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  • PTAB · Dec 7, 2023 · IPR2023-01043 · APJ Matthew S Meyers · IPR · Institution

    The Board denied institution because the petitioner’s earlier Iowa declaratory judgment action challenging the patents triggered the § 315(a)(1) bar.

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

      “II. DISCUSSION A. Legal Standards Section 315(a)(1) of 35 U.S.C. states that “[a]n inter partes review may not be instituted if, before the date on which the petition for such a review is filed, the petitioner or real party in interest filed a civil action challenging the validity of a claim of the patent.” Section 315(a)(3) states that “[a] counterclaim challenging the validity of a claim of a patent does not constitute a civil action challenging the validity of a claim of a patent for purposes of this subsection [section 315(a)].”” slip op. at 3

    • BurdenDecided for patent owner

      “their declaratory judgment action included counterclaims to infringement allegations under § 315(a)(3) because the declaratory judgment complaint was filed after and in response to infringement allegations. Avigilon, Paper 11, 10. The Board determined that “a counterclaim typically is asserted in an existing civil action, in contrast to a complaint, the filing of which begins a civil action.” Id. (citing Fed. R. Civ. P. 13 (defining counterclaims as distinct from pleadings, including a complaint, set forth in Fed. R. Civ. P. 7); Fed. R. Civ. P. 3 (“A civil action is commenced by filing a complaint with the court.”)). The Board also noted the definition of “counterclaim” as “a defendant’s claim in opposition to or as a setoff against the plaintiff’s claim.” Id. at 11 (citing Black’s Law Dictionary (10th ed. 2014)).” slip op. at 9

    Discretionary denial
    Patents in suitUS 10,495,374
  • PTAB · Oct 23, 2023 · IPR2023-00738 · APJ Ryan H Flax · IPR · Institution

    The Board denied institution on claims 1–6 because the Petition failed to identify its numerous, ambiguous obviousness grounds with the particularity required by § 312(a)(3).

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

      “An inter partes review may be instituted if the information presented by the petitioner in the petition, in view of the patent owner’s preliminary response and the preliminary record, shows that there is a reasonable likelihood that the petitioner would prevail with respect to at least one of the claims challenged in the petition. 35 U.S.C. § 314.” slip op. at 12

    • BurdenDenied

      “to the issue of thousands of asserted combinations of art. Patent Owner argues, and we agree, that Petitioner presents in the Petition “a single, omnibus claim chart that cites to numerous pages of prior art without any substantive explanation describing how those quotations are relevant or how they should be combined” and “exacerbates this confusion by citing to Dr. Regan’s seven-hundred seventy-eight page expert report, which, despite its length, is equally conclusory.” Prelim. Resp. 11–12. Moreover, by citing “dozens of disparate passages from Jacob” in regard to a single limitation, along with “numerous citations to multiple prior art references,” the Petition fails to “identify how the prior art teachings should be combined in the grounds of a petition.” Id. at 18–19. In sum, rather than present its challenges with particularity, the Petition simply reproduces large excerpts from multiple references, while improperly incorporating by reference hundreds of pages from an expert declaration that frequently includes conclusory assertions. See generally Pet.; Ex. 1003. Accordingly, we find that the Petition falls short of the requirement that it present “with particularity, each claim challenged, the grounds on which the challenge to each claim is based, and the evidence that supports the grounds for the challenge to each claim.” 35 U.S.C. § 312(a)(3). In our view, the large number of ambiguous grounds is far out of proportion with the number of claims and the complexity of the issues involved. This excessiveness indicates that it would impose an undue burden for Patent Owner to respond to and for the Board to resolve all of the grounds asserted in the Petition.” slip op. at 21

