11.2.9 Interpretation of the Patent Claims is the process of interpreting and understanding the scope of the claims in a patent. This involves analyzing the patent language, looking for potential ambiguities, and determining the patent’s coverage. The goal of interpreting the claims is to understand what the patented is claiming the invention covers. There are two main types of interpretation of patent claims: literal interpretation and doctrine of equivalents. Literal interpretation involves looking at the language of the claim and determining what is explicitly stated and what is implied. Doctrine of equivalents looks at the patent in terms of what is encompassed by the patent even if it is not explicitly stated in the claim.