Phillips v. AWH Corp.

Phillips v. AWH Corp. is a legal case that clarified how courts interpret patent claims, which define the scope of a patent’s protection. The Supreme Court emphasized that when patent language is clear and specific, courts should generally follow its ordinary meaning. However, if the language is ambiguous, courts can look at the patent’s overall context, including the patent’s description and the inventor’s intentions. This case set important guidelines for patent claim interpretation, balancing the words’ plain meaning with the patent’s overall understanding.