ALL-ELEMENTS RULE

all-elements  rule.Patents.  The  doctrine  that  each  element  of  a  claim  must  be  present  in  an

allegedly infringing  device in order to  establish literal infringement. • This rule acts to limit the

doctrine  of  equivalents  and  prevent  the  doctrine’s  application  to  an  entire  claim,  rather  than  the

claim’s  constituent  elements.  —  Also  termed  all-limitations  rule.  Cf.  ALL-STEPS  RULE  E;

INHERENCY DOCTRINE. [Cases: Patents    226.6. C.J.S. Patents § 415.] [Blacks Law 8th]