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  • PTAB · Jan 14, 2022 · IPR2021-01093 · APJ Robert J Weinschenk · IPR · Institution

    The Board denied institution of IPR on claims 1–17 under § 325(d), finding substantially the same arguments were previously presented and no material Office error was shown.

    RulingsInstitution decision
    • PTAB / AIA Trials › Discretionary denial › §325(d) same art / argumentsInstitution denied 325dInstitution denied

      “Section 325(d) provides that in determining whether to institute an inter partes review, we “may take into account whether, and reject the petition or request because, the same or substantially the same prior art or arguments previously were presented to the Office.” To determine whether to deny institution under § 325(d), we use the following two-part framework: (1) whether the same or substantially the same art previously was presented to the Office or whether the same or substantially the same arguments previously were presented to the Office; and (2) if either condition of [the] first part of the framework is satisfied, whether the petitioner has demonstrated that the Office erred in a manner material to the patentability of challenged claims. Advanced Bionics, LLC v. MED-EL Elektromedizinische Geräte GmbH, IPR2019-01469, Paper 6 at 8 (PTAB Feb. 13, 2020) (precedential) (footnote omitted).” slip op. at 6

    • PTAB / AIA Trials › Institution threshold (reasonable likelihood / more likely than not)Institution denied

      “An inter partes review may not be instituted unless “the information presented in the petition . . . and any response . . . shows that there is a reasonable likelihood that the petitioner would prevail with respect to at least 1 of the claims challenged in the petition.” 35 U.S.C. § 314(a). In determining whether to institute an inter partes review, we “may take into account whether, and reject the petition or request because, the same or substantially the same prior art or arguments previously were presented to the Office.” 35 U.S.C. § 325(d). After considering the parties’ arguments and evidence, we exercise our discretion under § 325(d) to deny the Petition.” slip op. at 2

    Discretionary denial
    Patents in suitUS 8,626,977
  • PTAB · Jan 7, 2022 · IPR2021-00306 · APJ Lynne H Browne · IPR · Rehearing

    The Board denied rehearing, leaving in place its denial of institution under § 325(d) because Petitioner did not show material error concerning Weigl, Ohki, or Wada.

    RulingsRehearing decision
    • RehearingRehearing, deniedDenied

      “decision for an abuse of discretion. 37 C.F.R. § 42.71(c). An abuse of discretion may arise if the decision is based on an erroneous interpretation of law, if a factual finding is not supported by substantial evidence, or if an unreasonable judgment is made in weighing relevant factors. Star Fruits S.N.C. v. U.S., 393 F.3d 1277, 1281 (Fed. Cir. 2005); Arnold P’ship v. Dudas, 362 F.3d 1338, 1340 (Fed. Cir. 2004); In re Gartside, 203 F.3d 1305, 1315–16 (Fed. Cir. 2000). Additionally, 37 C.F.R. § 42.71(d) further provides that “[t]he burden of showing a decision should be modified lies with the party challenging the decision,” i.e., Petitioner, and “[t]he request must specifically identify all matters the party believes the Board misapprehended or overlooked, and the place where each matter was previously addressed in a motion, an opposition, [or] a reply.”” slip op. at 3

    • PTAB / AIA Trials › Discretionary denial › §325(d) same art / argumentsInstitution denied 325dDenied

      “pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 325(d). Paper 13 (“Dec.”). The Decision explains the two-part framework used to assess arguments under § 325(d) and that the Board considers several factors (i.e. the “Becton, Dickinson” factors) when determining: (1) whether the same or substantially the same art previously was presented to the Office or whether the same or substantially the same arguments previously were presented to the Office; and (2) if either condition of first part of the framework is satisfied, whether the petitioner has demonstrated that the Office erred in a manner material to the patentability of challenged claims. Dec. 8. In the Decision, the Board determined that “Weigl, Ohki, and Wada were previously presented to the Office” and that Petitioner had “not demonstrated that the Examiner materially erred when considering these references.” Id. at 16. Based on this determination, the Board exercised discretion to deny institution of inter partes review. Id.” slip op. at 2

    Discretionary denial
    Patents in suitUS 10,689,210
  • PTAB · Jan 5, 2022 · IPR2021-01105 · APJ Scott A Daniels · IPR · Institution

    The Board denied institution for claims 1–3, 7–13, and 18–20 under § 325(d), finding the arguments previously presented and no material Examiner error.

