等同原则在专利侵权认定中的适用

Application of the Doctrine of Equivalents in Determing Patent Infringement

等同原则(Doctrine of Equivalents)是认定专利侵权的重要方法。但是,由于等同原则内涵的开放性、适用条件的模糊性,使得在司法实践中对等同原则的适用具有不确定性。文章在详细论述等同原则的内涵、适用要件、禁止性规定的基础上,提出通过完善司法保障机制以使等同原则充分发挥其效力。

The doctrine of equivalents is an important means in determing patent infringement. But due to the openess in its meaning and lack of clarity in the conditions of applying this doctrine, there are some uncertainty. This paper will discuss carefully its connotation, conditions of application and relative prohibitive provisions. Then it makes several suggestions to ensure more effective application of this doctrine by means of perfecting judicial protection system.