The Doctrine of Equivalents is a legal principle applied in patent law to determine infringement. It states that a product or process may infringe a patent even if it does not literally infringe upon the patented invention’s specific language. Instead, infringement may be found if the accused product or process performs substantially the same function, in substantially the same way, to achieve substantially the same result as the patented invention. This doctrine aims to prevent infringement by minor modifications that still achieve the same overall effect as the patented invention. Courts use the Doctrine of Equivalents to ensure that patent rights are adequately protected against variations that would otherwise circumvent patent claims.
This site contains general legal information but does not constitute professional legal advice for your particular situation. Persuing this glossary does not create an attorney-client or legal adviser relationship. If you have specific questions, please consult a qualified attorney licensed in your jurisdiction.
This glossary post was last updated: 29th March, 2024.
To help you cite our definitions in your bibliography, here is the proper citation layout for the three major formatting styles, with all of the relevant information filled in.
- Page URL:https://dlssolicitors.com/define/doctrine-of-equivalents/
- Modern Language Association (MLA):Doctrine Of Equivalents. dlssolicitors.com. DLS Solicitors. April 23, 2024 https://dlssolicitors.com/define/doctrine-of-equivalents/.
- Chicago Manual of Style (CMS):Doctrine Of Equivalents. dlssolicitors.com. DLS Solicitors. https://dlssolicitors.com/define/doctrine-of-equivalents/ (accessed: April 23, 2024).
- American Psychological Association (APA):Doctrine Of Equivalents. dlssolicitors.com. Retrieved April 23, 2024, from dlssolicitors.com website: https://dlssolicitors.com/define/doctrine-of-equivalents/