    RulingsInstitution decision
    • PTAB / AIA Trials › Discretionary denial › §325(d) same art / argumentsInstitution denied 325dInstitution denied

      “Under § 325(d), the Board uses the following two-part framework: (1) whether the same or substantially the same art previously was presented 8 to the Office or whether the same or substantially the same arguments previously were presented to the Office; and (2) if either condition of the first part of the framework is satisfied, whether the petitioner has demonstrated that the Office erred in a manner material to the patentability of challenged claims.” Advanced Bionics, Paper 6 at 8. If the petitioner fails to show that the Office erred, the Director may exercise his or her discretion not to institute inter partes review. Id.; see also Becton, Dickinson, Paper 8 at 24 (exercising discretion where “Petitioner has not pointed to error by the Examiner”). 1. Part I – whether the same or substantially the same arguments previously were presented to the Office slip op. at 8

    • Disclosure Requirements (§112) › Written description (Ariad)Written description adequateDecided for patent owner

      “The Examiner in each of these cases did not object to the amendments as new matter or issue a rejection under 35 U.S.C. § 112, ¶ 1 for lack of written description support for the claims. NTP, 654 F.3d at 1277. Instead, the Examiner entered the amendments and subsequently allowed the ’912 application with the subject matter added from Chu ’886. Ex. 1009, 419 (Notice of Allowance and Fee(s) Due). The incorporation by reference statement in the transmittal form also was never objected to by any Examiner during prosecution of the ’882 application (Chu ’330), the ’758 application (initial parent application), and all eight continuation applications in the priority chain of the ’797 patent, as well as Chu ’777 and all six reissue applications in the priority chain of Chu ’777, as noted in our Decision Denying Institution in IPR2021-00607, Paper 7 at 20. Moreover, none of the Examiners required the applicant to change its benefit claims from “continuation” to “continuation-in-part” in those continuation applications. 20 For the foregoing reasons, the ’882 application identified Chu ’886 with particularity and would have directly led an ordinarily skilled artisan to the document intended to be incorporated. Accordingly, we determine that Petitioner fails to show that the Examiner erred in determining that the ’882 application (Chu ’330) properly incorporated Chu ’886 by reference. In addition, as discussed above, Petitioner admits that the ’758 application (the initial parent application) incorporated by reference the ’882 application. Pet. 28; see also Ex. 1013, 4:50−53. It also is undisputed that each subsequent application in the priority chain identified each preceding application as required by 35 U.S.C. § 120 and incorporated by reference the prior applications and the ’882 application. See, e.g., Ex. 1001, 1:10−28, 9:36–39; Ex. 1008, 1:12−27, 9:27−29. As such, we also find that Petitioner has failed to show (1) the ’797 patent is not entitled to a priority date before April 15, 2011, (2) the ’436 patent’s parent applications did not properly incorporate by reference Chu ’886, (3) the amendments adding the subject matter from Chu ’886 improperly introduced new matter, and (4) that there is no support for the added written description in the ’436 patent, and hence the ’797 patent, in the respective parent applications. Pet. 23−39.” slip op. at 20

    § 112 disclosureDiscretionary denial
    Patents in suitUS 8,977,797
  • PTAB · Jan 5, 2022 · IPR2021-01104 · APJ Scott A Daniels · IPR · Institution

    The Board denied institution under § 325(d), finding substantially the same arguments had been presented to the Office and Intel had not shown material Examiner error.

