Set 7 Full cases ip

8/17/2019 Set 7 Full cases ip

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Graver Tank & Manufacturing Co. v. Line Air Products, 339 U.S. 6! "#9!$

Graver Tank & Mfg. Co. v. Linde Air Products Co.

339 U.S. 6! "#9!$

Annotate t%is Case

S''a(us

Case

U.S. Su)re*e Court

Graver Tank & Mfg. Co. v. Linde Air Products Co., 339 U.S. 6! "#9!$

Graver Tank & Mfg. Co. v. Linde Air Products Co.

+o.

Argued Marc% 3, #9!

-ecided Ma 9, #9!

339 U.S. 6!

+ /010A/2+G

S''a(us

#. T%is Court affir*s t%e finding of t%e to courts (e'o t%at, under t%e doctrine of

e4uiva'ents, certain f'u5 c'ai*s of ones )atent +o. ,73,96, for an e'ectric e'ding

)rocess and for f'u5es, or co*)ositions, to (e used t%ereit% ere infringed. P). 339 U.

S. 6686#.

. T%e essence of t%e doctrine of e4uiva'ents is t%at one *a not )ractice a fraud on a

)atent. P. 339 U. S. 6.

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3. T%e doctrine of e4uiva'ents is founded on t%e t%eor t%at, if to devices do t%e sa*e

ork in su(stantia'' t%e sa*e a and acco*)'is% su(stantia'' t%e sa*e resu't, t%e are

t%e sa*e, even t%oug% t%e differ in na*e, for* or s%a)e. P). 339 U. S. 6869.

7. 2n deter*ining e4uiva'ents, consideration *ust (e given to t%e )ur)ose for %ic% an

ingredient is used in a )atent, t%e 4ua'ities it %as %en co*(ined it% ot%er ingredients,

t%e functions %ic% it is intended to )erfor*, and %et%er )ersons reasona(' ski''ed in

t%e art ou'd %ave knon of t%e interc%angea(i'it of an ingredient not contained in t%e

)atent it% one t%at as. P. 339 U. S. 69.

!. A finding of e4uiva'ence is a deter*ination of fact to (e *ade ( t%e tria' court, and

t%e tria' court:s decision s%ou'd not (e distur(ed un'ess c'ear' erroneous. P). 339 U. S.

6986#.

6. n t%e record in t%is case, invo'ving a c'ai* of a co*(ination of a'ka'ine eart% *eta'

si'icate and ca'ciu* f'uoride, t%e tria' court as ;ustified in finding t%at t%e su(stitution in

t%e accused co*)osition of *anganese si'icate "%ic% is not an a'ka'ine eart% *eta'

Page 339 U. S. 66

si'icate$ for *agnesiu* si'icate "%ic% is an a'ka'ine eart% *eta' si'icate$, %ere t%e to

co*)ositions ere su(stantia'' identica' in o)eration and resu't, as so insu(stantia', in

vie of t%e tec%no'og and t%e )rior art, t%at t%e )atent as infringed under t%e doctrineof e4uiva'ents. P). 339 U. S. 6#86#.

T%e %istor of t%e case is su**ari


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t%e Court of A))ea's insofar as it reversed t%at of t%e tria' court, and reinstated t%e

-istrict Court decree. 336 U. S. ?#. /e%earing as granted, 'i*ited to t%e 4uestion of

infringe*ent of t%e four va'id f'u5 c'ai*s and to t%e a))'ica(i'it of t%e doctrine of

e4uiva'ents to findings of fact in t%is case.

Page 339 U. S. 6?

At t%e outset it s%ou'd (e noted t%at t%e sing'e issue (efore us is %et%er t%e tria' court:s

%o'ding t%at t%e four f'u5 c'ai*s %ave (een infringed i'' (e sustained. An issue as to

t%e va'idit of t%ese c'ai*s as unani*ous' deter*ined ( t%e )revious decision in t%is

Court, and attack on t%eir va'idit cannot (e reneed no ( reason of 'i*itation on

grant of re%earing. T%e disc'osure, t%e c'ai*s, and t%e )rior art %ave (een ade4uate'

descri(ed in our for*er o)inion and in t%e o)inions of t%e courts (e'o.

2n deter*ining %et%er an accused device or co*)osition infringes a va'id )atent, resort

*ust (e %ad in t%e first instance to t%e ords of t%e c'ai*. 2f accused *atter fa''s c'ear'

it%in t%e c'ai*, infringe*ent is *ade out, and t%at is t%e end of it.

ut courts %ave a'so recogni


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Court and t%e 'oer federa' courts, and continues toda read and avai'a('e for uti'i


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@%at constitutes e4uiva'enc *ust (e deter*ined against t%e conte5t of t%e )atent, t%e

)rior art, and t%e )articu'ar circu*stances of t%e case. 04uiva'ence, in t%e )atent 'a, is

not t%e )risoner of a for*u'a, and is not an a(so'ute to (e considered in a vacuu*. 2t does

not re4uire co*)'ete identit for ever )ur)ose and in ever res)ect. 2n deter*ininge4uiva'ents, t%ings e4ua' to t%e sa*e t%ing *a not (e e4ua' to eac% ot%er, and, ( t%e

sa*e token, t%ings for *ost )ur)oses different *a so*eti*es (e e4uiva'ents.

Consideration *ust (e given to t%e )ur)ose for %ic% an ingredient is used in a )atent,

t%e 4ua'ities it %as %en co*(ined it% t%e ot%er ingredients, and t%e function %ic% it is

intended to )erfor*. An i*)ortant factor is %et%er )ersons reasona(' ski''ed in t%e art

ou'd %ave knon of t%e interc%angea(i'it of an ingredient not contained in t%e )atent

it% one t%at as.

A finding of e4uiva'ence is a deter*ination of fact. Proof can (e *ade in an for*

t%roug% testi*on of e5)erts or ot%ers versed in t%e tec%no'ogE ( docu*ents, inc'uding

te5ts and treatisesE and, of course, ( t%e disc'osures of t%e )rior art. Like an ot%er issue

of fact, fina' deter*ination re4uires a (a'ancing of credi(i'it,

Page 339 U. S. 6#

)ersuasiveness, and eig%t of evidence. 2t is to (e decided ( t%e tria' court, and t%at

court:s decision, under genera' )rinci)'es of a))e''ate revie, s%ou'd not (e distur(ed

un'ess c'ear' erroneous. Particu'ar' is t%is so in a fie'd %ere so *uc% de)ends u)onfa*i'iarit it% s)ecific scientific )ro('e*s and )rinci)'es not usua'' contained in t%e

genera' store%ouse of kno'edge and e5)erience.

2n t%e case (efore us, e %ave to e'ectric e'ding co*)ositions or f'u5es t%e )atented

co*)osition, Union*e't Grade , and t%e accused co*)osition, Linco'ne'd 66. T%e

)atent under %ic% Union*e't is *ade c'ai*s essentia'' a co*(ination of a'ka'ine eart%

*eta' si'icate and ca'ciu* f'uorideE Union*e't actua'' contains, %oever, si'icates of

ca'ciu* and *agnesiu*, to a'ka'ine eart% *eta' si'icates. Linco'ne'd:s co*)osition is

si*i'ar to Union*e't:s, e5ce)t t%at it su(stitutes si'icates of ca'ciu* and *anganese 88 t%e'atter not an a'ka'ine eart% *eta' 88 for si'icates of ca'ciu* and *agnesiu*. 2n a'' ot%er

res)ects, t%e to co*)ositions are a'ike. T%e *ec%anica' *et%ods in %ic% t%ese

co*)ositions are e*)'oed are si*i'ar. T%e are identica' in o)eration, and )roduce t%e

sa*e kind and 4ua'it of e'd.


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T%e 4uestion %ic% t%us e*erges is %et%er t%e su(stitution of t%e *anganese, %ic% is

not an a'ka'ine eart% *eta', for t%e *agnesiu*, %ic% is, under t%e circu*stances of t%is

case, and in vie of t%e tec%no'og and t%e )rior art, is a c%ange of suc% su(stance as to

*ake t%e doctrine of e4uiva'ents ina))'ica('eE or, converse', %et%er, under t%ecircu*stances, t%e c%ange as so insu(stantia' t%at t%e tria' court:s invocation of t%e

doctrine of e4uiva'ents as ;ustified.

@it%out atte*)ting to (e a''8inc'usive, e note t%e fo''oing evidence in t%e record

c%e*ists fa*i'iar it% t%e to f'u5es testified t%at *anganese and *agnesiu* ere

si*i'ar in *an of t%eir reactions "/. ?, 669$. T%ere is testi*on ( a *eta''urgist t%at

a'ka'ine eart%

Page 339 U. S. 6##

*eta's are often found in *anganese ores in t%eir natura' state, and t%at t%e serve t%e

sa*e )ur)ose in t%e f'u5es "/. 3#83$, and a c%e*ist testified t%at, Bin t%e sense of t%e

)atent,B *anganese cou'd (e inc'uded as an a'ka'ine eart% *eta' "/. 9?$. Muc% of t%is

testi*on as corro(orated ( reference to recogni


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T%e tria' ;udge found on t%e evidence (efore %i* t%at t%e Linco'ne'd f'u5 and t%e

co*)osition of t%e )atent in suit are su(stantia'' identica' in o)eration and in resu't. 1e

found a'so t%at Linco'ne'd is in a'' res)ects e4uiva'ent to Union*e't for e'ding

)ur)oses. And %e conc'uded t%at,

Bfor a'' )ractica' )ur)oses, *anganese si'icate

Page 339 U. S. 6#

can (e efficient' and effective' su(stituted for ca'ciu* and *agnesiu* si'icates as t%e

*a;or constituent of t%e e'ding co*)osition.B

T%ese conc'usions are ade4uate' su))orted ( t%e recordE certain' t%e are not c'ear'

erroneous. >ootnote D

2t is difficu't to conceive of a case *ore a))ro)riate for a))'ication of t%e doctrine of

e4uiva'ents. T%e disc'osures of t%e )rior art *ade c'ear t%at *anganese si'icate as a

usefu' ingredient in e'ding co*)ositions. S)ecia'ists fa*i'iar it% t%e )ro('e*s of

e'ding co*)ositions understood t%at *anganese as e4uiva'ent to, and cou'd (e

su(stituted for, *agnesiu* in t%e co*)osition of t%e )atented f'u5 ,and t%eir o(servations

ere confir*ed ( t%e 'iterature of c%e*istr. @it%out so*e e5)'anation or indication

t%at Linco'ne'd as deve'o)ed ( inde)endent researc%, t%e tria' court cou'd )ro)er'

infer t%at t%e accused f'u5 is t%e resu't of i*itation, rat%er t%an e5)eri*entation orinvention. T%oug% infringe*ent as not 'itera', t%e c%anges %ic% avoid 'itera'

infringe*ent are co'ora('e on'. @e conc'ude t%at t%e tria' court:s ;udg*ent of

infringe*ent res)ecting t%e four f'u5 c'ai*s as )ro)er, and e ad%ere to our )rior

decision on t%is as)ect of t%e case.

Affir*ed.

M/. UST2C0 M2+T+ took no )art in t%e consideration or decision of t%is case.

>ootnote #D

L. 1and in /oa' T)eriter Co. v. /e*ington /and, #6 >.d 69#, 69.

>ootnote D

/u'e !"a$, >edera' /u'es of Civi' Procedure )rovides in )art

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B>indings of fact s%a'' not (e set aside un'ess c'ear' erroneous, and due regard s%a'' (e

given to t%e o))ortunit of t%e tria' court to ;udge of t%e credi(i'it of t%e itnesses.B

M/. UST2C0 LAC=, it% %o* M/. UST2C0 -UGLAS concurs, dissenting.

2 %earti' agree it% t%e Court t%at BfraudB is (ad, B)iracB is evi', and Bstea'ingB is

re)re%ensi('e. ut, in

Page 339 U. S. 6#3

t%is case, %ere )etitioners are not c%arged it% an suc% *a'evo'ence, t%ese 'oft

)rinci)'es do not ;ustif t%e Court:s steri'iootnote H#D 2n so doing, it

vio'ates a direct *andate of Congress it%out even discussing t%at *andate.

