Source: https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid%3AUSC-prelim-title35-chapter29&saved=%7CZ3JhbnVsZWlkOlVTQy1wcmVsaW0tdGl0bGUzNS1zZWN0aW9uMjky%7C%7C%7C0%7Cfalse%7Cprelim&edition=prelim
Timestamp: 2020-08-06 09:39:23
Document Index: 169970876

Matched Legal Cases: ['§19', '§17', '§3', '§1000', '§4102', '§2', '§9004', '§17', '§281', '§282', '§10', '§10', '§161', '§203', '§2', '§1000', '§4402', '§13206', '§15', '§69', '§2', '§1', '§20', '§20', '§15', '§13206', '§1000', '§4402', '§13206', '§1000', '§4732', '§1000', '§4732', '§13206', '§1000', '§4402', '§13206', '§4402', '§4405', '§4732', '§4731', '§70', '§6', '§8', '§1', '§1000', '§4507', '§20', '§285', '§286', '§287', '§9004', '§533', '§101', '§616', '§1000', '§4803', '§3', '§49', '§301', '§201', '§16', '§20', '§20', '§20', '§3', '§533', '§533', '§533', '§533', '§533', '§16', '§288', '§1', '§20', '§71', '§289', '§74', '§1', '§290', '§1000', '§4732', '§13206', '§291', '§3', '§66', '§12', '§20', '§3', '§292', '§533', '§16', '§50', '§16', '§16', '§16', '§16', '§293', '§1', '§9', '§17', '§1000', '§4732', '§13206', '§20', '§13206', '§13206', '§17', '§295', '§9005', '§533', '§296', '§2', '§297', '§1000', '§4102', '§1000', '§4103', '§17', '§1', '§299', '§19', '§1']

[USC02] 35 USC Ch. 29: REMEDIES FOR INFRINGEMENT OF PATENT, AND OTHER ACTIONS
<< Previous TITLE 35 / PART III / CHAPTER 29 Next >>
35 USC Ch. 29: REMEDIES FOR INFRINGEMENT OF PATENT, AND OTHER ACTIONS
From Title 35—PATENTSPART III—PATENTS AND PROTECTION OF PATENT RIGHTS
CHAPTER 29—REMEDIES FOR INFRINGEMENT OF PATENT, AND OTHER ACTIONS
Nonresident patentee, service and notice.1
2011—Pub. L. 112–29, §19(d)(2), Sept. 16, 2011, 125 Stat. 333, added item 299.
Pub. L. 112–29, §17(b), Sept. 16, 2011, 125 Stat. 329, added item 298.
Pub. L. 112–29, §3(h)(2), Sept. 16, 2011, 125 Stat. 289, amended item 291 generally, substituting "Derived patents" for "Interfering patents".
1999—Pub. L. 106–113, div. B, §1000(a)(9) [title IV, §4102(b)], Nov. 29, 1999, 113 Stat. 1536, 1501A-554, added item 297.
1992—Pub. L. 102–560, §2(b), Oct. 28, 1992, 106 Stat. 4230, added item 296.
1988—Pub. L. 100–418, title IX, §§9004(b), 9005(b), Aug. 23, 1988, 102 Stat. 1566, inserted "and other remedies" in item 287 and added item 295.
1982—Pub. L. 97–247, §17(b)(2), Aug. 27, 1982, 96 Stat. 323, added item 294.
§281. Remedy for infringement of patent
A patentee shall have remedy by civil action for infringement of his patent.
The corresponding two sections of existing law are divided among sections 281, 283, 284, 285, 286 and 289 with some changes in language. Section 281 serves as an introduction or preamble to the following sections, the modern term civil action is used, there would be, of course, a right to a jury trial when no injunction is sought.
§282. Presumption of validity; defenses
(a) In General.—A patent shall be presumed valid. Each claim of a patent (whether in independent, dependent, or multiple dependent form) shall be presumed valid independently of the validity of other claims; dependent or multiple dependent claims shall be presumed valid even though dependent upon an invalid claim. The burden of establishing invalidity of a patent or any claim thereof shall rest on the party asserting such invalidity.
(b) Defenses.—The following shall be defenses in any action involving the validity or infringement of a patent and shall be pleaded:
(1) Noninfringement, absence of liability for infringement or unenforceability.
(2) Invalidity of the patent or any claim in suit on any ground specified in part II as a condition for patentability.
