• Robert Merges & Patrick Duffy, Patent Law and Policy: Cases and Materials (Lexis/Nexis 2007) (abbreviated "MD")
• William Fisher, Supplemental Materials on Patent Law (2007) (abbreviated "Supp")
• Michael Kremer & Rachel Glennerster, Strong Medicine: Creating Incentives for Pharmaceutical Research on Neglected Diseases (2004)

A. The Origins and Contours of the Patent System (1 class)

• Historical Overview of Patent Law [MD 1-13]
• The Internationalization of Patent Law [MD 55-66]
• Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights, Articles 27-34 [Supp 1-4]

B. A First Look at Patent Theory (2 classes)

• Seana Shiffrin, "Intellectual Property Theory," forthcoming in The Blackwells Companion to Contemporary Political Philosophy [Supp 5-20]
• Steven Shavell, Foundations of Economic Analysis of Law (2004), Chpt. 7 [Supp 21-58]

A. General Principles (2 classes)

• Introductory Notes [MD 67-68]
• Diamond v. Chakrabarty, 447 U.S. 303 (1980) [MD 68-76]
  • Notes [MD 74-78]
• O'Reilly v. Morse, 56 U.S. 62 (1854) [MD 79-85]
  • Notes [MD 85-92]
• Lab. Corp. of America v. Metabolit Labs, 126 S.Ct. 98 (2006) [MD 98-105]
  • Notes [MD 105]
• In re Nuijten (CAFC, Sept. 20, 2007) [Supp 59-98]
• William Fisher, "The Growth of Intellectual Property: A History of the Ownership of Ideas in the United States," in Eigentum im internationalen Vergleich (Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, 1999), 265-91 [Supp 99-121]

B. Natural Substances and Living Things (1 class)

• Introductory Note [MD 106]
• Parke-Davis C. v. H.K. Mulford & Co., 189 F. 95 (SDNY 1911) [MD 106-110]
  • Notes [MD 110-113]
• Funk Bros. Seed Co. v. Kalo Inoculant Co., 333 U.S. 127 (1948) [MD113-116]
  • Notes [MD 116-117]
• Notes on Patent Protection for Plants [MD 118-126]
• Notes on Patent Protection for Animals [MD 127-130]

C. Software (1/2 class)

• Notes on the Collapse of the Initial Resistance [MD 150-55]
• State Street Bank and Trust Co. v. Signature Financial Group, 149 F.3d 1368 (CAFC 1998) [MD 156-62]
  • Notes [MD 162-64]
• Notes on the Postures of Other Countries [MD 187-98]
• Note on the Impact of Software Patents [MD196-200]

D. Business Methods (1/2 class)

• Introductory Note [MD 165-66]
• State Street Bank and Trust Co. v. Signature Financial Group, 927 F.Supp. 502 (D.Mass. 1996) [MD 166-67]
• State Street Bank and Trust Co. v. Signature Financial Group, 149 F.3d 1368 (CAFC 1998) [MD 167-70]
  • Notes [MD 170-81]
• Lawrence Lessig, "Online Patents: Leaving them Pending," Wall Street Journal, March 23, 2000 [Supp 122-24]

E. Medical Procedures (1/3 class)

• Notes on Medical Procedures [MD 182-87]
• American Medical Association, Council on Ethical and Judicial Affairs, "Ethical Issues in the Patenting of Medical Procedures," 53 Food Drug L.J. 341 (1998) [Supp 125-35]

F. Sports (1/3/ class)

• Notes on Patenting Sports Moves [MD 200-203]

G. Legal Innovations (1/3 class)

• Note on Legal Innovations [MD 204-205]
• Bernard Wolfman, "Patenting Tax Strategies" (forthcoming in TAXES, February 2008) [Supp 136-41]
  • Note: Prof. Wolfman asks that you not make this article publicly available in either paper or electronic form prior to its publication date.
• Selected Patents on Tax Strategies [handout]

H. Design Patents (1 class)

• Avia Group International v. L.A. Gear California, 853 F.2d 1557 (Fed. Cir. 1988) [Supp 142-47]
• Merges et al., "Notes on Design Patents," in Intellectual Property in the Technological Age, pp. 333-39 [Supp 148-54]
• Note on Egyptian Goddess (CAFC en banc) (2007) Patently-O Blog: http://www.patentlyo.com/patent/2007/11/ugly-stepsister.html

