Intel Corporation (Intel), Atmel Corporation (Atmel), and General Instrument Corporation and Microchip Technology Incorporated (collectively GI/M) have each filed an appeal from certain aspects1 of the Opinion (Decision) and Order, issued March 16, 1989, by the United States International Trade Commission (Commission), in Certain Erasable Programmable Read Only Memories, Components Thereof, Products Containing Such Memories, And Processes For Making Such Memories, 12 ITRD 1088 (1989). The Order prohibited Atmel and GI/M (and other parties in that proceeding) from importing into the United States certain Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memories (hereinafter EPROMs)2 found to infringe one or more of Intel's United States patents.3 We affirm-in-part, reverse-in-part, and vacate-in-part.

* An investigation was begun by the Commission in September 1987, under section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930, codified as amended at 19 U.S.C. § 1337 (1988), in response to a complaint filed by Intel alleging unfair acts and unfair methods of competition in the importation and sale of certain EPROMs by seven respondents, including Atmel and GI/M. See 19 U.S.C. § 1337(a)(1) (1988).

In the complaint, Intel alleged that the respondents violated section 337 by importing EPROMs which infringed six Intel U.S. product patents and two Intel U.S. process patents (one of which was withdrawn from consideration).4 Section 337 permits the Commission to exclude from the United States any goods that violate the provisions of that section. 19 U.S.C. § 1337(e)(1). The Commission may also order any party violating section 337 "to cease and desist from engaging in the unfair methods or acts involved." 19 U.S.C. § 1337(f)(1).

The respondents challenged the validity and enforceability of the asserted patents, as well as Intel's allegations of infringement. The investigation was assigned to an administrative law judge (ALJ) who produced a 350-page initial determination (ID) detailing the facts and resolving the numerous issues presented by the parties. On review of the ID, the Commission affirmed many of the ALJ's determinations, ordered review of certain portions of the ID, and requested written submissions on those and other issues. In another prodigious effort, the Commission made 143 pages of additional findings and conclusions. The following table summarizes how the Commission disposed of the validity and infringement issues for each of the Intel patents:5

On the basis of its Decision, the Commission entered a limited exclusion order preventing the importation of, inter alia, the EPROMs manufactured abroad by or for Atmel (64K, 256K, 51 Series, and 1024K), and GI/M (256K and 51 Series). Order at 7-8. In addition, the Commission ordered Atmel and GI/M to cease and desist from "importing, selling for importation, assembling, testing, performing manufacturing steps with respect to, using, marketing, distributing, offering for sale, or selling" EPROMs which were determined to be infringing. Decision at 5.

The issues before us on appeal and cross-appeal include: (1) Atmel's claim that its EPROMs are noninfringing because they are manufactured by Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. and Tokyo Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. (collectively Sanyo) under a broad cross-licensing agreement between Sanyo and Intel; (2) Atmel's claim that the '084 patent is invalid; (3) Atmel's and GI/M's challenge to the Commission's finding that their "old" 51 Series EPROM's infringe the '084 patent; (4) Atmel's and GI/M's claim that Intel's '050 patent is invalid and not infringed; (5) GI/M's challenge to the validity of claim 2 of the '394 patent; (6) Intel's argument that GI/M cannot challenge the '394 patent's validity because of the doctrine of assignor estoppel; and (7) Atmel's and GI/M's claim that their EPROMs do not infringe claim 2 of the '394 patent.8II

A. Atmel argues that its EPROMs did not infringe any of the Intel patents because the EPROMs were made by Sanyo under Sanyo's cross-licensing agreement with Intel (the Intel/Sanyo agreement). The agreement grants Sanyo the right to make, use and sell "any Sanyo ... products" under Intel's patents. Intel contends that Sanyo is not licensed to manufacture another corporation's goods, i.e., under industry terminology Sanyo may not act as a "foundry." Because Intel licensed only Sanyo products,9 Intel argues that the cross-license did not authorize Sanyo to manufacture Atmel-designed EPROMs for Atmel, for that would be the manufacture of "Atmel" products rather than "Sanyo" products. The ALJ framed the license defense issue as "whether Sanyo was licensed by Intel to make an Atmel EPROM, using Atmel's design, putting Atmel's name and product designation on the EPROM, and selling the EPROM to Atmel for resale as an Atmel product." ID at 25.

If the Intel/Sanyo agreement permits Sanyo to act as a foundry for another company for products covered by the Intel patents, the purchaser of those licensed products from Sanyo would be free to use and/or resell the products. Such further use and sale is beyond the reach of the patent statutes. See United States v. Univis Lens Co., 316 U.S. 241, 250-52, 62 S. Ct. 1088, 1093-94, 86 L. Ed. 1408 (1942) (the first vending of any article manufactured under a patent puts the article beyond the reach of the patent).

Section 14.5 of the Intel/Sanyo agreement states that "[t]his Agreement shall be governed by and subject to and construed according to the laws of the State of California." Under California law, the interpretation of a contract is a question of law, to the extent that it is based on the language of the agreement. Clark v. Rancho Santa Fe Ass'n, 216 Cal. App. 3d 606, 618, 265 Cal. Rptr. 41, 47 (1989); see also Kern Oil & Refining Co. v. Tenneco Oil Co., 840 F.2d 730, 736 (9th Cir.1988). When interpreting a contract, we must, where possible, give meaning and purpose to every term used in the contract. See, e.g., Beck v. American Health Group Int'l, Inc., 211 Cal. App. 3d 1555, 1566, 260 Cal. Rptr. 237, 244 (1989) (citing Jensen v. Traders & General Ins. Co., 52 Cal. 2d 786, 345 P.2d 1 (1959)); see also Fortec Constructors v. United States, 760 F.2d 1288, 1292 (Fed.Cir.1985). In resolving what the parties meant by limiting the license only to Sanyo products, we try to ascertain and give effect to the intent of the parties at the time the contract was signed. See Moss Dev. Co. v. Geary, 41 Cal. App. 3d 1, 9, 115 Cal. Rptr. 736, 741 (1974); Cal.Civ.Code. §§ 1636, 1641, 1652-53 (1985); see also Ralden Partnership v. United States, 891 F.2d 1575, 1577 (Fed.Cir.1989).

In determining that the Intel/Sanyo agreement did not cover foundry rights, the ALJ reasoned:

It is reasonable to assume that the parties meant to exclude parts that one party made as foundry for another company, using the other company's design, parts intended to be sold as the other company's parts under the other company's name, and not just used as Sanyo components in a larger product made by another company.

The interpretation of the licensing agreement as proposed by Atmel would mean that any company that was unable to obtain a license from Intel but still wanted to make its own parts practicing Intel patents could employ Sanyo as a foundry and circumvent Intel's patents. Without something to explain why the parties would have intended such a result, the agreement will not be given this strained construction.

ID at 28 (citation omitted, emphasis added). By not reviewing the ALJ's decision on this issue, the Commission adopted that decision. Commission Rule 210.53(h), 53 Fed.Reg. 33,070 (1988) (codified at 19 C.F.R. § 210.53(h) (1990)).

While there is no indication in the agreement as to what the parties meant by the "Sanyo" limitation, the use of that language in paragraph 3.5 clearly evinces that the parties intended to restrict the grant in some manner.

Atmel argues that the "Sanyo" limitation in paragraph 3.5 was only intended to prevent the transfer of "have made" rights to Sanyo, i.e., to prevent Sanyo from hiring another company to manufacture licensed products for Sanyo. Atmel urges that its interpretation of paragraph 3.5 is supported by a letter containing a summary of the amendments prepared by a member of Intel's negotiating team in connection with a later extension of the Intel/Sanyo agreement. This letter describes the amended agreement as being unchanged insofar as it is a "[g]eneral patent cross license without 'have made' rights."10 In this connection, Atmel contends that paragraph 3.8 cannot be read as excluding "have made" rights. Further, it argues that if any portion of the contract excludes "have made" rights, as suggested in the letter, it must be the "Sanyo" limitation in paragraph 3.5. Finally, because the letter expressly states that the agreement excludes "have made" rights and fails to say that foundry rights are similarly excluded, Atmel draws the conclusion that Intel believed its license to Sanyo included foundry rights.

