How to apply the right of first use in patent infringement cases

Legal analysis: Anyone who has manufactured the same product, used the same method or made necessary preparations for manufacture and use before the patent application date, and continues to manufacture and use it only within the original scope, shall not be regarded as infringing the patent right of others. This is commonly known as the principle of preemption.

Legal basis: Article 69 of the Patent Law of People's Republic of China (PRC) shall not be regarded as infringement of the patent right under any of the following circumstances: (1) The patentee or a unit or individual licensed by him sells a patented product or a product directly obtained by a patented method, and then uses, promises to sell, sells or imports the product; (2) Having manufactured the same product, used the same method or made necessary preparations for its manufacture and use before the patent application date, and continuing to manufacture and use it only within the original scope; (3) Foreign means of transport temporarily passing through China's territorial waters and airspace use the relevant patents in their devices and equipment for their own needs in accordance with the agreements signed between their countries and China or international treaties to which they are both parties, or on the principle of reciprocity; (four) the use of relevant patents for scientific research and experiments; (5) manufacturing, using or importing patented drugs or patented medical devices for the purpose of providing information required for administrative examination and approval, or manufacturing or importing patented drugs or patented medical devices exclusively for them.