Which of the following is a characteristic of Jepson claims?

Jepson claims are a specific type of claim used in patent applications that serve to differentiate an invention from existing prior art. A key characteristic of Jepson claims is that they begin by specifying the elements of prior art before stating the improvements or novel features introduced by the inventor. This structure clearly identifies the limitations of the previously known technology and frames the new invention as an enhancement or modification of those prior elements.

The emphasis on prior art allows the claim to outline what is already known, which in turn highlights what makes the new claim distinct and valuable. This format is particularly useful in fields where inventions are built upon previous advancements, as it helps to clarify the relationship between the new invention and existing technologies.

While the other options may contain elements that are relevant to different types of claims or concepts in patent law, they do not accurately capture the defining trait of Jepson claims. For example, while broadening claim coverage or discussing alternative compounds may be considerations in other claim types, they do not reflect the characteristic format of Jepson claims.