A. Utility (1 class)

• Introductory Notes [MD 207-12]
• Lowell v. Lewis, 15 Fed. Cas. 1018 (C.C.D.Mass. 1817) [MD 212-13]
  • Notes [MD 213]
• Juicy Whip v. Orange Bang, 185 F.3d 1364 (CAFC 1999) [MD 214-17]
  • Notes [MD 217-19]
• Robert Merges, "Intellectual Property in Higher Life Forms: The Patent System and Controversial Technologies," 47 Md. L. Rev. 1051 (1988) [Supp 155-174]
• Brenner v. Manson, 383 U.S. 519 (1966) [MD 222-27]
  • Notes [MD 227-30]
• In re Brana, 51 F.3d 1560 (CAFC 1995)  [MD 230-36]
  • Notes [MD 237-40]
• In re Fisher, 421 F.3d 1365 (CAFC 2005) [MD 240-50]
  • Notes [MD 250-53]
• Note on Rent Dissipation and AntiCommons [MD 253-56]

B. Disclosure and Enablement (2 classes)

• Introductory Notes [MD 257-61]
• Incandescent Light Patent, 159 U.S. 465 (1895) [MD 261-69]
  • Notes [MD 269-75]
• In re Wands, 858 F.2d 731 (CAFC 1988) [MD 275-82]
  • Notes [MD 282-85]
• Notes on Written Description Requirement [MD 299-302]
• Gentry Gallery v. Berkline Corp., 134 F.3d 1473 (CAFC 1998) [MD 303-07]
  • Notes [MD 307-09]
• University of California v. Eli Lilly, 119 F.3d 1559 (CAFC 1997) [MD 310-12]
  • Notes [MD 312-14]
• Note on Definite Claims [MD 327-28]
• Orthokinetics v. Safety Travel Chairs, 806 F.2d 1565 (CAFC 1986) [MD 328-30]
  • Notes [MD 330-32]
• Standard Oil v. American Cyanamid, 585 F.Supp. 1481 (ED La. 1984) [MD 332-33]
  • Notes [MD 333-40]
• Randomex v. Scopus Corp., 849 F.2d 585 (CAFC 1988) [MD 340-45]
  • Notes [MD 345-48]
• Comparative Notes [MD 356]

C. Novelty and Loss of Right (5 classes)

• Introductory Note [MD 357-60]
• Note on Anticipation [MD 360-61]
• In re Robertson, 169 F.3d 743 (CAFC 1999) [MD 361-65]
  • Notes [MD 366-70]
• In re Seaborg, 328 F.2d 996 (CCPA 1964) [MD 370-72]
  • Notes [MD 372-74]
• Schering Corp. v. Geneva Pharmaceuticals, 339 F.3d 1373 (CAFC 2003) [MD 374-79]
  • Notes [MD 379-80]
• Note on Enablement [380-81]
• In re Hafner, 410 F.2d 1403 (CCPA 1969) [MD 381-82]
  • Notes [MD 382-87]
• Note on New Use Patents [MD 387-93]
• National Tractors Pullers Ass'n v. Watkins, 205 USPQ 892 (ND Ill. 1980) [MD 394-95]
  • Notes [MD 396-98]
• Rosaire v. Baroid Sales Division, National Lead Co., 218 F.2d 72 (CA5 1955) [MD 398-400]
  • Notes [MD 400-02]
• Notes on the Economics of Novelty [MD 417-21]
• Notes on Derivation [MD 436-38]
• Notes on Priority [MD 438-41]
• Brown v. Barbacid, 276 F.3d 1327 (CAFC 2002) [MD 441-47]
  • Notes [MD 447-56]
• Peeler v. Miller, 535 F.2d 647 (CCPA 1976) [MD 456-60]
  • Notes [MD 460-64]
• Notes on Software [MD 464-66]
• Notes on the Interference Paradox [MD 466-68]
• Notes on Statutory Bars [MD 509-511, 519-22]
• Christopher Heath, "Grace Periods in the World" [Supp ____ {from CNSNK 336-40}]
• Egbert v. Lippmann, 104 U.S. 333 (1881) [MD 522-26]
  • Notes [MD 526-27]
• Moleculon Research v. CBS, 793 F.2d 528 (CAFC 1986) [MD 528-31]
  • Notes [MD 531-33]
• Pfaff v. Wells Electronics, 525 U.S. 55 (1998) [MD 536-43]
  • Notes [MD 543-50]
• Lough v. Brunswick Corp., 86 F.3d 1113 (CAFC 1996) [MD 562-66]
  • Notes [MD 566-70]

