8. Mistakes to avoid

8.1 Don't multiply unnecessary limitations in independent claims

Claims define the scope of protection, and take the form of an independent (or main) claim and dependent (or secondary) claims that form a tree structure. The independent claim is the broadest in scope, setting out features that must be reproduced for the patent to be considered infringed. The dependent claims define specific, optional embodiments of the invention as defined in the independent claim. Care must be taken to ensure that the independent claim only mentions features that are strictly indispensable, otherwise third parties may be able to circumvent the patent.