Topic: Opioid Epidemics- The population it impacts and why is it an epidemic!Create an outline or speaking notes in Microsoft Word. A sample template is available in the “Assignment 2: Outline” section located in Week 4 of your course. Develop a specific purpose, central idea, and several main points so you'll stay within the 6-minute time limit.

Written Assignment: Handbook Prior Art The handbook written assignment this week asks you to examine the issue of prior art. This is an important part of the patent process because any patent must be unique in order to receive intellectual property protection. Thus, it is important to do a prior art patent search to make sure that the patent that is being requested is unique and not already covered by someone else’s previous patent. Prior art searches are also important because they can provide information to the inventor about how others may be approaching the same problem in search of a solution. Therefore, not only conducting a search but knowing how to search is important. In this handbook assignment, you are playing the role of a patent engineer manager providing guidance and instruction to other patent engineers that you supervise about how to research prior art for a perspective patent filing claim. Describe the step by step process that you want them to follow to research prior art claims to ensure that the patent they are seeking protection for is unique and is a patentable item. Additionally, discuss other benefits that can arise from conducting a proper prior art patent search. Your response should be 1,000 to 1,500 words in length. ______________________________________________________________________________________________. Week 5 Written Assignment – Prior Art Criteria INTRODUCTION / CONCLUSION The introduction provides sufficient background on the topic and previews major points. The conclusion is logical, flows from the body of the paper, and reviews the major points. READABILITY Paragraph transitions are present and logical, and flow is maintained throughout the paper. Sentences are complete, clear, and concise. Sentence transitions are present and maintain the flow of thought. Rules of grammar, usage, and punctuation are followed. Spelling and word usage are correct. The font type should be professional and readable. There should be font consistency. Formatting should not distract from document content. CONTENT All key elements of the assignment are covered in a substantive way. Discussions of topics outlined in the project are stated clearly, are supported by specific details (examples or analysis), and are organized logically. The paper links theory to relevant examples of current experience and industry practice and uses the vocabulary of the theory correctly. RECOMMENDATION You provide clear direction to your patent engineers about how to research prior art claims. You discuss both the step by step acts they need to follow to do so while also detailing other benefits that can accrue from a properly completed prior art search.