- Code200, Uab / Teso LT, Uab et al. v. Bright Data Ltd.Institution deniedPTAB · Jul 25, 2022 · IPR2022-00861 · APJ Sheila F Mcshane · IPR · Institution
The Board denied institution under General Plastic’s § 314(a) discretion and denied joinder because the petition did not warrant institution.
RulingsInstitution decision- PTAB / AIA Trials › Discretionary denial › General Plastic (serial petitions)Institution denied general plasticInstitution denied
“issue of whether the petitioner had the benefit of the Board’s guidance on the use of stipulations that agree not to raise the grounds asserted in the IPR at trial. Intel, Paper 14 at 13–14; Prelim. Resp. 7–9. In Intel, the Board found that the decision denying the earlier petition occurred before the Board had expressed its approval of such stipulations in Sotera Wireless or Sand Revolution II. Id. However, as Patent Owner argues, the petition in the earlier 1266 petition was filed after Sand Revolution II had been designated informative. Prelim. Resp. 8. Unlike the petitioner in Intel, Petitioner here had the guidance provided by Sand Revolution II, and could have proffered such a stipulation, but did not do so. We determine that this failure to provide such a stipulation in the face of clear guidance from the Board weighs strongly in favor of exercising discretion to deny institution and outweighs the fact that the Board did not substantively address the merits of the prior petition.” slip op. at 12
- PTAB / AIA Trials › Institution threshold (reasonable likelihood / more likely than not)Institution denied general plasticInstitution denied
“3. Conclusion In light of the General Plastic factors, the guidance expressed in the Trial Practice Guide, and the arguments presented for and against the exercise of discretionary denial, we conclude that it is appropriate here to exercise our discretion under 35 U.S.C. § 314(a) to deny institution. IV. DENIAL OF MOTION FOR JOINDER As stated above, the Director may join a party to an ongoing IPR only if the filed petition warrants institution under § 314. 35 U.S.C. § 315(c). Because we exercise discretion to deny institution under § 314, we deny also Petitioner’s Motion for Joinder. V. ORDER Accordingly, it is: ORDERED that, pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 314(a), the Petition is denied; and FURTHER ORDERED that the Motion for Joinder is denied.” slip op. at 16
- PTAB / AIA Trials › Joinder §315(c) / SAS all-or-nothingJoinder, deniedDenied
“IV. DENIAL OF MOTION FOR JOINDER As stated above, the Director may join a party to an ongoing IPR only if the filed petition warrants institution under § 314. 35 U.S.C. § 315(c). Because we exercise discretion to deny institution under § 314, we deny also Petitioner’s Motion for Joinder. V. ORDER Accordingly, it is: ORDERED that, pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 314(a), the Petition is denied; and FURTHER ORDERED that the Motion for Joinder is denied.” slip op. at 17
Discretionary denialPatents in suitUS 10,257,319 - Microchip Technology Inc. v. HD Silicon Solutions LLCInstitution deniedPTAB · May 9, 2022 · IPR2022-00105 · APJ Frances L Ippolito · IPR · Institution
The Board denied institution under § 314(a), finding the General Plastic factors favored denying Microchip’s second petition challenging claims 1–3, 5, 8–11, 13, 15, and 17.
