indirect infringement

A patent can be infringed either directly or indirectly. Direct infringement occurs when someone makes, uses, or sells a patented invention without the authority to do so. Alternatively, indirect infringement occurs when a person actively causes someone else to infringe on a patent.

There are generally two theories of indirect infringement: induced infringement and contributory infringement. To establish liability for either type of indirect infringement, a plaintiff must first show that there is an underlying act of direct infringement (see: R+L Carriers, Inc. v. Drivertech LLC (In re Bill of Lading Transmission & Processing Sys. Patent Litig.). 

An induced infringement claim requires a further showing that the defendant knowingly induced infringement by someone else, and possessed the specific intent to encourage another’s infringement (see: Smart Wearable Techs. Inc. v. Fitbit, Inc.).

A plaintiff claiming contributory infringement, must show the defendant sold a component of a patented machine or process that the defendant knew was created to infringe on a patent (see: Cross Med Prod v. Medtronic Sofamor Dane). Further, the component must not have had any other non-infringing purpose (see: Intendis GmbH v. Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Ltd.). 

See: 35 U.S. Code § 271 - Infringement of Patent

[Last reviewed in February of 2025 by the Wex Definitions Team] 

Keywords

• intellectual property; patent; copyright; trademark; direct infringement; secondary liability

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