Appeal No. 2003-1942 Page 5 Application No. 09/260,796 Here, claim 1 recites in pertinent part the following limitations: "an access formula describing a function of groups, each group comprising a list of at least one client. . . ." As noted by the appellant, the claim "provides that the access formula describes a function of groups. Groups is [sic] plural." (Reply Br. at 4.) Accordingly, the limitations require an access formula describing a function of more than one group of clients. 2. Anticipation Determination "Having construed the claim limitations at issue, we now compare the claims to the prior art to determine if the prior art anticipates those claims." In re Cruciferous Sprout Litig., 301 F.3d 1343, 1349, 64 USPQ2d 1202, 1206 (Fed. Cir. 2002). "A claim is anticipated only if each and every element as set forth in the claim is found, either expressly or inherently described, in a single prior art reference." Verdegaal Bros., Inc. v. Union Oil Co., 814 F.2d 628, 631, 2 USPQ2d 1051, 1053 (Fed. Cir. 1987) (citing Structural Rubber Prods. Co. v. Park Rubber Co., 749 F.2d 707, 715, 223 USPQ 1264, 1270 (Fed. Cir. 1984); Connell v. Sears, Roebuck & Co., 722 F.2d 1542, 1548, 220 USPQ 193, 198 (Fed. Cir. 1983); Kalman v. Kimberly-Clark Corp., 713 F.2d760, 771, 218 USPQ 781, 789 (Fed. Cir. 1983)). "[A]bsence from the reference of any claimed element negates anticipation." Kloster Speedsteel AB v. Crucible, Inc., 793 F.2d 1565, 1571, 230 USPQ 81, 84 (Fed. Cir. 1986).Page: Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 NextLast modified: November 3, 2007