by Fred K. Carr, 1995, 221 pages, $38.00, ISBN-0-7864-0026-9.

It is unfortunate that many inventors and researchers will spend endless hours consulting technical magazines and more hours modifying and fine tuning their invention while ignoring the vast amount of information or "prior art" already available through patent searching. If terminology like "exclusionary rights" and "enabling disclosure" do not trouble you, this book may be your key to utilizing this incredibly large source of information.

The author starts from the very beginning as to how U.S. law defines invention, conditions for patentability, patent application and claims. Each facet is precisely defined and the section of Title 35, the United States Code that is applicable, is quoted verbatim.

He details how patent applications are examined and how applicants can and should reply to Patent Office rejections. He cites various Patent Office Rules that govern these procedures. Similarly, he details how to file petitions and appeals.

Such topics as reissue patents and continuing applications, which many books only very briefly mention, are precisely defined and the appropriate section of law is cited.

The U.S. Patent Classification System is detailed (21 pages). Also, six pages are devoted to the International Patent Classification System. The procedure for searching patent documents takes up 27 pages.

Some independent inventors have the view that "the Patent Office will do its own search; why should I bother?" It is true that the Patent Office will do its own search, but the odds of obtaining a strong, defendable patent will be greatly increased by the inventor becoming aware of what has been done before and, as pointed out in the book, what may be under consideration in foreign countries. The book notes how the European Patent Office and the Swedish Patent Office will do confidential searches and report in English (not cheap!).

This book will not make you into a patent agent or attorney, but it may save you a good deal of time and money so often spent asking agents and attorneys elementary questions about patent law.

Unfortunately, the new provisional patent system is not discussed in this edition. This is not a book for everyone, but an intelligent, dedicated inventor or researcher should profit by reading it.