    • Skill levelSkill level petitioner adoptedOther

      “Petitioner asserts: POSITA would at minimum have a bachelor’s degree in software/computer/electrical engineering, computer science, or industrial engineering and management with at least two years’ experience in inventory and pricing management, including with respect to systems for dynamically managing inventory and pricing of transportation services or other types of inventory, or the equivalent. Additional graduate education could substitute for professional experience, or significant inventory and pricing management experience could substitute for formal education. EX1003, ¶17. POSITA are presumed knowledgeable of all relevant art, and would thus have been familiar with each reference cited herein and its full teachings. Pet. 14–15. Patent Owner applies this same definition. Prelim. Resp. 10. For the purposes of this Decision, we accept Petitioner’s proposed definition of the person of ordinary skill in the art (or ordinarily skilled artisan), which appears to be consistent with the level of skill in the art reflected in the prior art of record and the disclosure of the ’047 patent. See Okajima v. Bourdeau, 261 F.3d 1350, 1355 (Fed. Cir. 2001) (“the prior art itself [may] reflect[]” evidence of the ordinary level of skill in the art) (quoting Litton Indus. Prods., Inc. v. Solid State Sys. Corp., 755 F.2d 158, 163 (Fed. Cir. 1985)). B.” slip op. at 9

    • Claim Construction › Threshold & procedure › Whether a term needs construction (O2 Micro)No construction neededOther

      “Petitioner proposes a construction for the claim language “receiving . . . in real time.” Pet. 13–14. Patent Owner does not argue for any specific claim constructions. See generally Prelim. Resp. “[W]e need only construe terms ‘that are in controversy, and only to the extent necessary to resolve the controversy.’” Nidec Motor Corp. v. Zhongshan Broad Ocean Motor Co., 868 F.3d 1013, 1017 (Fed. Cir. 2017) (quoting Vivid Techs., Inc. v. Am. Sci. & Eng’g, Inc., 200 F.3d 795, 803 (Fed. Cir. 1999)). We determine that, here, no construction of any claim term is necessary for purposes of rendering this Decision. See Nidec Motor Corp., 868 F.3d at 1017. C. LEGAL STANDARDS CONCERNING INSTITUTION AND” slip op. at 11

    Claim constructionDiscretionary denialcites Phillips
    Patents in suitUS 11,475,047
  • PTAB · Oct 12, 2023 · IPR2023-00735 · APJ James A Tartal · IPR · Institution

    The Board denied institution because Petitioner did not show a reasonable likelihood of prevailing and failed to identify its grounds and supporting evidence with particularity.

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

      “review. 35 U.S.C. § 314(b) (2018); 37 C.F.R. § 42.4(a) (2019). An inter partes review may not be instituted “unless . . . the information presented in the petition . . . 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). Even when that standard is satisfied, however, the Board has discretion to deny institution.4” slip op. at 2

    • BurdenDenied

      “Accordingly, we find that the Petition falls short of the requirement that it present “with particularity, each claim challenged, the grounds on which the challenge to each claim is based, and the evidence that supports the grounds for the challenge to each claim.” 35 U.S.C. § 312(a)(3). In our view, the large number of grounds is far out of proportion with the number of claims and the complexity of the issues involved. This excessiveness indicates that it would impose an undue burden for Patent Owner to respond to and for the Board to resolve all of the grounds asserted in the Petition. Moreover, in addition to the number of grounds asserted, Petitioner’s arguments in support of those grounds are unclear and impossible to discern. Petitioner does not separately discuss each individual ground, but instead lumps together the discussion of all grounds under a single heading. This grouping together of multiple grounds obscures the specific arguments advanced and the claims challenged in each individual ground. Moreover, we agree with Patent Owner that Petitioner does not adequately explain these multiple-reference combinations, or why ordinarily skilled artisans would be motivated to combine them in the manner recited. In these circumstances, we determine that denial is appropriate because the Petition asserts voluminous and excessive grounds and fails to identify them with the requisite particularity. See Microsoft Corp. v. FG SRC, LLC, 860 Fed. Appx. 708, 713 (Fed. Cir. 2021) (“It is not the Board’s job to cobble together assertions from different sections of a petition or citations of various exhibits in order to infer every possible permutation of a petitioner’s arguments. Arguments in a petition must be made with particularity, not opacity”). We further determine that Petitioner fails to” slip op. at 20