    RulingsInstitution decision
    • PTAB / AIA Trials › Discretionary denial › §325(d) same art / argumentsInstitution denied 325dDenied

      “same or substantially the same arguments that were previously presented to the Office. Consequently, the first part of the Advanced Bionics framework is satisfied. 2. Part II – whether the petitioner has demonstrated that the Office erred in a manner material to the patentability of the challenged claims Because the first part of the Advanced Bionics framework is satisfied, we next determine whether the petitioner has demonstrated that the Office erred in a manner material to the patentability of challenged claims. Advanced Bionics, Paper 6 at 8. “If reasonable minds can disagree regarding the purported treatment of the art or arguments, it cannot be said that the Office erred in a manner material to patentability. At bottom, this framework reflects a commitment to defer to previous Office evaluations of the evidence of record unless material error is shown.” Id. at 9.” slip op. at 14

    Discretionary denial
    Patents in suitUS 8,977,797
  • PTAB · Dec 7, 2021 · IPR2021-01109 · APJ Thu A Dang · IPR · Institution

    The Board denied institution under § 325(d) because substantially the same arguments were previously presented and Intel did not show material Office error.

    RulingsInstitution decision
    • PTAB / AIA Trials › Discretionary denial › §325(d) same art / argumentsInstitution denied 325dInstitution denied

      “review], the Director may take into account whether, and reject the petition or request because, the same or substantially the same prior art or arguments previously were presented to the Office.” We determine whether to exercise our discretion to deny institution under 35 U.S.C. § 325(d) based on the framework set forth in Advanced Bionics, LLC v. Med-El Elektromedizinische Geräte GMBH, IPR2019-01469, Paper 6 (PTAB Feb. 13, 2020) (precedential). In Advanced Bionics, the Board applied a two-part framework in considering whether to exercise discretion to deny institution under § 325(d): “(1) whether the same or substantially the same art previously was presented to the Office or whether the same or substantially the same arguments previously were presented to the Office; and (2) if either condition of [the] first part of the framework is satisfied, whether the petitioner has demonstrated that the Office erred in a manner material to the patentability of challenged claims.” Advanced Bionics at 8. Only if the same or substantially the same art or arguments were previously presented to the Office do we then consider whether petitioner has demonstrated a material error by the Office. Id. at 10. “At bottom, this framework reflects a commitment to defer to previous Office evaluations of the evidence of record unless material error is shown.” Id. at 9.” slip op. at 10

    Discretionary denial
    Patents in suitUS 9,529,768
  • PTAB · Dec 6, 2021 · IPR2021-01108 · APJ Thu A Dang · IPR · Institution

    The Board denied institution for claims 1–3, 7–9, 13–17, 19, 20, 25, and 33–35 under § 325(d), finding the same arguments were previously presented and no material examiner error was shown.

    RulingsInstitution decision
    • PTAB / AIA Trials › Discretionary denial › §325(d) same art / argumentsInstitution denied 325dDenied

      “review], the Director may take into account whether, and reject the petition or request because, the same or substantially the same prior art or arguments previously were presented to the Office.” We determine whether to exercise our discretion to deny institution under 35 U.S.C. § 325(d) based on the framework set forth in Advanced Bionics, LLC v. Med-El Elektromedizinische Geräte GMBH, IPR2019-01469, Paper 6 (PTAB Feb. 13, 2020) (precedential). In Advanced Bionics, the Board applied a two-part framework in considering whether to exercise discretion to deny institution under § 325(d): “(1) whether the same or substantially the same art previously was presented to the Office or whether the same or substantially the same arguments previously were presented to the Office; and (2) if either condition of [the] first part of the framework is satisfied, whether the petitioner has demonstrated that the Office erred in a manner material to the patentability of challenged claims.” Advanced Bionics at 8. Only if the same or substantially the same art or arguments were previously presented to the Office do we then consider whether petitioner has demonstrated a material error by the Office. Id. at 10. “At bottom, this framework reflects a commitment to defer to previous Office evaluations of the evidence of record unless material error is shown.” Id. at 9.” slip op. at 10

    • PTAB / AIA Trials › Institution threshold (reasonable likelihood / more likely than not)Institution denied

