• Claim Language: Analyze the specific language used in the claims to understand the scope of protection.
• Claim Limitations: Determine any limitations or restrictions within the claims that could affect the patent's enforceability.

Scope of the Patent

The scope of a patent is defined by its claims and is essential for understanding what is protected and what is not.

Determining Scope

• Literal Infringement: This occurs when a product or process meets all the elements of a claim.
• Doctrine of Equivalents: This allows for infringement to be found if a product or process is substantially equivalent to the claimed invention.

Patent Landscape Analysis

Patent landscape analysis, also known as patent mapping, is a comprehensive process that helps in understanding the entire landscape of a technology domain. Here’s how it applies to Patent 6,399,357:

Elements of Patent Landscape Analysis

• Application Number, Filing Date, and Country: These details help identify the patent and its status across different jurisdictions[3].
• Legal Status: This includes whether the patent is alive, pending, lapsed, revoked, or expired.
• Expected Expiry Dates: Knowing when a patent is expected to expire can be crucial for business and legal strategies[3].

Benefits of Patent Landscape Analysis

• Competitor Analysis: Identifies key competitors and their patent portfolios.
• Market Trends: Reveals trends in patent filings, mergers and acquisitions, licensing, and litigation.
• Risk Mitigation: Helps in minimizing business risks by identifying potential patent conflicts and opportunities[3].

Case Study: Patent 6,399,357

Assuming Patent 6,399,357 is related to a specific technological domain, here’s a hypothetical analysis:

Claims Analysis

• If the patent has broad independent claims, it may offer wider protection but could be more susceptible to challenges.
• Dependent claims might narrow down the scope but provide additional layers of protection.

Scope Analysis

• The scope would be determined by the literal interpretation of the claims and any applicable doctrine of equivalents.
• Understanding the scope helps in identifying potential infringers and in licensing or enforcing the patent.

Patent Landscape

• Identify other patents in the same technological domain to understand the competitive landscape.
• Analyze the legal status and expected expiry dates of related patents to plan strategic moves.

Example: Using Patent Claims Research Dataset

The USPTO's Patent Claims Research Dataset can be a valuable resource for analyzing patents like 6,399,357. This dataset provides detailed information on claims from U.S. patents granted between 1976 and 2014, including claim-level statistics and document-level statistics. By using this dataset, one can:

• Parse Claims: Use Python algorithms to identify individual claims and their dependency relationships.
• Analyze Statistics: Review claim-level and document-level statistics to understand the scope and trends of the patent[2].

Maintenance Fees and Patent Expiry

Patent owners must pay maintenance fees to keep their patents in force. Failure to pay these fees can result in the patent expiring. For example:

• Maintenance fees are due at 3.5, 7.5, and 11.5 years after the patent grant date.
• If these fees are not paid, the patent will expire on the 4th, 8th, or 12th anniversary of the grant date[1].

Key Takeaways

• Claims Define Scope: The claims in a patent define what is protected and are crucial for understanding the patent's scope.
• Patent Landscape Analysis: This analysis helps in understanding competitors, market trends, and potential risks and opportunities.
• Maintenance Fees: Regular payment of maintenance fees is essential to keep the patent in force.
• Legal Status and Expiry Dates: Knowing the legal status and expected expiry dates of patents is vital for strategic planning.

FAQs

1. What are the different types of patent claims?

   • Independent claims, dependent claims, method claims, and apparatus claims are the primary types of patent claims.

2. How does patent landscape analysis help businesses?

   • It helps in understanding competitors, identifying market trends, and mitigating business risks by analyzing patent data.

3. Why are maintenance fees important for patents?

   • Maintenance fees must be paid to keep the patent in force; failure to pay results in the patent expiring.

4. What is the doctrine of equivalents in patent law?

   • This doctrine allows for infringement to be found if a product or process is substantially equivalent to the claimed invention.

5. Where can I find detailed information on patent claims for analysis?

   • The USPTO's Patent Claims Research Dataset provides detailed information on claims from U.S. patents and applications.

Sources

1. USPTO - Patent and Trademark Office Notices

   • https://www.uspto.gov/web/offices/com/sol/og/2010/week30/TOC.htm

2. USPTO - Patent Claims Research Dataset

   • https://www.uspto.gov/ip-policy/economic-research/research-datasets/patent-claims-research-dataset

3. Sagacious Research - Navigating Technological Domains with Patent Landscape Analysis

   • https://sagaciousresearch.com/blog/navigating-technological-domains-with-patent-landscape-analysis/

4. USPTO - The Path to a Patent, Part V: Understanding the role of claims in a patent application

   • https://www.uspto.gov/about-us/events/path-patent-part-v-understanding-role-claims-patent-application-8

Details for Patent 6,399,357

Applicant	Tradename	Biologic Ingredient	Dosage Form	BLA	Approval Date	Patent No.	Expiredate
Grifols Therapeutics Llc	THROMBATE III	antithrombin iii (human)	For Injection	103196	December 30, 1991	6,399,357	2014-06-23