Legal Definitions - fully met

Definition: When a patent claim has all the same elements as a previous invention or publication, it is considered fully met or anticipated. If a claim is fully met, it is not allowed and if a patent has already been issued, it will be declared invalid.

Example: Let's say someone applies for a patent on a new type of phone case that has a built-in charger. However, if someone else has already invented a phone case with a built-in charger and that invention was published before the patent application, then the patent claim is fully met or anticipated. The patent claim will not be allowed and if a patent has already been issued, it will be declared invalid.

Explanation: This example illustrates how a patent claim can be fully met or anticipated if it has all the same elements as a previous invention or publication. In this case, the patent claim for the new phone case is not allowed because someone else has already invented and published a similar phone case with a built-in charger.