What is anticipation in patent law?

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Source: FAQ (MPEP-Based) BlueIron Update: 2024-09-29 10 Rules 5 Related FAQs This page is an FAQ based on guidance from the Manual of Patent Examining Procedure. It is provided as guidance, with links to the ground truth sources. This is information only: it is not legal advice. 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 available as prior art. This means that if every element of a claimed invention can be found in a single prior art reference, the claim is considered anticipated and may be rejected. Related Rules from the Manual of Patent Examining Procedure 10 rules Collapse Invention Must Not Be Anticipated by Prior Art MPEP 2131 Permitted Claim Must Be Anticipated Over Prior Art MPEP 2131 Claim Must Be Anticipated By Single Prior Art Reference MPEP 2131 Claim Must Be Anticipated Broadly MPEP 2131 Required Claim Must Be Fully Anticipated By Single Reference MPEP 2131 Claim Must Be Fully Disclosed In One Reference MPEP 2131 Claim Must Be Fully Described MPEP 2131 Required Claim Covers Multiple Structures Anticipated If Any Known MPEP 2131 Elements Must Match Claim Order MPEP 2131 Required Claims to Same Invention Must Be Rejected MPEP 2139.03 Required Other Related FAQs 5 FAQs Collapse How does anticipation apply to claims covering multiple structures or compositions? How is a claim rejected as anticipated? Is exact wording required for anticipation? What is the &#8220;identical invention&#8221; requirement for anticipation under 35 U.S.C. 102? How does inherency apply to anticipation rejections in patent examination?