(3) Invalidity of the patent or any claim in suit for failure to comply with—
(c) Notice of Actions; Actions During Extension of Patent Term.—In an action involving the validity or infringement of a patent the party asserting invalidity or noninfringement shall give notice in the pleadings or otherwise in writing to the adverse party at least thirty days before the trial, of the country, number, date, and name of the patentee of any patent, the title, date, and page numbers of any publication to be relied upon as anticipation of the patent in suit or, except in actions in the United States Court of Federal Claims, as showing the state of the art, and the name and address of any person who may be relied upon as the prior inventor or as having prior knowledge of or as having previously used or offered for sale the invention of the patent in suit. In the absence of such notice proof of the said matters may not be made at the trial except on such terms as the court requires. Invalidity of the extension of a patent term or any portion thereof under section 154(b) or 156 because of the material failure—
(2) by the Director,
(July 19, 1952, ch. 950, 66 Stat. 812; Pub. L. 89–83, §10, July 24, 1965, 79 Stat. 261; Pub. L. 94–131, §10, Nov. 14, 1975, 89 Stat. 692; Pub. L. 97–164, title I, §161(7), Apr. 2, 1982, 96 Stat. 49; Pub. L. 98–417, title II, §203, Sept. 24, 1984, 98 Stat. 1603; Pub. L. 104–41, §2, Nov. 1, 1995, 109 Stat. 352; Pub. L. 106–113, div. B, §1000(a)(9) [title IV, §§4402(b)(1), 4732(a)(10)(A)], Nov. 29, 1999, 113 Stat. 1536, 1501A-560, 1501A-582; Pub. L. 107–273, div. C, title III, §13206(b)(1)(B), (4), Nov. 2, 2002, 116 Stat. 1906; Pub. L. 112–29, §§15(a), 20(g), (j), Sept. 16, 2011, 125 Stat. 328, 334, 335.)
Derived from Title 35, U.S.C., 1946 ed., §69 (R.S. 4920, amended (1) Mar. 3, 1897, ch. 391, §2, 29 Stat. 692, (2) Aug. 5, 1939, ch. 450, §1, 53 Stat. 1212).
The first paragraph declares the existing presumption of validity of patents.
The five defenses named in R.S. 4920 are omitted and replaced by a broader paragraph specifying defenses in general terms.
The third paragraph, relating to notice of prior patents, publications and uses, is based on part of the last paragraph of R.S. 4920 which was superseded by the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure but which is reinstated with modifications.
2011—Pub. L. 112–29, §20(g)(1), (2)(A), (C), (3), (j), designated first to third pars. as subsecs. (a) to (c), respectively, inserted headings, in subsec. (a), struck out third sentence which read "Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, if a claim to a composition of matter is held invalid and that claim was the basis of a determination of nonobviousness under section 103(b)(1), the process shall no longer be considered nonobvious solely on the basis of section 103(b)(1).", in par. (2) of subsec. (b), struck out "of this title" after "II" and substituted "patentability." for "patentability,", and in introductory provisions of subsec. (c), struck out "of this title" after "156" and substituted "In an action involving the validity or infringement of a patent" for "In actions involving the validity or infringement of a patent" and "Court of Federal Claims" for "Claims Court".
Pub. L. 112–29, §20(g)(2)(B), which directed substitution of "unenforceability." for "uneforceability," in par. (1) of former second par. which was designated subsec. (b), was executed by making the substitution for "unenforceability,", to reflect the probable intent of Congress.
Pub. L. 112–29, §15(a), amended second par. by substituting "(3) Invalidity of the patent or any claim in suit for failure to comply with—
"(A) any requirement of section 112, except that the failure to disclose the best mode shall not be a basis on which any claim of a patent may be canceled or held invalid or otherwise unenforceable; or
"(B) any requirement of section 251."
for "(3) Invalidity of the patent or any claim in suit for failure to comply with any requirement of sections 112 or 251 of this title,".
2002—Third par. Pub. L. 107–273, §13206(b)(4), made technical correction to directory language of Pub. L. 106–113, §1000(a)(9) [title IV, §4402(b)(1)]. See 1999 Amendment note below.
Pub. L. 107–273, §13206(b)(1)(B), made technical correction to directory language of Pub. L. 106–113, §1000(a)(9) [title IV, §4732(a)(10)(A)]. See 1999 Amendment note below.
1999—Third par. Pub. L. 106–113, §1000(a)(9) [title IV, §4732(a)(10)(A)], as amended by Pub. L. 107–273, §13206(b)(1)(B), substituted "(2) by the Director," for "(2) by the Commissioner,".
Pub. L. 106–113, §1000(a)(9) [title IV, §4402(b)(1)], as amended by Pub. L. 107–273, §13206(b)(4), substituted "154(b) or 156 of this title" for "156 of this title".
1995—First par. Pub. L. 104–41 inserted after second sentence "Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, if a claim to a composition of matter is held invalid and that claim was the basis of a determination of nonobviousness under section 103(b)(1), the process shall no longer be considered nonobvious solely on the basis of section 103(b)(1)."
1984—Pub. L. 98–417 inserted provision at end that the invalidity of the extension of a patent term or any portion thereof under section 156 of this title because of the material failure by the applicant for the extension, or by the Commissioner, to comply with the requirements of such section shall be a defense in any action involving the infringement of a patent during the period of the extension of its term and shall be pleaded, and that a due diligence determination under section 156(d)(2) is not subject to review in such an action.
1982—Third par. Pub. L. 97–164 substituted "Claims Court" for "Court of Claims".
1975—First par. Pub. L. 94–131 made presumption of validity applicable to claim of a patent in multiple dependent form and multiple dependent claims and substituted "asserting such invalidity" for "asserting it".
1965—Pub. L. 89–83 required each claim of a patent (whether in independent or dependent form) to be presumed valid independently of the validity of other claims and required dependent claims to be presumed valid even though dependent upon an invalid claim.
Amendment by section 15(a) of Pub. L. 112–29 effective on Sept. 16, 2011, and applicable to proceedings commenced on or after that date, see section 15(c) of Pub. L. 112–29, set out as a note under section 119 of this title.