/.S. F 7, as a*ended, 3! U.S.C. F 33, )rovides t%at an a))'icant

Bs%a'' )articu'ar' )oint out and distinct' c'ai* t%e )art, i*)rove*ent, or co*(ination%ic% %e c'ai*s as %is invention or discover.B

@e %ave %e'd in t%is ver case t%at t%is statute )rec'udes invoking t%e s)ecifications to

a'ter a c'ai* free fro* a*(iguous 'anguage, since Bit is t%e c'ai* %ic% *easures t%e

grant

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Page 339 U. S. 6#7

to t%e )atentee.B >ootnote HD Graver Mfg. Co. v. Linde Co., 336 U. S. ?#, 336 U. S.

??. @%at is not s)ecifica'' c'ai*ed is dedicated to t%e )u('ic. See, e.g., Mi''er v. rass

Co., #7 U. S. 3!, #7 U. S. 3!. >or t%e function of c'ai*s under /.S. F 7, as e

%ave fre4uent' reiterated, is to e5c'ude fro* t%e )atent *ono)o' fie'd a'' t%at is not

s)ecifica'' c'ai*ed, %atever *a a))ear in t%e s)ecifications. See, e.g., Marconi

@ire'ess Co. v. United States, 3 U. S. #, 3 U. S. 3, and cases t%ere cited. Toda, t%e

Court tacit' re;ects t%ose cases. 2t de)arts fro* t%e under'ing )rinci)'e %ic%, as t%e

Court )ointed out in @%ite v. -un(ar, ##9 U. S. 7?,##9 U. S. !#, for(ids treating a )atent

c'ai*

B'ike a nose of a5, %ic% *a (e turned and tisted in an direction, ( *ere'

referring to t%e s)ecification, so as to *ake it inc'ude so*et%ing *ore t%an, or so*et%ing

different fro*, %at its ords e5)ress. . . . T%e c'ai* is a statutor re4uire*ent,

)rescri(ed for t%e ver )ur)ose of *aking t%e )atentee define )recise' %at %is

invention is, and it is un;ust to t%e )u('ic, as e'' as an evasion of t%e 'a, to construe it

in a *anner different fro* t%e )'ain i*)ort of its ter*s.B

Giving t%is )atentee t%e (enefit of a grant t%at it did not )recise' c'ai* is no 'ess Bun;ust

to t%e )u('icB and no 'ess an evasion of /.S. F 7 *ere' (ecause done in t%e na*e of

t%e Bdoctrine of e4uiva'ents.B

2n seeking to ;ustif its e*ascu'ation of /.S. F 7 ( )arading )otentia' %ards%i)s

%ic% 'itera' enforce*ent *ig%t conceiva(' i*)ose on )atentees %o %ad for so*e

reason fai'ed to c'ai* co*)'ete )rotection for t%eir discoveries, t%e Court fai's even to

*ention t%e )rogra* for a''eviation of suc% %ards%i)s %ic% Congress itse'f

Page 339 U. S. 6#!

%as )rovided. 3! U.S.C. F 67, aut%ori


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reissue ( e5acting conditions. 2t a'so entrusted t%e Patent ffice, not t%e courts, it%

initia' aut%orit to deter*ine %et%er e5)ansion of a c'ai* as ;ustified, >ootnote H3D

and (arred suits for retroactive infringe*ent (ased on suc% e5)ansion. Like t%e Court:s

o)inion, t%is congressiona' )'an ade4uate' )rotects )atentees fro* Bfraud,B B)irac,B andBstea'ing.B Un'ike t%e Court:s o)inion, it a'so )rotects (usiness*en fro* retroactive

infringe*ent suits and ;udicia' e5)ansion of a *ono)o' s)%ere (eond t%at %ic% a

)atent e5)ress' aut%orior t%e differences (eteen res)ondent:s e'ding su(stance and )etitioner:s c'ai*ed f'u5

ere not near' so s'ig%t. T%e c'ai*s re'ied u)on %ere did not invo've an *ec%anica'structure or )rocess %ere invention 'a in t%e construction or *et%od, rat%er t%an in t%e

*ateria's used. /at%er, t%e ere (ased %o'' on using )articu'ar *ateria's for a

)articu'ar )ur)ose. /es)ondent:s assignors e5)eri*ented it% severa' *eta''ic si'icates,

inc'uding t%at of *anganese. According to t%e s)ecifications "if t%ese are to (e

considered$, t%e conc'uded t%at, %i'e severa' ere B*ore or 'ess efficacious in our

)rocess, e )refer to use si'icates of t%e a'ka'ine eart% *eta's.B Severa' of t%eir c'ai*s

%ic% t%is Court found too (road to (e va'id enco*)assed *anganese si'icateE t%e on'

c'ai*s found va'id did not. Iet toda t%e Court disregards t%at crucia' deficienc, %o'ding

t%ose c'ai*s infringed ( a co*)osition of %ic% .79J ( eig%t is *anganese

si'icate.

2n vie of t%e intense stud and e5)eri*entation of res)ondent:s assignors it%

*anganese si'icate, it ou'd (e frivo'ous to contend t%at fai'ure s)ecifica'' to inc'ude

t%at su(stance in a )recise c'ai* as unintentiona'. +or does res)ondent atte*)t to give

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t%at or an ot%er e5)'anation for its o*ission. ut t%e si*i'ar use of *anganese in )rior

e5)ired )atents, referred to in t%e Court:s o)inion, raises far *ore t%an a sus)icion t%at its

e'i*ination

Page 339 U. S. 6#?

fro* t%e va'id c'ai*s ste**ed fro* fear t%at its inc'usion ( na*e *ig%t resu't in denia'

or su(se4uent inva'idation of res)ondent:s )atent.

Under t%ese circu*stances, 2 t%ink )etitioner %ad a rig%t to act on t%e (e'ief t%at t%is

Court ou'd fo''o t%e )'ain *andates of Congress t%at a )atent:s )recise c'ai*s *ark its

*ono)o' (oundaries, and t%at e5)ansion of t%ose c'ai*s to inc'ude *anganese cou'd (e

o(tained on' in a statutor reissue )roceeding. T%e Court:s ru'ing toda sets t%e stage for

*ore )atent BfraudB and B)iracB against (usiness t%an cou'd (e e5)ected fro* fait%fu'

o(servance of t%e congressiona'' enacted )'an to )rotect (usiness against ;udicia'

e5)ansion of )recise )atent c'ai*s. 1ereafter, a *anufacturer cannot re' on %at t%e

'anguage of a )atent c'ai*s. 1e *ust (e a('e, at t%e )eri' of %eav infringe*ent da*ages,

to forecast %o far a court re'ative' unversed in a )articu'ar tec%no'ogica' fie'd i''

e5)and t%e c'ai*:s 'anguage after considering t%e testi*on of tec%nica' e5)erts in t%at

fie'd. To (urden (usiness enter)rise on t%e assu*)tion t%at *en )ossess suc% a )rescience

(odes i'' for t%e kind of co*)etitive econo* t%at is our )rofessed goa'.

T%e a s)ecific )ro('e*s are a))roac%ed natura'' %as *uc% to do it% t%e decisions

reac%ed. A %ost of )rior cases, to so*e of %ic% 2 %ave referred, %ave treated t%e #?8ear

*ono)o' aut%ori


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3# U.S. at 3# U. S. 93.

T%e Court:s contrar a))roac% toda causes it to retreat fro* t%is sound )rinci)'e. T%e

da*ages retroactive' assessed against )etitioner for %at as aut%oriootnote H#D

>or t%is reason, t%e tid(its of evidence )ainstaking' se'ected fro* t%e record ( t%is

Court %ave no significance, since t%e tria' court avoed' did not 'ook (eond t%e

s)ecifications t%e*se'ves.

>ootnote HD

T%is Court:s a))rova' of t%e tria' ;udge:s resort to s)ecifications is ironic as e'' as

unfortunate. 2n its origina' o)inion, t%is Court re;ected res)ondent:s contention t%at t%e

ver 'anguage invoked %ere to su))ort infringe*ent s%ou'd (e a))'ied to va'idate a c'ai*

ot%erise too (oard to (e u)%e'd. 336 U. S. ?#, 336 U. S. ??.

>ootnote H3D

BT%is )rovision as inserted in t%e 'a for t%e )ur)ose of re'ieving t%e courts fro* t%e

dut of ascertaining t%e e5act invention of t%e )atentee ( inference and con;ecture,

derived fro* a 'a(orious e5a*ination of )revious inventions, and a co*)arison t%ereof

it% t%at c'ai*ed ( %i*. T%is dut is no cast u)on t%e Patent ffice. T%ere, %is c'ai*

is, or is su))osed to (e, e5a*ined, scrutini


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T%e c'ai*s of t%e )atent are 'i*ited to a f'u5 Bcontaining a *a;or )ro)ortion of a'ka'ine

eart% *eta' si'icate.B Manganese si'icate, t%e f'u5 %ic% is %e'd to infringe, is not an

a'ka'ine eart% *eta' si'icate. 2t as disc'osed in t%e a))'ication and t%en e5c'uded fro*

t%e c'ai*s. 2t t%erefore (eca*e )u('ic )ro)ert. See Ma%n v. 1arood, ## U. S. 3!7, ## U. S. 36#. 2t as, to (e sure, *entioned in t%e s)ecifications. ut t%e *easure of t%e

grant is to (e found in t%e c'ai*s, not in t%e s)ecifications. Mi'cor Stee' Co. v. >u''er Co.,

3#6 U. S. #73, 3#6 U. S. #7!8#76. T%e s)ecifications can (e used to 'i*it, (ut never to

e5)and, t%e c'ai*. See McC'ain v. rt*aer, #7# U. S. 7#9, #7# U. S. 77.

T%e Court no a''os t%e doctrine of e4uiva'ents to erase t%ose ti*e8%onored ru'es.

Moreover, a doctrine %ic% is said to )rotect against )racticing Ba fraud on a )atentB is

used to e5tend a )atent to a co*)osition %ic% cou'd not (e )atented. >or *anganese

si'icate %ad (een covered ( )rior )atents, no e5)ired. T%us, e end it% a strange

ano*a' a *ono)o' is o(tained on an un)atented and un)atenta('e artic'e.

>esto v. S%oketsu kinedera' Circuit )ane' initia'' affir*ed, (ut t%is Court granted certiorari, vacated, and

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14/62

re*anded in 'ig%t of @arner8enkinson Co. v. 1i'ton -avis C%e*ica' Co., ! U. S.

#?,9, %ic% %ad ackno'edged t%at co*)etitors *a re' on t%e )rosecution %istor to

esto) t%e )atentee fro* reca)turing su(;ect *atter surrendered ( a*end*ent as a

condition of o(taining t%e )atent. n re*and, t%e en (anc >edera' Circuit reversed,%o'ding t%at )rosecution %istor esto))e' a))'ied. T%e court ru'ed t%at esto))e' arises

fro* an a*end*ent t%at narros a c'ai* to co*)' it% t%e Patent Act, not on' fro*

a*end*ents *ade to avoid t%e )rior art, as t%e -istrict Court %ad %e'd. T%e >edera'

Circuit a'so %e'd t%at, %en esto))e' a))'ies, it (ars an c'ai* of e4uiva'ence for t%e

e'e*ent t%at as a*ended. T%e court ackno'edged t%at, under its )rior cases,

)rosecution %istor esto))e' constituted a f'e5i('e (ar, forec'osing so*e, (ut not a'',

c'ai*s of e4uiva'ence, de)ending on t%e )ur)ose of t%e a*end*ent and t%e a'terations in

t%e te5t. 1oever, t%e court overru'ed its )recedents on t%e ground t%at t%eir case8(8case

a))roac% %ad )roved unorka('e.

1e'd Prosecution %istor esto))e' *a a))' to an c'ai* a*end*ent *ade to satisf

t%e Patent Act:s re4uire*ents, not ;ust to a*end*ents *ade to avoid t%e )rior art, (ut

esto))e' need not (ar suit against ever e4uiva'ent to t%e a*ended c'ai* e'e*ent.

P).?38?7.

?3

"a$ To ena('e a )atent %o'der to kno %at %e ons, and t%e )u('ic to kno %at %e does

not, t%e inventor *ust descri(e %is ork in Bfu'', c'ear, concise, and e5act ter*s.B F ##.