RulingsInstitution decision- PTAB / AIA Trials › Institution threshold (reasonable likelihood / more likely than not)Institution denied general plasticInstitution denied
“To institute an inter partes review, we must determine that the information presented in the Petition shows “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) (2018). The Board, however, has discretion to deny a petition even when a petitioner meets that threshold. Id.; see, e.g., Cuozzo Speed Techs., LLC v. Lee, 579 U.S. 261, 272 (2016) (“[T]he agency’s decision to deny a petition is a matter committed to the Patent Office’s discretion.”); General Plastic Indus. Co. v. Canon Kabushiki Kaisha, IPR2016-01357, Paper 19 (PTAB Sept. 6, 2017) (precedential as to § II.B.4.i) (recognizing the same) (“General Plastic”); see also Patent Trial and Appeal Board Consolidated Trial Practice Guide (Nov. 2019) (“CTPG”) 55–63, available at https://www.uspto.gov/TrialPracticeGuideConsolidated (identifying considerations that may warrant exercise of this discretion). For the reasons discussed below, after considering the parties’ submissions and the evidence of record, we determine it is appropriate to exercise our discretion and decline to institute inter partes review.” slip op. at 2
- PTAB / AIA Trials › Discretionary denial › General Plastic (serial petitions)Denied
“Further, Petitioner provides no persuasive explanation why it is again challenging claims 1–3, 5, 8–11, 13, 15, and 17 here or why Petitioner needs two instituted inter partes reviews on the common claims. See generally Pet. 78–82. Petitioner does not explain persuasively why the “Board should exercise its discretion to institute additional petitions,” short of saying that “[i]n contrast to the primary references cited in Petition 1, the primary reference [Lin] cited in Petition 2 more clearly describes and depicts a local interconnect.” Ranking 3. However, Petitioner also asserts that “the respective disclosures in Trivedi and Joo (both cited in Petition 1 [of IPR752]) are not inadequate in any manner as they both disclose local interconnects.” Id. In IPR752, for the purposes of institution and based on 11 Petitioner incorrectly refers to IPR2021-01420 as the earlier filed proceeding involving the ’033 patent. Petitioner’s citation is incorrect. That proceeding involves U.S. Patent No. 7,260,731. Pet. 2 (chart). in that proceeding. IPR 752 Dec. 26–32 (discussing limitations recited in claim 1). Thus, at best, in this proceeding, Lin is duplicative of what Petitioner relies upon in Trivedi to teach local interconnects. Additionally, we observe that Petitioner does not identify any circumstances identified in the Trial Practice Guide supporting a need for a second petition, such as a large number of claims in litigation or a potential dispute about priority date. CTPG 59. Accordingly, based on the record before us, we agree with Patent Owner that this General Plastic factor weighs in favor of denying institution of the proceeding. See Prelim. Resp. 8. 2. Whether at the Time of Filing of the First Petition the Petitioner Knew,” slip op. at 9
Discretionary denialPatents in suitUS 6,774,033 - American Well Corporation v. Teladoc Health, Inc.Institution deniedPTAB · Apr 19, 2022 · IPR2022-00038 · APJ Kara L Szpondowski · IPR · Institution
The Board denied institution of review of claims 6, 7, and 9–24 under § 314(a), finding that the follow-on petition used the prior institution decision as a roadmap to remedy deficiencies.
RulingsInstitution decision- PTAB / AIA Trials › Discretionary denial › General Plastic (serial petitions)Institution denied general plasticInstitution denied
“Petitioner received both Patent Owner’s Preliminary Response and our Institution Decision in the 00748 IPR prior to filing the present Petition, and Petitioner admits to using the Institution Decision to correct errors made in the 00748 Petition. See Prelim. Reply 1 (“to address purported defects that the Board identified in the -748 proceeding”). Although we recognize that Petitioner characterizes these errors as “unintentional,” as opposed to “strategic,” (e.g., Prelim. Reply 5–6), this still raises the roadmapping concerns, i.e., fairness and inefficiencies, that General Plastic counsels against. See General Plastic, Paper 19 at 17–18. If we were to institute, Patent Owner would be forced to defend its patent in an iterative fashion against challenges based on the same prior art, and newly shifted arguments as a result of the aforementioned roadmapping. As General Plastic explains, this has the potential to be unfair and inefficient. Id.” slip op. at 19
Discretionary denialPatents in suitUS 8,179,418 - Apple Inc. v. Koss Corp.Institution deniedPTAB · Apr 14, 2022 · IPR2022-00188 · APJ Karl D Easthom · IPR · Institution
The Board denied institution of review of claims 1-22, 32-41, 47, and 49-62 under § 314(a), applying the General Plastic factors to Apple’s third petition; it also denied joinder.