    • Skill levelSkill level petitioner adoptedDecided for petitioner

      “Petitioner contends a person of ordinary skill in the art “would at minimum have a bachelor’s degree in software/computer/electrical engineering, computer science, or industrial engineering and management including with respect to systems for dynamically managing inventory and pricing of transportation services or other types of inventory, or the equivalent.” Pet. 16. Petitioner also contends “[a]dditional graduate education could substitute for professional experience, or significant inventory and pricing management experience could substitute for formal education.” Id. (citing Ex. 1003 ¶¶ 17–18). Patent Owner does not dispute the level of ordinary skill identified by Petitioner. See Prelim. Resp. 10. For purposes of this Decision, we apply Petitioner’s proposed level of skill because, on the current record, it is consistent with the level of skill at the time of the claimed invention reflected by the ’598 patent and the cited prior art references. See Okajima v. Bourdeau, 261 F.3d 1350, 1355 (Fed. Cir. 2001).” slip op. at 9

    • Expert testimonyPetitioner expert discountedDecided for patent owner

      “In sum, rather than present its challenges with particularity, the Petition simply reproduces large excerpts from multiple references while improperly incorporating by reference hundreds of pages from an expert declaration that frequently includes conclusory assertions. See, e.g., Ex 1003 ¶¶ 162, 188, 201, 226, 227, 240, 250, 264, 274, 282, 292, 302, 309, 318, 326, 332, 341, 363, 384, 387, 416, 428, 444, 456, 458, 476, 495, 504, 511, 521, 535, 633, 641 (stating in substantially similar terms that it “would have been routine to make such an implementation choice,” and “clear it results with a reasonable expectation of success”). Accordingly, we find that the Petition falls short of the requirement that it present “with particularity, each claim challenged, the grounds on which the challenge to each claim is based, and the evidence that supports the grounds for the challenge to each claim.” 35 U.S.C. § 312(a)(3). In our view, the large number of grounds is far out of proportion with the number of claims and the complexity of the issues involved. This excessiveness indicates that it would impose an undue burden for Patent Owner to respond to and for the Board to resolve all of the grounds asserted in the Petition. Moreover, in addition to the number of grounds asserted, Petitioner’s arguments in support of those grounds are unclear and impossible to discern. Petitioner does not separately discuss each individual ground, but instead lumps together the discussion of all grounds under a single heading. This grouping together of multiple grounds obscures the specific arguments advanced and the claims challenged in each individual ground. Moreover, we agree with Patent Owner that Petitioner does not adequately explain these multiple-reference combinations, or why ordinarily skilled artisans would be motivated to combine them in the manner recited.” slip op. at 19

    Claim constructionDiscretionary denialcites Phillips · KSR · Graham
    Patents in suitUS 11,334,598
  • PTAB · Oct 6, 2023 · IPR2023-00737 · APJ Michael L Woods · IPR · Institution

    Denied institution of IPR for claims 1–10 because the petition lacked particularity and failed to show a reasonable likelihood that any challenged claim was unpatentable.

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

      “We agree with Patent Owner. Petitioner’s citations to Dr. Regan’s testimony, as well as to Jacob, Tamura, and Kono, fail to show a reasonable likelihood that the cited art satisfies that the steps recited in limitations 9(g) and 9(h) are performed “based on the query,” as required in limitation 9(f). Petitioner’s treatment of these limitations lacks sufficient substantive analysis. See Pet. 60–62.” slip op. at 17

