What is a claim? What is the difference between an independent claim and a dependent claim?
Patent claims establish the boundaries or scope of an invention, including the best mode to make, use or sell it. A dependent claim relies upon an independent claim and includes all the limitations of the independent claim. For instance, the independent claim might be “a device that does X” and the dependent claim “the device defined in claim 1, additionally comprising an attachment that does Y.” Therefore, the independent claims will be the broadest protection that you will have and the dependent claims are typically drafted to add further limitations and specifics to your invention.
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- What is a claim? What is the difference between an independent claim and a dependent claim?