RulingsInstitution decision- PTAB / AIA Trials › Discretionary denial › General Plastic (serial petitions)Institution denied general plasticDenied
“(‘Schrager’)—the primary reference that forms the basis of Grounds 1A–1D of the [’]680 Proceeding—before Bose filed IPR2021-00612 (a petition against related U.S. Patent No. 10,206,025) a day later on March 3, 2021.” Mot. 7. This contention does not specifically address what Apple knew or should have known at the time of filing of its second petition, which Apple filed after the filing of the Bose ’680 petition and after March 3, 2021. See id. In any event, Apple appears to admit that it knew of Schrader prior to filing its second petition on March 23, 2021. See id. In addition, Patent Owner introduces evidence that Apple knew or should have known about Schrager prior to filing of its first petition. See Prelim. Resp. 15 (showing “Petitioner had been aware of Schrager since at least 2014” (citing Ex. 2003; Ex. 2004) and identifying “over 100 times” Apple “had cited Schrager to the Office . . . in its own patent applications” (citing Ex. 2002)); 4 (citing Ex. 2002, 10–15 (web document listing Apple as assignee on multiple patents citing Schrager between 2014 and 2018)); Ex. 2003 (Information Disclosure Statement (IDS) filed by Apple listing Schrager in 2014); Ex. 2004 (IDS filed by Apple listing Schrager in 2016). Accordingly, this second General Plastic factor weighs in favor of exercising discretion to deny institution.” slip op. at 10
- PTAB / AIA Trials › Institution threshold (reasonable likelihood / more likely than not)Institution denied discretionary otherInstitution denied
“D. Conclusion After a holistic review of the General Plastic factors and the arguments presented for and against the exercise of discretionary denial, and following Uniloc, we exercise discretion under 35 U.S.C. § 314(a) and deny institution.” slip op. at 15
- PTAB / AIA Trials › Joinder §315(c) / SAS all-or-nothingJoinder, deniedDenied
“IV DENIAL OF MOTION FOR JOINDER As stated above, the Director may join a party to an ongoing IPR only if the filed petition warrants institution under § 314. 35 U.S.C. § 315(c). Because we deny institution under § 314, we deny Petitioner’s Motion for Joinder. IV. ORDER Accordingly, it is ORDERED that, pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 314(a), the Petition is denied; and FURTHER ORDERED that the Motion for Joinder is denied.” slip op. at 15
Discretionary denialPatents in suitUS 10,469,934 - Apple Inc. v. Koss CorporationInstitution deniedPTAB · Apr 4, 2022 · IPR2022-00053 · APJ Norman H Beamer · IPR · Institution
The Board denied institution under § 314(a) based on the General Plastic factors and denied Apple’s motion to join IPR2021-00612.
RulingsInstitution decision- PTAB / AIA Trials › Discretionary denial › General Plastic (serial petitions)Institution denied general plasticInstitution denied
“C. Conclusion After a holistic review of the General Plastic factors and the arguments presented for and against the exercise of discretionary denial, we conclude that the factors weigh in favor of denying institution of the proceeding. On balance and in view of the policy goals articulated in General Plastic, we conclude that it is appropriate here to exercise our discretion under 35 U.S.C. § 314(a) to deny the Petition.” slip op. at 14
- PTAB / AIA Trials › Joinder §315(c) / SAS all-or-nothingJoinder, deniedDenied
“IV. DENIAL OF MOTION FOR JOINDER As stated above, the Director may join a party to an ongoing IPR only if the filed petition warrants institution under § 314. 35 U.S.C. § 315(c). Because we are exercising discretion to deny institution under Section 314, we deny Petitioner’s Motion for Joinder.” slip op. at 14
Discretionary denialPatents in suitUS 10,206,025 - Apple Inc. v. Gui Global Products, Ltd., D/B/A GweeInstitution deniedPTAB · Feb 4, 2022 · IPR2021-01289 · APJ Bryan F Moore · IPR · Institution
The Board denied institution of IPR on claims 1–19 under General Plastic, finding the second petition unnecessary and inefficient; it also denied Apple’s conditional motion for joinder.
