Legal Definitions - Specification

In a legal context, a specification refers to a precise and detailed description of requirements, features, or instructions. It serves to clearly define what is expected, how something should be made, or how it operates, ensuring all parties involved have a shared and unambiguous understanding. This term is frequently used in contracts to outline deliverables and in patent law to comprehensively describe an invention.

Here are some examples illustrating the application of "specification":

• Contract for Custom Furniture: Imagine a client commissioning a custom-built dining table from a carpenter. The contract would include a specification detailing the exact dimensions of the table, the type of wood to be used (e.g., solid oak), the specific finish (e.g., matte clear coat), the leg design, and any unique features like extendable leaves. This detailed statement ensures the carpenter builds the table precisely to the client's expectations.

  How this illustrates the term: This example demonstrates a contractual specification, where a detailed statement outlines the quality, measurements, and design elements required for the custom furniture, leaving no room for misinterpretation between the client and the carpenter.

• Patent Application for a New Medical Device: An inventor develops an innovative device designed to administer medication more accurately. When applying for a patent, the inventor must include a comprehensive specification. This section would meticulously describe every component of the device, how these components are assembled, the exact mechanism by which it delivers medication, its intended purpose, and step-by-step instructions on how a medical professional would operate it. The description must be thorough enough for another expert in the medical device field to understand and potentially recreate the invention.

  How this illustrates the term: Here, the specification is the crucial part of a patent application that fully explains the invention's construction, function, and use. It provides sufficient detail for someone skilled in the relevant field to comprehend and utilize the invention as intended by the inventor, which is a core requirement for patentability.

• Agreement for Website Development: A small business hires a web design agency to create a new e-commerce website. The agreement between them would contain a specification outlining the website's functionalities, such as user login, shopping cart features, payment gateway integration, search filters, and administrative backend tools. It would also detail design elements like branding guidelines, color schemes, and mobile responsiveness requirements.

  How this illustrates the term: This example shows a specification within a service contract. It provides a clear, detailed statement of all the features, functionalities, and design parameters the web agency must deliver, ensuring the final website meets the business's operational and aesthetic needs.