Smithkline Beecham Corp. v. Apotex Corp., 403 F.3d 1331 (Fed. Cir. 2005). · Go Syfert
Smithkline Beecham Corp. v. Apotex Corp., 403 F.3d 1331 (Fed. Cir. 2005). Cases Citing This Book View Copy Cite
235 citation events (235 in the last 25 years) across 35 distinct courts.
Strongest positive: Ironburg Inventions Ltd. v. Valve Corporation (cafc, 2023-04-03)
Treatment trajectory · 2005 → 2026 · click a year to view as-of
2005 2015 2026
Top citers, strongest first. 50 distinct citers. How cited ↗
examined Cited as authority (verbatim quote) Ironburg Inventions Ltd. v. Valve Corporation
Fed. Cir. · 2023 · signal: see · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
the test for indefiniteness does not depend on a potential infringer's ability to ascertain the nature of its own accused product to determine infringe- ment, but instead on whether the claim delineates to a skilled artisan the bounds of the invention.
examined Cited as authority (verbatim quote) Ironburg Inventions Ltd. v. Valve Corporation
Fed. Cir. · 2023 · signal: see · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
the test for indefiniteness does not depend on a potential infringer's ability to ascertain the nature of its own accused product to determine infringe- ment, but instead on whether the claim delineates to a skilled artisan the bounds of the invention.
examined Cited as authority (verbatim quote) Ignite USA, LLC v. Pacific Market International LLC
N.D. Ill. · 2018 · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
the test for indefiniteness does not depend on a potential infringer's ability to ascertain the nature of its own accused product to determine infringement, but instead on whether the claim delineates to a skilled artisan the bounds of the invention.
examined Cited as authority (verbatim quote) Novo Nordisk Pharmaceuticals, Inc. v. Bio-Technology General Corp. (3×) also: Cited as authority (rule)
Fed. Cir. · 2005 · signal: see · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
thus, whether it was actually possible to make pure pch anhydrate before the critical date of the '723 patent is irrelevant. the '196 patent suffices as an anticipatory prior art reference if it discloses in an enabling manner the production of phc hemihydrate.
examined Cited as authority (quoted) Barrette Outdoor Living, Inc. v. Fortress Iron, Lp
Fed. Cir. · 2025 · signal: see also · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence low
the test for indefiniteness does not depend on a potential infringer's ability to ascertain the nature of its own accused product to determine infringement, but in- stead on whether the claim delineates to a skilled artisan the bounds of the invention.
examined Cited as authority (quoted) Harper v. United States
S.D. Miss. · 2024 · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence low
daubert requires a binary choice - admit or exclude - and a judge in a bench trial should have discretion to admit questionable technical evidence, though of course he must not give it more weight than it deserves.
examined Cited as authority (quoted) Pipp Mobile Storage Systems, Inc. v. Innovative Growers Equipment, Inc.
N.D. Ill. · 2022 · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence low
the test for indefiniteness does not depend on a potential infringer's ability to ascertain the nature of its own accused product to determine infringement, but instead on whether the claim delineates to a skilled artisan the bounds of the invention.
examined Cited as authority (quoted) 01 Communique Laboratory, Inc v. Citrix Online, LLC
Fed. Cir. · 2018 · signal: see also · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence low
because apotex seeks to practice the prior art, and because that practice infringes, the next logical inquiry involves anticipation. that is, if the prior art infringes now, logically the prior art should have anticipated the claim before the filing of the ... patent.
discussed Cited as authority (quoted) Smith & Nephew, Inc. v. Arthrex, Inc. (2×) also: Cited as authority (rule)
D. Or. · 2007 · signal: see · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
once the nail has seated tightly, it can be driven in....
cited Cited as authority (rule) ACERTA PHARMA B.V., et al. v. CIPLA LIMITED, et al.; ACERTA PHARMA B.V., et al. v. MSN PHARMACEUTICALS, INC., et al.
