The Rising Size and Complexity of the Patent Document

4 Pages Posted: 20 Feb 2008 Last revised: 5 Dec 2014

Date Written: February 20, 2008

Abstract

This short concept essay introduces two separate studies showing that US patents are increasing in size and complexity. The first study looks at how the length of the patent specification has increased dramatically in the period from 1987-2007. (The results show little change from 1977-1987). The second study looks at the number of claims in each patent and shows that those are on the rise as well.

Keywords: Patent, Prosecution, Word Count, Intellectual Property

Suggested Citation

Crouch, Dennis D., The Rising Size and Complexity of the Patent Document (February 20, 2008). University of Missouri School of Law Legal Studies Research Paper No. 2008-04, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1095810 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1095810

Dennis D. Crouch (Contact Author)

University of Missouri School of Law ( email )

Missouri Avenue & Conley Avenue
Columbia, MO MO 65211
United States

Do you have negative results from your research you’d like to share?

Paper statistics

Downloads
1,928
Abstract Views
15,919
Rank
15,795
PlumX Metrics