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Fundamentals of Patent Drafting (LAWS70387)

Graduate coursework level 7Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)

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Overview

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This subject teaches students the fundamental principles and basic skills of drafting patent specifications. It does so through a combination of in-class instruction sessions on a range of topics, in-class drafting exercises with review sessions, and out-of-class drafting exercises with tutorial review sessions. Students are assessed by two practical assessment tasks, undertaken individually outside the classroom. Passing the subject will satisfy the knowledge requirements specified by the Trans-Tasman IP Attorneys Board (TTIPAB) for Topic Group G: Drafting patent specifications. The lecturers for this subject include two practising patent attorneys with substantial experience teaching drafting skills.

Principal topics include:

  • History and nature of specifications and claims
  • Approaches to claim drafting
  • Interpreting claims
  • Drafting basic claims
  • Drafting product claims with reference to prior art
  • Drafting process and method claims
  • Preparing a description
  • Consequences of drafting.

Intended learning outcomes

A student who has successfully completed this subject will:



  • Have an advanced and integrated understanding of the role of the components of a patent specification
  • Be able to critically examine, analyse, interpret and assess the meaning of claims in the context of a patent specification
  • Be an engaged participant in debate regarding approaches to claim drafting
  • Have a sophisticated appreciation of the principles and policies that underlie judicial interpretation of claims
  • Have an advanced understanding of how to draft a patent specification
  • Have the cognitive and technical skills to draft a patent specification for a simple mechanical invention
  • Have the communication skills to clearly articulate and convey complex information regarding the role of the components of a patent specification to relevant specialist and non-specialist audiences, including clients
  • Be able to demonstrate autonomy, expert judgment and responsibility as a practitioner and learner in the field of patent drafting.

Last updated: 3 November 2022