Although the ALJ did not specifically mention the letter,11 she did fully consider and reject Atmel's arguments regarding the source of the "have made" exclusion. In referring to paragraph 3.8, the ALJ said that neither party intended to rely upon any implied license from Intel to Sanyo and that this provision "prevent[s] any implication of 'have made' rights under the license." ID at 24. Noting that there was no evidence indicating that Intel knew Sanyo might act as a foundry for other unlicensed companies, that Sanyo's license in paragraph 3.5 was world-wide and royalty-free, and that Intel would not receive any further consideration no matter how many companies went to Sanyo for parts that infringed Intel patents, the ALJ posed the hypothetical question: Could Intel have intended that any company in the world could get Sanyo to make its parts without having to get its own license from Intel on Intel's patents? The ALJ's answer was that, in the absence of evidence of any such intent on the part of the parties to the contract, this construction of the license agreement would not be adopted. The ALJ concluded:

The language at issue in the license agreement lends itself to another meaning that is more plausible: that both parties intended that Sanyo and Intel would have the right to make, use and sell their own parts without the constraints imposed by the patent rights of the other party.

....

It seems unlikely that the word "Sanyo" was used here to prevent Sanyo from having parts that use Intel patents made for Sanyo by others. The license already prevents the implication of "have made" rights. The use of the word "Sanyo" to impose a restriction against "have made" rights would have been ambiguous and not the customary way to express this restriction.

ID at 27.

We agree that Atmel has not established its license defense to infringement, and that the ALJ's reasoning is persuasive. Moreover, the ALJ's interpretation is consistent with other provisions of the agreement.

The language of paragraph 3.5 grants Sanyo a world-wide, royalty-free license to practice "Intel Patents." The agreement defines the term "Intel Patents" broadly, covering "any and all" patents that Intel "owns or controls," including those of its subsidiaries. The only limitations in paragraph 3.5 are that Sanyo (1) may not sublicense, except to subsidiaries, and (2) may only make, use and sell "Sanyo ... products." Atmel's argument is that the "Sanyo" limitation precludes only "have made" rights, and Sanyo otherwise has an unlimited, royalty-free right to practice all Intel patents. Put another way, anything manufactured by Sanyo that utilizes any Intel patent is subject to the royalty-free license of paragraph 3.5.

Atmel's interpretation, however, tends to create an internal inconsistency in the agreement. Paragraphs 4.3 and 4.4 of the agreement require that Sanyo pay royalties to Intel on the sales of specific Intel chips made by Sanyo and on derivative products based on those chips, whether developed jointly or by Sanyo. Interpreting paragraph 3.5 as broadly as Atmel desires would encompass these chips and derivative products as royalty-free. For consistency of the agreement as a whole, the words "Sanyo ... products" as used in paragraph 3.5 are properly construed to cover only Sanyo designed and manufactured products and to exclude parts designed by others.

Such a consistent reading precludes the royalty-free, foundry manufacture by Sanyo of an "Atmel EPROM, using Atmel's design, putting Atmel's name and product designation on the EPROM, and selling the EPROM to Atmel for resale as an Atmel product." ID at 25. Atmel had the burden of proving its defense to infringement, Met-Coil Sys. Corp. v. Korners Unlimited, Inc., 803 F.2d 684, 687, 231 U.S.P.Q. (BNA) 474, 476 (Fed.Cir.1986), and we are convinced that the Commission properly determined that Atmel failed to do so.

Turning now to the Commission's holdings as to validity and infringement issues, we will consider the Intel patents in the reverse order of issuance.12

The '084 patent issued on August 4, 1987, and relates to "circuitry for enabling an EPROM to be programmed selectively for addressing either the full memory array (i.e., in a 'non-page mode') or for addressing the array by 'pages' (i.e., in a 'page mode')." Decision at 79.

Atmel13 argues that the '084 patent is invalid because the 27C512/13 EPROMs which embody the invention were placed on sale more than a year before the application's filing date of June 7, 1985. 35 U.S.C. § 102(b) (1988). Under 35 U.S.C. § 282 a patent is presumed valid, and proof of its invalidity requires "clear and convincing" evidence. Buildex, Inc. v. Kason Indus., Inc., 849 F.2d 1461, 1463, 7 USPQ2d 1325, 1326-27 (Fed.Cir.1988).

It is undisputed that Intel distributed the 27C512/13 EPROMs to its sales force prior to June 7, 1984, the critical, or statutory bar, date, and that the chips were eventually sold to Intel's customers. The sole issue is whether any sales or offers to sell took place before the critical date. See In re Caveney, 761 F.2d 671, 676, 226 U.S.P.Q. (BNA) 1, 4 (Fed.Cir.1985). The ALJ made the following findings:

[A] sales conference was held in Phoenix, Arizona during the week of May 15, 1984. At that meeting 50 samples of the Intel 27C512/13 were distributed to 50 Intel salesmen.

....

The Intel sales conference in Phoenix was attended only by Intel personnel.... At the Phoenix conference, no sales person was allowed to take more than one 27512/13 [sic] sample.

....

Each of the samples given to the Intel salesmen at the Phoenix meeting during the week of May 15, 1984, about three weeks before the statutory bar, included the page mode circuit described and claimed in the '084 patent. No restriction was placed on the Intel salesmen as to how they could dispose of the 27C512/13 samples. The salesmen were expected to pass the samples on to their customers.

....

Intel was seeking commercial advantage by its distribution of 27512 [sic] samples before the critical date. Intel was trying to catch up with AMD [a competitor] in the marketplace.

....

... Intel's engineering samples are pre-production samples that are not available for sale. The Intel sales activities at and after the Phoenix meeting were clearly commercial in intent, however, and if it were clear that they occurred before the critical date, they would constitute an on-sale bar under 35 U.S.C. § 102(b). The distribution of the 512/13 samples to Intel customers before the critical date would constitute an on-sale bar against the validity of the patent pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 102(b), but respondents did not prove by clear and convincing objective evidence that any of these customers in fact received the part before June 7.

ID at 236-40 (citations omitted, emphasis added).

The Commission, in agreeing that Atmel had failed to establish the on-sale bar defense, stated:

[We agree] with the ALJ that respondents failed to prove the existence of an invalidating on-sale bar under 35 U.S.C. § 102(b). One would have to engage in extensive inference drawing to conclude that Intel's 27C512/513 part was actually sold or offered for sale more than a year prior to the filing of the application that matured into the '084 patent. Such inference drawing does not in the Commission's view rise to the level of clear and convincing evidence. The Commission adopts the ALJ's factual findings and conclusions of law to the extent they are not inconsistent with the Commission's determination.

Decision at 84 (emphasis added).

Whether a particular activity raises the on-sale bar is a question of law, based on underlying factual considerations. See, e.g., J.A. LaPorte, Inc. v. Norfolk Dredging Co., 787 F.2d 1577, 229 U.S.P.Q. (BNA) 435 (Fed.Cir.1986); Shatterproof Glass Corp. v. Libbey-Owens Foods Co., 758 F.2d 613, 225 U.S.P.Q. (BNA) 634 (Fed.Cir.1985).

The "on-sale" bar encourages early disclosure and prevents extension of the statutory patent term. See King Instrument Corp. v. Otari Corp., 767 F.2d 853, 226 U.S.P.Q. (BNA) 402 (Fed.Cir.1985). A single sale or offer to sell is enough to bar patentability. Caveney, 761 F.2d at 676, 226 USPQ at 4. Even free distribution of a prototype may raise the on-sale bar if it is done to solicit a sale. Stearns v. Beckman Instruments, Inc., 737 F.2d 1565, 222 U.S.P.Q. (BNA) 457 (Fed.Cir.1984).

