invert SVG clip (show only outside path)

Question

Is it possible to invert the action of a clip with SVG? In the example below I would like to show the path between the two circles rather than inside the circles:

<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="985" height="740">   <g>     <clipPath id="re8-clip" clip-rule="nonzero">       <rect id="sa11" x="763.0" y="176.5" width="70.0" height="25.0" rx="50" ry="50" fill="ForestGreen"/>       <rect id="sa12" x="516.0" y="127.5" width="70.0" height="25.0" rx="50" ry="50" fill="ForestGreen"/>     </clipPath>     <rect id="sa11" x="763.0" y="176.5" width="70.0" height="25.0" rx="50" ry="50" fill="ForestGreen"/>     <rect id="sa12" x="516.0" y="127.5" width="70.0" height="25.0" rx="50" ry="50" fill="ForestGreen"/>   </g>   <path stroke="Black" stroke-width="1.5" fill="none" d="M 798.0 189.0 551.0 140.0" clip-path="url(#re8-clip)"/> </svg> 

Answer 1

Following the link in Duopixel's comment, the problem can be solved using a mask:

<svg width="50%" height="50%" viewbox="0 0 985 740" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg">    <defs>      <rect id="sa11" x="763.0" y="176.5" width="70.0" height="25.0" rx="50" ry="50" />      <rect id="sa12" x="516.0" y="127.5" width="70.0" height="25.0" rx="50" ry="50" />    </defs>    <mask id="re8-clip">      <rect id="bg" x="0" y="0" width="100%" height="100%" fill="white"/>      <use xlink:href="#sa11" fill="Black" />      <use xlink:href="#sa12" fill="Black" />    </mask>    <use xlink:href="#sa11" fill="ForestGreen" />    <use xlink:href="#sa12" fill="ForestGreen" />    <path stroke="Black" stroke-width="1.5" fill="none" d="M 798.0 189.0 551.0 140.0" mask="url(#re8-clip)"/>  </svg>

As a minor aside, does anybody know if it is possible for a mask to default to white, so the 'bg' rectangle is not necessary?