Definition
Anticipation occurs when one piece of prior art discloses every element of a claimed invention, defeating its novelty.
Why It Matters Legally
Anticipation is the most direct way to invalidate or reject a claim because it requires only a single reference. Identifying an anticipatory reference can quickly end a patent dispute.
Example Use Case
A challenger finds one earlier patent showing every feature of a claim and uses it to argue the claim is anticipated and invalid.
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Related Terms
Novelty, Prior Art, Non-Obviousness, Patent Invalidity, Patent Search