Atmel argues that the ALJ made all the findings necessary to raise the on-sale bar--(1) that the claimed invention was reduced to practice by Intel prior to the critical date; (2) that three weeks before the critical date, Intel gave the EPROMs embodying the claimed invention to salesmen; (3) that these salesmen were expected to distribute the samples to their customers; and (4) that Intel was seeking a commercial advantage by its distribution of samples before the critical date.

Although these findings may go far toward establishing an on-sale bar, they are insufficient, standing alone, for us to conclude that the Commission erred in refusing to find that any 512/13-type EPROMs were actually sold or offered for sale to Intel's customers. The ALJ found that, while it was "likely" that Intel's customers received the EPROMs before the critical date, Atmel had not proven this by clear and convincing evidence. Intel's distribution of the EPROMs to its own sales staff did not constitute a statutory bar. It is not a violation of the on-sale bar to make preparations for the sale of a claimed invention--an actual sale or offer to sell must be proved. 35 U.S.C. § 102(b). See also UMC Elec. Co. v. United States, 816 F.2d 647, 2 USPQ2d 1465 (Fed.Cir.1987).

Atmel offered no evidence, direct or circumstantial, showing that Intel made offers or sales before the initial date. All Atmel proved was that such offers or sales may have been "likely." As the Commission pointed out, "[o]ne would have to engage in extensive inference drawing to conclude that Intel's 27C512/513 part was actually sold or offered for sale more than a year prior to the filing of the application." Decision at 84. Clear and convincing evidence has been described as evidence which proves in the mind of the trier of fact "an abiding conviction that the truth of [the] factual contentions are [sic] 'highly probable.' " Colorado v. New Mexico, 467 U.S. 310, 316, 104 S. Ct. 2433, 2438, 81 L. Ed. 2d 247 (1984) (citation omitted); see also Buildex, 849 F.2d at 1463, 7 USPQ2d at 1326-27. The extensive inferences Atmel would draw from the evidence presented are not the clear and convincing proof required. Thus, Atmel has failed to carry its burden of proof that a sale or offer to sell was made before June 7, 1984. 35 U.S.C. § 282; see also UMC, 816 F.2d at 657, 2 USPQ2d at 1472. Accordingly, we affirm the Commission's determination that the '084 patent was not proven to be invalid.

Before the Commission, Intel alleged that Atmel's and GI/M's "old" design 51 Series EPROMs infringed claims 1-10 of the '084 patent and that their "new" design 51 Series EPROMs infringe claims 1-4. Intel did not assert that any other EPROMs infringed the '084 patent. The ALJ determined that both Atmel's and GI/M's "old" design 51 Series EPROMs infringed claim 1 of the '084 patent under the doctrine of equivalents, but that the "new" design 51 Series EPROMs did not infringe that patent. On review, the Commission affirmed both decisions.14

The '084 patent discloses an integrated circuit read-only memory with a programmable selection means for selecting alternative addressing modes. Claim 1 of the '084 patent reads:

1. In an integrated circuit, read-only memory having n address lines used for accessing p words in one addressing mode, an improvement for providing an alternate addressing mode, comprising:

programmable selection means for selecting said alternate addressing mode; storage means for storing at least one signal; an address buffer coupled to one of said n address

lines, said buffer also being coupled to said storage means and said programmable selection means, the output of said buffer being controlled by said signal stored in said storage means when said alternate addressing mode is selected,

whereby when said alternate addressing mode is selected said p words in said memory may be selected with less than n address signals.

The special circuit disclosed in the '084 patent permits the address buffer to accept either input from the storage means or from the address line. (Huber Tr. 4783.) Which one is selected depends on whether page mode addressing has been selected. In non-page mode, the address buffer accepts the signal from the address line. In page mode, the address buffer accepts the signal stored in the latch. (Intel Ex. 15, col. 3, lines 5-18; Huber Tr. 4783.)

The special address buffer disclosed in the patent can perform normal address input signal processing, it can receive the logic signal stored in the latch, it can send a signal derived either from the address input or from the latch input, and it can implement page mode addressing when directed to do so by the programmable selection means. (Huber Tr. 4782-84.)

Respondents' old '512 parts do not have an address buffer coupled to the storage means or latch, as that term has been construed in the patent claims. Instead ... Atmel15 has a multiplexer. The multiplexer does not buffer the signal. It receives multiple signals and selects signals to be passed on to the decoder circuitry depending on whether the part is programmed for page mode or normal addressing. (Gust Perlegos Tr. 5064-65; Atmel Ex. 220.)

ID at 257 (emphasis in original).

Atmel's and GI/M's primary argument is that the accused device has no component which corresponds to the claimed "address buffer." The ALJ's findings make this argument unpersuasive. While it is true that the accused EPROMs use a multiplexer rather than an address buffer, the ALJ determined that the address buffer of the '084 patent contains additional circuitry to permit it to accept input from alternative sources and that this same function was performed in the accused device by a multiplexer. The ALJ expressly found that the "multiplexer ... is the functional equivalent of the special address buffer as it is described in the '084 patent specification." ID at 259. Moreover, the ALJ found that the buffering function performed by the special address buffer of the '084 patent was performed in the accused EPROMs "in another circuit" before being stored in the latch. ID at 259. The ALJ's findings were stated as follows:

The respondents' 27C512/513/515 parts using the old designs contain each element required by claim 1 of the '084 patent except the special address buffer. The do not literally infringe claims 1-10 of the '084 patent. The fact that a buffer circuit selects which signals are sent to the decoder in the embodiment in the patent does not mean that the use of a buffer circuit is a significant part of the invention and that nothing else can perform that function.

ID at 258-59. Based on these findings, the ALJ concluded that the accused EPROMs perform substantially the same function in substantially the same way to achieve substantially the same result. The Commission affirmed this conclusion, stating:

Both the multiplexer and the address buffer use an addressing signal to select a particular memory cell from an incoming address pin or latch. Thus, the accused circuits infringe claim 1 under the doctrine of equivalents because they perform substantially the same function in substantially the same way to obtain the same result as the invention claimed in the '084 patent.

Decision at 87.

A finding of infringement under the doctrine of equivalents is a factual determination. Pennwalt Corp. v. Durand-Wayland, Inc., 833 F.2d 931, 936, 4 USPQ2d 1737, 1741 (1987) (in banc). We review the Commission's factual findings under the substantial evidence standard. SSIH Equip. S.A. v. United States Int'l Trade Comm'n, 718 F.2d 365, 371-372, 218 U.S.P.Q. (BNA) 678, 684 (Fed Cir.1983). The doctrine of equivalents does not require a one-to-one correspondence between the accused device and that disclosed in the patent. In Corning Glass Works v. Sumitomo Electric U.S.A., Inc., 868 F.2d 1251, 9 USPQ2d 1962 (Fed.Cir.1989), we held that infringement under the doctrine of equivalents may be established even though the accused device requires a number of components to perform functions which the patented invention achieves by use of one component. "[T]he determination of equivalency is not subject to ... a rigid formula. An equivalent must be found for every limitation of the claim somewhere in an accused device, but not necessarily in a corresponding component,...." Id. at 1259, 9 USPQ2d at 1968 (footnote omitted).

In the hearings, the operation of both the patented invention and the allegedly infringing device were discussed at length by the witnesses. There was testimony fully supporting the ALJ's findings that the multiplexer performed the selective signal acceptance function of the claimed address buffer and that, while the multiplexer did not act as a buffer, that function was performed elsewhere in the accused EPROMs. Accordingly, we cannot say that the ALJ's and the Commission's findings that the "old" 51 Series EPROMs infringed the '084 patent under the doctrine of equivalents were not supported by substantial evidence.

