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Simple English definitions for legal terms

file-wrapper estoppel

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A quick definition of file-wrapper estoppel:

File-wrapper estoppel is a legal term that refers to a rule that limits a patent holder's ability to claim that their invention is equivalent to another invention. This rule is based on the fact that during the process of obtaining a patent, the patent holder may have given up certain elements of their invention. As a result, they cannot later claim that those elements are equivalent to another invention. This rule is also known as estoppel on the record or file-wrapper estoppel.

A more thorough explanation:

Definition: File-wrapper estoppel is a legal principle that limits a patent holder's ability to claim infringement based on the doctrine of equivalents. It arises from the prosecution history of a patent, which is the record of communications between the patent applicant and the patent office during the process of obtaining the patent.

Example: Suppose a patent application claims a device with a certain feature, but the patent office rejects the claim as too broad. The applicant then amends the claim to exclude the feature and the patent is granted. Later, the patent holder sues a competitor for infringement, arguing that the competitor's device is equivalent to the patented device. The competitor could argue that the patent holder is estopped from making this claim because they surrendered the feature during the prosecution of the patent.

Explanation: This example illustrates how file-wrapper estoppel can limit a patent holder's ability to assert infringement based on the doctrine of equivalents. By amending the claim to exclude the feature, the patent holder effectively disclaimed it and cannot later argue that the competitor's device infringes based on that feature. This principle helps to ensure that patents are granted only for what is actually invented and claimed, rather than for broader concepts that are later asserted through the doctrine of equivalents.

file-wrapper continuation application | filia

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MIAMI A
[] AromaticTroubledDormouse
20:55
How does one know if they are UR1 or UR2?
[] AromaticTroubledDormouse
20:56
CONGRATS MACAQUE!
TY
got a random stanford email and almost had a heart attack
ALSO CONGRATS!
Congrats1!
21:15
Miami A, yall I'm so excited I could cry.
21:15
Feel like I can finally stop holding my breath!! Whew!!!
[] baddestbunny
22:16
every time I get accosted by a strange man who follows me around because my male coworkers were too busy talking to walk me back to my car I get closer to saying we need to bring back traditional gender roles
Dkk
22:32
Nice! @Macaque
Dkk
22:32
@Aromatic, Have to guess.
Dkk
22:33
That sucks @Bunny do you have to go to the hospital?
[] baddestbunny
22:40
I said accosted not assaulted
23:35
guys. my notre dame address just went long is this good or bad
1a2b3c4d26z
23:37
Oooooo me too
23:37
omg is this good or bad
Dkk
23:47
Idk if gender roles are gunna fix that then.
23:49
it looks like most people who applied in october last cycle didn't get a decision until january... does it even mean anything that our addresses went long??
hows ED 2 compared to ED 1?
Dkk
0:10
No idea
windyMagician
0:34
reporting live to say my ndls address also went long
does it mean anything ^
Dkk
2:21
NDLS and Fordham took a very long time last year. It's good info for people to know.
[] baddestbunny
4:29
let’s get after it boys and girls
Dkk
5:21
I gtg to bed soon.
Dkk
5:22
Big day today. Gunna be a crazy one. I will sleep through the first half.
good morning lsd it is 5 am EST
also jazzy my ndls address went long ages ago i sadly do not think it means anything
my stanford address also went long LOL i think at most it's an indicator it's under review
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