D. Del. · 2025 · confidence medium
A wide range of XRPD and 26 values does not, by itself, render a claim indefinite, because “[b]readth is not indefiniteness.” SmithKline Beecham Corp. v. Apotex Corp., 403 F.3d 1331, 1341 (Fed.
cited Cited as authority (rule) Focus Products Group International, LLC v. Kartri Sales Co., Inc.
Fed. Cir. · 2025 · confidence medium
SmithKline Beecham Corp. v. Apotex Corp., 403 F.3d 1331, 1337 (Fed.
examined Cited as authority (rule) Sigray, Inc. v. Carl Zeiss X-Ray Microscopy, Inc. (4×) also: Cited "see"
Fed. Cir. · 2025 · confidence medium
“Moreover, a prior art reference may anticipate without disclosing a feature of the claimed invention if that missing characteristic is necessarily pre- sent, or inherent, in the single anticipating reference.” SmithKline Beecham Corp. v. Apotex Corp., 403 F.3d 1331, 1343 (Fed.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation v. Torrent Pharma Inc.
Fed. Cir. · 2025 · confidence medium
“Claim interpretation requires the court to ascertain the meaning of the claim to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time of invention.” SmithKline Beecham Corp. v. Apotex Corp., 403 F.3d 1331, 1338 (Fed.
cited Cited as authority (rule) Shunock v. Apple, Inc.
S.D.N.Y. · 2025 · confidence medium
While the term may be broad, “breadth is not indefiniteness.” BASF Corp., 875 F.3d at 1367 (quoting Smithkline Beecham Corp. v. Apotex Corp., 403 F.3d 1331, 1341 (Fed.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Exeltis USA, Inc. v. Lupin Ltd. (2×) also: Cited "see"
D. Del. · 2024 · confidence medium
Cir. 2017) (quoting SmithKline Beecham Corp. v. Apotex Corp., 403 F.3d 1331, 1341 (Fed.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) BioNTech SE v. CureVac SE (2×) also: Cited "see"
E.D. Va. · 2024 · confidence medium
Thus, in the context of the broader patent family, it is evident that not all “original” nucleic acid sequences are “wild type” sequences.8 8 Claim construction is “a contextual interpretation of language” and “not a policy- driven inquiry.” SmithKline Beecham Corp. v. Apotex Corp., 403 F.3d 1331, 1339 (Fed.
cited Cited as authority (rule) Corrigent Corporation v. Dell Technologies Inc.
D. Del. · 2024 · confidence medium
Cir. 2017) (quoting SmithKline Beecham Corp. v. Apotex Corp., 403 F.3d 1331, 1341 (Fed.
cited Cited as authority (rule) Pioneer Hi-Bred International Inc. v. Syngenta Seeds, LLC
D. Del. · 2023 · confidence medium
Cir. 2017) (quoting SmithKline Beecham Corp. v. Apotex Corp., 403 F.3d 1331, 1341 (Fed.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation v. MSN Pharmaceuticals Inc.
D. Del. · 2023 · confidence medium
For example, as Novartis argues (D.I. 70 at 6-7), MSN’s ANDA products may contain an amount of infringing material sufficient to raise an infringement theory under SmithKline Beecham Corp. v. Apotex Corp, 403 F.3d 1331, 1341 (Fed.
cited Cited as authority (rule) Allergan, Inc. v. Revance Therapeutics, Inc.
D. Del. · 2023 · confidence medium
Cir. 2017) (quoting SmithKline Beecham Corp. v. Apotex Corp., 403 F.3d 1331, 1341 (Fed.
cited Cited as authority (rule) Genzyme Corporation v. Novartis Gene Therapies, Inc.
D. Del. · 2023 · confidence medium
As noted in section II, supra p. 4, “breadth is not indefiniteness.” BASF, 875 F.3d at 1367 (quoting SmithKline, 403 F.3d at 1341).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Conformis, Inc. v. DePuy Synthes, Inc.
D. Del. · 2023 · confidence medium
Cir. 2017) (quoting SmithKline Beecham Corp. v. Apotex Corp., 403 F.3d 1331, 1341 (Fed.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Baxter Healthcare Corporation v. Nevakar Injectables Inc.
D. Del. · 2023 · confidence medium
But as will be set out below, the remaining intrinsic evidence does not suggest this at all. 9 Nevakar responds to this point in part by arguing that Baxter’s position (i.e., that the phrase “further comprises” means that the “norepinephrine or a salt thereof” must be a separate chemical compound distinct from the “chelating agent”) is an “improper and premature attempt[] to argue noninfringement under the guise of claim construction[.]” (D.I. 67 at 22 (citing SmithKline Beecham Corp. v. Apotex Corp., 403 F.3d 1331, 1339-40 (Fed.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Science Applications International Corp. v. United States