Amendment by section 20(g), (j) of Pub. L. 112–29 effective upon the expiration of the 1-year period beginning on Sept. 16, 2011, and applicable to proceedings commenced on or after that effective date, see section 20(l) of Pub. L. 112–29, set out as a note under section 2 of this title.
Amendment by section 1000(a)(9) [title IV, §4402(b)(1)] of Pub. L. 106–113 effective on date that is 6 months after Nov. 29, 1999, and, except for design patent application filed under chapter 16 of this title, applicable to any application filed on or after such date, see section 1000(a)(9) [title IV, §4405(a)] of Pub. L. 106–113, set out as a note under section 154 of this title.
Amendment by section 1000(a)(9) [title IV, §4732(a)(10)(A)] of Pub. L. 106–113 effective 4 months after Nov. 29, 1999, see section 1000(a)(9) [title IV, §4731] of Pub. L. 106–113, set out as a note under section 1 of this title.
Amendment by Pub. L. 94–131 effective Jan. 24, 1978, and applicable on and after that date to patent applications filed in the United States and to international applications, where applicable, see section 11 of Pub. L. 94–131, set out as an Effective Date note under section 351 of this title.
Amendment by Pub. L. 89–83 effective 3 months after July 24, 1965, see section 7(a) of Pub. L. 89–83, set out as a note under section 41 of this title.
Based on Title 35, U.S.C., 1946 ed., §70, part (R.S. 4921, amended (1) Mar. 3, 1897, ch. 391, §6, 29 Stat. 694, (2) Feb. 18, 1922, ch. 58, §8, 42 Stat. 392, (3) Aug. 1, 1946, ch. 726, §1, 60 Stat. 778).
This section is the same as the provision which opens R.S. 4921 with minor changes in language.
(July 19, 1952, ch. 950, 66 Stat. 813; Pub. L. 106–113, div. B, §1000(a)(9) [title IV, §4507(9)], Nov. 29, 1999, 113 Stat. 1536, 1501A-566; Pub. L. 112–29, §20(j), Sept. 16, 2011, 125 Stat. 335.)
2011—Second par. Pub. L. 112–29 struck out "of this title" after "154(d)".
1999—Second par. Pub. L. 106–113 inserted at end "Increased damages under this paragraph shall not apply to provisional rights under section 154(d) of this title."
§285. Attorney fees
This section is substantially the same as the corresponding provision in R.S. 4921; "in exceptional cases" has been added as expressing the intention of the present statute as shown by its legislative history and as interpreted by the courts.
§286. Time limitation on damages
In the case of claims against the United States Government for use of a patented invention, the period before bringing suit, up to six years, between the date of receipt of a written claim for compensation by the department or agency of the Government having authority to settle such claim, and the date of mailing by the Government of a notice to the claimant that his claim has been denied shall not be counted as part of the period referred to in the preceding paragraph.
The first paragraph is the same as the provision in R.S. 4921 with minor changes in language, with the added provision relating to the date for counterclaims for infringement.
The second paragraph is new and relates to extending the period of limitations with respect to suits in the Court of Claims in certain instances when administrative consideration is pending.
§287. Limitation on damages and other remedies; marking and notice
(a) Patentees, and persons making, offering for sale, or selling within the United States any patented article for or under them, or importing any patented article into the United States, may give notice to the public that the same is patented, either by fixing thereon the word "patent" or the abbreviation "pat.", together with the number of the patent, or by fixing thereon the word "patent" or the abbreviation "pat." together with an address of a posting on the Internet, accessible to the public without charge for accessing the address, that associates the patented article with the number of the patent, or when, from the character of the article, this can not be done, by fixing to it, or to the package wherein one or more of them is contained, a label containing a like notice. In the event of failure so to mark, no damages shall be recovered by the patentee in any action for infringement, except on proof that the infringer was notified of the infringement and continued to infringe thereafter, in which event damages may be recovered only for infringement occurring after such notice. Filing of an action for infringement shall constitute such notice.
(b)(1) An infringer under section 271(g) shall be subject to all the provisions of this title relating to damages and injunctions except to the extent those remedies are modified by this subsection or section 9006 of the Process Patent Amendments Act of 1988. The modifications of remedies provided in this subsection shall not be available to any person who—
(A) practiced the patented process;
(B) owns or controls, or is owned or controlled by, the person who practiced the patented process; or
(C) had knowledge before the infringement that a patented process was used to make the product the importation, use, offer for sale, or sale of which constitutes the infringement.
(2) No remedies for infringement under section 271(g) shall be available with respect to any product in the possession of, or in transit to, the person subject to liability under such section before that person had notice of infringement with respect to that product. The person subject to liability shall bear the burden of proving any such possession or transit.
(3)(A) In making a determination with respect to the remedy in an action brought for infringement under section 271(g), the court shall consider—
(i) the good faith demonstrated by the defendant with respect to a request for disclosure,
(ii) the good faith demonstrated by the plaintiff with respect to a request for disclosure, and
(iii) the need to restore the exclusive rights secured by the patent.
(B) For purposes of subparagraph (A), the following are evidence of good faith:
(i) a request for disclosure made by the defendant;
(ii) a response within a reasonable time by the person receiving the request for disclosure; and
(iii) the submission of the response by the defendant to the manufacturer, or if the manufacturer is not known, to the supplier, of the product to be purchased by the defendant, together with a request for a written statement that the process claimed in any patent disclosed in the response is not used to produce such product.