      “review], the Director may take into account whether, and reject the petition or request because, the same or substantially the same prior art or arguments previously were presented to the Office.” We determine whether to exercise our discretion to deny institution under 35 U.S.C. § 325(d) based on the framework set forth in Advanced Bionics, LLC v. Med-El Elektromedizinische Geräte GMBH, IPR2019-01469, Paper 6 (PTAB Feb. 13, 2020) (precedential). In Advanced Bionics, the Board applied a two-part framework in considering whether to exercise discretion to deny institution under § 325(d): “(1) whether the same or substantially the same art previously was presented to the Office or whether the same or substantially the same arguments previously were presented to the Office; and (2) if either condition of [the] first part of the framework is satisfied, whether the petitioner has demonstrated that the Office erred in a manner material to the patentability of challenged claims.” Advanced Bionics at 8. Only if the same or substantially the same art or arguments were previously presented to the Office do we then consider whether petitioner has demonstrated a material error by the Office. Id. at 10. “At bottom, this framework reflects a commitment to defer to previous Office evaluations of the evidence of record unless material error is shown.” Id. at 9.” slip op. at 10

    • Obviousness (§103) › Motivation to combine / reasonable expectation of successNot reached

      “II. ANALYSIS 35 U.S.C. § 325(d) Petitioner relies upon Chu ’330 in both of the asserted grounds.” slip op. at 8

    • Disclosure Requirements (§112) › Written description (Ariad)Decided for patent owner

      “As such, we find that Petitioner has failed to show (1) the ’768 patent is not entitled to a priority date before April 15, 2011, (2) the ’436 patent’s parent applications in the’768 patent family did not properly incorporate by reference the ’886 provisional, and (3) the amendments adding the subject matter from the ’886 provisional improperly introduced new matter. Pet. 18−30.” slip op. at 23

    § 102 anticipation§ 103 obviousness§ 112 disclosureDiscretionary denial
    Patents in suitUS 9,529,768
  • PTAB · Dec 6, 2021 · IPR2021-00605 · APJ Thu A Dang · IPR · Rehearing

    The Board denied Samsung’s rehearing request, leaving institution denied under § 325(d) because the same or substantially the same arguments were previously presented and material Examiner error was not shown.

    RulingsRehearing decision
    • RehearingRehearing, deniedDenied

      “II. STANDARD OF REVIEW A party requesting rehearing bears the burden of showing that the decision should be modified. 37 C.F.R. § 42.71(d). The party must identify specifically all matters we misapprehended or overlooked, and the place where each matter was previously addressed in its petition. Id. When reconsidering a decision on institution, we review the decision for an abuse of discretion. 37 C.F.R. § 42.71(c). An abuse of discretion may be determined if a decision is based on an erroneous interpretation of law, if a factual finding is not supported by substantial evidence, or if the decision represents an unreasonable judgment in weighing relevant factors. Star” slip op. at 2

    • PTAB / AIA Trials › Discretionary denial › §325(d) same art / argumentsInstitution denied 325dInstitution denied

      “Under Part 2 of the Advanced Bionics framework, Petitioner has the burden to show that “[t]he Examiner erred by not realizing that Chu ’330, Chu ’185, and Chu ’886 qualify as 35 U.S.C. § 102(b) prior art and are material to the patentability of the ’768 Patent claims,” as Petitioner alleges in its § 325(d) analysis. Pet. 7, 9−18. Upon consideration of Petitioner’s Request for Rehearing, we are not persuaded by Petitioner’s arguments of Examiner error.” slip op. at 4