Fed. Cl. · 2021 · confidence medium
Cir. 2017) (“But the inference of indefiniteness simply from the scope finding is legally incorrect: ‘breadth is not indefiniteness.’” (quoting SmithKline Beecham Corp. v. Apotex Corp., 403 F.3d 1331, 1341 (Fed.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Neodron Ltd. v. Texas Instruments Inc.
E.D. Tex. · 2021 · confidence medium
The Federal Circuit held that “the inference of indefiniteness simply from the scope finding is legally incorrect: ‘breadth is not indefiniteness.’” Id. (quoting SmithKline Beecham Corp. v. Apotex Corp., 403 F.3d 1331, 1341 (Fed.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Terves LLC v. Yueyang Aerospace New Materials Co. Ltd. (2×) also: Cited "see"
N.D. Ohio · 2021 · confidence medium
“Breadth is not indefiniteness.” SmithKline Beecham Corp. v. Apotex Corp., 403 F.3d 1331, 1341 (Fed.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Bright Data Ltd. v. code200, UAB
E.D. Tex. · 2021 · confidence medium
The Federal Circuit held that “the inference of indefiniteness simply from the scope finding is legally incorrect: ‘breadth is not indefiniteness.’” Id. (quoting SmithKline Beecham Corp. v. Apotex Corp., 403 F.3d 1331, 1341 (Fed.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Galderma Laboratories v. Teva Pharmaceuticals USA (2×)
Fed. Cir. · 2020 · confidence medium
SmithKline Beecham Corp. v. Apotex Corp., 403 F.3d 1331, 1337 (Fed.
cited Cited as authority (rule) Virnetx Inc. v. the Mangrove Partners
Fed. Cir. · 2019 · confidence medium
It “is not a policy-driven inquiry.” SmithKline Beecham Corp. v. Apotex Corp., 403 F.3d 1331, 1339 (Fed.
cited Cited as authority (rule) Basf Corporation v. Johnson Matthey Inc.
Fed. Cir. · 2017 · confidence medium
But.the inference of indefiniteness simply from the- scope finding is legally incorrect: “breadth is not indefiniteness.” SmithKline Beecham Corp. v. Apotex Corp., 403 F.3d 1331, 1341 (Fed.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) G3 Genuine Guide Gear Inc. v. Marker Deutschland GmbH
W.D. Wash. · 2017 · confidence medium
A prior art reference may also anticipate without disclosing a feature of the claimed invention if the characteristic at issue is “necessarily present, or inherent, in the single anticipating reference.” SmithKline Beecham Corp. v. Apotex Corp., 403 F.3d 1331, 1343 (Fed.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Kahr v. Cole
E.D. Wis. · 2016 · confidence medium
Cir. 2003). “[A] prior art reference may anticipate without disclosing a feature of the claimed invention if that missing feature is necessarily present, or inherent, in the single anticipating reference.” SmithKline Beecham Corp. v. Apotex Corp., 403 F.3d 1331, 1343 (Fed.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Eli Lilly & Co. v. Perrigo Co.
S.D. Ind. · 2016 · confidence medium
Even if a reference does not explicitly disclose a feature of the claimed invention, a prior art reference may still be deemed to anticipate “if that missing characteristic is necessarily present, or inherent, in the single anticipating reference.” SmithKline Beecham Corp. v. Apotex Corp,, 403 F.3d 1331, 1343 (Fed.Cir.2005) (citing Continental Can Co. v. Monsanto Co., 948 F.2d 1264, 1268 (Fed.Cir.1991)).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Cumberland Pharmaceuticals, Inc. v. Mylan Institutional LLC
N.D. Ill. · 2015 · confidence medium
SmithKline Beecham Corp. v. Apotex Corp., 403 F.3d 1331, 1343 (2005).
cited Cited as authority (rule) U.S. Water Services, Inc. v. Novozymes A/S
W.D. Wis. · 2015 · confidence medium
SmithKline Beecham Corp. v. Apotex Corp., 403 F.3d 1331, 1343 (Fed.Cir.2005).
cited Cited as authority (rule) GPNE Corp. v. Apple Inc.
N.D. Cal. · 2015 · confidence medium
Corp., 587 F.3d 1339, 1352 (Fed.Cir.2009); SmithKline Beecham Corp. v. Apotex Corp., 403 F.3d 1331, 1341 (Fed.Cir.2005) (“[B]readth is not indefiniteness.” (quotation and citation omitted)).
examined Cited as authority (rule) Procter & Gamble Co. v. Team Technologies, Inc. (4×) also: Cited "see, e.g."
S.D. Ohio · 2014 · confidence medium
SmithKline, 403 F.3d at 1341.
cited Cited as authority (rule) Janssen Products, L.P. v. Lupin Ltd.