The failure to perform any acts described in the preceding sentence is evidence of absence of good faith unless there are mitigating circumstances. Mitigating circumstances include the case in which, due to the nature of the product, the number of sources for the product, or like commercial circumstances, a request for disclosure is not necessary or practicable to avoid infringement.
(4)(A) For purposes of this subsection, a "request for disclosure" means a written request made to a person then engaged in the manufacture of a product to identify all process patents owned by or licensed to that person, as of the time of the request, that the person then reasonably believes could be asserted to be infringed under section 271(g) if that product were imported into, or sold, offered for sale, or used in, the United States by an unauthorized person. A request for disclosure is further limited to a request—
(i) which is made by a person regularly engaged in the United States in the sale of the same type of products as those manufactured by the person to whom the request is directed, or which includes facts showing that the person making the request plans to engage in the sale of such products in the United States;
(ii) which is made by such person before the person's first importation, use, offer for sale, or sale of units of the product produced by an infringing process and before the person had notice of infringement with respect to the product; and
(iii) which includes a representation by the person making the request that such person will promptly submit the patents identified pursuant to the request to the manufacturer, or if the manufacturer is not known, to the supplier, of the product to be purchased by the person making the request, and will request from that manufacturer or supplier a written statement that none of the processes claimed in those patents is used in the manufacture of the product.
(B) In the case of a request for disclosure received by a person to whom a patent is licensed, that person shall either identify the patent or promptly notify the licensor of the request for disclosure.
(C) A person who has marked, in the manner prescribed by subsection (a), the number of the process patent on all products made by the patented process which have been offered for sale or sold by that person in the United States, or imported by the person into the United States, before a request for disclosure is received is not required to respond to the request for disclosure. For purposes of the preceding sentence, the term "all products" does not include products made before the effective date of the Process Patent Amendments Act of 1988.
(5)(A) For purposes of this subsection, notice of infringement means actual knowledge, or receipt by a person of a written notification, or a combination thereof, of information sufficient to persuade a reasonable person that it is likely that a product was made by a process patented in the United States.
(B) A written notification from the patent holder charging a person with infringement shall specify the patented process alleged to have been used and the reasons for a good faith belief that such process was used. The patent holder shall include in the notification such information as is reasonably necessary to explain fairly the patent holder's belief, except that the patent holder is not required to disclose any trade secret information.
(C) A person who receives a written notification described in subparagraph (B) or a written response to a request for disclosure described in paragraph (4) shall be deemed to have notice of infringement with respect to any patent referred to in such written notification or response unless that person, absent mitigating circumstances—
(D) For purposes of this subsection, a person who obtains a product made by a process patented in the United States in a quantity which is abnormally large in relation to the volume of business of such person or an efficient inventory level shall be rebuttably presumed to have actual knowledge that the product was made by such patented process.
(6) A person who receives a response to a request for disclosure under this subsection shall pay to the person to whom the request was made a reasonable fee to cover actual costs incurred in complying with the request, which may not exceed the cost of a commercially available automated patent search of the matter involved, but in no case more than $500.
(c)(1) With respect to a medical practitioner's performance of a medical activity that constitutes an infringement under section 271(a) or (b), the provisions of sections 281, 283, 284, and 285 shall not apply against the medical practitioner or against a related health care entity with respect to such medical activity.
(D) the term "professional affiliation" shall mean staff privileges, medical staff membership, employment or contractual relationship, partnership or ownership interest, academic appointment, or other affiliation under which a medical practitioner provides the medical activity on behalf of, or in association with, the health care entity.
(4) This subsection shall not apply to any patent issued based on an application which has an effective filing date before September 30, 1996.
(July 19, 1952, ch. 950, 66 Stat. 813; Pub. L. 100–418, title IX, §9004(a), Aug. 23, 1988, 102 Stat. 1564; Pub. L. 103–465, title V, §533(b)(5), Dec. 8, 1994, 108 Stat. 4989; Pub. L. 104–208, div. A, title I, §101(a) [title VI, §616], Sept. 30, 1996, 110 Stat. 3009, 3009-67; Pub. L. 106–113, div. B, §1000(a)(9) [title IV, §4803], Nov. 29, 1999, 113 Stat. 1536, 1501A-589; Pub. L. 112–29, §§3(g)(2), 16(a)(1), 20(i)(4), (j), Sept. 16, 2011, 125 Stat. 288, 328, 335.)
Based on Title 35, U.S.C., 1946 ed., §49 (R.S. 4900, amended Feb. 7, 1927, ch. 67, 44 Stat. 1058).
Language is changed. The proviso in the corresponding section of existing statute is omitted as being temporary in character and now obsolete.
Section 9006 of the Process Patent Amendments Act of 1988, referred to in subsec. (b)(1), is section 9006 of title IX of Pub. L. 100–418, which is set out as a note under section 271 of this title.
The effective date of the Process Patent Amendments Act of 1988, referred to in subsec. (b)(4)(C), is the effective date of title IX of Pub. L. 100–418. See section 9006 of Pub. L. 100–418, set out as a note under section 271 of this title.
