Legal Definitions - broadening of a claim

Definition: Broadening of a claim refers to the expansion of the scope of a patent claim to increase its coverage. This means that the patent claim covers more methods or devices that could potentially infringe on the claim. However, drafting a claim too broadly increases the risk of it being invalidated by prior art.

Example: Let's say a company has a patent for a new type of phone case that protects the phone from water damage. The original claim may have been for a specific design of the case. However, if the company wants to broaden the claim, they could expand it to cover any type of phone case that protects the phone from water damage. This would give the company greater protection against competitors who may try to create similar phone cases.

Alternative Reproductive Technology (ART): ART refers to alternative methods of reproduction used by individuals who are infertile. This includes in vitro fertilization, sperm donation, ovum donation, and the use of a surrogate carrier. The term was defined in 1992 by the Fertility Clinic Success Rate and Certification Act.

Example: A couple who is unable to conceive a child naturally may turn to ART methods such as in vitro fertilization. This involves fertilizing an egg outside of the body and then implanting it into the woman's uterus. By using ART, the couple is able to have a child despite their infertility.