1. (Of a patent claim) to contain all the same features of (a prior-art reference). • If the patent claim reads on the prior art, the claim has been anticipated and the patent will be denied. See ANTICIPATED. [Cases: Patents 72(1). C.J.S. Patents § 31.]
2. (Of a patent claim) to describe an infringing product or process. • If all the patent claims read on the other product, that product infringes the patent. — Also termed read into; recite. [Cases: Patents 226.
6. C.J.S. Patents § 415.]