MPEP SECTION SUMMARY
 The doctrine of equivalents arises in the context of an infringement action. If an accused product or process does not literally infringe a patented invention, the accused product or process may be found to infringe under the doctrine of equivalents. All words in a claim must be considered in judging the patentability of a claim against the prior art. The doctrine of equivalents operates to expand claim coverage beyond the literal scope of claim language. |
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