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

Whenever, without deceptive intention, 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 .)

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.

Amendments

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

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.

Cross References

Right to disclaim and requisites and effect of disclaimer, see section 253 of this title.

Section Referred to in Other Sections

This section is referred to in section 157 of this title.