RulingsInstitution decision- PTAB / AIA Trials › Discretionary denial › General Plastic (serial petitions)Institution denied general plasticInstitution denied
“In none of its briefs does Petitioner explain “why the Board should exercise its discretion to institute additional petitions if it [the Board] identifies one petition that satisfies petitioner’s burden under 35 U.S.C. § 314(a),” short of saying that “Bohbot-Gundlach (470 IPR) and Kim (this Petition) offer very different disclosures.” Explanation 3; TPG 60.8 However, Petitioner does not identify any circumstances identified in the Trial Practice Guide supporting a need for a second petition, such as a large number of claims in litigation or a potential dispute about priority date. TPG 59. Accordingly, based on the record before us, we agree with Patent Owner (Prelim. Resp. 6) that this General Plastic factor weighs in favor of denying institution of the proceeding.” slip op. at 7
- PTAB / AIA Trials › Institution threshold (reasonable likelihood / more likely than not)Institution denied general plasticInstitution denied
“Conclusion In light of the General Plastic factors, the Uniloc decision, the guidance in the TPG, and the arguments presented for and against the exercise of discretionary denial, we conclude that it is appropriate here to exercise our discretion under 35 U.S.C. § 314(a). IV. DENIAL OF MOTION FOR JOINDER As stated above, the Director may join a party to an ongoing IPR only if the filed petition warrants institution under § 314. 35 U.S.C. § 315(c). Because we exercise discretion to deny institution under § 314, we deny Petitioner’s Conditional Motion for Joinder. V. ORDER Accordingly, it is: ORDERED that, pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 314(a), the Petition is denied; and” slip op. at 11
- PTAB / AIA Trials › Joinder §315(c) / SAS all-or-nothingJoinder, deniedDenied
“IV. DENIAL OF MOTION FOR JOINDER As stated above, the Director may join a party to an ongoing IPR only if the filed petition warrants institution under § 314. 35 U.S.C. § 315(c). Because we exercise discretion to deny institution under § 314, we deny Petitioner’s Conditional Motion for Joinder. V. ORDER Accordingly, it is: ORDERED that, pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 314(a), the Petition is denied; and FURTHER ORDERED that the Conditional Motion for Joinder is denied.” slip op. at 11
Discretionary denialPatents in suitUS 10,259,020 - Apple Inc. v. Gui Global Products, Ltd., D/B/A GweeInstitution deniedPTAB · Feb 3, 2022 · IPR2021-01292 · APJ Sheila F Mcshane · IPR · Institution
The Board denied institution of IPR on claims 1–13 under § 314(a), applying General Plastic to Apple's follow-on petition, and denied Apple's conditional motion for joinder.
RulingsInstitution decision- PTAB / AIA Trials › Discretionary denial › General Plastic (serial petitions)Institution denied general plasticInstitution denied
“1. whether the same petitioner previously filed a petition directed to the same claims of the same patent; 2. whether at the time of filing of the first petition the petitioner knew of the prior art asserted in the second petition or should have known of it; 3. whether at the time of filing of the second petition the petitioner already received the patent owner’s preliminary response to the first petition or received the Board’s decision on whether to institute review in the first petition; 4. the length of time that elapsed between the time the petitioner learned of the prior art asserted in the second petition and the filing of the second petition; 5. whether the petitioner provides adequate explanation for the time elapsed between the filings of multiple petitions directed to the same claims of the same patent; 6. the finite resources of the Board; and 7. the requirement under 35 U.S.C. § 316(a)(11) to issue a final determination not later than 1 year after the date on which the Director notices institution of review.” slip op. at 5
- PTAB / AIA Trials › Joinder §315(c) / SAS all-or-nothingJoinder, deniedDenied
“requires two different decisions.” Facebook, Inc. v. Windy City Innovations, LLC, 973 F.3d 1321, 1332 (Fed. Cir. 2020). First, we “determine whether the joinder applicant’s petition for IPR ‘warrants’ institution under § 314.” Id. Second, if the petition warrants institution, we then “decide whether to ‘join as a party’ the joinder applicant.” Id. Thus, before determining whether to join Petitioner as a party to the 338 IPR, we first determine whether the petition warrants institution under § 314(a).” slip op. at 4
Discretionary denialPatents in suitUS 10,589,320 - Apple Inc. v. Gui Global Products, Ltd., D/B/A GweeInstitution deniedPTAB · Feb 1, 2022 · IPR2021-01291 · APJ Sally C Medley · IPR · Institution
The Board denied institution of IPR on claims 1–13 under § 314(a), finding the General Plastic factors favored denying Apple’s second petition.