GI/M also contends that the Commission's finding of infringement under the doctrine of equivalents is incorrect because, although GI/M's "old" design 51 Series EPROMs are capable of performing page mode addressing, the EPROMs were never sold to operate in page mode. No customer was ever told how to convert the chip to page mode operation--or even that such conversion was possible. GI/M argues that an alleged infringer must intend its parts to be used in an infringing fashion and cites Fromberg, Inc. v. Thornhill, 315 F.2d 407, 415, 137 U.S.P.Q. (BNA) 84, 89 (5th Cir.1963), in support of its argument. As noted by Intel, there is no intent element to direct infringement. See 35 U.S.C. § 271(b) and (c). Fromberg deals with induced and contributory infringement and is therefore inapposite. Because the language of claim 1 refers to "programmable selection means" and states "whereby when said alternate addressing mode is selected" (emphases added), the accused device, to be infringing, need only be capable of operating in the page mode. Contrary to GI/M's argument, actual page mode operation in the accused device is not required.

GI/M contends further that the Commission's finding of infringement is flawed because Intel's expert witnesses failed to opine in terms of the three-part test for the doctrine of equivalents. See Graver Tank & Mfg. Co. v. Linde Air Prods. Co., 339 U.S. 605, 607, 70 S. Ct. 854, 855-56, 94 L. Ed. 1097 (1950); Pennwalt, 833 F.2d at 934, 4 USPQ2d at 1739. This argument is meritless.

Unlike a jury in a district court case, the Commission resolves disputes involving patent infringement matters with some regularity and thus is aware of doctrine of equivalents jurisprudence. More importantly, in this case the Commission demonstrated its awareness of the three-part test and applied it to facts here involved. The Commission expressly recited its conclusions in terms of the function, way, and results of the claimed invention and the accused devices. See Decision at 87 (quoted ante at p. 832). Under these circumstances, it is unimportant that the testimony before the Commission, which fully supports the Commission's analysis, was not given in the precise function/way/result terminology of Graver Tank.

Thus, we are not persuaded that the Commission erred in affirming the ALJ's determination that GI/M's "old" design 51 Series EPROMs infringed claim 1 of the '084 patent under the doctrine of equivalents.

The '050 patent, entitled "Radiation Shield For An Integrated Circuit Memory With Redundant Elements," issued on May 21, 1985. The '050 patent discloses and claims a radiation shield for converting a normally erasable EPROM cell into a Unerasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (UPROM) cell. ID at 191-92. A radiation shield is essentially a cover and side walls which surround the cell, protecting it from ultraviolet radiation. Claims 1-4 of the '050 patent are as follows:

1. In a metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) electrically programmable read only-memory (EPROM) which is fabricated on a substrate and which is erased when exposed to radiation, an improvement comprising:

redundant elements to be used in place of defective elements;

a programming means for programming said redundant elements so as to cause said redundant elements to be used in place of said defective elements, said programming means including at least one EPROM cell which is erased when exposed to radiation; and

a shielding member comprising an upper cover and upstanding members extending from said upper cover to said substrate disposed about said EPROM cell which causes radiation incident on said memory to be attenuated before striking said EPROM cell thus inhibiting said EPROM cell from being erased when said memory is exposed to radiation;

whereby said EPROM cell can be permanently programmed so that said redundant elements are always used in place of said defective elements.

2. The memory of claim 1 wherein said shielding member is disposed over the surface of said EPROM cell and extends normally into said EPROM cell at the edges of said EPROM cell so as to make contact with said substrate.

3. The memory of claim 2 wherein said shielding member is a conductor which defines an opening above the substrate so as to allow conductors connected to said EPROM cell to pass through said opening, said opening formed such that radiation entering said opening must traverse at least one angle of approximately 90 degrees before reaching source and drain regions of said cell.

4. The memory of claim 3 wherein said shielding member is connected to a diffusion region formed in said substrate, said diffusion being common with said EPROM cell so as to reduce the number of said conductors passing through said opening.

An EPROM which was manufactured with a defective cell in the memory array generally was discarded because there was no way to keep the EPROM from trying to store information in the defective cell. The invention of the '050 patent was directed to shielding otherwise erasable cells in the EPROM from erasure so that they can be permanently programmed to direct information away from any defective memory elements and toward replacement or redundant memory cells. The memory cells in EPROMs are designed to be erased by exposure to ultraviolet radiation so they can be re-used to store new information.

In its complaint to the Commission, Intel alleged that GI/M's and Atmel's 256K and 512K EPROMs, and Atmel's 64K EPROM, contain radiation shields which infringe claims 1-4 of the '050 patent. Atmel and GI/M denied Intel's allegations and countered that the '050 patent's claims were invalid under 35 U.S.C. §§ 103 (obviousness) and 112 (indefiniteness), and were unenforceable for inequitable conduct.

The ALJ determined that the '050 patent was not proven invalid or unenforceable and was infringed by Atmel's and GI/M's accused devices. On review, the Commission modified some of the ALJ's findings and conclusions but, on the whole, affirmed "the ALJ's determination that: (1) respondents had failed to prove by clear and convincing evidence that claims 1-4 of the '050 patent are invalid, and (2) respondents' accused EPROMs ... literally infringe claims 1-4 of the '050 patent." Decision at 74-75.

In this appeal, Atmel and GI/M claim that the invention disclosed in the '050 patent was invalid for obviousness and that the accused EPROMs do not infringe the Intel patent.

According to Atmel and GI/M, the first four claims of the '050 patent would have been obvious in light of the prior art and are thus invalid. As discussed earlier, a patent is presumed valid and the party asserting invalidity must overcome this presumption by clear and convincing evidence establishing facts which support the conclusion of invalidity. See Dennison Mfg. Co. v. Panduit Corp., 475 U.S. 809, 810, 106 S. Ct. 1578, 1579, 89 L. Ed. 2d 817 (1986).

Obviousness is a question of law based on a series of factual determinations, including (1) the scope and content of the prior art, (2) the differences between the art and the claims at issue, (3) the level of ordinary skill in the art, and (4) any other objective evidence. Graham v. John Deere Co., 383 U.S. 1, 17, 86 S. Ct. 684, 693-94, 15 L. Ed. 2d 545 (1966); see also Connell v. Sears, Roebuck & Co., 722 F.2d 1542, 1547, 220 U.S.P.Q. (BNA) 193, 197 (Fed.Cir.1983). We examine the Commission's factual determinations under the substantial evidence standard, SSIH, 718 F.2d at 371-372, 218 USPQ at 684, and then review the holding of nonobviousness de novo. See Panduit Corp. v. Dennison Mfg. Co., 810 F.2d 1561, 1568, 1 USPQ2d 1593, 1597 (Fed.Cir.1987).

In the prosecution of the application that matured into the '050 patent, the claims were rejected as unpatentable over the McKenny article16 and the Du patent.¹⁷ The McKenny article explained how redundant elements could be used to compensate for defective elements. The Du patent disclosed using a shielding region with erasable memory cells to protect some cells from radiation. When Intel narrowed the claims to include the extension of the shield's side walls down to the substrate, blocking horizontally-traveling radiation, the claim was allowed. The ALJ found that the side walls represent the only difference between the subject matter allowed and that previously rejected. In examining the scope of the prior art, the ALJ considered the Kondo and Katznelson articles,18 which taught that the use of shielding side walls would reduce the amount of light reaching the cells. The ALJ found, however, that neither of these articles taught that the side walls should extend all the way to the substrate, and that neither of these articles described a method of shielding a circuit thoroughly enough to last for the normal life of an EPROM. Cells protected in the manner described in Kondo and Katznelson eventually erased.

Next, the ALJ found that one with ordinary skill in the art would have some experience with EPROMs and probably would have at least a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering.

Finally, the ALJ examined other evidence of nonobviousness:

The prior art did not teach a shielding structure that adequately protects an EPROM cell from being erased by ultraviolet light for the normal expected life of an EPROM. Some prior art references taught away from the use of EPROM cells to store redundancy address information in an EPROM.19

At the time of Folmsbee's invention, others did not believe EPROM cells could be used to store redundancy address information. The inventor himself had doubts, as did his supervisor, Mr. Spaw.