    • Strike new argumentNew argument disregardedDecided for patent owner

      “Petitioner’s arguments are new arguments raised for the first time in its Rehearing Request. Petitioner acknowledges that “Hollmer and NRG were not cited in the Petition.” Req. Reh’g 10. Nevertheless, Petitioner alleges that it “could not have anticipated the Patent Owner’s mischaracterization of the Droplets decision, nor the Board’s reliance on this mischaracterization,” and that Petitioner was not authorized to file a reply to the Patent Owner Preliminary Response. Id.; see also id. at 2−3, fn.1. Petitioner’s new arguments in connection with Hollmer and NRG are improper. As we discussed above, Patent Owner did not mischaracterize and we did not misapprehend Droplets. It was not necessary to authorize Petitioner to file a reply, as we were capable of determining whether Patent Owner mischaracterizes Droplets. As discussed above, Petitioner fails to recognize that the language relied upon by Patent Owner in Droplets is consistent with 37 C.F.R. § 1.57 and MPEP § 608.01(p). Although Petitioner relies on MPEP § 608.01(p) in its Petition, Petitioner now in its Rehearing Request for the first time suggests that we should ignore MPEP § 608.01(p) and the case law cited in MPEP § 608.01(p). Pet. 11; Req. Reh’g 6−7. A request for rehearing is not an opportunity to submit new arguments, after the decision has noted the deficiencies in the petitioner’s original analysis. 37 C.F.R. § 42.71(d). It is Petitioner’s burden to identify specifically all matters we misapprehended or overlooked in our Decision to Institute. We could not have misapprehended or overlooked the new arguments that were not presented in the record until after the Decision.” slip op. at 15

    • Novelty / Anticipation (§102) › Priority / effective filing date / continuation supportPriority date awardedDecided for patent owner

      “codes (21), (22), (45), (60), 6:1–7. The initial parent application in the ’768 patent’s priority chain, U.S. Application No. 09/569,758 (“the ’758 application”), which incorporated the ’882 application by reference, was filed on May 12, 2000, and issued as U.S. Patent No. 6,718,415 B1 (“the ’415 patent”) on April 6, 2004. See Ex. 1001, code (63); Ex. 1008, code (45), 4:50–53. Both the ’882 application (issued as Chu ’330) and the ’758 application (issued as the ’415 patent) were filed and issued as patents prior to the effective date, September 21, 2004, of 37 C.F.R. § 1.57. Petitioner does not explain why the applicant should have complied with 37 C.F.R. § 1.57, which did not exist at the time of filing of those applications or issuance of those patents that incorporated by reference Chu ’886 and the ’882. Pet. 7, 9−18; Req. Reh’g 1−13. We decline to apply 37 C.F.R. § 1.57 retroactively to the incorporation by reference statements submitted in the ’882 application and the ’758 application.” slip op. at 7

    § 102 anticipationDiscretionary denial
    Patents in suitUS 9,529,768
  • PTAB · Dec 3, 2021 · IPR2021-01107 · APJ Thu A Dang · IPR · Institution

    The Board denied institution for claims 4–6 and 10–12 under § 325(d), finding the same or substantially the same arguments had been presented and no material Office error shown.

    RulingsInstitution decision
    • PTAB / AIA Trials › Discretionary denial › §325(d) same art / argumentsInstitution denied 325dDenied

      “or request because, the same or substantially the same prior art or arguments previously were presented to the Office.” We determine whether to exercise our discretion to deny institution under 35 U.S.C. § 325(d) based on the framework set forth in Advanced Bionics, LLC v. Med-El Elektromedizinische Geräte GMBH, IPR2019-01469, Paper 6 (PTAB Feb. 13, 2020) (precedential). In Advanced Bionics, the Board applied a two-part framework in considering whether to exercise discretion to deny institution under § 325(d): “(1) whether the same or substantially the same art previously was presented to the Office or whether the same or substantially the same arguments previously were presented to the Office; and (2) if either condition of [the] first part of the framework is satisfied, whether the petitioner has demonstrated that the Office erred in a manner material to the patentability of challenged claims.” Advanced Bionics at 8. Only if the same or substantially the same art or arguments were previously presented to the Office do we then consider whether petitioner has demonstrated a material error by the Office. Id. at 10. “At bottom, this framework reflects a commitment to defer to previous Office evaluations of the evidence of record unless material error is shown.” Id. at 9.” slip op. at 10

    • Novelty / Anticipation (§102) › Priority / effective filing date / continuation supportPriority date awardedDecided for patent owner

      “As such, we find that Petitioner has failed to show (1) the ’768 patent is not entitled to a priority date before April 15, 2011, (2) the ’436 patent’s parent applications in the’768 patent family did not properly incorporate by reference Chu ’886, and (3) the amendments adding the subject matter from Chu ’886 improperly introduced new matter. Pet. 36−49.” slip op. at 22

    § 102 anticipationDiscretionary denial
    Patents in suitUS 9,529,768
  • PTAB · Dec 2, 2021 · IPR2021-01112 · APJ Joni Y Chang · IPR · Institution

    The Board denied institution of review of claims 14–17, 29, 30, 42, and 43 under § 325(d), finding substantially the same arguments were previously presented and no material Office error was shown.

