Markush structures are depicted with multiple independently variable groups, such as R groups in which a side chain can have varying structure.The company which applies for a patent makes a general claim for the usage of the molecule without revealing to their competitors the exact molecule for which they are declaring a useful application.He was involved in a legal case that set a precedent for generic chemical structure patent filing, Ex parte Markush, 1925 Dec. Comm'r Pat.In the United States, Markush structures are frequently used to claim alternative components."[4] In other words, the claim language defined by the Markush structure requires selection from a closed group.