ID at 206. The ALJ also found that Atmel did not use this EPROM design until Korsh left Intel and started work at Atmel. During his employment by Intel, Korsh knew of Folmsbee's work and knew that a patent application was pending. Prior to Korsh's arrival, Atmel had tried and failed to design an UPROM, and instead "Atmel relied on inferior polysilicon fuses for storing redundancy address information." ID at 208.

Based on all of these factual findings, none of which are seriously challenged, the Commission concluded, as did the ALJ, that "respondents had failed to prove by clear and convincing evidence that claims 1-4 of the '050 patent are invalid" for obviousness under section 103. Decision at 74-75; see also ID at 209. We agree. While the extension of the sidewalls may seem only a minor advance, it was not an obvious one. The extension of the sidewalls increased the life of an UPROM cell demonstrably, giving it previously unknown practical uses. The evidence shows that the results of extending the sidewalls in the manner disclosed in the '050 patent were surprising. Moreover, Atmel itself failed in its attempt to design a UPROM. See In re Piasecki, 745 F.2d 1468, 1475, 223 U.S.P.Q. (BNA) 785, 790 (Fed.Cir.1984) (failure of others to provide a feasible solution to a longstanding problem is probative of non-obviousness). We conclude that the Commission correctly determined that Atmel and GI/M failed to prove that the invention disclosed in the claims of the '050 patent would have been obvious.

Atmel and GI/M also challenge the Commission's finding of infringement, arguing that the Commission improperly construed the claims of the '050 patent.20 Claim interpretation is a question of law and thus subject to de novo review in this court. Hormone Research Found., Inc. v. Genentech, Inc., 904 F.2d 1558, 1562, 15 USPQ2d 1039, 1042 (Fed.Cir.1990); Loctite Corp. v. Ultraseal Ltd., 781 F.2d 861, 866, 228 U.S.P.Q. (BNA) 90, 93 (Fed.Cir.1985). The claims are to be interpreted in light of the claim language, the specification, and the prosecution history. Hormone Research, 904 F.2d at 1562, 15 USPQ2d at 1042.

The challenged portion of the claim states:

whereby said EPROM cell can be permanently programmed so that said redundant elements are always used in place of said defective elements.

(Emphasis added.)

The Commission construed the claim phrase "permanently programmed" to mean "for the useful lifetime of the EPROM part under normal operating conditions."21 Decision at 75. Thus, the Commission concluded that "permanent" is a relative term, meaning that the UPROM cell will not be erased during the normal life span of the EPROM. The Commission found infringement of the '050 patent because the shielded cells of the accused EPROMs would not be erased during the normal life span of the accused EPROMs.22

Atmel and GI/M suggest that the Commission's interpretation employs circular reasoning; if the EPROM becomes useless once the UPROM cells fail, then the UPROM cells will always last for the "useful life" of the EPROM. The parties argue that the term "permanently programmed" must mean that the UPROM cells will avoid erasure until the EPROM fails due to reasons other than erasure of the UPROM. This argument is unconvincing; it would require that the UPROM cells always be at least as reliable as any other portions of the chip. The '050 patent contains no such limitation.

Alternatively, Atmel and GI/M read the "permanently programmed" clause to require that an infringing UPROM cell must tolerate 300 hours of ultraviolet light exposure without erasing. Although the specification of the '050 patent stated that the goal of the invention was an UPROM cell that could withstand 300 hours of ultraviolet light exposure, this limitation is not contained in the claims. "Where a specification does not require a limitation, that limitation should not be read from the specification into the claims." Specialty Composites v. Cabot Corp., 845 F.2d 981, 987, 6 USPQ2d 1601, 1605 (Fed.Cir.1988) (citing Lemelson v. United States, 752 F.2d 1538, 1551-52, 224 U.S.P.Q. (BNA) 526, 534 (Fed.Cir.1985)) (emphasis in original). The claims of the '050 patent state no minimum life span for its shielded UPR0M cells, and one should not be read into the claims. The "permanently programmed" limitation only requires that the shielded UPROM cells remain programmed for the normal life of the EPROM.

The Commission's claim interpretation is the only infringement issue raised on appeal. Accordingly, because we conclude that its interpretation is correct, its finding of infringement must stand.

The '394 patent, entitled "Sensing Amplifier for Floating Gate Memory Devices," issued on September 16, 1980. George Perlegos and Saroj Pathak were the named inventors on the patent, which was assigned to Intel. The '394 patent discloses an EPROM with two specific circuits, one that performs column biasing to limit the voltage swing across an array of memory cells in an EPROM and another that splits the voltage on a dummy cell gate. These circuits are used to increase the speed at which the memory cells can be "read." ID at 149.

The ALJ found that the '394 patent was not proven invalid, and that it was not infringed. The Commission reversed, finding that claim 1 of the '394 patent was invalid for obviousness, and that claim 2 was valid and infringed. Each of the Commission's findings has been challenged in these appeals. The Commission also held that Atmel is prevented from challenging the validity of the '394 patent under the doctrine of assignor estoppel. Intel argues that GI/M, as well as Atmel, is prevented from contesting the validity of the '394 patent by the doctrine of assignor estoppel.

Assignor estoppel is an equitable doctrine that prevents a patentee who has assigned the rights to a patent from later contending that what was assigned is a nullity. Diamond Scientific Co. v. Ambico, Inc., 848 F.2d 1220, 1224, 6 USPQ2d 2028, 2030 (Fed.Cir.1988). The doctrine also bars a similar challenge by any party in privity with the assignor. Id.

Intel argued before the ALJ that Atmel could not challenge the validity of the '394 patent because one of the inventors, George Perlegos, a major shareholder and chief executive officer at Atmel, had assigned the patent to Intel. Intel further argued that GI/M was similarly estopped because of the close relationship, discussed below, that George Perlegos and Atmel had with GI/M.

The ALJ concluded that if assignor estoppel were a permissible infringement defense in a Commission proceeding both Atmel and GI/M would be estopped from questioning the patent's validity. The ALJ held, however, that "it is inequitable to use the doctrine of assignor estoppel in any patent case before the Commission." ID at 12. She noted that, if Intel were successful in the Commission action, all products that infringe the '394 patent could be denied entry into the United States, including products made by parties not currently before the Commission. She then reasoned that this potential impact on third parties tipped the scale against applying the doctrine of assignor estoppel. ID at 12. Both Atmel and GI/M were thereafter permitted to challenge the validity of the '394 patent.

On review, the Commission correctly concluded that both statutory and case law required that assignor estoppel be considered and applied in section 337 cases. It based this holding on the language of 19 U.S.C. § 1337(c) (1988) that "[a]ll legal and equitable defenses may be presented in all [section 337] cases," and, by analogy, on this court's decision in Lannom Mfg. Co. v. United States Int'l Trade Comm'n, 799 F.2d 1572, 1579, 231 U.S.P.Q. (BNA) 32, 37, 4 Fed.Cir. (T) 131, 139 (Fed.Cir.1986), where we held that the Commission's public interest responsibilities do not give it an independent duty to determine the validity of a patent where no party made such a challenge. Since George Perlegos was estopped from challenging the patent's validity, it was necessary for the Commission to determine whether Atmel or GI/M or both were in privity with George Perlegos and similarly estopped. The Commission used the following test to determine privity:

whether there is an identity of interests between the persons potentially subject to estoppel with respect to the subject matter ... sufficient to warrant, in light of the equities of the situation, placing the corporation or other person in the shoes of the assignor/inventor.

Decision at 23.

The Commission determined that Atmel was in privity with George Perlegos and was therefore estopped to challenge the patent's validity,23 but that GI/M did not have sufficient contacts with George Perlegos for there to be an "identity of interests." Decision at 25. The Commission, in essence, disregarded the relationship between Atmel and GI/M because it found that Atmel was not George Perlegos' "alter ego." The Commission concluded "we do not believe there is any basis for extending the privity chain in this manner." Decision at 24.