Section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code, referred to in subsec. (c)(3), is classified to section 501(c) of Title 26, Internal Revenue Code.
The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, referred to in subsec. (c)(3)(B), is act June 25, 1938, ch. 675, 52 Stat. 1040, as amended, which is classified generally to chapter 9 (§301 et seq.) of Title 21, Food and Drugs. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see section 301 of Title 21 and Tables.
The Public Health Service Act, referred to in subsec. (c)(3)(B), is act July 1, 1944, ch. 373, 58 Stat. 682, as amended, which is classified generally to chapter 6A (§201 et seq.) of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 201 of Title 42 and Tables.
The Clinical Laboratories Improvement Act, referred to in subsec. (c)(3)(B), probably means the Clinical Laboratories Improvement Act of 1967, section 5 of Pub. L. 90–174, Dec. 5, 1967, 81 Stat. 536, which enacted section 263a of Title 42 and enacted provisions set out as notes under section 263a of Title 42. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 263a of Title 42 and Tables.
2011—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 112–29, §16(a)(1), substituted "or by fixing thereon the word 'patent' or the abbreviation 'pat.' together with an address of a posting on the Internet, accessible to the public without charge for accessing the address, that associates the patented article with the number of the patent, or when," for "or when,".
Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 112–29, §20(j), struck out "of this title" after "271(g)".
Subsec. (c)(1). Pub. L. 112–29, §20(j), struck out "of this title" after "271(a) or (b)" and after "285".
Subsec. (c)(2)(G). Pub. L. 112–29, §20(i)(4), substituted "any State" for "any state".
Subsec. (c)(4). Pub. L. 112–29, §3(g)(2), substituted "which has an effective filing date before" for "the earliest effective filing date of which is prior to".
1999—Subsec. (c)(4). Pub. L. 106–113 substituted "based on an application the earliest effective filing date of which is prior to September 30, 1996" for "before the date of enactment of this subsection".
1996—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 104–208 added subsec. (c).
1994—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 103–465, §533(b)(5)(A), substituted "making, offering for sale, or selling within the United States" for "making or selling" and inserted "or importing any patented article into the United States," after "under them,".
Subsec. (b)(1)(C). Pub. L. 103–465, §533(b)(5)(B)(i), substituted "use, offer for sale, or sale" for "use, or sale".
Subsec. (b)(4)(A). Pub. L. 103–465, §533(b)(5)(B)(ii), substituted "sold, offered for sale, or" for "sold or" in introductory provisions.
Subsec. (b)(4)(A)(ii). Pub. L. 103–465, §533(b)(5)(B)(iii), substituted "use, offer for sale, or sale" for "use, or sale".
Subsec. (b)(4)(C). Pub. L. 103–465, §533(b)(5)(B)(iv), (v), substituted "have been offered for sale or sold" for "have been sold" and "United States, or imported by the person into the United States, before" for "United States before".
1988—Pub. L. 100–418 inserted "and other remedies" in section catchline, designated existing provisions as subsec. (a), and added subsec. (b).
Amendment by section 3(g)(2) of Pub. L. 112–29 effective upon the expiration of the 18-month period beginning on Sept. 16, 2011, and applicable to certain applications for patent and any patents issuing thereon, see section 3(n) of Pub. L. 112–29, set out as an Effective Date of 2011 Amendment; Savings Provisions note under section 100 of this title.
Pub. L. 112–29, §16(a)(2), Sept. 16, 2011, 125 Stat. 328, provided that: "The amendment made by this subsection [amending this section] shall apply to any case that is pending on, or commenced on or after, the date of the enactment of this Act [Sept. 16, 2011]."
Amendment by section 20(i)(4), (j) of Pub. L. 112–29 effective upon the expiration of the 1-year period beginning on Sept. 16, 2011, and applicable to proceedings commenced on or after that effective date, see section 20(l) of Pub. L. 112–29, set out as a note under section 2 of this title.
Amendment by Pub. L. 103–465 effective on date that is one year after date on which the WTO Agreement enters into force with respect to the United States [Jan. 1, 1995], with provisions relating to earliest filed patent application, see section 534(a), (b)(3) of Pub. L. 103–465, set out as a note under section 154 of this title.
§288. Action for infringement of a patent containing an invalid claim
Whenever a claim of a patent is invalid, an action may be maintained for the infringement of a claim of the patent which may be valid. The patentee shall recover no costs unless a disclaimer of the invalid claim has been entered at the Patent and Trademark Office before the commencement of the suit.
(July 19, 1952, ch. 950, 66 Stat. 813; Pub. L. 93–596, §1, Jan. 2, 1975, 88 Stat. 1949; Pub. L. 112–29, §20(h), Sept. 16, 2011, 125 Stat. 334.)
Based on Title 35, U.S.C., 1946 ed., §71 (R.S. 4922).
The necessity for a disclaimer to recover on valid claims is eliminated. See section 253.
2011—Pub. L. 112–29 struck out ", without deceptive intention," after "Whenever".
1975—Pub. L. 93–596 substituted "Patent and Trademark Office" for "Patent Office".
§289. Additional remedy for infringement of design patent
Based on Title 35, U.S.C., 1946 ed., §§74, 75 (Feb. 4, 1887, ch. 105, §§1, 2, 24 Stat. 387, 388).