    RulingsInstitution decision
    • PTAB / AIA Trials › Discretionary denial › §325(d) same art / argumentsInstitution denied 325dDenied

      “Under § 325(d), the Board uses the following two-part framework: (1) whether the same or substantially the same art previously was presented 7 to the Office or whether the same or substantially the same arguments previously were presented to the Office; and (2) if either condition of the first part of the framework is satisfied, whether the petitioner has demonstrated that the Office erred in a manner material to the patentability of challenged claims.” Advanced Bionics, Paper 6 at 8. If the petitioner fails to show that the Office erred, the Director may exercise his or her discretion not to institute inter partes review. Id.; see also Becton, Dickinson, Paper 8, 24 (exercising discretion where “Petitioner has not pointed to error by the Examiner”). 1. Part I – whether the same or substantially the same arguments previously slip op. at 7

    • PTAB / AIA Trials › Institution threshold (reasonable likelihood / more likely than not)Institution denied 325dInstitution denied

      “For the foregoing reasons, we determine that the same or substantially the same arguments previously were presented to the Office and that Petitioner fails to show that the Examiner erred in determining that the ’882 application (issued as Chu ’330) incorporated Chu ’886 by reference or in entering the amendments that added the subject matter from Chu ’886 in the ’912 application. Accordingly, we exercise our discretion not to institute inter partes review. Advanced Bionics, Paper 6 at 8; see also Becton, Dickinson, Paper 8, 24. III. CONCLUSION For the foregoing reasons, we exercise our discretion under § 325(d) to deny institution of an inter partes review. IV. ORDER Accordingly, it is ORDERED that the Petition is denied, and no trial is instituted.” slip op. at 25

    Discretionary denial
    Patents in suitUS 9,703,750
  • PTAB · Dec 2, 2021 · IPR2021-01110 · APJ Joni Y Chang · IPR · Institution

    The Board denied institution under § 325(d), finding substantially the same arguments had been presented to the Office and Intel did not show material error.

    RulingsInstitution decision
    • PTAB / AIA Trials › Discretionary denial › §325(d) same art / argumentsInstitution denied 325dInstitution denied

      “Under § 325(d), the Board uses the following two-part framework: (1) whether the same or substantially the same art previously was presented to the Office or whether the same or substantially the same arguments previously were presented to the Office; and (2) if either condition of the first part of the framework is satisfied, whether the petitioner has demonstrated that the Office erred in a manner material to the patentability of challenged claims.” Advanced Bionics, Paper 6 at 8. If the petitioner fails to show that the Office erred, the Director may exercise his or her discretion not to institute inter partes review. Id.; see also Becton, Dickinson, Paper 8, 24 (exercising discretion where “Petitioner has not pointed to error by the Examiner”). slip op. at 7

    • PTAB / AIA Trials › Institution threshold (reasonable likelihood / more likely than not)Institution denied 325dInstitution denied

      “For the foregoing reasons, we determine that the same or substantially the same arguments previously were presented to the Office and that Petitioner fails to show that the Examiner erred in determining that the ’882 application (issued as Chu ’330) incorporated Chu ’886 by reference or in entering the amendments that added the subject matter from Chu ’886 in the ’912 application. Accordingly, we exercise our discretion not to institute inter partes review. Advanced Bionics, Paper 6 at 8; see also Becton, Dickinson, Paper 8, 24. III. CONCLUSION For the foregoing reasons, we exercise our discretion under § 325(d) to deny institution of an inter partes review. IV. ORDER Accordingly, it is ORDERED that the Petition is denied, and no trial is instituted.” slip op. at 24

    Discretionary denial
    Patents in suitUS 9,703,750
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