!"#










 



 



 











 
 



















 









 


 






 

 





 





 







 



























 
 

 

 






 


 

 

 





!"#$








%
 
" 
!

&







' &

( 
)*
!

&


"

"
*)+,-
!










  

 
.
(

 
 
.
/,)0
%
 
" 
!

&







' &

( 
 TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. ABBREVIATIONS ....................................................................................................... 2
2. LIST OF CASES CITED ............................................................................................... 3
3. INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................................... 7
4. Patents- A General Overview: ..................................................................................... 11
x Nuances of a patent infringement suit: .................................................................... 12
x Importance of defences in a patent infringement suit: ............................................ 13
x Defences to Patent Infringement Suit:..................................................................... 14
x Classification of defences:....................................................................................... 17
5. Patent Defences in Other Jurisdictions: ....................................................................... 22
x UNITED STATES STATE CODE FOR PATENTS (TITLE 35) ........................... 22
x UNITED KINGDOM PATENT ACT, 1977 ........................................................... 24
6. General Defences ......................................................................................................... 28
x Invalidity of Patents ................................................................................................. 28
x Inequitable Conduct: ................................................................................................ 42
7. Class Defences ............................................................................................................. 45
x Parallel Importation .................................................................................................. 45
x Regulatory or Prior Use defence (Bolar Exemption): .............................................. 55
x FOREIGN VESSELS, AIRCRAFT OR LAND VEHICLES EXCEPTION: ............................... 63
8. Individualised defences ................................................................................................ 66
x Gillette Defence: ...................................................................................................... 67
x Government Use:...................................................................................................... 70
x Prosecution History Estoppel and Reverse Doctrine of Equivalence ...................... 75
x Reverse Doctrine of Equivalence ............................................................................. 78
x Shop Right Defence: ................................................................................................ 81
9. CONCLUSION: ........................................................................................................... 87
x FINDINGS: .............................................................................................................. 87
x Suggestions and Recommendations: ........................................................................ 93
ϭϬ͘ BIBLIOGRAPHY ........................................................................................................ 99