美国专利权穷竭原则的新进展--LexmarkInternational,Inc.v.ImpressionProducts,Inc案评析

The New Progress of the Doctrine of Patent Exhaustion--Case Study of Lexmark International,Inc. v. Impression Products,Inc

2017年5月,美国最高法院就专利权穷竭原则能否适用于"售后限制"类销售以及合法的海外销售,根据普通法原则"拒绝对动产转让施加限制"全面推翻了联邦巡回上诉法院的判决和先例,明确了专利产品经销售将导致专利权绝对穷竭的态度,即存在"售后限制"协议的专利产品销售不能豁免于专利权穷竭,经专利权人授权的许可销售及合法的专利产品海外销售也将导致专利权穷竭,该判决影响深远。

The Supreme Court overruled the Federal Circuit＇s judgment in Lexmark Case and several previous cases in May this year, which concerning about whether patent exhaustion can be applied in ＂post-sale＂ restriction sales and authorized overseas sales. In the view of The Supreme Court, patent exhaustion is automatic and uniform regardless of any post-sale restrictions and geographical distinctions, as a result both ＂post-sale＂ restrictions sales and authorized overseas sales exhausts all rights under the Patent Act. Since it is the first time the Supreme Court give its definite answer about patent exhaustion in above two kinds of sales, which made Lexmark a significant case to study for the profound impacts of the Supreme Court＇s decisions.