§290. Notice of patent suits
The clerks of the courts of the United States, within one month after the filing of an action under this title shall give notice thereof in writing to the Director, setting forth so far as known the names and addresses of the parties, name of the inventor, and the designating number of the patent upon which the action has been brought. If any other patent is subsequently included in the action he shall give like notice thereof. Within one month after the decision is rendered or a judgment issued the clerk of the court shall give notice thereof to the Director. The Director shall, on receipt of such notices, enter the same in the file of such patent.
(July 19, 1952, ch. 950, 66 Stat. 814; Pub. L. 106–113, div. B, §1000(a)(9) [title IV, §4732(a)(10)(A)], Nov. 29, 1999, 113 Stat. 1536, 1501A-582; Pub. L. 107–273, div. C, title III, §13206(b)(1)(B), Nov. 2, 2002, 116 Stat. 1906.)
This is the last sentence of R.S. 4921, third paragraph, with minor changes in language.
2002—Pub. L. 107–273 made technical correction to directory language of Pub. L. 106–113. See 1999 Amendment note below.
1999—Pub. L. 106–113, as amended by Pub. L. 107–273, substituted "Director" for "Commissioner" wherever appearing.
§291. Derived patents
(a) In General.—The owner of a patent may have relief by civil action against the owner of another patent that claims the same invention and has an earlier effective filing date, if the invention claimed in such other patent was derived from the inventor of the invention claimed in the patent owned by the person seeking relief under this section.
(b) Filing Limitation.—An action under this section may be filed only before the end of the 1-year period beginning on the date of the issuance of the first patent containing a claim to the allegedly derived invention and naming an individual alleged to have derived such invention as the inventor or joint inventor.
(July 19, 1952, ch. 950, 66 Stat. 814; Pub. L. 112–29, §§3(h)(1), 20(j), Sept. 16, 2011, 125 Stat. 288, 335.)
Based on Title 35, U.S.C., 1946 ed., §66 (R.S. 4918, amended Mar. 2, 1927, ch. 273, §12, 44 Stat. 1337).
2011—Pub. L. 112–29, §20(j), struck out "of this title" after "146".
Pub. L. 112–29, §3(h)(1), amended section generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: "The owner of an interfering patent may have relief against the owner of another by civil action, and the court may adjudge the question of the validity of any of the interfering patents, in whole or in part. The provisions of the second paragraph of section 146 shall apply to actions brought under this section."
Amendment by section 3(h)(1) of Pub. L. 112–29 effective upon the expiration of the 18-month period beginning on Sept. 16, 2011, and applicable to certain applications for patent and any patents issuing thereon, see section 3(n) of Pub. L. 112–29, set out as an Effective Date of 2011 Amendment; Savings Provisions note under section 100 of this title.
Provisions of 35 U.S.C. 291, as in effect on the day before the expiration of the 18-month period beginning on Sept. 16, 2011, apply to each claim of certain applications for patent, and certain patents issued thereon, for which the amendments made by section 3 of Pub. L. 112–29 also apply, see section 3(n)(2) of Pub. L. 112–29, set out as an Effective Date of 2011 Amendment; Savings Provisions note under section 100 of this title.
§292. False marking
(a) Whoever, without the consent of the patentee, marks upon, or affixes to, or uses in advertising in connection with anything made, used, offered for sale, or sold by such person within the United States, or imported by the person into the United States, the name or any imitation of the name of the patentee, the patent number, or the words "patent," "patentee," or the like, with the intent of counterfeiting or imitating the mark of the patentee, or of deceiving the public and inducing them to believe that the thing was made, offered for sale, sold, or imported into the United States by or with the consent of the patentee; or
Whoever marks upon, or affixes to, or uses in advertising in connection with any article, the words "patent applied for," "patent pending," or any word importing that an application for patent has been made, when no application for patent has been made, or if made, is not pending, for the purpose of deceiving the public—
(July 19, 1952, ch. 950, 66 Stat. 814; Pub. L. 103–465, title V, §533(b)(6), Dec. 8, 1994, 108 Stat. 4990; Pub. L. 112–29, §16(b)(1)–(3), Sept. 16, 2011, 125 Stat. 329.)
Based on Title 35, U.S.C., 1946 ed., §50 (R.S. 4901).
This is a criminal provision. The first two paragraphs of the corresponding section of existing statute are consolidated, a new paragraph relating to false marking of "patent applied for" is added, and false advertising is included in all the offenses. The minimum fine which has been interpreted by the courts as a maximum, is replaced by a higher maximum. The informer action is included as additional to an ordinary criminal action.
2011—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 112–29, §16(b)(1), inserted at end "Only the United States may sue for the penalty authorized by this subsection."
Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 112–29, §16(b)(2), amended subsec. (b) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (b) read as follows: "Any person may sue for the penalty, in which event one-half shall go to the person suing and the other to the use of the United States."
Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 112–29, §16(b)(3), added subsec. (c).
1994—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 103–465, in first par., substituted "used, offered for sale, or sold by such person within the United States, or imported by the person into the United States" for "used, or sold by him" and "made, offered for sale, sold, or imported into the United States" for "made or sold".
