Simple English definitions for legal terms
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The repair doctrine is a rule that says if someone is allowed to make, use, or sell a patented thing, they also have the right to fix and replace parts of that thing that are not patented. This is also called the permissible-repair doctrine. It means that if you have permission to use something, you can fix it if it breaks without getting in trouble for infringing on the patent.
The repair doctrine is a rule in patents that allows a licensee who is authorized to produce, use, or distribute a patented device to also have the right to repair and replace unpatented components.
For example, if a company has a license to produce a patented machine, they also have the right to repair and replace any unpatented parts of the machine without infringing on the patent.
This doctrine is also known as the permissible-repair doctrine and is different from the reconstruction doctrine, which does not allow for the replacement of unpatented components.