    • BurdenDenied

      “1. Petitioner fails to clearly map how the claim limitations are mapped to the prior art, and “simply combines the references together in a single, omnibus chart, with no delineation between grounds.” Id. at 9. 2. The Petition fails to identify how the references are being combined. Id. at 14. 3. Petitioner’s motivations to combine are deficient, as Petitioner simply relies on boilerplate language without “address[ing] the combination of any specific teachings in the prior art, let alone explain why a POSITA would have understood such combinations.” Id. at 20. We agree with Patent Owner. Petitioner has a duty to identify “with particularity, each claim challenged, the grounds on which the challenge to each claim is based, and the evidence that supports the grounds for the challenge to each claim.” 35 U.S.C. § 312(a)(3); see also Playtika Ltd. V. NexRF Corp., IPR2021- 00952, Paper 14 (denying institution based on discretionary factors and lack of sufficient particularity). The importance of this requirement has been stressed by our reviewing court. See Intelligent Bio-Sys., Inc. v. Illumina Cambridge Ltd., 821 F.3d 1359, 1369 (Fed. Cir. 2016). (“It is of the utmost importance that petitioners in the IPR proceedings adhere to the requirement that the initial petition identify ‘with particularity’ the ‘evidence that supports the grounds for the challenge to each claim.’”). Our Rules further require that the Petition must identify “specific portions of the evidence that support the challenge” (37 C.F.R. § 42.104(b)(5)) and that each petition must include “[a] full statement of the reasons for the relief requested, including a detailed explanation of the significance of the evidence including material facts, and the governing law, rules, and precedent” (id. § 42.22(a)(2)). Our Practice Guide also instructs that “parties should avoid submitting a repository of all the information that a judge could possibly consider, and instead focus on concise, well-organized, easy-to-follow arguments supported by readily identifiable evidence of record.” Patent Trial and Appeal Board Consolidated Trial Practice Guide, available at https://www.uspto.gov/TrialPracticeGuideConsolidated (Nov. 14, 2019), at 39.2 The Petition falls short of these requirements. Rather than present its challenges in a concise and understandable” slip op. at 10

    • Skill levelSkill level board ownOther

      “would at minimum have a bachelor’s degree in software/computer/electrical engineering, computer science, or industrial engineering and management with at least two years’ experience in inventory and pricing management, including with respect to systems for dynamically managing inventory and pricing of inventory, or the equivalent. Additional graduate education could substitute for professional experience, or significant inventory and pricing management experience could substitute for formal education. Pet. 10; see also Prelim. Resp. 7 (“This is the same level of skill agreed to by the parties in the litigation. Patent Owner applies this definition for purposes of this Preliminary Response.”). For purposes of this Decision, we adopt the parties’ assessment of the level of ordinary skill in the art. We find that their assessment is consistent with the ’999 patent and the asserted prior art. See Okajima v. Bourdeau, 261 F.3d 1350, 1355 (Fed. Cir. 2001).” slip op. at 8

    • Claim Construction › Threshold & procedure › Whether a term needs construction (O2 Micro)Plain and ordinary meaningNo construction neededOther

      “Rather, the parties do not propose competing constructions for any term. Compare Pet. 8–9, with Prelim. Resp. 42–45. For purposes of this Decision, we give the claims their plain and ordinary meaning, and we need not and do not expressly construe any term. See Nidec Motor Corp. v. Zhongshan Broad Ocean Motor Co., 868 F.3d 1013, 1017 (Fed. Cir. 2017) (stating that “we need only construe terms ‘that are in controversy, and only to the extent necessary to resolve the controversy’”) (quoting Vivid Techs., Inc. v. Am. Sci. & Eng’g, Inc., 200 F.3d 795, 803 (Fed. Cir. 1999)).” slip op. at 10

    Claim constructionDiscretionary denialcites Phillips
    Patents in suitUS 11,360,999
  • PTAB · Nov 15, 2022 · IPR2022-01173 · APJ Jeffrey N Fredman · IPR · Institution

    The Board denied institution because AliveCor disclaimed all challenged claims, claims 1–13.