1oever, )atent c'ai* 'anguage *a not descri(e it% co*)'ete )recision t%e range of

an invention:s nove't. 2f )atents ere a'as inter)reted ( t%eir 'itera' ter*s, t%eir va'ue

ou'd (e great' di*inis%ed. 2nsu(stantia' su(stitutes for certain e'e*ents cou'd defeat

t%e )atent, and its va'ue to inventors cou'd (e destroed ( si*)'e acts of co)ing. T%us,

a )atent:s sco)e is not 'i*ited to its 'itera' ter*s, (ut e*(races a'' e4uiva'ents to t%e

c'ai*s descri(ed. See @inans v. -en*ead, #! 1o. 33, 37?. +evert%e'ess, (ecause it

*a (e difficu't to deter*ine %at is, or is not, an e4uiva'ent, co*)etitors *a (e

deterred fro* engaging in 'egiti*ate *anufactures outside t%e )atent:s 'i*its, or 'u''ed

into deve'o)ing co*)eting )roducts t%at t%e )atent secures, t%ere( )ro*)ting astefu'

'itigation. 0ac% ti*e t%e Court %as considered t%e doctrine of e4uiva'ents, it %as

ackno'edged t%is uncertaint as t%e )rice of ensuring t%e a))ro)riate incentives for

innovation, and it %as affir*ed t%e doctrine over dissents t%at urged a *ore certain ru'e.

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See, e. g., id., at 373, 37?. Most recent', @arner8enkinson, su)ra, at , reaffir*ed t%e

doctrine. P). ?38?33.

"($ Prosecution %istor esto))e' re4uires t%at )atent c'ai*s (e inter)reted in 'ig%t of t%e

)roceedings (efore t%e Patent and Trade*ark ffice "PT$. @%en t%e )atentee origina''

c'ai*ed t%e su(;ect *atter a''eged to infringe (ut t%en narroed t%e c'ai* in res)onse to

a re;ection, %e *a not argue t%at t%e surrendered territor co*)rised an unforeseen

e4uiva'ent. See 05%i(it Su))' Co. v. Ace Patents Cor)., 3#! U. S. #6, #368#3?. T%e

re;ection indicates t%at t%e )atent e5a*iner does not (e'ieve t%e origina' c'ai* cou'd (e

)atented. @%i'e t%e )atentee %as t%e rig%t to a))ea', %is decision to forgo an a))ea' and

su(*it an a*ended c'ai* is taken as a concession t%at t%e invention as )atented does not

reac% as far as t%e origina' c'ai*. See, e. g., Goodear -enta' u'canite Co. v. -avis, #

U. S. , . @ere it ot%erise, t%e inventor *ig%t avoid t%e PT:s gatekee)ing ro'e

and seek to reca)ture in an infringe*ent action t%e ver su(;ect *atter surrendered as a

condition of receiving t%e )atent. )). ?338?3!.

"c$ Prosecution %istor esto))e' is not 'i*ited to a*end*ents intended to narro t%e

)atented invention:s su(;ect *atter, e. g., to avoid )rior art, (ut *a a))' to a narroing

a*end*ent *ade to satisf an Patent Act re4uire*ent, inc'uding F ##:s re4uire*ents

concerning t%e )atent a))'ication:s for*. 2n @arner8enkinson, t%e Court *ade c'ear t%at

esto))e' a))'ies to a*end*ents *ade for a Bsu(stantia' reason re'ated to )atenta(i'it,B

! U. S., at 33, (ut did not )ur)ort to cata'og ever reason t%at *ig%t raise an esto))e'.

2ndeed, it stated t%at even

?7

S''a(us

if t%e a*end*ent:s )ur)ose ere unre'ated to )atenta(i'it, t%e court *ig%t consider

%et%er it as t%e kind of reason t%at nonet%e'ess *ig%t re4uire esto))e'. 2d., at 787#.Si*)' (ecause esto))e' %as (een discussed *ost often in t%e conte5t of a*end*ents

*ade to avoid t%e )rior art, see, e. g., id., at 3, it does not fo''o t%at a*end*ents *ade

for ot%er )ur)oses i'' not give rise to esto))e'. Section ## re4uires t%at t%e a))'ication

descri(e, ena('e, and set fort% t%e (est *ode of carring out t%e invention. T%e )atent

s%ou'd not issue if t%ese re4uire*ents are not satisfied, and an a))'icant:s fai'ure to *eet

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16/62

t%e* cou'd 'ead to t%e issued )atent (eing %e'd inva'id in 'ater 'itigation. >esto:s argu*ent

t%at a*end*ents *ade to co*)' it% F ## concern t%e a))'ication:s for* and not t%e

invention:s su(;ect *atter conf'ates t%e )atentee:s reason for *aking t%e a*end*ent it%

t%e i*)act t%e a*end*ent %as on t%e su(;ect *atter. 0sto))e' arises %en an a*end*entis *ade to secure t%e )atent and t%e a*end*ent narros t%e )atent:s sco)e. 2f a F ##

a*end*ent is tru' cos*etic, it ou'd not narro t%e )atent:s sco)e or raise an esto))e'.

ut if a F ## a*end*ent is necessar and narros t%e )atent:s sco)e8even if on' for

(etter descri)tion8esto))e' *a a))'. P).?3!8?3?.

"d$ Prosecution %istor esto))e' does not (ar t%e inventor fro* asserting infringe*ent

against ever e4uiva'ent to t%e narroed e'e*ent. T%oug% esto))e' can (ar c%a''enges to

a ide range of e4uiva'ents, its reac% re4uires an e5a*ination of t%e su(;ect *atter

surrendered ( t%e narroing a*end*ent. T%e >edera' Circuit:s co*)'ete (ar ru'e is

inconsistent it% t%e )ur)ose of a))'ing t%e esto))e' in t%e first )'ace8to %o'd t%e

inventor to t%e re)resentations *ade during t%e a))'ication )rocess and t%e inferences

t%at *a (e reasona(' dran fro* t%e a*end*ent. a*ending t%e a))'ication, t%e

inventor is dee*ed to concede t%at t%e )atent does not e5tend as far as t%e origina' c'ai*,

not t%at t%e a*ended c'ai* is so )erfect in its descri)tion t%at no one cou'd devise an

e4uiva'ent. T%e Court:s vie is consistent it% )recedent and PT )ractice. T%e Court

%as consistent' a))'ied t%e doctrine in a f'e5i('e a, considering %at e4uiva'ents ere

surrendered during a )atent:s )rosecution, rat%er t%an i*)osing a co*)'ete (ar t%at

resorts to t%e ver 'itera'is* t%e e4uiva'ents ru'e is designed to overco*e. 0. g.,

Goodear -enta', su)ra, at 3. T%e >edera' Circuit ignored @arner8enkinson:s

instruction t%at courts *ust (e cautious (efore ado)ting c%anges t%at disru)t t%e sett'ed

e5)ectations of t%e inventing co**unit. See ! U. S., at . 2nventors %o a*ended

t%eir c'ai*s under t%e )revious case 'a %ad no reason to (e'ieve t%e ere conceding a''

e4uiva'ents. 1ad t%e knon, t%e *ig%t %ave a))ea'ed t%e re;ection instead. @arner8

enkinson struck t%e a))ro)riate (a'ance ( )'acing t%e (urden on t%e )atentee to )rove

t%at an

?!

a*end*ent as not *ade for a reason t%at ou'd give rise to esto))e'. 2d., at 33.

Si*i'ar', t%e )atentee s%ou'd (ear t%e (urden of s%oing t%at t%e a*end*ent does not

surrender t%e )articu'ar e4uiva'ent in 4uestion. As t%e aut%or of t%e c'ai* 'anguage, %is


17/62

decision to narro %is c'ai*s t%roug% a*end*ent *a (e )resu*ed to (e a genera'

disc'ai*er of t%e territor (eteen t%e origina' c'ai* and t%e a*ended c'ai*. 05%i(it

Su))', su)ra, at #368#3?. 1oever, in cases in %ic% t%e a*end*ent cannot reasona('

(e vieed as surrendering a )articu'ar e4uiva'ent88e. g., %ere t%e e4uiva'ent asunforeseea('e at t%e ti*e of t%e a))'ication or t%e rationa'e under'ing t%e a*end*ent

(ears (ut a tangentia' re'ation to t%e e4uiva'ent8t%e )atentee can re(ut t%e )resu*)tion

t%at )rosecution %istor esto))e' (ars a finding of e4uiva'ence ( s%oing t%at at t%e ti*e

of t%e a*end*ent one ski''ed in t%e art cou'd not reasona(' (e e5)ected to %ave drafted

a c'ai* t%at ou'd %ave 'itera'' enco*)assed t%e a''eged e4uiva'ent. P).?3?8?7#.

"e$ @%et%er >esto %as re(utted t%e )resu*)tions t%at esto))e' a))'ies and t%at t%e

e4uiva'ents at issue %ave (een surrendered s%ou'd (e deter*ined in t%e first instance (

furt%er )roceedings (e'o. P). ?7#8?7.

37 >.3d !!, vacated and re*anded.

=0++0-I, ., de'ivered t%e o)inion for a unani*ous Court.

/o(ert 1. ork argued t%e cause for )etitioner. @it% %i* on t%e (riefs ere C%ar'es /.

1off*ann, Gera'd T. odner, G'enn T. 1enne(erger, Ant%on 0. ennett, Andre L.

>re, -ona'd M. >a'k, and /o(ert L. ronston.

-e)ut So'icitor Genera' @a''ace argued t%e cause for t%e United States as a*icus curiae.@it% %i* on t%e (rief ere So'icitor Genera' 'son, Acting Assistant Attorne Genera'

Sc%iffer, effre P. Minear, ito . -iPietro, Ant%on . Stein*eer, 1oard S. Sc%er, and

Linda Mones 2sacson.

Art%ur #. +eustadt argued t%e cause for res)ondents.

@it% %i* on t%e (rief ere C%ar'es L. G%o 'igg, Minaksi %att, and /o(ert 1. Ca*eronE for t%e

A*erican 2nte''ectua' Pro)ert La Association ( Larence M. Sung and anice M.

Mue''erE for ASTA Medica

?6

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18/62

UST2C0 =0++0-I de'ivered t%e o)inion of t%e Court. T%is case re4uires us to address

once again t%e re'ation (eteen to )atent 'a conce)ts, t%e doctrine of e4uiva'ents and

t%e ru'e of )rosecution %istor esto))e'. T%e Court considered t%e sa*e conce)ts

in@arner8enkinson Co. v. 1i'ton -avis C%e*ica' Co., ! U. S. #? "#99?$, and reaf8

Aktiengese''sc%aft ( Steven . =e'(erE for ose Cor). ( C%ar'es 1ieken and >rank P.

Porce''iE for Ce''tec% Grou) )2c. ( -ona'd S. C%isu*E for C%iron Cor). ( Mr. C%isu*E

for t%e >edera' Circuit ar Association ( C'aire La)orte, Mitc%e'' . Matorin, and

George 0. 1utc%insonE for >ederation 2nternationa'e des Consei's en Pro)riete

2ndustrie''e ( Ma5i* 1. @a'd(au*, /a*ond C. Steart, o%n P. Sutton, and Ti)ton -.

ennings 2E for t%e 1ouston 2nte''ectua' Pro)ert La Association ( S%aron A. 2srae'E

for 2nte''ectua' Pro)ert Creators et a'. ( Steven L. @interE for Litton Sste*s, 2nc., (

o%n G. /o(erts, r., Cat%erine 0. Stetson, /or . /adding, and Stanton T. Larence 222E

for t%e Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Co. et a'. ( Carter G. P%i''i)s, ose)% /.

Guerra, Mark 0. 1addad, Gar L. Griso'd, /o(ert A. Ar*itage, P%i'i) S. o%nson,

@ane C. aesc%ke, Peter C. /ic%ardson, and =ennet% 'sonE for t%e +ationa' ar

Association ( 0dard @ Gra, r., =endre 1. Co'ton, and o%n MosesE for t%e

+ationa' 2nte''ectua' Pro)ert La 2nstitute ( a*es P%i''i) C%and'erE for t%e @isconsin

A'u*ni /esearc% >oundation et a'. ( Susan G. raden, =evin M. :rien, and Mic%ae'

0. Mur)%E and for incent P. Tassinari ( Mr. Tassinari, )ro se.

riefs of a*ici curiae urging affir*ance ere fi'ed for t%e Consu*er Pro;ect on

Tec%no'og ( os%ua -. SarnoffE for Genentec%, 2nc., ( effre P. =us%an and Marinn

>. Car'sonE for 2nte' Cor). et a'. ( Terr 0. >en


19/62

??

fir*ed t%at a )atent )rotects its %o'der against efforts of co)ists to evade 'ia(i'it for

infringe*ent ( *aking on' insu(stantia' c%anges to a )atented invention. At t%e sa*e

ti*e, e a))reciated t%at ( e5tending )rotection (eond t%e 'itera' ter*s in a )atent t%e

doctrine of e4uiva'ents can create su(stantia' uncertaint a(out %ere t%e )atent

*ono)o' ends. 2d., at 9. 2f t%e range of e4uiva'ents is unc'ear, co*)etitors *a (e

una('e to deter*ine %at is a )er*itted a'ternative to a )atented invention and %at is an

infringing e4uiva'ent.

