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: 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
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