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Equivalents

Under the doctrine of equivalents a patentee may raise a claim of infringement even though the allegedly infringing product does not literally fulfil all features of the claim. The purpose of the doctrine is to prevent an infringer from stealing the benefit of an invention by changing minor or insubstantial details while retaining the same functionality. Internationally, the criteria for determining equivalents vary. For example, German courts apply a three-step test known as Schneidmesser’s questions. In the UK, the equivalence doctrine was most recently discussed in Eli Lilly v Actavis UK in July 2017. In the US, the function-way-result test is used.

Case Law, Chemical Engineering, Denmark, Equivalents

Technical Equivalents, Supreme Court (Højesteret), 27 March 2009

Peter-Ulrik Plesner/March 27, 2009

In this decision the Danish Supreme Court for the first time uses equivalents as a legal base for violation of a patent. Equivalents have long been a part of Danish patent law, but the Supreme Court has been cautious and reserved concerning their use. The respondent in this case had a Danish patent, concerning a…

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