To reduce t%e uncertaint, @arner8enkinson ackno'edged t%at co*)etitors *a re' on

t%e )rosecution %istor, t%e )u('ic record of t%e )atent )roceedings. 2n so*e cases t%e

Patent and Trade*ark ffice "PT$ *a %ave re;ected an ear'ier version of t%e )atent

a))'ication on t%e ground t%at a c'ai* does not *eet a statutor re4uire*ent for

)atenta(i'it. 3! U. S. C. F #3 "#997 ed., Su)). $. @%en t%e )atentee res)onds to t%e

re;ection ( narroing %is c'ai*s, t%is )rosecution %istor esto)s %i* fro* 'ater arguing

t%at t%e su(;ect *atter covered ( t%e origina', (roader c'ai* as not%ing *ore t%an an

e4uiva'ent. Co*)etitors *a re' on t%e esto))e' to ensure t%at t%eir on devices i'' not

(e found to infringe ( e4uiva'ence.

2n t%e decision no under revie t%e Court of A))ea's for t%e >edera' Circuit %e'd t%at

( narroing a c'ai* to o(tain a )atent, t%e )atentee surrenders a'' e4uiva'ents to t%ea*ended c'ai* e'e*ent. Petitioner asserts t%is %o'ding de)arts fro* )ast )recedent in to

res)ects. >irst, it a))'ies esto))e' to ever a*end*ent *ade to satisf t%e re4uire*ents

of t%e Patent Act and not ;ust to a*end*ents *ade to avoid )re8e*)tion ( an ear'ier

invention, i. e., t%e )rior art. Second, it %o'ds t%at %en esto))e' arises, it (ars suit against

ever e4uiva'ent to t%e a*ended c'ai* e'e*ent. T%e Court of A))ea's ackno'edged t%at

t%is %o'ding de)arted fro* its on cases, %ic% a))'ied a f'e5i('e (ar %en considering

%at c'ai*s of e4uiva'ence ere esto))ed ( t%e

?

)rosecution %istor. Petitioner argues t%at ( re)'acing t%e f'e5i('e (ar it% a co*)'ete

(ar t%e Court of A))ea's cast dou(t on *an e5isting )atents t%at ere a*ended during


20/62

t%e a))'ication )rocess %en t%e 'a, as it t%en stood, did not a))' so rigorous a

standard.

@e granted certiorari to consider t%ese 4uestions.

2

Petitioner >esto Cor)oration ons to )atents for an i*)roved *agnetic rod'ess

c'inder, a )iston8driven device t%at re'ies on *agnets to *ove o(;ects in a conveing

sste*. T%e device %as *an industria' uses and %as (een e*)'oed in *ac%iner as

diverse as seing e4ui)*ent and t%e T%under Mountain ride at -isne @or'd. A't%oug%

t%e )recise detai's of t%e c'inder:s o)eration are not essentia' %ere, t%e )rosecution

%istor *ust (e considered.

Petitioner:s )atent a))'ications, as often occurs, ere a*ended during t%e )rosecution

)roceedings. T%e a))'ication for t%e first )atent, t%e Sto'' Patent "-. S. Patent +o.

7,3!7,#!$, as a*ended after t%e )atent e5a*iner re;ected t%e initia' a))'ication

(ecause t%e e5act *et%od of o)eration as unc'ear and so*e c'ai*s ere *ade in an

i*)er*issi('e a. "T%e ere *u'ti)' de)endent.$ 3! -. S. C. F ## "#997 ed.$. T%e

inventor, -r. Sto'', su(*itted a ne a))'ication designed to *eet t%e e5a*iner:s

o(;ections and a'so added certain references to )rior art. 3? C>/ F #.!6 "$. T%e

second )atent, t%e Carro'' Patent "-. S. Patent +o. 3,??9,7#$, as a'so a*ended during

a ree5a*ination )roceeding. T%e )rior art references ere added to t%is a*ended

a))'ication as e''. ot% a*ended )atents added a ne 'i*itation8t%at t%e inventions

contain a )air of sea'ing rings, eac% %aving a 'i) on one side, %ic% ou'd )revent

i*)urities fro* getting on t%e )iston asse*('. T%e a*ended Sto'' Patent added t%e

furt%er 'i*itation t%at t%e outer s%e'' of t%e device, t%e s'eeve, (e *ade of a *agnetiesto (egan se''ing its rod'ess c'inder, res)ondents "%o* e refer to as SMC$

entered t%e *arket it% a device si*i'ar, (ut not identica', to t%e ones disc'osed (

>esto:s )atents. SMC:s c'inder, rat%er t%an using to one8a sea'ing rings, e*)'os a

sing'e sea'ing ring it% a to8a 'i). >urt%er*ore, SMC:s s'eeve is *ade of a

non*agneti


21/62

)atent, (ut )etitioner contends t%at it is so si*i'ar t%at it infringes under t%e doctrine of

e4uiva'ents.

SMC contends t%at >esto is esto))ed fro* *aking t%is argu*ent (ecause of t%e

)rosecution %istor of its )atents. T%e sea'ing rings and t%e *agnetiesto

)roduct ere (ot% disc'osed for t%e first ti*e in t%e a*ended a))'ications. 2n SMC:s

vie, t%ese a*end*ents narroed t%e ear'ier a))'ications, surrendering a'ternatives t%at

are t%e ver )oints of difference in t%e co*)eting devices8t%e sea'ing rings and t%e t)e

of a''o used to *ake t%e s'eeve. As >esto narroed its c'ai*s in t%ese as in order to

o(tain t%e )atents, sas SMC, >esto is no esto))ed fro* saing t%at t%ese features are

i**ateria' and t%at SMC:s device is an e4uiva'ent of its on.

T%e United States -istrict Court for t%e -istrict of Massac%usetts disagreed. 2t %e'd t%at

>esto:s a*end*ents ere not *ade to avoid )rior art, and t%erefore t%e a*end*ents ere

not t%e kind t%at give rise to esto))e'. A )ane' of t%e Court of A))ea's for t%e >edera'

Circuit affir*ed. ? >.3d !? "#99!$. @e granted certiorari, vacated, and re*anded in

'ig%t of our intervening decision in @arner8enkinson Co. v. 1i'ton -avis C%e*ica' Co.,

! U. S. #? "#99?$. After a decision ( t%e origina' )ane' on re*and, #? >.3d

#36#"#999$, t%e Court of A))ea's ordered re%earing en (anc to address 4uestions t%at %ad

divided its ;udges since our decision in @arner8enkinson. #? >.3d #3# "#999$.

T%e en (anc court reversed, %o'ding t%at )rosecution %istor esto))e' (arred >esto fro*asserting t%at t%e accused device infringed its )atents under t%e doctrine of e4uiva8

?3

'ents. 37 >.3d !! "$. T%e court %e'd, it% on' one ;udge dissenting, t%at esto))e'

arises fro* an a*end*ent t%at narros a c'ai* to co*)' it% t%e Patent Act, not on'

fro* a*end*ents *ade to avoid )rior art. 2d., at !66. More controversia' in t%e Court of

A))ea's as its furt%er %o'ding @%en esto))e' a))'ies, it stands as a co*)'ete (aragainst an c'ai* of e4uiva'ence for t%e e'e*ent t%at as a*ended. 2d., at !?78!?!. T%e

court ackno'edged t%at its on )rior case 'a did not go so far. Previous decisions %ad

%e'd t%at )rosecution %istor esto))e' constituted a f'e5i('e (ar, forec'osing so*e, (ut not

a'', c'ai*s of e4uiva'ence, de)ending on t%e )ur)ose of t%e a*end*ent and t%e

a'terations in t%e te5t. T%e court conc'uded, %oever, t%at its )recedents a))'ing t%e

http://cases.justia.com/us-court-of-appeals/F3/72/857/http://cases.justia.com/us-court-of-appeals/F3/72/857/http://cases.justia.com/us-court-of-appeals/F3/72/857/https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/520/17/case.htmlhttp://cases.justia.com/us-court-of-appeals/F3/172/1361/http://cases.justia.com/us-court-of-appeals/F3/172/1361/http://cases.justia.com/us-court-of-appeals/F3/187/1381/http://cases.justia.com/us-court-of-appeals/F3/234/558/http://cases.justia.com/us-court-of-appeals/F3/72/857/https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/520/17/case.htmlhttp://cases.justia.com/us-court-of-appeals/F3/172/1361/http://cases.justia.com/us-court-of-appeals/F3/172/1361/http://cases.justia.com/us-court-of-appeals/F3/187/1381/http://cases.justia.com/us-court-of-appeals/F3/234/558/


22/62

f'e5i('e8(ar ru'e s%ou'd (e overru'ed (ecause t%is case8(8case a))roac% %as )roved

unorka('e. 2n t%e court:s vie a co*)'ete8(ar ru'e, under %ic% esto))e' (ars a'' c'ai*s

of e4uiva'ence to t%e narroed e'e*ent, ou'd )ro*ote certaint in t%e deter*ination of

infringe*ent cases.

>our ;udges dissented fro* t%e decision to ado)t a co*)'ete (ar. 2d., at !6. 2n four

se)arate o)inions, t%e dissenters argued t%at t%e *a;orit:s decision to overru'e )recedent

as contrar to @arner8enkinson and ou'd unsett'e t%e e5)ectations of *an e5isting

)atentees. udge Mic%e', in %is dissent, descri(ed in detai' %o t%e co*)'ete (ar re4uired

t%e Court of A))ea's to disregard o'der decisions of t%is Court, as e'' as *ore t%an !

of its on cases. 37

@e granted certiorari. !33 U. S. 9#! "#$.

22

T%e )atent 'as B)ro*ote t%e Progress of Science and usefu' ArtsB ( rearding

innovation it% a te*)orar *ono)o'. U. S. Const., Art. 2, F , c'. . T%e *ono)o' is a

)ro)ert rig%tE and 'ike an )ro)ert rig%t, its (oundaries s%ou'd (e c'ear. T%is c'arit is

essentia' to )ro*ote )rogress, (e8

?3#

cause it ena('es efficient invest*ent in innovation. A )atent %o'der s%ou'd kno %at %e

ons, and t%e )u('ic s%ou'd kno %at %e does not. >or t%is reason, t%e )atent 'as

re4uire inventors to descri(e t%eir ork in Bfu'', c'ear, concise, and e5act ter*s,B 3! U. s.

C. F ##, as )art of t%e de'icate (a'ance t%e 'a atte*)ts to *aintain (eteen inventors,

%o re' on t%e )ro*ise of t%e 'a to (ring t%e invention fort%, and t%e )u('ic, %ic%

s%ou'd (e encouraged to )ursue innovations, creations, and ne ideas (eond t%e

inventor:s e5c'usive rig%ts. onito oats, 2nc. v. T%under Craft oats, 2nc., 79 U. S. #7#,

#! "#99$.

Unfortunate', t%e nature of 'anguage *akes it i*)ossi('e to ca)ture t%e essence of a

t%ing in a )atent a))'ication. T%e inventor %o c%ooses to )atent an invention and

disc'ose it to t%e )u('ic, rat%er t%an e5)'oit it in secret, (ears t%e risk t%at ot%ers i''

devote t%eir efforts toard e5)'oiting t%e 'i*its of t%e )atent:s 'anguage

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BAn invention e5ists *ost i*)ortant' as a tangi('e structure or a series of draings. A

ver(a' )ortraa' is usua'' an aftert%oug%t ritten to satisf t%e re4uire*ents of )atent

'a. T%is conversion of *ac%ine to ords a''os for unintended idea ga)s %ic% cannot

(e satisfactori' fi''ed. ften t%e invention is nove' and ords do not e5ist to descri(e it.

T%e dictionar does not a'as kee) a(reast of t%e inventor. 2t cannot. T%ings are not

*ade for t%e sake of ords, (ut ords for t%ings.B Autogiro Co. of A*erica v. United

States, 37 >.d 39#, 39? "Ct. C'. #96?$.

