The Federal Circuit erased a $106M verdict, holding that canceling a broader claim during prosecution surrenders that subject matter for the doctrine of equivalents.
The Supreme Court held that a good-faith belief in a patent's invalidity does not negate the intent required for induced infringement, while reaffirming that inducement demands knowledge of infringement.
A unanimous Supreme Court held that inducing infringement under Section 271(b) requires a predicate act of direct infringement, refusing to extend liability across divided method steps.
The Supreme Court rejected an absolute bar on equivalents after a narrowing amendment, replacing it with a rebuttable presumption that still governs the doctrine of equivalents today.