Intel has appealed the Commission's decision that GI/M was not estopped because it was not in privity with George Perlegos. It contends that the Commission's test for privity is unnecessarily narrow. We hold that the Commission erred in failing to apply the doctrine of assignor estoppel to GI/M.24

The doctrine of assignor estoppel is applied "to prevent unfairness and injustice." Diamond, 848 F.2d at 1224, 6 USPQ2d at 2030. It is an equitable doctrine

["]mainly concerned with the balance of the equities between the parties." Those in privity with the assignor partake of that balance; hence, extension of the estoppel to those in privity is justified.

Shamrock Technologies, Inc. v. Medical Sterilization, Inc., 903 F.2d 789, 793, 14 USPQ2d 1728, 1732 (Fed.Cir.1990) (citations omitted).

In determining whether GI/M was in privity with George Perlegos, all contacts between GI/M and George Perlegos, direct and indirect, must be considered, including the contacts between Atmel and GI/M. We are convinced the Commission improperly limited its analysis to whether the relationship between George Perlegos and GI/M was enough to find that the two were in privity. It did not adequately consider the part George Perlegos played in creating the joint venture between GI/M and Atmel, under which the two corporations sought to mutually develop EPROM designs and processes.

At the time of the joint development program, George Perlegos owned approximately 40% of Atmel's stock and was the corporation's largest single shareholder. Decision at 23. In his position as president and chief executive officer, he was in charge of Atmel's business and finances. Decision at 23. As part of the Atmel-GI/M agreement, George Perlegos personally indemnified GI/M against patent infringement suits, as he had previously indemnified Atmel in some of its business dealings. ID at 16; Decision at 23. The ALJ found that GI/M would not have agreed to the joint development project without this indemnification. ID at 16. Considering George Perlegos' position at Atmel and the extensive role he played in creating the relationship between Atmel and GI/M, it is apparent that GI/M's dealings with Atmel are also, in substance, dealings with George Perlegos. His ownership and control of Atmel and his personal guarantees to GI/M were crucial to the joint venture between the two corporations.

The evidence further shows that the dealings and relationship between Atmel and GI/M were extensive. Among other things, Atmel transferred many of its EPROM designs and processes to GI/M. Decision at 24-25. The Atmel-GI/M venture led to the creation of some of the allegedly infringing EPROMs which are the subject of this investigation. Decision at 24. As part of the agreement, Atmel promised to devote "100%" of George Perlegos' time to the venture for an entire year. ID at 16. George Perlegos personally went to Korea to find a company to act as a foundry to produce EPROMs for GI/M and selected Hyundai Electronics Industries Co., Ltd. (Hyundai), where GI/M's allegedly infringing chips were eventually made. ID at 17. Interestingly, the agreement with Hyundai even named Atmel as a "subsidiary" of GI/M. ID at 17.

Moreover, there was a financial relationship between the corporations. The ALJ found that "Atmel was completely dependent on [GI/M] for financing," ID at 17, while the Commission noted that GI/M personnel served on Atmel's board of directors and that GI/M owned Atmel stock. Decision at 24. Finally, not only did George Perlegos personally promise to indemnify GI/M, his brother Gust Perlegos, an executive and major shareholder at Atmel, also executed an indemnification in favor of GI/M. ID at 16.

In spite of these facts, the Commission concluded that George Perlegos and GI/M did not possess an "identity of interests," and thus GI/M was not estopped. The Commission's test is unduly restrictive for an equitable doctrine.25 We have said that privity depends on the closeness of the relationship based on a balancing of the equities. As this court stated in Shamrock Technologies:

Privity, like the doctrine of assignor estoppel itself, is determined upon a balance of the equities. If an inventor assigns his invention to his employer company A and leaves to join company B, whether B is in privity and thus bound by the doctrine will depend on the equities dictated by the relationship between the inventor and company B in light of the act of infringement. The closer that relationship, the more the equities will favor applying the doctrine to company B.

Shamrock Technologies, 903 F.2d at 793, 14 USPQ2d at 1732 (emphasis added).

The Commission based its finding of a lack of privity, in part, on the fact that "there is no evidence in the record to suggest that [GI/M] took part in that agreement in order to avail itself of infringing technology." Decision at 24. While this may be true, such an illicit purpose is not necessary to conclude that there was privity between George Perlegos and GI/M. See Buckingham Prods. Co. v. McAleer Mfg. Co., 108 F.2d 192, 44 U.S.P.Q. (BNA) 91 (6th Cir.1939) (privity existed even though the corporation was not organized for the purpose of making use of the patented formulae). What is significant is whether the ultimate infringer availed itself of the inventor's "knowledge and assistance" to conduct infringement. Shamrock Technologies, 903 F.2d at 794, 14 USPQ2d at 1733 (quoting Mellor v. Carroll, 141 F. 992, 994 (C.C.D.Mass.1905) (privity between assignors and others who availed themselves of assignor's knowledge and assistance to conduct infringement)); see also Climax Lock & Ventilator Co. v. Ajax Hardware Mfg. Co., 192 F. 126 (W.D.N.Y.1911) (privity between companies engaged in joint venture to manufacture and market the infringing product). GI/M unquestionably availed itself of the inventor's, and Atmel's knowledge and assistance. The allegedly infringing EPROMs were the product of the Atmel-GI/M joint development program, and the services of George Perlegos were an important component of that program from its inception. Further, the indemnity agreement between George Perlegos and GI/M created a significant relationship between them. Such an indemnification agreement, in other cases, has alone been enough to find privity. See Urbain v. Knapp Bros. Mfg. Co., 217 F.2d 810 (6th Cir.1954); Weyerhaeuser Timber Co. v. Bostitch, Inc., 178 F. Supp. 757, 760-61 (D.R.I.1959). That George Perlegos would take on such a liability demonstrates that he had considerable interest in GI/M's contribution to the joint venture and its production of EPROMs.

In view of (1) Atmel's direct transfer of technology to GI/M, (2) George Perlegos' continuous involvement in the joint development program, (3) George Perlegos' (and his brother's) indemnification of GI/M, and (4) GI/M's financial involvement in Atmel and the joint development program, we must conclude that the balance of the equities requires a finding of privity between GI/M and George Perlegos. As the ALJ noted:

The critical time to determine whether Perlegos was in privity with the other respondents was when Perlegos and the respondents entered into the development agreement. It was at that time that GI acquired rights from Atmel and assumed obligations to Atmel, and became subject to any impediments on Atmel's ability to challenge the patents in issue. Atmel clearly was subject to the impediments preventing Perlegos from challenging the patents.

ID at 16.

Because of its privity with George Perlegos and Atmel, GI/M should not have been allowed to challenge the validity of the '394 patent before the Commission. Thus, we affirm the Commission's holding that claim 2 of the '394 patent was not invalid and deny GI/M's appeal of that holding. Further, because of our determination that GI/M was in privity with the inventor and was improperly permitted to contest the validity of the '394 patent, the Commission's holding that claim 1 of the '394 patent is invalid is vacated.

The first and second claims in the '394 patent read:

1. An amplifier for sensing the binary state of a first MOS floating gate memory device comprising:

a line coupled to said first device;

a first biasing means coupled to said line for charging said line to a first potential when said first device is in one binary state and for preventing said line from dropping below a second potential when said first device is in its other binary state;

a second floating gate memory device substantially identical to said first device for providing a reference load;

a biasing circuit coupled to said second device for biasing said second device at a predetermined level;

a second biasing means coupled to said second device for providing a reference potential;

comparator means for comparing potentials, said comparator means coupled to said line and coupled to receive said reference potential; whereby said amplifier senses said binary state of said first device and is quickly able to again sense the binary state of said first device since said line is prevented from discharging by said first biasing means.

2. The amplifier defined by claim 1 wherein said first and second biasing means are substantially identical circuits.

There was no substantive prosecution history of the '394 patent; the claims were allowed as filed. ID at 149.

