Ensure that your response answers all parts of the question and is supported by both in-text citations and a reference list.

Alfred invented and patented what we know as "bubble wrap." The claims in his U.S. patent describe the invention as "a pliable plastic material with regularly spaced, protruding air-filled circular hemispheres used for securing fragile items during transport."

(1) What requirements did Alfred's invention have to meet in order to secure a patent?

(2) Now assume Alfred consults you to see if he has a claim against that Ella, a former employee who moved to Mexico, where she makes his exact bubble wrap and sells it to the Mexican market. Can Alfred sue Ella? On what basis?

Discussion Post Rubric: Used to Grade Individual Initial Posts for Class and Group Discussion Boards
Category of Assessment	Performance Level
3 points	2 points	1 points	0 points
Knowledge of Topic or Subject	Presents new ideas, reflects critical thinking, and/or shows practical application.	Presents new information, provides opportunity for further analysis, and/or suggests some practical application.	Displays basic knowledge of subject/topic, does not expand ideas or provide new ideas.	Misses the point, repeats information directly from text or another post.
Research	Provides proper cites, applies concepts from research to support discussion, uses research as a tool not as a replacement for original thinking	Provides cites, but over use of direct quotes rather than supporting original thinking	Lack of cites, improper citing or inappropriate use of research	Lacks research and/or consistency of argument
Grammar	Readable, good structure, grammar, few spelling errors	Somewhat confusing structure, grammar and spelling detracts from message	Numerous errors of structure and grammar	Cannot make sense of discussion due to grammar or spelling.
Topical and Original	Meets all assignment criteria and clear evidence of original thought	Only one of the following: Meets all assignment criteria or clear evidence of original thought	Just meets assignment criteria and/or lacks cohesion among ideas	Not original and does not meet assignment criteria
Timeliness	Posted 24 hours before deadline	Posted 12 hours before deadline	Posted within 12 hours of deadline	Posted more than 24 hours after deadline will not be accepted
Total = 15 possible points