Pub. L. 112–29, §16(b)(4), Sept. 16, 2011, 125 Stat. 329, provided that: "The amendments made by this subsection [amending this section] shall apply to all cases, without exception, that are pending on, or commenced on or after, the date of the enactment of this Act [Sept. 16, 2011]."
§293. Nonresident patentee; service and notice
(July 19, 1952, ch. 950, 66 Stat. 814; Pub. L. 93–596, §1, Jan. 2, 1975, 88 Stat. 1949; Pub. L. 112–29, §9(a), Sept. 16, 2011, 125 Stat. 316.)
This section provides for service on non-resident patentees.
2011—Pub. L. 112–29 substituted "United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia" for "United States District Court for the District of Columbia".
Amendment by Pub. L. 112–29 effective Sept. 16, 2011, and applicable to any civil action commenced on or after that date, see section 9(b) of Pub. L. 112–29, set out as a note under section 1071 of Title 15, Commerce and Trade.
(Added Pub. L. 97–247, §17(b)(1), Aug. 27, 1982, 96 Stat. 322; amended Pub. L. 106–113, div. B, §1000(a)(9) [title IV, §4732(a)(10)(A)], Nov. 29, 1999, 113 Stat. 1536, 1501A-582; Pub. L. 107–273, div. C, title III, §13206(a)(19), (b)(1)(B), Nov. 2, 2002, 116 Stat. 1905, 1906; Pub. L. 112–29, §20(j), Sept. 16, 2011, 125 Stat. 335.)
2011—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 112–29 struck out "of this title" after "282".
2002—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 107–273, §13206(a)(19)(A), struck out "United States Code," after "title 9,".
1999—Subsecs. (d), (e). Pub. L. 106–113, as amended by Pub. L. 107–273, §13206(b)(1)(B), substituted "Director" for "Commissioner" wherever appearing.
Pub. L. 97–247, §17(c), Aug. 27, 1982, 96 Stat. 323, provided that: "Sections 5, 6, 8 through 12, and 17(b) of this Act [enacting this section and amending sections 21, 111, 116, and 256 of this title and sections 1058, 1063, 1064, 1065, and 1066 of Title 15, Commerce and Trade] shall take effect six months after enactment [Aug. 27, 1982]."
§295. Presumption: Product made by patented process
In actions alleging infringement of a process patent based on the importation, sale, offer for sale, or use of a product which is made from a process patented in the United States, if the court finds—
(1) that a substantial likelihood exists that the product was made by the patented process, and
(2) that the plaintiff has made a reasonable effort to determine the process actually used in the production of the product and was unable to so determine,
the product shall be presumed to have been so made, and the burden of establishing that the product was not made by the process shall be on the party asserting that it was not so made.
(Added Pub. L. 100–418, title IX, §9005(a), Aug. 23, 1988, 102 Stat. 1566; amended Pub. L. 103–465, title V, §533(b)(7), Dec. 8, 1994, 108 Stat. 4990.)
1994—Pub. L. 103–465 substituted "sale, offer for sale, or use" for "sale, or use" in introductory provisions.
Section effective 6 months after Aug. 23, 1988, and, subject to enumerated exceptions, applicable only with respect to products made or imported after such effective date, see section 9006 of Pub. L. 100–418, set out as an Effective Date of 1988 Amendment note under section 271 of this title.
§296. Liability of States, instrumentalities of States, and State officials for infringement of patents
(a) In General.—Any State, any instrumentality of a State, and any officer or employee of a State or instrumentality of a State acting in his official capacity, shall not be immune, under the eleventh amendment of the Constitution of the United States or under any other doctrine of sovereign immunity, from suit in Federal court by any person, including any governmental or nongovernmental entity, for infringement of a patent under section 271, or for any other violation under this title.
(b) Remedies.—In a suit described in subsection (a) for a violation described in that subsection, remedies (including remedies both at law and in equity) are available for the violation to the same extent as such remedies are available for such a violation in a suit against any private entity. Such remedies include damages, interest, costs, and treble damages under section 284, attorney fees under section 285, and the additional remedy for infringement of design patents under section 289.
(Added Pub. L. 102–560, §2(a)(2), Oct. 28, 1992, 106 Stat. 4230.)
For information regarding constitutionality of this section, as added by section 2(a)(2) of Pub. L. 102–560, see Congressional Research Service, The Constitution of the United States of America: Analysis and Interpretation, Appendix 1, Acts of Congress Held Unconstitutional in Whole or in Part by the Supreme Court of the United States.
Section effective with respect to violations that occur on or after Oct. 28, 1992, see section 4 of Pub. L. 102–560, set out as an Effective Date of 1992 Amendment note under section 2541 of Title 7, Agriculture.
§297. Improper and deceptive invention promotion
(a) In General.—An invention promoter shall have a duty to disclose the following information to a customer in writing, prior to entering into a contract for invention promotion services:
(5) the names and addresses of all previous invention promotion companies with which the invention promoter or its officers have collectively or individually been affiliated in the previous 10 years.
(b) Civil Action.—(1) Any customer who enters into a contract with an invention promoter and who is found by a court to have been injured by any material false or fraudulent statement or representation, or any omission of material fact, by that invention promoter (or any agent, employee, director, officer, partner, or independent contractor of such invention promoter), or by the failure of that invention promoter to disclose such information as required under subsection (a), may recover in a civil action against the invention promoter (or the officers, directors, or partners of such invention promoter), in addition to reasonable costs and attorneys' fees—
(A) the amount of actual damages incurred by the customer; or
(B) at the election of the customer at any time before final judgment is rendered, statutory damages in a sum of not more than $5,000, as the court considers just.