As previously noted, the invention in the '394 patent is directed to circuitry designed for increasing the speed at which the memory cells of an EPROM can be "read." Typically, a number of memory cells in an EPROM are coupled to a common sensing amplifier through a charged column line. At any given time the column line is coupled to, and attempts to read, a single cell. The column line remains charged if it is coupled to a memory cell which is nonconductive, whereas the column line is discharged if it is coupled to a memory cell which is conductive. The individual binary cells are "read" when the charge on the column line is sensed to determine the state of the cell. The time for each "read cycle" can be decreased by holding the charge on the column line to a relatively small voltage swing. In this way the column line requires less time to be recharged after it is connected to a conductive cell. Accomplishing this desirable effect requires (1) an accurate method of keeping a very narrow swing in voltage on the column line, and (2) a method of testing or sensing the column line for very small changes in voltage.

The '394 patent discloses a circuit for charging the column line to one level (charged state) and for preventing it from dropping below another level (discharged state) when the column line is coupled to a conductive memory cell. The circuit disclosed in the specification uses two transistors with a specified threshold difference between them to set specific upper and lower voltage swings. ID at 166. As soon as the column line voltage drops from the initial value by 0.1 volt, a transistor provides extra current to the column line, preventing the line from dropping more than another 0.1 volt.

The '394 patent also discloses a second circuit, which is biased at a predetermined level to be used as a reference point. This second line is compared with the column line to determine the binary state of the particular cell to which the latter is coupled. This method of testing the column line is called "balanced sensing." ID at 155. In claim 2 of the '394 patent, substantially identical circuits are on the memory side and on the reference side. The specification showed these circuits to be identical.

The ALJ interpreted the term "first biasing means" narrowly and limited it to the two-transistor method disclosed in the specification. She declined to interpret the claim to allow any equivalent structure to the described biasing means. Cf. 35 U.S.C. § 112, paragraph 6 (1988). She further noted that if the claims were construed to cover the column biasing circuits used in the accused EPROMs those claims would read on the column biasing circuits disclosed in a prior art Intel patent, Patent No. 4,094,012 ('012). The ALJ also found that, if the claims were read to encompass any other biasing circuits, the claims would be unenforceable due to Intel's inequitable conduct in not revealing the existence of the '108 patent to the PTO. ID at 173.

The Commission rejected the ALJ's narrow construction of the means-plus-function limitation in claims 1 and 2. Decision at 58. The Commission also concluded that the limitation in claim 2 "that the first and second biasing means are substantially identical circuits" was not taught or suggested in the prior art. Moreover, the Commission held that, because the ALJ did not find that Intel intended to mislead the PTO, inequitable conduct had not been established, citing Kingsdown Medical Consultants, Ltd. v. Hollister, Inc., 863 F.2d 867, 876, 9 USPQ2d 1384, 1392 (Fed.Cir.1988) (partially in banc). Decision at 62. Based on these conclusions, the Commission found that the 27C512 EPROM26 literally infringed claim 2 of the '394 patent.

Both GI/M and Atmel challenge the Commission's infringement finding. The determination of literal infringement is a question of fact, Moleculon Research Corp. v. CBS, Inc., 793 F.2d 1261, 1269-70, 229 U.S.P.Q. (BNA) 805, 811 (Fed.Cir.1986), as is the determination of equivalent structure under35 U.S.C. § 112, paragraph 6, D.M.I., Inc. v. Deere & Co., 755 F.2d 1570, 1575, 225 U.S.P.Q. (BNA) 236, 239 (Fed.Cir.1985).

The claims of the '394 patent include means-plus-function limitations. Interpretation of such limitations is governed by 35 U.S.C. § 112, paragraph 6. To meet a means-plus-function limitation literally, an accused device must (1) perform the identical function claimed for the means element, and (2) perform that function using the structure disclosed in the specification or an equivalent structure. Pennwalt, 833 F.2d at 934, 4 USPQ2d at 1739; see also Laitram Corp. v. Rexnord, Inc., 939 F.2d 1533, 1535-36, 19 USPQ2d 1367, 1369-70 (Fed.Cir.1991); Durango Assocs., Inc. v. Reflange, Inc., 843 F.2d 1349, 1357, 6 USPQ2d 1290, 1295 (Fed.Cir.1988). Atmel and GI/M contend that the accused device does not perform the identical function and, in any event, does not have structure that is equivalent to the structure disclosed in the specification of the '394 patent.

a. Consistent with the claim language, the Commission stated that "[t]he function of the first biasing means [of the claims of the '394 patent] is to charge the memory cell column line to a first potential ... and to prevent that column line from dropping below a second potential" and to "maintain[ ] the voltage swing across the column line within a small limited range." Decision at 67-68. After considering the 27C512's first biasing means, and expert testimony, the Commission found that the functions of the biasing means specified in the claim and the accused devices were "identical." Decision at 68.

Atmel and GI/M contend that the first biasing means in the allegedly infringing 27C512 EPROM has only one function, i.e., "quieting" the column line after the voltage fluctuates from reading a memory cell. The asserted difference is merely semantic. The 27C512 circuit "quiets" the line by keeping it charged at or near a specific potential, and this is done to prevent the charge on the line from dropping any more than necessary. ID at 176-177. Although the biasing means specified in the claim has an indicated "low" potential, while the 27C512 does not, this distinction is irrelevant. The first biasing means limitation of the claim was not for the purpose of assisting the column to reach a low potential; it was to limit the decrease in voltage, just as the biasing means on the 27C512 device's circuit limits the decrease in voltage. Atmel and GI/M have failed to show that the Commission's conclusion that the first biasing means limitation reads on the 27C512 EPROM is not supported by substantial evidence. SSIH, 718 F.2d at 371-72, 218 USPQ at 684.

b. Next, we consider whether the structure used in accomplishing the biasing function in the 27C512 EPROM is equivalent to the structure described in the specification of the '394 patent. Atmel and GI/M urge that the Commission improperly construed the claims of the '394 patent in view of the specification and the prior art. They argue that a finding of equivalency of structure under section 112, paragraph 6, cannot be made if prior art is considered. To support their argument they cite Lemelson v. United States, 752 F.2d 1538, 224 U.S.P.Q. (BNA) 526 (Fed.Cir.1985), ZMI Corp. v. Cardiac Resuscitator Corp., 844 F.2d 1576, 6 USPQ2d 1557 (Fed.Cir.1988), Texas Instruments v. United States Int'l Trade Comm'n, 805 F.2d 1558, 231 USPQ 833,5 Fed.Cir. (T) 32 (Fed.Cir.1986), Loctite, 781 F.2d 861, 228 U.S.P.Q. (BNA) 90, and ACS Hosp. Sys., Inc. v. Montefiore Hosp., 732 F.2d 1572, 221 U.S.P.Q. (BNA) 929 (Fed.Cir.1984).

Lemelson, ZMI, ACS, and Loctite are inapposite because they do not involve means-plus-function claim limitations. Clearly, Atmel and GI/M have confused equivalence under the doctrine of equivalents with equivalent structure under section 112, paragraph 6. As this court stated in D.M.I., 755 F.2d at 1575, 225 USPQ at 239:

Thus the word "equivalent" in § 112 should not be confused, as it apparently was here, with the "doctrine of equivalents." In applying the doctrine of equivalents, the fact finder must determine the range of equivalents to which the claimed invention is entitled, in light of the prosecution history, the pioneer-nonpioneer status of the invention, and the prior art. It must then be determined whether the entirety of the accused device or process is so "substantially the same thing, used in substantially the same way, to achieve substantially the same result" as to fall within that range. Graver Tank & Mfg. Co. v. Linde Air Products Co., 339 U.S. 605, 610, 70 S. Ct. 854, 857, 94 L. Ed. 1097, 85 U.S.P.Q. (BNA) 328, 330 (1950). In applying the "means plus function" paragraph of § 112, however, the sole question is whether the single means in the accused device which performs the function stated in the claim is the same as or an equivalent of the corresponding structure described in the patentee's specification as performing that function.

See also Data Line Corp. v. Micro Technologies, Inc., 813 F.2d 1196, 1201, 1 USPQ2d 2052, 2055 (Fed.Cir.1987).

