In Perfect Surgical v. Olympus America, Inc., the Federal Circuit found harmful error in the PTAB’s diligence framework and conclusions, thereby potentially lowering the bar required to establish diligence in PTAB cases. Case No. 2015-2043 (Fed. Cir. Nov. 15
No due process violation where PTAB “previews” new construction at oral hearing
In Intellectual Ventures II LLC v. Ericsson Inc.,[1] the Federal Circuit considered whether the PTAB’s adoption of a new claim construction in its Final Written Decision constitutes a violation of the parties’ due process. Intellectual Ventures argued that…
EDTX judge rules that IPR estoppel applies to all grounds included in the petition, except those that are denied for purely procedural reasons
In Biscotti Inc. v. Microsoft Corp., Magistrate Judge Roy S. Payne of the Eastern District of Texas recommended finding that the IPR estoppel statute, 35 U.S.C. § 315(e), applies to all grounds included in an IPR petition except those…
District Court holds that IPR estoppel does not apply to grounds denied institution on the merits
In Verinata Health, Inc. v. Ariosa Diagnostics, Inc., Judge Susan Illston of the Northern District of California held that the IPR estoppel statute, 35 U.S.C. § 315(e), does not apply to invalidity grounds asserted in an IPR petition but…
Federal Circuit rules that PTAB’s decision on time-bar is still not appealable
A Federal Circuit panel recently confirmed that 35 U.S.C. § 314(d) does not permit appeal of a decision by the PTAB that an IPR petitioner is not time-barred under 35 U.S.C. § 315(b). Wi-Fi One, LLC v. Broadcom Corporation…
Federal Circuit Rejects PTAB’s Analysis of Motion to Amend
In Veritas Technologies LLC v. Veeam Software Corporation, the Federal Circuit concluded that the PTAB erred in denying Patent Owner’s motion to amend claims in an IPR proceeding and remanded to the PTAB for further consideration of the substitute…
PTAB denies Petitioner’s motion to suspend prosecution of co-pending applications
In Telebrands Corp. v. Tinnus Enterprises, LLC, the Board denied Petitioner’s request for authorization to file a motion to suspend prosecution of co-pending patent applications that were continuations of the challenged patent. PGR2015-00018, Paper 62 (Aug. 29, 2016).…
PTAB grants inaugural award of attorneys’ fees
In RPX Corporation v. Applications in Internet Time, LLC, the PTAB awarded attorneys’ fees for the first time in an AIA post-issuance proceeding. The Board had previously granted the Petitioner’s motion for sanctions in response to the Patent Owner’s…
PTAB Usually Misses the One-Month Pendency Goal for Requests for Rehearing
No statute or rule establishes a time limit for the Board to decide a request for rehearing. However, the Trial Practice Guide states that the Board “envisions” that decisions will be made within approximately one month unless additional briefing is…
Federal Circuit Rejects PTAB’s Reliance on “Common Sense” to Supply Missing Claim Limitation
In Arendi S.A.R.I. v. Apple Inc., et al., the Federal Circuit reversed a PTAB decision finding all instituted claims in an IPR invalid as obvious based on the prior art and “common sense.” No. 2015-2073 (Fed. Cir. Aug. 10…