§288. Action for infringement of a patent containing an invalid claim

Whenever a claim of a patent is invalid, an action may be maintained for the infringement of a claim of the patent which may be valid. The patentee shall recover no costs unless a disclaimer of the invalid claim has been entered at the Patent and Trademark Office before the commencement of the suit.

(July 19, 1952, ch. 950, 66 Stat. 813; Pub. L. 93–596, §1, Jan. 2, 1975, 88 Stat. 1949; Pub. L. 112–29, §20(h), Sept. 16, 2011, 125 Stat. 334.)

Historical and Revision Notes

Based on Title 35, U.S.C., 1946 ed., §71 (R.S. 4922).

The necessity for a disclaimer to recover on valid claims is eliminated. See section 253.

Language is changed.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2011—Pub. L. 112–29 struck out ", without deceptive intention," after "Whenever".

1975—Pub. L. 93–596 substituted "Patent and Trademark Office" for "Patent Office".

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2011 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 112–29 effective upon the expiration of the 1-year period beginning on Sept. 16, 2011, and applicable to proceedings commenced on or after that effective date, see section 20(l) of Pub. L. 112–29, set out as a note under section 2 of this title.

Effective Date of 1975 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 93–596 effective Jan. 2, 1975, see section 4 of Pub. L. 93–596, set out as a note under section 1111 of Title 15, Commerce and Trade.