(A) Most common in patent law, where an invention is anticipated as being too similar to an invention created earlier and thus isn’t considered sufficiently unique or novel and thus not patentable. This can typically occur when something very similar has been prior published somewhere else prior to the date of the invention. (B) The act of doing or taking a thing before its proper time. 2. In deeds of trust there is frequently a provision that the income of the estate shall be paid by the trustee as it shall accrue, and not by way of anticipation. A payment made contrary to such provision would not be considered as a discharge of the trustee.
Law Dictionary – Alternative Legal Definition
The act of doing or taking a thing before its proper time. In conveyancing, anticipation is the act of assigning, charging, or otherwise dealing with income before it becomes due. In patent law, a person is said to have been anticipated when he patents a contrivance already known within the limits of the country granting the patent. Topliff v. Topliff, 145 U. S. 156, 12 Sup. Ct. 825, 36 L. Ed. 658; Detroit, etc., Co. v. Renchard (C. C.) 9 Fed. 298; National Hollow Brake Beam Co. v. Interchangeable Brake Beam Co. (C. C.) 99 Fed. 772.