T%e 'anguage in t%e )atent c'ai*s *a not ca)ture ever nuance of t%e invention or

descri(e it% co*)'ete )recision t%e range of its nove't. 2f )atents ere a'as

inter)reted ( t%eir 'itera' ter*s, t%eir va'ue ou'd (e great' di*inis%ed. Uni*)ortant

and insu(stantia' su(stitutes for certain e'e*ents cou'd defeat t%e )atent, and its va'ue to

inventors cou'd (e destroed ( si*)'e acts of co)ing. >or t%is

?3

reason, t%e c'earest ru'e of )atent inter)retation, 'itera'is*, *a conserve ;udicia'

resources (ut is not necessari' t%e *ost efficient ru'e. T%e sco)e of a )atent is not

'i*ited to its 'itera' ter*s (ut instead e*(races a'' e4uiva'ents to t%e c'ai*s descri(ed.

See @inans v.-en*ead, #! 1o. 33, 37? "#!7$.

2t is true t%at t%e doctrine of e4uiva'ents renders t%e sco)e of )atents 'ess certain. 2t *a

(e difficu't to deter*ine %at is, or is not, an e4uiva'ent to a )articu'ar e'e*ent of an

invention. 2f co*)etitors cannot (e certain a(out a )atent:s e5tent, t%e *a (e deterred

fro* engaging in 'egiti*ate *anufactures outside its 'i*its, or t%e *a invest (

*istake in co*)eting )roducts t%at t%e )atent secures. 2n addition t%e uncertaint *a

'ead to astefu' 'itigation (eteen co*)etitors, suits t%at a ru'e of 'itera'is* *ig%t avoid.

T%ese concerns it% t%e doctrine of e4uiva'ents, %oever, are not ne. 0ac% ti*e t%e

Court %as considered t%e doctrine, it %as ackno'edged t%is uncertaint as t%e )rice of

ensuring t%e a))ro)riate incentives for innovation, and it %as affir*ed t%e doctrine over

dissents t%at urged a *ore certain ru'e. @%en t%e Court in @inans v. -en*ead, su)ra,first ado)ted %at %as (eco*e t%e doctrine of e4uiva'ents, it stated t%at BtD%e e5c'usive

rig%t to t%e t%ing )atented is not secured, if t%e )u('ic are at 'i(ert to *ake su(stantia'

co)ies of it, varing its for* or )ro)ortions.B 2d., at 373. T%e dissent argued t%at t%e

Court %ad sacrificed t%e o(;ective of BfDu''Dness, c'earness, e5actness, )reciseness, and

)articu'arit, in t%e descri)tion of t%e invention.B 2d., at 37? "o)inion of Ca*)(e'', .$.

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T%e de(ate continued in Graver Tank & Mfg. Co. v. Linde Air Products Co., 339 U. S.

6! "#9!$, %ere t%e Court reaffir*ed t%e doctrine. Graver Tank %e'd t%at )atent c'ai*s

*ust )rotect t%e inventor not on' fro* t%ose %o )roduce devices fa''ing it%in t%e

'itera' c'ai*s of t%e )atent (ut a'so fro* co)ists %o B*ake uni*)ortant andinsu(stantia' c%anges and su(stitutions in t%e )atent %ic%, t%oug% adding

?33

not%ing, ou'd (e enoug% to take t%e co)ied *atter outside t%e c'ai*, and %ence outside

t%e reac% of 'a.B 2d., at 6?. ustice 'ack, in dissent, o(;ected t%at under t%e doctrine of

e4uiva'ents a co*)etitor Bcannot re' on %at t%e 'anguage of a )atent c'ai*s. 1e *ust

(e a('e, at t%e )eri' of %eav infringe*ent da*ages, to forecast %o far a court re'ative'unversed in a )articu'ar tec%no'ogica' fie'd i'' e5)and t%e c'ai*:s 'anguage .... B 2d., at

6#?.

Most recent', in @arner8enkinson, t%e Court reaffir*ed t%at e4uiva'ents re*ain a fir*'

entrenc%ed )art of t%e sett'ed rig%ts )rotected ( t%e )atent. A unani*ous o)inion

conc'uded t%at if t%e doctrine is to (e discarded, it is Congress and not t%e Court t%at

s%ou'd do so

BTD%e 'engt% %istor of t%e doctrine of e4uiva'ents strong' su))orts ad%erence to our

refusa' in Graver Tank to find t%at t%e Patent Act conf'icts it% t%at doctrine. Congress

can 'egis'ate t%e doctrine of e4uiva'ents out of e5istence an ti*e it c%ooses. T%e various

)o'ic argu*ents no *ade ( (ot% sides are t%us (est addressed to Congress, not t%is

Court.B ! U. S., at .

222

Prosecution %istor esto))e' re4uires t%at t%e c'ai*s of a )atent (e inter)reted in 'ig%t of

t%e )roceedings in t%e PT during t%e a))'ication )rocess. 0sto))e' is a Bru'e of )atent

constructionB t%at ensures t%at c'ai*s are inter)reted ( reference to t%ose Bt%at %ave

(een cance''ed or re;ected.B Sc%ri(er8Sc%rot% Co. v. C'eve'and Trust Co., 3## U. S. ##,

8# "#97$. T%e doctrine of e4uiva'ents a''os t%e )atentee to c'ai* t%ose

insu(stantia' a'terations t%at ere not ca)tured in drafting t%e origina' )atent c'ai* (ut

%ic% cou'd (e created t%roug% trivia' c%anges. @%en, %oever, t%e )atentee origina''

c'ai*ed t%e su(;ect *atter a''eged to infringe (ut t%en narroed t%e c'ai* in res)onse to

a re;ection, %e *a not argue t%at t%e surrendered territor co*8

https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/339/605/case.htmlhttps://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/339/605/case.htmlhttps://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/311/211/case.htmlhttps://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/339/605/case.htmlhttps://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/339/605/case.htmlhttps://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/311/211/case.html


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?37

)rised unforeseen su(;ect *atter t%at s%ou'd (e dee*ed e4uiva'ent to t%e 'itera' c'ai*s oft%e issued )atent. n t%e contrar, B(D t%e a*end*ent t%e )atenteeD recogni.3d

#!?#, #!??8#!? "CA >ed. #99?$ "BProsecution %istor esto))e' ... )rec'udesD a )atentee

fro* regaining, t%roug% 'itigation, coverage of su(;ect *atter re'in4uis%ed during

)rosecution of t%e a))'ication for t%e )atentB$. @ere it ot%erise, t%e inventor *ig%t

avoid t%e PT:s gatekee)ing ro'e and seek to reca)ture in an infringe*ent action t%e ver

su(;ect *atter surrendered as a condition of receiving t%e )atent.

Prosecution %istor esto))e' ensures t%at t%e doctrine of e4uiva'ents re*ains tied to its

under'ing )ur)ose. @%ere t%e origina' a))'ication once e*(raced t%e )ur)orted

e4uiva'ent (ut t%e )atentee narroed %is c'ai*s to o(tain t%e )atent or to )rotect its

va'idit, t%e )atentee cannot assert t%at %e 'acked t%e ords to descri(e t%e su(;ect *atter

in 4uestion. T%e doctrine of e4uiva'ents is )re*ised on 'anguage:s ina(i'it to ca)ture t%e

essence of innovation, (ut a )rior a))'ication descri(ing t%e )recise e'e*ent at issue

undercuts t%at )re*ise. 2n t%at instance t%e )rosecution %istor %as

?3!

esta('is%ed t%at t%e inventor turned %is attention to t%e su(;ect *atter in 4uestion, kne

t%e ords for (ot% t%e (roader and narroer c'ai*, and affir*ative' c%ose t%e 'atter.

https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/315/126/case.htmlhttp://cases.justia.com/us-court-of-appeals/F3/103/1571/http://cases.justia.com/us-court-of-appeals/F3/103/1571/https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/315/126/case.htmlhttp://cases.justia.com/us-court-of-appeals/F3/103/1571/http://cases.justia.com/us-court-of-appeals/F3/103/1571/


26/62

A

T%e first 4uestion in t%is case concerns t%e kinds of a*end*ents t%at *a give rise to

esto))e'. Petitioner argues t%at esto))e' s%ou'd arise %en a*end*ents are intended to

narro t%e su(;ect *atter of t%e )atented invention, for instance, a*end*ents to avoid

)rior art, (ut not %en t%e a*end*ents are *ade to co*)' it% re4uire*ents

concerning t%e for* of t%e )atent a))'ication. 2n@arnerenkinson e recogni


27/62

and Su)). $. 2n addition, t%e )atent a))'ication *ust descri(e, ena('e, and set fort% t%e

(est *ode of carring out t%e invention. F ## "#997 ed.$. T%ese 'atter re4uire*ents *ust

(e satisfied (efore issuance of t%e )atent, for e5c'usive )atent rig%ts are given in

e5c%ange for disc'osing t%e invention to t%e )u('ic. Seeonito oats, 79 U. S., at #!8#!#. @%at is c'ai*ed ( t%e )atent a))'ication *ust (e t%e sa*e as %at is disc'osed in

t%e s)ecificationE ot%erise t%e )atent s%ou'd not issue. T%e )atent a'so s%ou'd not issue if

t%e ot%er re4uire*ents of F ## are not satisfied, and an a))'icant:s fai'ure to *eet t%ese

re4uire*ents cou'd 'ead to t%e issued )atent (eing %e'd inva'id in 'ater 'itigation.

Petitioner contends t%at a*end*ents *ade to co*)' it% F ## concern t%e for* of t%e

a))'ication and not t%e su(;ect *atter of t%e invention. T%e PT *ig%t re4uire t%e

a))'icant to c'arif an a*(iguous ter*, to i*)rove t%e trans'ation of a foreign ord, or to

rerite a de)endent c'ai* as an inde)endent one. 2n t%ese cases, )etitioner argues, t%e

a))'icant %as no intention of surrendering su(;ect *atter and s%ou'd not (e esto))ed fro*

c%a''enging e4uiva'ent devices. @%i'e t%is *a (e true in so*e cases, )etitioner:s

argu*ent conf'ates t%e )atentee:s reason for *aking t%e a*end*ent it% t%e i*)act t%e

a*end*ent %as on t%e su(;ect *atter.

0sto))e' arises %en an a*end*ent is *ade to secure t%e )atent and t%e a*end*ent

narros t%e )atent:s sco)e. 2f a F ## a*end*ent is tru' cos*etic, t%en it ou'd not

narro

?3?

t%e )atent:s sco)e or raise an esto))e'. n t%e ot%er %and, if a F ## a*end*ent is

necessar and narros t%e )atent:s sco)e8even if on' for t%e )ur)ose of (etter

descri)tionesto))e' *a a))'. A )atentee %o narros a c'ai* as a condition for

o(taining a )atent disavos %is c'ai* to t%e (roader su(;ect *atter, %et%er t%e

a*end*ent as *ade to avoid t%e )rior art or to co*)' it% F ##. @e *ust regard t%e

)atentee as %aving conceded an ina(i'it to c'ai* t%e (roader su(;ect *atter or at 'east as

%aving a(andoned %is rig%t to a))ea' a re;ection. 2n eit%er case esto))e' *a a))'.

Petitioner concedes t%at t%e 'i*itations at issue8t%e sea'ing rings and t%e co*)osition of

t%e s'eeve8ere *ade for reasons re'ated to F ##, if not a'so to avoid t%e )rior art. ur


28/62

conc'usion t%at )rosecution %istor esto))e' arises %en a c'ai* is narroed to co*)'

it% F ## gives rise to t%e second 4uestion )resented -oes t%e esto))e' (ar t%e inventor

fro* asserting infringe*ent against an e4uiva'ent to t%e narroed e'e*ent or *ig%t

so*e e4uiva'ents sti'' infringeN T%e Court of A))ea's %e'd t%at )rosecution %istoresto))e' is a co*)'ete (ar, and so t%e narroed e'e*ent *ust (e 'i*ited to its strict 'itera'

ter*s. ased u)on its e5)erience t%e Court of A))ea's decided t%at t%e f'e5i('e8(ar ru'e is

unorka('e (ecause it 'eads to e5cessive uncertaint and (urdens 'egiti*ate innovation.

>or t%e reasons t%at fo''o, e disagree it% t%e decision to ado)t t%e co*)'ete (ar.