D.N.J. · 2014 · confidence medium
SmithKline Beecham Corp. v. Apotex Corp., 403 F.3d 1331, 1346 (Fed.Cir.2005).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Allergan, Inc. v. Apotex Inc.
Fed. Cir. · 2014 · confidence medium
SmithKline Beecham Corp. v. Apotex Corp., 403 F.3d 1331, 1344 (Fed.
cited Cited as authority (rule) Emblaze Ltd. v. Apple Inc.
N.D. Cal. · 2014 · confidence medium
Medtronic Vascular Inc. v. Abbott Cardiovascular Sys., Inc., 614 F.Supp.2d 1006, 1014 (N.D.Cal.2009) (citing SmithKline Beecham Corp. v. Apotex Corp., 403 F.3d 1331, 1342 (Fed.Cir.2005)). .
cited Cited as authority (rule) Dey, L.P. v. Teva Parenteral Medicines, Inc.
N.D.W. Va. · 2014 · confidence medium
SmithKline Beecham Corp. v. Apotex Corp., 403 F.3d 1331, 1343 (2005). 2.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) MeadWestVaco Corp. v. Rexam Beauty & Closures, Inc.
Fed. Cir. · 2013 · confidence medium
SmithKline Beecham Corp. v. Apotex Corp., 403 F.3d 1331, 1340-41 (Fed.Cir.2005) ("The test for indefiniteness does not depend on a potential infringer’s ability to ascertain the nature of its own accused product to determine infringement, but instead on whether the claim delineates to a skilled artisan the bounds of the invention.”).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Biosig Instruments, Inc. v. Nautilus, Inc. (2×)
Fed. Cir. · 2013 · confidence medium
SmithKline Beecham Corp. v. Apotex Corp., 403 F.3d 1331, 1340-41 (Fed.Cir.2005).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) B-K Lighting, Inc. v. Vision3 Lighting
C.D. Cal. · 2013 · confidence medium
Although anticipation is a question of fact, where there are no “genuine factual disputes underlying the anticipation inquiry, the issue is ripe for judgment as a matter of law.” SmithKline Beecham Corp. v. Apotex Corp., 403 F.3d 1331, 1343 (Fed.Cir.2005), cert. denied, 547 U.S. 1218 , 126 S.Ct. 2887 , 165 L.Ed.2d 938 (2006).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Apple, Inc. v. Samsung Electronics Co.
N.D. Cal. · 2013 · confidence medium
Reynolds Tobacco Co., 537 F.3d 1357, 1373 (Fed.Cir.2008) (quoting Invitrogen Corp. v. Biocrest Mfg., L.P., 424 F.3d 1374, 1384 (Fed.Cir.2005) (quoting SmithKline Beecham Corp. v. Apotex Corp., 403 F.3d 1331, 1341 (Fed.Cir.2005))).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Jacobs Vehicle Equipment Co. v. Pacific Diesel Brake Co.
D. Conn. · 2011 · confidence medium
Prior art “must be sufficient to enable one with ordinary skill in the art to practice the invention.” SmithKline Beecham Corp. v. Apotex Corp., 403 F.3d 1331, 1342 (Fed.Cir.2005) (quoting Minn. Mining & Mfg.
cited Cited as authority (rule) Only the First, Ltd. v. Seiko Epson Corp.
N.D. Ill. · 2011 · confidence medium
SmithKline Beecham Corp. v. Apotex Corp., 403 F.3d 1331, 1343 (2005).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Meadwestvaco Corp. v. Rexam Plc
E.D. Va. · 2011 · confidence medium
Indefiniteness “does not depend on a potential infringer’s ability to ascertain the nature of its own accused product to determine infringement, but instead on whether the claim delineates to a skilled artisan the bounds of the invention.” SmithKline Beecham Corp. v. Apotex Corp., 403 F.3d 1331, 1340-41 (Fed.Cir.2005).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Volterra Semiconductor Corp. v. Primarion, Inc.
N.D. Cal. · 2011 · confidence medium
SmithKline Beecham Corp. v. Apotex Corp., 403 F.3d 1331, 1343 (Fed.Cir.2005).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Wellman, Inc. v. Eastman Chemical Co.
Fed. Cir. · 2011 · confidence medium
“The review of indefiniteness under 35 U.S.C. § 112 , paragraph 2, proceeds as a question of law without deference.” SmithKline Beecham Corp. v. Apotex Corp., 403 F.3d 1331, 1338 (Fed.Cir.2005).
Retrieving the full opinion text from the archive…
Smithkline Beecham Corp.
v.
Apotex Corp.
2003-1285.
Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.
Apr 12, 2005.
403 F.3d 1331

United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit

ERRATA

April 12, 2005

Appeal No. 03-1285,-1313 Smithkline Beecham v Apotex Corp., Majority Precedential Opinion

Decided: April 8, 2005

In the majority opinion, page 4, third line from the bottom:

Delete the word “anhydrate” and insert in its place “hemihydrate”