(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), in a case where the customer sustains the burden of proof, and the court finds, that the invention promoter intentionally misrepresented or omitted a material fact to such customer, or willfully failed to disclose such information as required under subsection (a), with the purpose of deceiving that customer, the court may increase damages to not more than three times the amount awarded, taking into account past complaints made against the invention promoter that resulted in regulatory sanctions or other corrective actions based on those records compiled by the Commissioner of Patents under subsection (d).
(1) a "contract for invention promotion services" means a contract by which an invention promoter undertakes invention promotion services for a customer;
(2) a "customer" is any individual who enters into a contract with an invention promoter for invention promotion services;
(3) the term "invention promoter" means any person, firm, partnership, corporation, or other entity who offers to perform or performs invention promotion services for, or on behalf of, a customer, and who holds itself out through advertising in any mass media as providing such services, but does not include—
(A) any department or agency of the Federal Government or of a State or local government;
(B) any nonprofit, charitable, scientific, or educational organization, qualified under applicable State law or described under section 170(b)(1)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986;
(C) any person or entity involved in the evaluation to determine commercial potential of, or offering to license or sell, a utility patent or a previously filed nonprovisional utility patent application;
(D) any party participating in a transaction involving the sale of the stock or assets of a business; or
(E) any party who directly engages in the business of retail sales of products or the distribution of products; and
(4) the term "invention promotion services" means the procurement or attempted procurement for a customer of a firm, corporation, or other entity to develop and market products or services that include the invention of the customer.
(d) Records of Complaints.—
(1) Release of complaints.—The Commissioner of Patents shall make all complaints received by the Patent and Trademark Office involving invention promoters publicly available, together with any response of the invention promoters. The Commissioner of Patents shall notify the invention promoter of a complaint and provide a reasonable opportunity to reply prior to making such complaint publicly available.
(2) Request for complaints.—The Commissioner of Patents may request complaints relating to invention promotion services from any Federal or State agency and include such complaints in the records maintained under paragraph (1), together with any response of the invention promoters.
(Added Pub. L. 106–113, div. B, §1000(a)(9) [title IV, §4102(a)], Nov. 29, 1999, 113 Stat. 1536, 1501A-552.)
Section 170(b)(1)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, referred to in subsec. (c)(3)(B), is classified to section 170(b)(1)(A) of Title 26, Internal Revenue Code.
Pub. L. 106–113, div. B, §1000(a)(9) [title IV, subtitle A, §4103], Nov. 29, 1999, 113 Stat. 1536, 1501A-554, provided that: "This subtitle [enacting this section and provisions set out as a note under section 1 of this title] and the amendments made by this subtitle shall take effect 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [Nov. 29, 1999]."
(Added Pub. L. 112–29, §17(a), Sept. 16, 2011, 125 Stat. 329.)
Pub. L. 112–274, §1(a), Jan. 14, 2013, 126 Stat. 2456, provided that: "Notwithstanding section 35 of the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act [Pub. L. 112–29] (35 U.S.C. 1 note), section 298 of title 35, United States Code, shall apply to any civil action commenced on or after the date of the enactment of this Act [Jan. 14, 2013]."
Except as otherwise provided in Pub. L. 112–29, section effective upon the expiration of the 1-year period beginning on Sept. 16, 2011, and applicable to any patent issued on or after that effective date, see section 35 of Pub. L. 112–29, set out as an Effective Date of 2011 Amendment note under section 1 of this title.
§299. Joinder of parties
(a) Joinder of Accused Infringers.—With respect to any civil action arising under any Act of Congress relating to patents, other than an action or trial in which an act of infringement under section 271(e)(2) has been pled, parties that are accused infringers may be joined in one action as defendants or counterclaim defendants, or have their actions consolidated for trial, only if—
(1) any right to relief is asserted against the parties jointly, severally, or in the alternative with respect to or arising out of the same transaction, occurrence, or series of transactions or occurrences relating to the making, using, importing into the United States, offering for sale, or selling of the same accused product or process; and
(2) questions of fact common to all defendants or counterclaim defendants will arise in the action.
(b) Allegations Insufficient for Joinder.—For purposes of this subsection, accused infringers may not be joined in one action as defendants or counterclaim defendants, or have their actions consolidated for trial, based solely on allegations that they each have infringed the patent or patents in suit.
(c) Waiver.—A party that is an accused infringer may waive the limitations set forth in this section with respect to that party.
(Added Pub. L. 112–29, §19(d)(1), Sept. 16, 2011, 125 Stat. 332; amended Pub. L. 112–274, §1(c), Jan. 14, 2013, 126 Stat. 2456.)
2013—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 112–274 substituted "only if" for "or counterclaim defendants only if" in introductory provisions.
Section applicable to any civil action commenced on or after Sept. 16, 2011, see section 19(e) of Pub. L. 112–29, set out as an Effective Date of 2011 Amendment note under section 1295 of Title 28, Judiciary and Judicial Procedure.