T%oug% )rosecution %istor esto))e' can (ar a )atentee fro* c%a''enging a ide range of

a''eged e4uiva'ents *ade or distri(uted ( co*)etitors, its reac% re4uires an e5a*ination

of t%e su(;ect *atter surrendered ( t%e narroing a*end*ent. T%e co*)'ete (ar avoids

t%is in4uir ( esta('is%ing a )er se ru'eE (ut t%at a))roac% is inconsistent it% t%e

)ur)ose of a))'ing t%e esto))e' in t%e first )'ace8to %o'd t%e inventor to t%e

re)resentations *ade during t%e a))'ication )rocess and to t%e inferences t%at *a

reason8

?3

a(' (e dran fro* t%e a*end*ent. a*ending t%e a))'ication, t%e inventor is dee*ed

to concede t%at t%e )atent does not e5tend as far as t%e origina' c'ai*. 2t does not fo''o,%oever, t%at t%e a*ended c'ai* (eco*es so )erfect in its descri)tion t%at no one cou'd

devise an e4uiva'ent. After a*end*ent, as (efore, 'anguage re*ains an i*)erfect fit for

invention. T%e narroing a*end*ent *a de*onstrate %at t%e c'ai* is notE (ut it *a

sti'' fai' to ca)ture )recise' %at t%e c'ai* is. T%ere is no reason % a narroing

a*end*ent s%ou'd (e dee*ed to re'in4uis% e4uiva'ents unforeseea('e at t%e ti*e of t%e

a*end*ent and (eond a fair inter)retation of %at as surrendered. +or is t%ere an

ca'' to forec'ose c'ai*s of e4uiva'ence for as)ects of t%e invention t%at %ave on' a

)eri)%era' re'ation to t%e reason t%e a*end*ent as su(*itted. T%e a*end*ent does not

s%o t%at t%e inventor sudden' %ad *ore foresig%t in t%e drafting of c'ai*s t%an an

inventor %ose a))'ication as granted it%out a*end*ents %aving (een su(*itted. 2t

s%os on' t%at %e as fa*i'iar it% t%e (roader te5t and it% t%e difference (eteen t%e

to. As a resu't, t%ere is no *ore reason for %o'ding t%e )atentee to t%e 'itera' ter*s of an

a*ended c'ai* t%an t%ere is for a(o'is%ing t%e doctrine of e4uiva'ents a'toget%er and

%o'ding ever )atentee to t%e 'itera' ter*s of t%e )atent.


29/62

T%is vie of )rosecution %istor esto))e' is consistent it% our )recedents and res)ectfu'

of t%e rea' )ractice (efore t%e PT. @%i'e t%is Court %as not eig%ed t%e *erits of t%e

co*)'ete (ar against t%e f'e5i('e (ar in its )rior cases, e %ave consistent' a))'ied t%e

doctrine in a f'e5i('e a, not a rigid one. @e %ave considered %at e4uiva'ents eresurrendered during t%e )rosecution of t%e )atent, rat%er t%an i*)osing a co*)'ete (ar t%at

resorts to t%e ver 'itera'is* t%e e4uiva'ents ru'e is designed to overco*e. 0. g.,

Goodear -enta' u'canite Co., # U. S., at 3E 1ur'(ut v. Sc%i''inger, #3 U. S. 7!6,

76! "#9$.

?39

T%e Court of A))ea's ignored t%e guidance of @arnerenkinson, %ic% instructed t%atcourts *ust (e cautious (efore ado)ting c%anges t%at disru)t t%e sett'ed e5)ectations of

t%e inventing co**unit. See ! U. S., at . 2n t%at case e *ade it c'ear t%at t%e

doctrine of e4uiva'ents and t%e ru'e of )rosecution %istor esto))e' are sett'ed 'a. T%e

res)onsi(i'it for c%anging t%e* rests it% Congress. 2(id. >unda*enta' a'terations in

t%ese ru'es risk destroing t%e 'egiti*ate e5)ectations of inventors in t%eir )ro)ert. T%e

)etitioner in @arner8enkinson re4uested anot%er (rig%t8'ine ru'e t%at ou'd %ave

)rovided *ore certaint in deter*ining %en esto))e' a))'ies (ut at t%e cost of

disru)ting t%e e5)ectations of count'ess e5isting )atent %o'ders. @e re;ected t%at

a))roac% BTo c%ange so su(stantia'' t%e ru'es of t%e ga*e no cou'd ver e'' su(vert

t%e various (a'ances t%e PT soug%t to strike %en issuing t%e nu*erous )atents %ic%

%ave not et e5)ired and %ic% ou'd (e affected ( our decision.B 2d., at 3, n. 6E see

a'so id., at 7# "G2+SU/G, ., concurring$ "BT%e ne )resu*)tion, if a))'ied ooden',

*ig%t in so*e instances unfair' discount t%e e5)ectations of a )atentee %o %ad no

notice at t%e ti*e of )atent )rosecution t%at suc% a )resu*)tion ou'd a))'B$. As

@arner8enkinsonrecogni


30/62

B@%ere no e5)'anation is esta('is%ed, %oever, t%e court s%ou'd )resu*e t%at t%e )atent

a))'ication %ad a su(stantia' reason re'ated to )atenta(i'it for inc'uding t%e 'i*iting

e'e*ent added ( a*end*ent. 2n t%ose

?7

circu*stances, )rosecution %istor esto))e' ou'd (ar t%e a))'ication of t%e doctrine of

e4uiva'ents as to t%at e'e*ent.B2d., at 33.

@%en t%e )atentee is una('e to e5)'ain t%e reason for a*end*ent, esto))e' not on'

a))'ies (ut a'so B(arsD t%e a))'ication of t%e doctrine of e4uiva'ents as to t%at e'e*ent.B

2(id. T%ese ords do not *andate a co*)'ete (arE t%e are 'i*ited to t%e circu*stance

%ere Bno e5)'anation is esta('is%ed.B T%e do )rovide, %oever, t%at %en t%e court isuna('e to deter*ine t%e )ur)ose under'ing a narroing a*end*ent8and %ence a

rationa'e for 'i*iting t%e esto))e' to t%e surrender of )articu'ar e4uiva'ents8t%e court

s%ou'd )resu*e t%at t%e )atentee surrendered a'' su(;ect *atter (eteen t%e (roader and

t%e narroer 'anguage.

ust as @arner8enkinson %e'd t%at t%e )atentee (ears t%e (urden of )roving t%at an

a*end*ent as not *ade for a reason t%at ou'd give rise to esto))e', e %o'd %ere t%at

t%e )atentee s%ou'd (ear t%e (urden of s%oing t%at t%e a*end*ent does not surrender

t%e )articu'ar e4uiva'ent in 4uestion. T%is is t%e a))roac% advocated ( t%e United States,see rief for United States as A*icus Curiae 8, and e regard it to (e sound. T%e

)atentee, as t%e aut%or of t%e c'ai* 'anguage, *a (e e5)ected to draft c'ai*s

enco*)assing readi' knon e4uiva'ents. A )atentee:s decision to narro %is c'ai*s

t%roug% a*end*ent *a (e )resu*ed to (e a genera' disc'ai*er of t%e territor (eteen

t%e origina' c'ai* and t%e a*ended c'ai*. 05%i(it Su))', 3#! U. S., at #368#3? "B t%e

a*end*ent t%e )atenteeD recogni


31/62

*a (e so*e ot%er reason suggesting t%at t%e )atentee cou'd not reasona(' (e e5)ected

to %ave descri(ed t%e insu(stantia' su(stitute in 4uestion. 2n t%ose cases t%e )atentee can

overco*e t%e )resu*)tion t%at )rosecution %istor esto))e' (ars a finding of

e4uiva'ence.

T%is )resu*)tion is not, t%en, ;ust t%e co*)'ete (ar ( anot%er na*e. /at%er, it ref'ects

t%e fact t%at t%e inter)retation of t%e )atent *ust (egin it% its 'itera' c'ai*s, and t%e

)rosecution %istor is re'evant to construing t%ose c'ai*s. @%en t%e )atentee %as c%osen

to narro a c'ai*, courts *a )resu*e t%e a*ended te5t as co*)osed it% aareness

of t%is ru'e and t%at t%e territor surrendered is not an e4uiva'ent of t%e territor c'ai*ed.

2n t%ose instances, %oever, t%e )atentee sti'' *ig%t re(ut t%e )resu*)tion t%at esto))e'

(ars a c'ai* of e4uiva'ence. T%e )atentee *ust s%o t%at at t%e ti*e of t%e a*end*ent

one ski''ed in t%e art cou'd not reasona(' (e e5)ected to %ave drafted a c'ai* t%at ou'd

%ave 'itera'' enco*)assed t%e a''eged e4uiva'ent.

2

n t%e record (efore us, e cannot sa )etitioner %as re(utted t%e )resu*)tions t%at

esto))e' a))'ies and t%at t%e e4uiva'ents at issue %ave (een surrendered. Petitioner

concedes t%at t%e 'i*itations at issue8t%e sea'ing rings and t%e co*)osition of t%e s'eeve8

ere *ade in res)onse to a re;ection for reasons under F ##, if not a'so (ecause of t%e

)rior art references. As t%e a*end*ents ere *ade for a reason re'ating to )atenta(i'it,t%e 4uestion is not %et%er esto))e' a))'ies (ut %at territor t%e a*end*ents

surrendered. @%i'e esto))e' does not effect a co*)'ete (ar, t%e 4uestion re*ains %et%er

)etitioner can de*onstrate t%at t%e narroing a*end*ents did not surrender t%e

)articu'ar e4uiva'ents at issue. n t%ese 4uestions, SMC *a e'' )revai', for t%e sea'ing

rings and t%e co*)osition of t%e s'eeve (ot% ere noted e5)ress' in t%e )rosecution

%istor. T%ese *atters, %oever, s%ou'd (e deter*ined in t%e first instance

?7

( furt%er )roceedings in t%e Court of A))ea's or t%e -istrict Court.

T%e ;udg*ent of t%e >edera' Circuit is vacated, and t%e case is re*anded for furt%er

)roceedings consistent it% t%is o)inion.


32/62

2t is so ordered.

Pascua' Godines vs. Court of A))ea's G./. +o. 9?373D, Se)te*(er #3, #993.

/e)u('ic of t%e P%i'i))inesSUP/0M0 CU/T

Mani'a

T12/- -22S2+

G./. +o. 9?373 Se)te*(er #3, #993

PASCUAL G-2+0S, )etitioner,

vs.

T10 1+/AL0 CU/T > APP0ALS, SP0C2AL >U/T1 -22S2+ and S8AG/ 0+T0/P/2S0S, 2+C.,res)ondents.

esus S. Anonat for )etitioner.

Arturo M. A'inio for )rivate res)ondent.

/M0/, .

T%roug% t%is )etition for revie in certiorari of a decision of t%e Court of A))ea's

affir*ing t%e decision of t%e tria' court, )etitioner Pascua' Godines seeks to reverse t%e

adverse decision of t%e Court a 4uo t%at %e as 'ia('e for infringe*ent of )atent and

unfair co*)etition. T%e dis)ositive )ortion of t%e assai'ed decision is %ere( 4uoted toit

@10/0>/0, it% t%e e'i*ination of t%e aard for attorne:s fees, t%e ;udg*ent

a))ea'ed fro* is %ere( A>>2/M0-, it% costs against a))e''ant. #

T%e )atent invo'ved in t%is case is Letters Patent +o. UM836 issued ( t%e P%i'i))ine

Patent ffice to one Magda'ena S. i''aru< on u' #!, #9?6. 2t covers a uti'it *ode' for

a %and tractor or )oer ti''er, t%e *ain co*)onents of %ic% are t%e fo''oing B"#$ a

vacuu*atic %ouse f'oatE "$ a %arro it% ad;usta('e o)erating %and'eE "3$ a )air of )add

%ee'sE "7$ a )rotective ater covering for t%e engine *ain driveE "!$ a trans*ission caseE

"6$ an o)erating %and'eE "?$ an engine foundation on t%e to) *id)ortion of t%e

vacuu*atic %ousing f'oat to %ic% t%e *ain engine drive is detac%ed' insta''edE "$ a

fronta' fra*e e5tension a(ove t%e 4uarter O circu'ar' s%a)ed ater covering %o'd "sic$

in )'ace t%e trans*ission caseE "9$ a 8(e't connection to t%e engine *ain drive it%

trans*ission gear t%roug% t%e )u''e, and "#$ an id'er )u''e insta''ed on t%e engine


33/62

foundation.B T%e )atented %and tractor orks in t%e fo''oing *anner Bt%e engine

drives t%e trans*ission gear t%ru t%e 8(e't, a driven )u''e and a trans*ission s%aft. T%e

engine drives t%e trans*ission gear ( tensioning of t%e 8(e't %ic% is contro''ed ( t%e

id'er )u''e. T%e 8(e't drives t%e )u''e attac%ed to t%e trans*ission gear %ic% in turn

drives t%e s%aft %ere t%e )add %ee's are attac%ed. T%e o)erator %and'es t%e %andtractor t%roug% a %and'e %ic% is inc'ined u)ard' and su))orted ( a )air of

su(standing )i)es and reinforced ( a U8s%a)ed G.2. )i)e at t%e 8s%a)ed end.B 3

T%e a(ove *entioned )atent as ac4uired ( S8Agro 2ndustries 0nter)rises, 2nc., %erein

)rivate res)ondent, fro* Magda'ena i''aru/0, )re*ises considered, U-GM0+T is %ere( rendered in favor of t%e

)'aintiff S8Agro 2ndustries 0nter)rises, 2nc., and against defendant Pascua' Godines

#. -ec'aring t%e rit of )re'i*inar in;unction issued ( t%is Court against defendant as

)er*anentE

. rdering defendant Pascua' Godines to )a )'aintiff t%e su* of >ift T%ousand Pesos

"P!,.$ as da*ages to its (usiness re)utation and goodi'', )'us t%e furt%er su* of

0ig%t T%ousand Pesos "P,.$ for unrea'i


34/62

T%e decision as affir*ed ( t%e a))e''ate court.

