What must be considered when determining if a claim is indefinite under patent law?

When evaluating whether a claim is indefinite under patent law, the clarity of the claim wording is paramount. A claim is considered indefinite if its language does not provide enough information for a person skilled in the art to understand the boundaries of what is claimed. This means that the terms used in the claim must be sufficiently clear and precise so that others can determine whether the claimed invention is infringed upon. If the wording is vague, ambiguous, or open to multiple interpretations, it can lead to indefiniteness, and consequently, the claim may be deemed invalid.

Other factors such as the length of the claim, the number of claims in the application, or the applicant's intent do not directly contribute to determining whether a claim is indefinite. Length alone does not equate to clarity, and while intent might provide some context, it doesn't amend the requirement for precise language. The focus is squarely on how clearly the claim communicates the metes and bounds of the invention to those skilled in the art.