File Wrapper Estoppel

February 1, 2021
Business person sitting a board room table in front of sunny window
February 1, 2021

Federal Court of Appeal Restricts Admissibility of Foreign Prosecution History

2021 FCA 7: The FCA narrowly interpreted section 53.1 of the Patent Act, refusing to look at a corresponding US application that was not named by number.
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October 28, 2019
Flax seeds (or linseeds)
October 28, 2019

Foreign Prosecution History is Now Admissible in “Extraordinary Circumstances”

2019 FC 1233 – In a dispute over flax seeds, Canada's Federal Court says foreign prosecution history may be admissible under the new s. 53.1 of the Patent Act.
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August 8, 2016
August 8, 2016

FC Calls on Opening Canadian Patent Prosecution File Histories for Claim Construction

2016 FC 883 - The Federal Court followed the longstanding rule against the use of patent prosecution file history in interpreting the claims of a patent, but made a strong case for why the patent prosecution file history is worth considering, as is common practice in the U.S.
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October 18, 2013
October 18, 2013

FC Judge Utilizes File Wrapper to Construe Claims

Distrimedic Inc v Dispill Inc. 2013 FC 1043  Background  The patent at issue is Canadian Patent No. 2,207,045. The product is a kit for the manufacture […]
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