T%ereafter, t%is )etition as fi'ed. Petitioner *aintains t%e defenses %ic% %e raised

(efore t%e tria' and a))e''ate courts, to it t%at %e as not engaged in t%e *anufactureand sa'e of t%e )oer ti''ers as %e *ade t%e* on' u)on t%e s)ecia' order of %is custo*ers

%o gave t%eir on s)ecificationsE %ence, %e cou'd not (e 'ia('e for infringe*ent of

)atent and unfair co*)etitionE and t%at t%ose *ade ( %i* ere different fro* t%ose

(eing *anufactured and so'd ( )rivate res)ondent.

@e find no *erit in %is argu*ents. T%e 4uestion of %et%er )etitioner as *anufacturing

and se''ing )oer ti''ers is a 4uestion of fact (etter addressed to t%e 'oer courts. 2n

dis*issing t%e first argu*ent of )etitioner %erein, t%e Court of A))ea's 4uoted t%e

findings of t%e court, to it

2t is t%e contention of defendant t%at %e did not *anufacture or *ake i*itations or co)iesof )'aintiff:s turt'e )oer ti''er as %at %e *ere' did as to fa(ricate %is f'oating )oer

ti''er u)on s)ecifications and designs of t%ose %o ordered t%e*. 1oever, t%is

contention a))ears untena('e in t%e 'ig%t of t%e fo''oing circu*stances #$ %e ad*its in

%is Anser t%at %e %as (een *anufacturing )oer ti''ers or %and tractors, se''ing and

distri(uting t%e* 'ong (efore )'aintiff started se''ing its turt'e )oer ti''er in Ka*(oanga

de' Sur and Misa*is ccidenta', *eaning t%at defendant is )rinci)a'' a *anufacturer of

)oer ti''ers, not u)on s)ecification and design of (uers, (ut u)on %is on s)ecification

and designE $ it ou'd (e un(e'ieva('e t%at defendant ou'd fa(ricate )oer ti''ers

si*i'ar to t%e turt'e )oer ti''ers of )'aintiff u)on s)ecifications of (uers it%out

re4uiring a ;o( order %ere t%e s)ecification and designs of t%ose ordered are s)ecified.

+o docu*ent as "sic$ ever (een )resented s%oing suc% ;o( orders, and it is rat%er

unusua' for defendant to *anufacture so*et%ing it%out t%e s)ecification and designs,

considering t%at %e is an engineer ( )rofession and )ro)rietor of t%e


35/62

T%e fact t%at )etitioner %erein *anufactured and so'd )oer ti''ers it%out )atentee:s

aut%orit %as (een esta('is%ed ( t%e courts des)ite )etitioner:s c'ai*s to t%e contrar.

T%e 4uestion no arises -id )etitioner:s )roduct infringe u)on t%e )atent of )rivateres)ondentN

Tests %ave (een esta('is%ed to deter*ine infringe*ent. T%ese are "a$ 'itera' infringe*entE

and "($ t%e doctrine of e4uiva'ents. ? 2n using 'itera' infringe*ent as a test, B. . . resort

*ust (e %ad, in t%e first instance, to t%e ords of t%e c'ai*. 2f accused *atter c'ear' fa''s

it%in t%e c'ai*, infringe*ent is *ade out and t%at is t%e end of it.B To deter*ine

%et%er t%e )articu'ar ite* fa''s it%in t%e 'itera' *eaning of t%e )atent c'ai*s, t%e court

*ust ;u5ta)ose t%e c'ai*s of t%e )atent and t%e accused )roduct it%in t%e overa'' conte5t

of t%e c'ai*s and s)ecifications, to deter*ine %et%er t%ere is e5act identit of a''

*ateria' e'e*ents. 9

T%e tria' court *ade t%e fo''oing o(servation

Sa*)'es of t%e defendant:s f'oating )oer ti''er %ave (een )roduced and ins)ected ( t%e

court and co*)ared it% t%at of t%e turt'e )oer ti''er of t%e )'aintiff "see 05%i(its 1 to

18$. 2n a))earance and for*, (ot% t%e f'oating )oer ti''ers of t%e defendant and t%e

turt'e )oer ti''er of t%e )'aintiff are virtua'' t%e sa*e. -efendant ad*itted to t%e Court

t%at to "$ of t%e )oer ins)ected on Marc% #, #97, ere *anufactured and so'd (

%i* "see TS+, Marc% #, #97, ). ?$. T%e t%ree )oer ti''ers ere )'aced a'ongside it%

eac% ot%er. At t%e center as t%e turt'e )oer ti''er of )'aintiff, and on (ot% sides t%ereof

ere t%e f'oating )oer ti''ers of defendant "05%i(its 1 to 18$. @itness /odrigo took

)%otogra)%s of t%e sa*e )oer ti''ers "front, side, to) and (ack vies for )ur)oses of

co*)arison "see 05%i(its 187 to 18$. ieed fro* an )ers)ective or ang'e, t%e )oer

ti''er of t%e defendant is identica' and si*i'ar to t%at of t%e turt'e )oer ti''er of )'aintiff

in for*, configuration, design and a))earance. T%e )arts or co*)onents t%ereof are

virtua'' t%e sa*e. ot% %ave t%e circu'ar'8s%a)ed vacuu*atic %ousing f'oat, a )add in

front, a )rotective ater covering, a trans*ission (o5 %ousing t%e trans*ission gears, a

%and'e %ic% is 8s%a)ed and inc'ined u)ard', attac%ed to t%e side of t%e vacuu*atic

%ousing f'oat and su))orted ( t%e u)standing G.2. )i)es and an engine (ase at t%e to)

*id)ortion of t%e vacuu*atic %ousing f'oat to %ic% t%e engine drive *a (e attac%ed. 2n

o)eration, t%e f'oating )oer ti''er of t%e defendant o)erates a'so in si*i'ar *anner as t%eturt'e )oer ti''er of )'aintiff. T%is as ad*itted ( t%e defendant %i*se'f in court t%at

t%e are o)erating on t%e sa*e )rinci)'es. "TS+, August #9, #9?, ). #3$ #


36/62

Moreover, it is a'so o(served t%at )etitioner a'so ca''ed %is )oer ti''er as a f'oating

)oer ti''er. T%e )atent issued ( t%e Patent ffice referred to a Bfar* i*)'e*ent (ut

*ore )articu'ar' to a turt'e %and tractor %aving a vacuu*atic %ousing f'oat on %ic% t%e

engine drive is %e'd in )'ace, t%e o)erating %and'e, t%e %arro %ousing it% its o)erating

%and'e and t%e )add %ee' )rotective covering.B ## 2t a))ears fro* t%e foregoingo(servation of t%e tria' court t%at t%ese c'ai*s of t%e )atent and t%e features of t%e

)atented uti'it *ode' ere co)ied ( )etitioner. @e are co*)e''ed to arrive at no ot%er

conc'usion (ut t%at t%ere as infringe*ent.

Petitioner:s argu*ent t%at %is )oer ti''ers ere different fro* )rivate res)ondent:s is t%at

of a droning *an c'utc%ing at stras.

/ecogni


37/62

2t a'so stated

To esta('is% an infringe*ent, it is not essentia' to s%o t%at t%e defendant ado)ted t%e

device or )rocess in ever )articu'arE Proof of an ado)tion of t%e su(stance of t%e t%ingi'' (e sufficient. B2n one sense,B said ustice ron, Bit *a (e said t%at no device can

(e ad;udged an infringe*ent t%at does not su(stantia'' corres)ond it% t%e )atent. ut

anot%er construction, %ic% ou'd 'i*it t%ese ords to e5act *ec%anis* descri(ed in t%e

)atent, ou'd (e so o(vious' un;ust t%at no court cou'd (e e5)ected to ado)t it. . . .

T%e 'a i'' )rotect a )atentee against i*itation of %is )atent ( ot%er for*s and

)ro)ortions. 2f to devices do t%e sa*e ork in su(stantia'' t%e sa*e a, and

acco*)'is% su(stantia'' t%e sa*e resu't, t%e are t%e sa*e, even t%oug% t%e differ in

na*e, for*, or s%a)e. #6

@e )ronounce )etitioner 'ia('e for infringe*ent in accordance it% Section 3? of

/e)u('ic Act +o. #6!, as a*ended, )roviding, inter a'ia

Sec. 3?. /ig%t of Patentees. O A )atentee s%a'' %ave t%e e5c'usive rig%t to *ake, use and

se'' t%e )atented *ac%ine, artic'e or )roduct, and to use t%e )atented )rocess for t%e

)ur)ose of industr or co**erce, t%roug%out t%e territor of t%e P%i'i))ines for t%e ter*s

of t%e )atentE and suc% *aking, using, or se''ing ( an )erson it%out t%e aut%ori


38/62

Considering t%e foregoing, e find no reversi('e error in t%e decision of t%e Court of

A))ea's affir*ing it% *odification t%e decision of t%e tria' court.

@10/0>/0, )re*ises considered, t%e decision of t%e Court of A))ea's is %ere(

A>>2/M0- and t%is )etition -0+20- for 'ack of *erit.

idin, Me'o and itug, ., concur.

>e'iciano, ., is on 'eave.

S*it% ='ine eck*an Cor). vs. CA "G./. +o. #66?, August #7, 3$

T12/- -22S2+

G. /. +o. #66?. August #7, 3D

SM2T1 =L2+0 0C=MA+ C/P/AT2+, )etitioner, vs. T10 1+/AL0

CU/T > APP0ALS and T/IC P1A/MA C/P/AT2+, res)ondents.

- 0 C 2 S 2 +

CA/P28M/AL0S, .

S*it% ='ine eck*an Cor)oration ")etitioner$, a cor)oration e5isting ( virtue of

t%e 'as of t%e state of Penns'vania, United States of A*erica "U.S.$ and 'icensed to do

(usiness in t%e P%i'i))ines, fi'ed on cto(er , #9?6, as assignee, (efore t%e P%i'i))ine

Patent ffice "no ureau of Patents, Trade*arks and Tec%no'og Transfer$ an

a))'ication for )atent over an invention entit'ed Met%ods and Co*)ositions for

Producing i)%asic Parasiticide Activit Using Met%' ! Pro)'t%io88en


39/62

intestina' roundor*s, 'ungor*s, ta)eor*s and f'uke infestation in cara(aos, catt'e

and goats.

Petitioner sued )rivate res)ondent for infringe*ent of )atent and unfair co*)etition

(efore t%e Ca'oocan Cit /egiona' Tria' Court "/TC$.3D ﾧ 2t c'ai*ed t%at its )atent

covers or inc'udes t%e su(stance A'(endainding for )rivate res)ondent, t%e tria' court rendered a -ecision dated u' 3,

#99#,9Dﾧ t%e dis)ositive )ortion of %ic% reads

@10/0>/0, in vie of t%e foregoing, )'aintiffs co*)'aint s%ou'd (e, as it is %ere(,

-2SM2SS0-. T%e @rit of in;unction issued in connection it% t%e case is %ere( ordered

-2SSL0-.

T%e Letters Patent +o. #7!6# issued ( t%e t%en P%i'i))ine Patents ffice is %ere(

dec'ared nu'' and void for (eing in vio'ation of Sections ?, 9 and #! of t%e Patents La.