In Johnston v. Ivac Corp., 885 F.2d 1574, 1580, 12 USPQ2d 1382, 1386-87 (Fed.Cir.1989), this court also noted that section 112, paragraph 6, operates to limit a claim from every possible means to those which are "equivalent."

Properly understood section 112 p 6 operates more like the reverse doctrine of equivalents than the doctrine of equivalents because it restricts the scope of the literal claim language.

Id. See also Pennwalt, 833 F.2d at 934, 4 USPQ2d at 1739 ("section 112, paragraph 6, rules out the possibility that any and every means which performs the function specified in the claim literally satisfies that limitation" (emphasis in original)).

It is not necessary to consider the prior art in applying section 112, paragraph 6. Even if the prior art discloses the same or an equivalent structure, the claim will not be limited in scope thereby. It is only necessary to determine what is an equivalent to the structure disclosed in the specification which is performing the function at issue. When the prior art is considered in the context of the doctrine of equivalents, however, the purpose is to ensure that the patent holder does not obtain a broader right to exclude under that doctrine than could have been obtained from the patent office. See Wilson Sporting Goods Co. v. David Geoffrey and Assocs., 904 F.2d 677, 14 USPQ2d 1942 (Fed.Cir.1990). Although under the doctrine of equivalents prior art restricts the extent to which patent protection can be equitably extended beyond the claims to cover an accused device, the policies underlying that concept are not served by restricting claim limitations in the same manner. Claim limitations may, and often do, read on the prior art, particularly in combination patents.

That all elements of an invention may have been old (the normal situation), or some old and some new, or all new, is however, simply irrelevant. Virtually all inventions are combinations and virtually all are combinations of old elements.

Environmental Designs, Ltd. v. Union Oil Co., 713 F.2d 693, 698, 218 U.S.P.Q. (BNA) 865, 870 (Fed.Cir.1983).

Thus, under section 112, paragraph 6, the aids for determining a structural equivalent to the structure disclosed in the patent specification are the same as those used in interpreting any other type of claim language, namely, the specification, the prosecution history, other claims in the patent, and expert testimony. See, e.g., Symbol Technologies, Inc. v. Opticon Inc., 935 F.2d 1569, 19 USPQ2d 1241 (Fed.Cir.1991); King Instrument, 767 F.2d at 862, 226 USPQ at 408; Palumbo v. Don-Joy Co., 762 F.2d 969, 975, 226 U.S.P.Q. (BNA) 5, 8 (Fed.Cir.1985); cf. McGill Inc. v. John Zink Co., 736 F.2d 666, 221 U.S.P.Q. (BNA) 944 (Fed.Cir.1984).

In Texas Instruments this court suggested, in dicta, that there might be some similarities between the equivalence analysis under section 112, paragraph 6, and the application of the doctrine of equivalents. See Texas Instruments, 805 F.2d at 1569-71, 231 USPQ at 839-41. That case did not suggest, however, that the prior art should be considered in determining literal satisfaction of a means-plus-function claim limitation.

Atmel and GI/M also contend that their means of controlling the voltage level on the column line is not structurally equivalent to that described in the '394 patent. The Commission reversed the ALJ's finding of non-infringement on the grounds that she had improperly limited the "column biasing means" to the precise two-transistor method disclosed in the specification of the '394 patent and did not consider equivalents to that structure.

The broadest definition of a "biasing" circuit is any circuit that places another circuit "in some condition." ID at 184. The 27C512 uses a transistor in conjunction with a negative feedback circuit to limit the voltage swings on the column line. Thus, the accused device clearly has a "biasing" means.

Both the claimed and the accused circuits use MOS transistors ... to pull up the column line voltage as it begins to drop and to keep the column line voltage at a minimum level so that the capacitance associated with it does not discharge.

Decision at 69. The Commission found even less difference between the second biasing means on the claimed and accused devices.

The accused reference cell column biasing circuit differs from the claimed reference cell column biasing circuit only in the sizes and number of the load transistors.

Decision at 69. Finally, the Commission, agreeing with the ALJ, found that the accused device met the limitation in claim 2, i.e., that the first and second biasing circuits in the device are "substantially identical circuits."

Atmel and GI/M offer little to overcome these findings. The main thrust of their argument here mirrors their argument regarding identical function presented above. GI/M, for example, argues "nothing in the accused circuit can establish a second, lower voltage below which the column is prevented from falling" and contends that "the Commission overlooked these clear distinctions." While GI/M's argument points to distinctions that may be clear, the Commission did not find them to be significant. Atmel contends that the first and second biasing circuits on the 27C512 are not substantially similar because the '394 uses a separate biasing circuit to set the "dummy" cell at a voltage lower than that which drives the memory cells, whereas the reference cell on the 27C512 is set to a predetermined level by a separate word line. There was expert testimony offered by both sides on these alleged distinctions, and we cannot say that the Commission's findings were not supported by substantial evidence. Under section 112, paragraph 6, the means used by the accused and claimed devices need not be identical, merely equivalent.

We conclude that the Commission's findings of infringement of claim 2 of the '394 patent must be affirmed.

In Texas Instruments, Inc. v. United States Int'l Trade Comm'n, 871 F.2d 1054, 10 USPQ2d 1257 (Fed.Cir.1989), we considered whether it was necessary to review the Commission's decision on the validity and infringement of a patent, after the Commission's exclusion order was found to be fully supported by other, more recently issued patents. As in the case before us, the Texas Instruments court was considering a limited exclusion order, directed solely at the parties before it. It concluded:

The Commission's exclusion order is directed only to the Samsung DRAM's involved in this litigation and that order is sustainable on the basis of the '701 patent. There is thus no occasion for us to decide the question of infringement of the '764 patent. We shall therefore vacate the Commission's determination that the Samsung DRAMs do not infringe claims 16, 17, and 19 of the latter patent.

Id. at 1067, 10 USPQ2d at 1267. The court also refused to consider the validity and enforceability of another patent since such consideration was unnecessary to support the exclusion order. Id. at 1063-64, 10 USPQ2d at 1264. The Commission's determinations relating to these issues were therefore vacated. Id.27

Following the teaching of Texas Instruments, we have considered the questions involving the most recently issued Intel patents in the reverse order of their issue dates. The issues resolved above fully support the scope and duration of the Commission's exclusion order and its cease and desist orders against Atmel and GI/M. We therefore do not need to consider the remaining infringement and validity issues presented by the parties in the three consolidated appeals. Accordingly, we vacate the remaining portions of the Commission's determinations that have been appealed.

In Atmel's appeal, No. 89-1476, the Commission's determination that the Intel/Sanyo agreement did not cover Atmel's EPROMs is affirmed. The Commission's determinations that Atmel's "old" 51 Series EPROMs infringed the '084 patent, its 64K, 512K, and 256K EPROMs infringed the '050 patent, its 64K, 51 Series, and 1024K EPROMs infringed claim 2 of the '394 patent, and that those patents were not proven invalid, are also affirmed. The Commission's exclusion and cease and desist orders are affirmed to the extent consistent with our determinations.

In GI/M's appeal, No. 89-1534, the Commission's determination that GI/M's "old" 51 Series EPROMs infringed the '084 patent, its 256K and 51 Series infringed the '050 patent, and its 51 Series infringed claim 2 of the '394 patent, and that those patents had not been proven invalid, are affirmed. We reverse the Commission's conclusion that GI/M was not estopped from challenging the '394 patent's validity. The Commission's determinations that GI/M has not proven the '189 patent invalid and that GI/M infringed that patent are vacated. The Commission's orders with respect to GI/M are modified by deleting references to the '189 patent and are otherwise affirmed to the extent consistent with our determinations.

In Intel's appeal, No. 89-1459, we vacate the Commission's determination that claim 1 of the '394 patent is invalid. We also vacate the Commission's determinations that neither Atmel nor GI/M infringed the '255 and '108 patents. Intel's appeal of these Commission determinations is dismissed.

Each party shall bear its own costs.

AFFIRMED-IN-PART, REVERSED-IN-PART, AND VACATED-IN-PART.