RulingsInstitution decision- PTAB / AIA Trials › Discretionary denial › General Plastic (serial petitions)Institution denied general plasticInstitution denied
“Factor 1: “whether the same petitioner previously filed a petition directed to the same claims of the same patent” As explained above, before us is Petitioner’s second petition challenging the claims of the ’077 patent. Pet. 74; Prelim. Resp. 6. We understand that Petitioner filed this Petition in case we did not institute review in the 472 IPR. Pet. 74; Explanation 4–5 (Petitioner “respectfully requests that the Board institute” review in the 472 IPR, but if the Board does not “the next-most efficient course of action would be for the Board to institute” in this proceeding). As stated above, we instituted inter partes review in the 472 IPR. The 472 IPR involves claims 1–5 and 7–13 of the ’077 patent and the 337 IPR involves claims 1–13. Thus, one more claim is challenged here than in the 472 IPR. Nonetheless, Petitioner provides no explanation why it is again challenging claims 1–5 and 7–13 here or why Petitioner needs two instituted inter partes reviews on the common claims. Pet. 74–75. In none of its briefs does Petitioner explain “why the Board should exercise its discretion to institute additional petitions if it [the Board] identifies one petition that satisfies petitioner’s burden under 35 U.S.C. § 314(a),” short of saying that “(Gundlach (472 IPR) and Kim (this Petition) offer very different disclosures.” Explanation 3; TPG 60.7 However, Petitioner does not identify any circumstances identified in the Trial Practice Guide supporting a need for a second petition, such as a large number of claims in litigation or a potential dispute about priority date. TPG 59. Accordingly, based on the record before us, we agree with Patent Owner (Prelim. Resp. 6) that this General Plastic factor weighs in favor of denying institution of the proceeding. Factor 2: “whether at the time of filing of the first petition the petitioner knew of the prior art asserted in the second petition or should have known of it” Petitioner argues that it “learned of the prior art in the Samsung Petition [in the 337 IPR] around the time that petition was filed.” Pet. 75. Petitioner argues that because it filed its petition in the 472 IPR five weeks after the petition was filed in the 337 IPR, it “could not have reasonably leveraged its knowledge” of the prior art involved in the 337 IPR against Patent Owner. Id. Patent Owner argues that because Petitioner admitted that it knew of the prior art asserted in the 337 IPR prior to Petitioner filing the petition in the 472 IPR, General Plastic factor two weighs in favor of 7 As discussed above, in the Explanation, Petitioner requests that we should institute inter partes review in the 472 IPR, and if we do not, then we should institute here. Explanation 3–5. In the Reply, however, Petitioner requests that we institute here, despite having instituted the 472 IPR, without explaining why we should do so. Reply 2–3. denying institution of the proceeding. Prelim. Resp. 7. We agree that this factor weighs in favor of denying institution of the proceeding because Petitioner does not explain sufficiently why it had to file the petition in the 472 IPR five weeks after the petition was filed in the 337 IPR such that Petitioner could not have “leveraged its knowledge” of the prior art involved in the 337 IPR against Patent Owner. In other words, Petitioner fails to explain sufficiently why it could not have included the claims or prior art it asserts here in the 472 IPR. Accordingly, we determine that this second General Plastic factor weighs in favor of denying institution of the proceeding.” slip op. at 6
- PTAB / AIA Trials › Institution threshold (reasonable likelihood / more likely than not)Institution denied meritsInstitution denied