Pursuant to Sec. 76 of t%e Patents La, t%e -irector of ureau of Patents is %ere(

directed to cance' Letters Patent +o. #7!6# issued to t%e )'aintiff and to )u('is% suc%

cance''ation in t%e fficia' Ga


40/62

-efendant Trco P%ar*aceutica' Cor)oration is %ere( aarded P33,. actua'

da*ages and P#,. attornes fees as )raed for in its counterc'ai* (ut said

a*ount aarded to defendant is su(;ect to t%e 'ien on correct )a*ent of fi'ing fees.

S /-0/0-. "Underscoring su))'ied$

n a))ea', t%e Court of A))ea's, ( -ecision of A)ri' #, #99!,#Dﾧ u)%e'd t%e tria'

courts finding t%at )rivate res)ondent as not 'ia('e for an infringe*ent of t%e )atent of

)etitioner in 'ig%t of t%e 'atters fai'ure to s%o t%at A'(enda/0, t%e ;udg*ent a))ea'ed fro* is A>>2/M0- it%

t%e M-2>2CAT2+ t%at t%e orders for t%e nu''ification of

Letters Patent +o. #7!6# and for its cance''ation are de'eted

t%erefro*.

S /-0/0-.

Petitioners *otion for reconsideration of t%e Court of A))ea's decision %aving (een

denied##D ﾧ t%e )resent )etition for revie on certiorari#D ﾧ as fi'ed, assigning as

errors t%e fo''oing

2. T10 CU/T > APP0ALS G/A0LI 0//0- 2+ +T >2+-2+G T1AT

AL0+-AKL0, T10 ACT20 2+G/0-20+T 2+ T/ICS 2MP/0G+

-/UG, 2S 2+CLU-0- 2+ P0T2T2+0/S L0TT0/S PAT0+T +. #7!6#,

http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2003/aug2003/126627.htm#_ftn10http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2003/aug2003/126627.htm#_ftn11http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2003/aug2003/126627.htm#_ftn12http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2003/aug2003/126627.htm#_ftn10http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2003/aug2003/126627.htm#_ftn11http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2003/aug2003/126627.htm#_ftn12


41/62

A+- T1AT C+S0QU0+TLI T/IC 2S A+S@0/AL0 >/ PAT0+T

2+>/2+G0M0+T.

22. T10 CU/T > APP0ALS G/A0LI 0//0- 2+ A@A/-2+G T

P/2AT0 /0SP+-0+T T/IC P1A/MA C/P/AT2+

P33,. ACTUAL -AMAG0S A+- P#,. ATT/+0IS >00S.

Petitioner argues t%at under t%e doctrine of e4uiva'ents for deter*ining )atent

infringe*ent, A'(enda


42/62

are different fro* eac% ot%erE and t%at since it as on account of a divisiona' a))'ication

t%at t%e )atent for *et%' ! )ro)'t%io88(enro* an e5a*ination of t%e evidence on record, t%is Court finds not%ing infir* in

t%e a))e''ate courts conc'usions it% res)ect to t%e )rinci)a' issue of %et%er )rivate

res)ondent co**itted )atent infringe*ent to t%e )re;udice of )etitioner.

T%e (urden of )roof to su(stantiate a c%arge for )atent infringe*ent rests on t%e

)'aintiff.#6D ﾧ 2n t%e case at (ar, )etitioners evidence consists )ri*ari' of its LettersPatent +o. #7!6#, and t%e testi*on of -r. rinion, its genera' *anager in t%e

P%i'i))ines for its Ani*a' 1ea't% Products -ivision, ( %ic% it soug%t to s%o t%at its

)atent for t%e co*)ound *et%' ! )ro)'t%io88(en


43/62

@%i'e )etitioner concedes t%at t%e *ere 'itera' ordings of its )atent cannot esta('is%

)rivate res)ondents infringe*ent, it urges t%is Court to a))' t%e doctrine of e4uiva'ents.

T%e doctrine of e4uiva'ents )rovides t%at an infringe*ent a'so takes )'ace %en a

device a))ro)riates a )rior invention ( incor)orating its innovative conce)t and,

a't%oug% it% so*e *odification and c%ange, )erfor*s su(stantia'' t%e sa*e function in

su(stantia'' t%e sa*e a to ac%ieve su(stantia'' t%e sa*e resu't.#9D ﾧ Iet again, a

scrutin of )etitioners evidence fai's to convince t%is Court of t%e su(stantia' sa*eness of

)etitioners )atented co*)ound and A'(enda


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3J of its a''eged P#,. *ont%' gross sa'es for e'even *ont%s, ere su))orted

( t%e testi*onies of )rivate res)ondents President!Dﾧ and 05ecutive ice8President

t%at t%e average *ont%' sa'e of 2*)regon as P#,. and t%at sa'es )'u**eted to


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S0C+- -22S2+

PHIL PHARMAWEALTH, INC.,

Petitioner,

8 versus 8

PFIZER, INC. and PFIZER (PHIL.)

INC.,/es)ondents.

G.R. No. 167715

Presen!

CA/P2, J., Chairperson,

+AC1U/A,

P0/ALTA,

AA-, and

M0+-KA, JJ .

Pro"#$%aed!

+ove*(er #?, #

5 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 5

- 0 C 2 S 2 +

P0/ALTA, .


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efore t%e Court is a )etition for revie on certiorari seeking to annu' and set aside t%e

/eso'utions dated anuar #, !#Dﾧ and A)ri' ##, !Dﾧ ( t%e Court of A))ea's

"CA$ in CA8G./. SP +o. ?37.

T%e instant case arose fro* a Co*)'aint3D ﾧ for )atent infringe*ent fi'ed against

)etitioner P%i' P%ar*aea't%, 2nc. ( res)ondent co*)anies, Pfi


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9. So*eti*e in anuar and >e(ruar 3, co*)'ainants ca*e to kno

t%at res)ondent %erein )etitionerD su(*itted (ids for t%e su))' of

Su'(acta* A*)ici''in to severa' %os)ita's it%out t%e consent of

co*)'ainants and in vio'ation of t%e co*)'ainants: inte''ectua' )ro)ert

rig%ts. 5 5 5

5 5 5 5

#. Co*)'ainants t%us rote t%e a(ove %os)ita's and de*anded t%at t%e

'atter i**ediate' cease and desist fro* acce)ting (ids for t%e su))' ofD

Su'(acta* A*)ici''in or aarding t%e sa*e to entities ot%er t%an

co*)'ainants. Co*)'ainants, in t%e sa*e 'etters sent t%roug% undersigned

counse', a'so de*anded t%at res)ondent i**ediate' it%dra its (ids to

su))' Su'(acta* A*)ici''in.

##. 2n gross and evident (ad fait%, res)ondent and t%e %os)ita's na*ed in

)aragra)% 9 %ereof, i''fu'' ignored co*)'ainants: ;ust, )'ain and va'id

de*ands, refused to co*)' t%ereit% and continued to infringe t%e

Patent, a'' to t%e da*age and )re;udice of co*)'ainants. As registered

oner of t%e Patent, Pfi


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/es)ondents fi'ed a Motion for /econsideration (ut t%e sa*e as a'so denied ( t%e

LA82P in a /eso'utionDﾧ dated anuar 3, 7.

/es)ondents t%en fi'ed a s)ecia' civi' action for certiorari it% t%e CA assai'ing t%e

cto(er #!, 3 and anuar 3, 7 /eso'utions of t%e LA82P. /es)ondents a'so

)raed for t%e issuance of a )re'i*inar *andator in;unction for t%e reinstate*ent and

e5tension of t%e rit of )re'i*inar in;unction issued ( t%e LA82P.

@%i'e t%e case as )ending (efore t%e CA, res)ondents fi'ed a Co*)'aint 9Dﾧ

it% t%e/egiona' Tria' Court "/TC$ of Makati Cit for infringe*ent and unfair co*)etition it%

da*ages against %erein )etitioner. 2n said case, res)ondents )raed for t%e issuance of a

te*)orar restraining order and )re'i*inar in;unction to )revent %erein )etitioner fro*

i*)orting, distri(uting, se''ing or offering for sa'e su'(acta* a*)ici''in )roducts to an

entit in t%e P%i'i))ines./es)ondents asked t%e tria' court t%at, after tria', ;udg*ent (e

rendered aarding da*ages in t%eir favor and *aking t%e in;unction )er*anent.

n August 7, 7, t%e /TC of Makati Cit issued an rder #Dﾧ directing t%e issuance

of a te*)orar restraining order conditioned u)on res)ondents: fi'ing of a (ond.

2n a su(se4uent rder ##Dﾧ dated A)ri' 6, !, t%e sa*e /TC directed t%e issuance of a

rit of )re'i*inar in;unction )ro%i(iting and restraining )etitionerD, its agents,

re)resentatives and assigns fro* i*)orting, distri(uting or se''ing Su'(acta* A*)ici''in

)roducts to an entit in t%e P%i'i))ines.

Mean%i'e, on +ove*(er #6, 7, )etitioner fi'ed a Motion to -is*iss #Dﾧ t%e )etition

fi'ed it% t%e CA on t%e ground of foru* s%o))ing, contending t%at t%e case fi'ed it%

t%e /TC %as t%e sa*e o(;ective as t%e )etition fi'ed it% t%e CA, %ic% is to o(tain an

in;unction )ro%i(iting )etitioner fro* i*)orting, distri(uting and se''ing Su'(acta*

A*)ici''in )roducts.

http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2010/november2010/167715.htm#_ftn8http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2010/november2010/167715.htm#_ftn9http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2010/november2010/167715.htm#_ftn10http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2010/november2010/167715.htm#_ftn11http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2010/november2010/167715.htm#_ftn12http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2010/november2010/167715.htm#_ftn8http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2010/november2010/167715.htm#_ftn9http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2010/november2010/167715.htm#_ftn10http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2010/november2010/167715.htm#_ftn11http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2010/november2010/167715.htm#_ftn12


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n anuar #, !, t%e CA issued its 4uestioned /eso'ution#3Dﾧ a))roving t%e (ond

)osted ( res)ondents )ursuant to t%e /eso'ution issued ( t%e a))e''ate court on Marc%

3, 7 %ic% directed t%e issuance of a te*)orar restraining order conditioned u)on

t%e fi'ing of a (ond. n even date, t%e CA issued a te*)orar restraining order #7D ﾧ

%ic% )ro%i(ited )etitioner fro* i*)orting, distri(uting, se''ing or offering for sa'e

Su'(acta* A*)ici''in )roducts to an %os)ita' or to an ot%er entit in t%e P%i'i))ines, or

fro* infringing Pfie(ruar ?, !, )etitioner again fi'ed a Motion to -is*iss #!Dﾧ t%e case for (eing

*oot and acade*ic, contending t%at res)ondents: )atent %ad a'read 'a)sed. 2n t%e sa*e

*anner, )etitioner a'so *oved for t%e reconsideration of t%e te*)orar restraining order

issued ( t%e CA on t%e sa*e (asis t%at t%e )atent rig%t soug%t to (e )rotected %as (een

e5tinguis%ed due to t%e 'a)se of t%e )atent 'icense and on t%e ground t%at t%e CA %as no

;urisdiction to revie t%e order of t%e LA82P as said ;urisdiction is vested ( 'a in

t%e ffice of t%e -irector Genera' of t%e 2P.

n A)ri' ##, !, t%e CA rendered its )resent' assai'ed /eso'ution dening t%e Motion

to -is*iss, dated +ove*(er #6, 7, and t%e *otion for reconsideration, as e'' as

Motion to -is*iss, (ot% dated >e(ruar ?, !.

1ence, t%e )resent )etition raising t%e fo''oing issues

a$ Can an in;unctive re'ief (e issued (ased on an action of )atentinfringe*ent %en t%e )atent a''eged' infringed %as a'read 'a)sedN

($ @%at tri(una' %as ;urisdiction to revie t%e decisions of t%e -irector of

Lega' Affairs of t%e 2nte''ectua' Pro)ert fficeN

http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2010/november2010/167715.htm#_ftn13http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2010/november2010/167715.htm#_ftn14http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2010/november2010/167715.htm#_ftn15http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2010/november2010/167715.htm#_ftn13http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2010/november2010/167715.htm#_ftn14http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2010/november2010/167715.htm#_ftn15


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c$ 2s t%ere foru* s%o))ing %en a )art fi'es to actions it% to

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Set 7 Full cases ip