Simple English definitions for legal terms
Read a random definition: affirmant
Term: FULLY MET
Definition: When something is fully met, it means that all the requirements or conditions have been satisfied or fulfilled. In the context of patents, if a claim is fully met by a previous invention or publication, it cannot be patented again. This means that if a patent has already been issued for something that has been fully met, it will be declared invalid.
Definition: When a patent claim has all the same elements as a previous invention or publication, it is considered fully met or anticipated. If a claim is fully met, it is not allowed and if a patent has already been issued, it will be declared invalid.
Example: Let's say someone applies for a patent on a new type of phone case that has a built-in charger. However, if someone else has already invented a phone case with a built-in charger and that invention was published before the patent application, then the patent claim is fully met or anticipated. The patent claim will not be allowed and if a patent has already been issued, it will be declared invalid.
Explanation: This example illustrates how a patent claim can be fully met or anticipated if it has all the same elements as a previous invention or publication. In this case, the patent claim for the new phone case is not allowed because someone else has already invented and published a similar phone case with a built-in charger.