D. Nonobviousness (2 classes)

• Introductory Notes [MD 611-17]
• Graham v. John Deere Co., 383 U.S. 1 (1966) [MD 631-53]
• United States v. Adams, 383 U.S. 39 (1966) [MD 653-60]
  • Notes [MD 660-62]
• Tom Arnold, "The Way the Law of Section 103 was Made" [Supp 180-185 {from CNSNK 549-54}]
• Note on Subtests of Nonobviousness [MD 663-65]
• KSR International v. Teleflex, 2007 U.S. Lexis 4745 (2007) [MD 665-80]
  • Notes [MD 680-85]
• Note on the Economic Function of Section 103 [MD 695-703]
• Roberts v. Sears, Roebuck & Co., 723 F.2d 1324 (7th Cir. 1983) (Posner, J., concurring and dissenting) [Supp 186-188]
• Note on Strategic Disclosure [MD 759-64]
• Comparative Notes [MD 773-80]
• Robert Nozick, Anarchy, State, and Utopia 178-82 (1974) [Supp 189-191]
   
     

IV. Patent Entitlements

A. Infringement (3 classes)

• Introductory Notes [MD 781-82]
• Merrill v. Yeomans, 94 U.S. 568 (1877) [MD 782-85]
  • Notes [MD 785-87]
• Note on Interpreting Claims [MD 787-88]
• Phillips v. AWH Corporation, 415 F.3d 1303 (CAFC 2005) [MD 788-800]
  • Notes [MD 801-04]
• Note on Canons of Claim Construction [MD 804-12]
• Unique Concepts v. Brown, 939 F.2d 1558 (CAFC 1991) [MD 812-20]
  • Note [MD 820]
• Wright Co. v. Paulhan, 177 F. 261 (SDNY 1910) [MD 821-24]
  • Notes [MD 824-26]
• Note on Purposive Claim Construction [MD 826-29]
• Markman v. Westview Instruments, Inc., 517 U.S. 370 (1996) [MD 829-38]
  • Notes [MD 839]
• Cybor Corp. v. FAS Technologies, 138 F.3d 1448 (CAFC 1998) [MD 839-45]
• Phillips v. AWH Corporation, 415 F.3d 1303 (CFAC 2005) [MD 845-46]
  • Notes [MD 846-49]
• Winans v. Denmead, 56 U.S. 330 (1854) [MD 849-53]
  • Notes [MD 853-56]
• Warner-Jenkinson Company, Inc. v. Hilton Davis Chemical, Inc., 520 U.S. 17 (1997) [MD 856-65]
  • Notes [MD 865-67]
• Festo Corp. v. Shoketsu Kinzoku Kogyo Kabushiki Co., Ltd., 535 U.S. 722 (2002) [MD 867-77]
  • Notes [MD 877-81]
• Notes on Indirect Infringement [MD 907-08]
• Aro Manufacturing v. Convertible Top Co., 377 U.S. 476 (1964) [MD 909-14]
  • Notes [MD 914-16]
• C.R. Bard, Inc. v. Advanced Cardiovascular Systems, Inc., 911 F.2d 670 (CAFC 916) [MD 916-19]
  • Notes [MD 919-23]
• Robert P. Merges & Richard M. Nelson, "On the Complex Economics of Patent Scope," 90 Colum. L. Rev. 839, 868-907 (1990) [Supp 192-228]

B. Limitations and Defenses (3 classes)

• Westinghouse v. Boyden Power Brake Co., 170 U.S. 537 (1898) [MD 882-87]
  • Notes [MD 887-89]
• Madey v. Duke University, 307 F.3d 1351 (CAFC 2002) [MD 896-99]
  • Notes [MD 899-902]
• Note on Inequitable Conduct [MD 1102-06]
• J.P. Stevens v. Lex Tex Ltd., 747 F.2d 1553 (CAFC 1984) [MD 1106-07]
  • Notes [MD 1107-08]
• Symbol Technologies v. Lemelson Medical, 277 F.3d 1361 (CAFC 2002) [MD 1130-36]
  • Notes [1137-40]
• Note on Patent Misuse [MD 1239-40]
• In re Recombinant DNA Technology Patent and Contract Litigation, 850 F.Supp. 769 (SD Ind. 1994) [MD 1240-43]
  • Notes [MD 1243]
• Illinois Tool Works v. Independent Ink, 547 U.S. 28 (2006) [MD 1243-53]
  • Notes [MD 1253-61]
• Note on Reverse Payments [MD 1304-09]
• Note on The Doctrine of First Sale [Supp. 229-231]
• LII Bulletin: Quanta Computer v. LG Electronics (2008), available at http://www.law.cornell.edu/supct/cert/06-937.html.
• William Fisher, "When Should We Permit Differential Pricing of Information" 55 UCLA Law Review 1 (2007) [Supp 232-269]

