equivalence
Defined in 1 dictionary — Case Law
Definitions from Case Law
From 339 U.S. 605 - Graver Tank & Mfg. Co. v. Linde Air Products Co. · 1950Most cited · 4,955 citing opinions
What constitutes equivalency must be determined against the context of the patent, the prior art, and the particular circumstances of the case. Equivalence, in the patent law, is not the prisoner of a formula and is not an absolute to be considered in a vacuum. It does not require complete identity for every purpose and in every respect.