“claims 1–13 of U.S. Patent No. 10,562,077 B2 (Ex. 1001, “the ’077 patent”). Paper 3 (“Pet.”). Petitioner also filed a Conditional Motion for Joinder with Samsung et al. v. GUI Global Products, Ltd., IPR2021-00337 (“the 337 IPR” or “the Samsung 337 IPR”). Paper 4 (“Mot.”). GUI Global Products, Ltd., d/b/a Gwee (“Patent Owner”) filed a Preliminary Response to the Petition. Paper 10 (“Prelim. Resp.”). Patent Owner also filed an Opposition to the Conditional Motion for Joinder. Paper 8 (“Opp.”). Petitioner filed a Reply to Patent Owner’s Opposition. Paper 9 (“Reply”). We have authority under 35 U.S.C. § 314(a), which provides that an inter partes review may not be instituted “unless . . . there is a reasonable likelihood that the petitioner would prevail with respect to at least 1 of the claims challenged in the petition.” For the reasons described below, we do not institute an inter partes review of the challenged claims and deny Petitioner’s Conditional Motion for Joinder.” slip op. at 2
- PTAB / AIA Trials › Joinder §315(c) / SAS all-or-nothingJoinder, deniedDenied
“To join a party to an instituted IPR, the plain language of § 315(c) requires two different decisions.” Facebook, Inc. v. Windy City Innovations, LLC, 973 F.3d 1321, 1332 (Fed. Cir. 2020). First, we “determine whether the joinder applicant’s petition for IPR ‘warrants’ institution under § 314.” Id. Second, if the petition warrants institution, we then “decide whether to ‘join as a party’ the joinder applicant.” Id. Thus, before determining whether to join Petitioner as a party to the 337 IPR, we first determine whether the petition warrants institution under § 314(a). slip op. at 4
Discretionary denialPatents in suitUS 10,562,077 - Apple Inc. v. Gui Global Products, Ltd., D/B/A GweeInstitution deniedPTAB · Feb 1, 2022 · IPR2021-01290 · APJ Sally C Medley · IPR · Institution
The Board denied institution of review of claims 1–19 under § 314(a), applying the General Plastic factors, and denied Apple’s conditional motion for joinder.
RulingsInstitution decision- PTAB / AIA Trials › Discretionary denial › General Plastic (serial petitions)Institution denied general plasticInstitution denied
“patent and the Petition here involves claims 1–19. Thus, more claims are challenged here than in the 471 IPR. Nonetheless, Petitioner provides no explanation why it is again challenging claims 1, 2, 4–10, 12, 14–17, and 19 here or why Petitioner needs two instituted inter partes reviews on the common claims. Pet. 73–74. In none of its briefs does Petitioner explain “why the Board should exercise its discretion to institute additional petitions if it [the Board] identifies one petition that satisfies petitioner’s burden under 35 U.S.C. § 314(a),” short of saying that “Gundlach (471 IPR) and Kim (this Petition) offer very different disclosures.” Explanation 3; TPG 60.8 However, Petitioner does not identify any circumstances identified in the Trial Practice Guide supporting a need for a second petition, such as a large number of claims in litigation or a potential dispute about priority date. TPG 59. Accordingly, based on the record before us, we agree with Patent Owner (Prelim. Resp. 6) that this General Plastic factor weighs in favor of denying institution of the proceeding.” slip op. at 6
- PTAB / AIA Trials › Joinder §315(c) / SAS all-or-nothingJoinder, deniedDenied
“IV. DENIAL OF MOTION FOR JOINDER As stated above, the Director may join a party to an ongoing IPR only if the filed petition warrants institution under § 314. 35 U.S.C. § 315(c). Because we exercise discretion to deny institution under § 314, we deny Petitioner’s Conditional Motion for Joinder. V. ORDER Accordingly, it is: ORDERED that, pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 314(a), the Petition is denied; and FURTHER ORDERED that the Conditional Motion for Joinder is denied.” slip op. at 11
Discretionary denialPatents in suitUS 10,259,021
Holdings, summaries, rulings, issues, outcomes, winners and claim constructions shown for a decision were generated by a large language model reading the opinion. They are a guide to the decision, not the decision. Confirm every one against the court's own text before relying on it. Outcomes read from the patent owner’s side. Party names are extracted from the decision and are missing on about 900 short Director denials and scans, which carry the trial number instead.