How does inherency apply to anticipation rejections in patent examination?

How does inherency apply to anticipation rejections in patent examination? Inherency is an important concept in anticipation rejections under 35 U.S.C. 102. It allows examiners to consider features that are not explicitly stated in a prior art reference but are necessarily present or naturally flow from the reference’s teachings. The MPEP 2131 states: “To serve…

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What is the “identical invention” requirement for anticipation under 35 U.S.C. 102?

What is the “identical invention” requirement for anticipation under 35 U.S.C. 102? The “identical invention” requirement for anticipation under 35 U.S.C. 102 means that the prior art reference must disclose every element of the claimed invention, either explicitly or inherently, in the same configuration as in the claim. As stated in the MPEP 2131: “A…

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Is exact wording required for anticipation?

Exact wording, or “ipsissimis verbis,” is not required for anticipation. The MPEP 2131 clarifies: The elements must be arranged as required by the claim, but this is not an ipsissimis verbis test, i.e., identity of terminology is not required. (In re Bond) This means that while the prior art must disclose all elements of the…

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How is a claim rejected as anticipated?

To reject a claim as anticipated, the prior art reference must disclose every element of the claimed invention. The MPEP 2131 states: To reject a claim as anticipated by a reference, the disclosure must teach every element required by the claim under its broadest reasonable interpretation. Furthermore, the Federal Circuit has clarified: A claim is…

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What is anticipation in patent law?

Anticipation in patent law refers to a situation where a claimed invention is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102 because it is not novel over a prior art disclosure. The MPEP states: A claimed invention may be rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102 when the invention is anticipated (or is “not novel”) over a disclosure that is…

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