C. Remedies (2 classes)

• Ebay v. Mercexchange, 126 S.Ct. 1837 (2006) [MD 934-38]
  • Notes [MD 938-49]
• Panduit Corp. v. Stahlin Bros. Fibre Works, 575 F.2d 1152 (CA6 1978) [MD 969-77]
  • Notes [MD 978-85]
• Rite-Hite Corp. v. Kelley Co., 56 F.3d 1538 (CAFC 1995) [MD 985-96]
  • Notes [MD 996-1000]
• Knorr-Bremse Systeme fuer Nutzfahrzeuge v. Dana Corp., 383 F.3d 1337 (CAFC 2004) [MD 1029-35]
  • Notes [MD 1035-39]

D. Judge and Jury (1 class)

• Misrock & Kieff, "Latent Curses for patent Pathology: Do Our Civil Juries Promote Science and the Useful Arts?" [Supp 270-284]
• Guest Lecture by William Lee

V. Alternative Systems for Stimulating Innovation

A. Trade Secrets (2 classes)

• Uniform Trade Secrets Act [Supp ___]
• American Credit Indemnity Co. v. Sacks, 213 Cal. App. 3d 622 (Cal. Ct. App. 1989) [Supp ___]
• S.O.S., Inc. v. Payday, Inc., 886 F.2d 1081 (CA9 1989) [Supp ___]
• E.I. Dupont deNemours & Co. v. Christopher, 431 F.2d 1012 (5th Cir. 1970) [Supp ___]
• Sheets v. Yamaha Motors Corp., 849 F.2d 179 (CA5 1988) [Supp ___]
• Integrated Cash Management Services v. Digital Transactions, Inc., 920 F.2d 171 (CA2 1990) [Supp ___]
• Lamb-Weston, Inc. v. McCain Foods, Ltd., 941 F.2d 970 (CA9 1991) [Supp ___]
• Robert G. Bone, A New Look at Trade Secret Law: Doctrine in Search of Justification, 86 Calif. L. Rev. 241, 262-83 (1998) [Supp ___]
• Lynn Sharp Paine, "Trade Secrets and the Justification of Intellectual Property," 20 Philosophy & Public Affairs 247 (1991) [Supp ____]

B. Prizes (1 class)

• Steven Shavell and Tanguy van Ypersele, "Rewards versus Intellectual Property Rights," 44 J. of Law & Economics 525 (2001) [Supp ___]

VI. Problems

A. Developing Drugs for the Developing World (2 classes)

• Michael Kremer & Rachel Glennerster, Strong Medicine: Creating Incentives for Pharmaceutical Research on Neglected Diseases (2004)

B. Traditional Knowledge (1 class)

• Charles R. McManis, "Intellectual Property, Genetic Resources, and Traditional Knowledge Protection: Thinking Globally, Acting Locally," 11 Cardozo J. Int'l & Comp. L. 547, 565-80 (2003) [Supp ___]
• Madhavi Sunder, "The Invention of Traditional Knowledge," 70 Law & Contemporary Problems 97 (2007) [Supp ___]

VII. Patent Reform (2 classes)

• Gerald Mossinghoff & Vivian Kuo, "World Patent System Circa 20XX, A.D." 38 Idea 529 (1998) [Supp ___]
• Lerner & Jaffe, Innovation and Its Discontents (2004), Introduction, available at http://press.princeton.edu/chapters/i7810.pdf
• Bessen & Meurer, Patent Failure (2008), pp. 1-28 [Supp ___]
• Michael Heller and Rebecca Eisenberg, "Can Patents Deter Innovation? The AntiCommons in Biomedical Research," 280 Science 698 (1998) [Supp ___]
• J.H. Barton, "Reforming the Patent System," 287 Science 1933 (2000) [Supp ___]
• L.C. Thurow, "Needed: A New System of Intellectual Property Rights," Harvard Business Review 95 (1997) [Supp ___]

William Fisher

Email: tfisher@law.harvard.edu
Homepage: tfisher.org