Patent Attorney and Founder
What exactly are patent claims, and why do they matter so much?
I’m JD Houvener, patent attorney and founder of Bold Patents. For more than 11 years, I’ve helped inventors secure nearly 500 patents. Along the way, I’ve learned one thing: the claims are the heart of your patent.
If you’ve ever looked at a patent on Google Patents, you’ve probably noticed the long descriptions, the diagrams, and the technical details. All of that is helpful for context, but here’s the catch: you don’t actually own any of that.
What you do own are the numbered claims at the end. That’s your legal protection. That’s what you enforce if someone copies your idea.
Usually, claim number one is called the “independent claim.” It stands on its own and sets the foundation for everything else. The following dependent claims add details and narrow things down. The independent claim is the broadest, and often the most valuable.
Here’s something surprising: the shorter the claim, the broader the protection. A long, wordy claim usually means your rights are narrow. A short, precise claim can cover a much wider range. Every single word matters, and drafting those claims is both an art and a skill that takes years to master.
Now, I won’t bore you with the law school lectures and textbooks behind claim writing. The main point is this: don’t overlook your claims. Get professional help. If you want guidance, you can grab our free Inventor’s Kit below or schedule a call with me and my team.
At the end of the day, a patent is only as strong as its claims. Make sure yours are written to protect what really matters, your invention.
I’m JD Houvener with Bold Patents. Thanks for reading, and as always, go big, go bold.