Definition
Claim construction is the legal process by which a court determines the meaning and scope of the words in a patent claim.
Why It Matters Legally
Claim construction frequently decides the outcome of a case, since how a key term is defined can determine whether a product infringes or whether a claim is valid. It is one of the most contested phases of litigation.
Example Use Case
The parties dispute the meaning of the word ‘connected’ in a claim, and the court’s construction determines whether the accused product infringes.
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Related Terms
Markman Hearing, Patent Claim, Patent Infringement, Patent Litigation, Patent Validity