DOCTRINE OF EQUIVALENTS Meaning and
Definition
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The doctrine of equivalents is a legal principle used in patent law to determine whether a product or process is equivalent to a patented invention, even if it does not meet all the literal requirements of the patent claims. It is based on the belief that an inventor should not be able to easily evade infringement liability by making minor or insubstantial changes to their invention.
Under this doctrine, a product or process is considered equivalent to a patented invention if it performs substantially the same function, in substantially the same way, to achieve substantially the same result as the patented invention. In other words, if the accused product or process is essentially the same as the patented invention, despite some differences in form, materials, or methods, it may still infringe on the patent if it serves the same purpose and achieves similar outcomes.
Courts employ various tests and factors to assess the doctrine of equivalents, including the "function-way-result" test, the "insubstantial differences" test, or the "ordinary observer" test. These tests aim to determine whether the accused product or process is substantially similar to the patented invention and therefore falls within the scope of the protected claims.
By applying the doctrine of equivalents, patent law seeks to uphold the spirit of patent protection, preventing others from unfairly reproducing an invention through minor modifications that essentially mimic its functionality. This doctrine allows patent holders to protect the inventive concept behind their patented invention, rather than just focusing on the literal words of the patent claims.
Common Misspellings for DOCTRINE OF EQUIVALENTS
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