Chapter 16 Outline

• Jurisdiction: United States

Chapter 16

Comparing the Properly Interpreted Claims to the Accused Device

§16.01 Introduction

§16.02 Literal Infringement

§16.03 Infringement Under the Doctrine of Equivalents

[A] Historical Background and Policy Underpinnings

[B] Tension with the Notice Function of Claims

[C] All-Limitations Rule

[1] Defining a "Limitation"

[2] Federal Circuit Examples

[D] The Fact Question of Equivalence

[1] Function/Way/Result Test

[a] Generally

[b] Adequate Expert Testimony

[c] Inadequate Expert Testimony

[d] Determination of "Function" Not Limited to Intrinsic Evidence

[2] Insubstantial Differences Test

[3] Obviousness as a Test of Equivalency?

[4] Known Interchangeability

[E] After-Arising Technology

§16.04 Reverse Doctrine of Equivalents

§16.05 Legal Limitations on the Doctrine of Equivalents

[A] Overview

[B] Prosecution History Estoppel

[1] Definition

[2] Scope of Estoppel

[3] Presumption of Estoppel Under Warner-Jenkinson (U.S. 1997)

[4] The Festo Decisions

[a] Federal Circuit's Complete Bar Rule of Festo I

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