    RulingsInstitution decision
    • Adverse judgmentAdverse judgmentDenied

      “37 C.F.R. § 1.321(a); see also Vectra, 162 F.3d at 1382 (holding that a § 253 disclaimer is immediately “recorded” on the date that the Office receives a disclaimer meeting requirements of 37 C.F.R. § 1.321(a) and that no further action is required in the Office). “No inter partes review will be instituted based on disclaimed claims.” 37 C.F.R. § 42.107(e); see also General Electric Co. v. United Techs. Corp., IPR2017-00491, Paper 9 at 3 (PTAB July 6, 2017) (precedential). is, the USPTO Patent Application Information Retrieval (PAIR) database containing the image file wrappers and other information for the ’175 patent), we conclude that a disclaimer of claims 1–13 of the ’175 patent under 35 U.S.C. § 253(a) has been recorded in the Office as of October 11, 2022. Exhibit 2001, a copy of the filed disclaimer, is signed by Patent Owner’s attorney of record, Abhijit P. Adisesh. Ex. 2001, 1. Exhibit 2001 also identifies the ’175 patent; identifies that all of the claims at issue in the petitions (claims 1–13) are disclaimed; and states that AliveCor, Inc. is the owner of 100% of the instant patent by virtue of an assignment recorded at Reel 049503 and Frame 0327. Id. The image file wrapper in PAIR for the ’175 patent includes a fee worksheet and receipt for the requisite fee filed with the disclaimer on October 11, 2022. Because Patent Owner filed a statutory disclaimer in compliance with 35 U.S.C. § 253(a) and 37 C.F.R. § 1.321(a) disclaiming all the claims of the ’175 patent, no inter partes review is instituted in this proceeding.” slip op. at 3

    Discretionary denial
    Patents in suitUS 11,103,175
  • PTAB · Nov 1, 2022 · IPR2022-00854 · APJ Jeffrey W Abraham · IPR · Institution

    The Board denied institution because the Patent Owner disclaimed all challenged claims in compliance with the statutory requirements.

    RulingsInstitution decision
    • Adverse judgmentAdverse judgmentOther

      “A disclaimer under 35 U.S.C. § 253(a) is “considered as part of the original patent” as of the date on which it is “recorded” in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (“Office”). 35 U.S.C. § 253(a). For a disclaimer to be “recorded” in the Office, the document filed by the patent owner must: (1) Be signed by the patentee, or an attorney or agent of record; (2) Identify the patent and complete claim or claims, or term being disclaimed. A disclaimer which is not a disclaimer of a complete claim or claims, or term will be refused recordation;” slip op. at 7

    Discretionary denial
    Patents in suitUS 8,035,112
  • PTAB · Nov 1, 2022 · IPR2022-00724 · APJ Jeffrey W Abraham · IPR · Institution

    The Board denied institution because Patent Owner disclaimed all challenged claims 2–5, 8, 9, and 13–16 in compliance with the statutory requirements.

    RulingsInstitution decision
    • Adverse judgmentAdverse judgmentDenied

      “Here, Patent Owner filed a statutory disclaimer of claims 1–16 of the ’112 patent, which includes the challenged claims. Prelim. Resp. 1; Ex. 2001. Based on our review of Exhibit 2001 and Office public records, we conclude that a disclaimer of claims 1–16 of the ’112 patent under 35 U.S.C. § 253(a) was filed with the Office as of September 29, 2021. Based on the information in the public record, we find that the disclaimer complies with the above-listed requirements of 37 C.F.R. § 1.321(a). Because all challenged claims have been disclaimed under 35 U.S.C. § 253(a), in compliance with 37 C.F.R. § 1.321(a), no inter partes review is instituted in this proceeding. 37 C.F.R. § 42.107(e); General Electric Co. v. United Techs. Corp., IPR2017-00491, Paper 9 (PTAB July 6, 2017) (precedential) (declining to institute inter partes review when all challenged claims were disclaimed under 35 U.S.C. § 253(a)). Patent Owner acknowledges that we should deny institution on this threshold procedural ground. Prelim. Resp. 1.” slip op. at 7

    Discretionary denial
    Patents in suitUS 8,035,112
  • PTAB · Oct 24, 2022 · IPR2022-00830 · APJ Frances L Ippolito · IPR · Institution

    The Board denied institution of IPR on claims 1–14 and 16–21 because the Patent Owner effectively disclaimed all challenged claims.

    RulingsInstitution decision
    • Adverse judgmentAdverse judgmentDenied

      “conclude a disclaimer of claims 1–14 and 16–21 of the ’632 Patent, under 35 U.S.C. § 253(a) has been recorded in the Office as of July 28, 2022. Ex. 2002. Vectra Fitness, Inc., 162 F.3d at 1382. The record shows that a completed Form PTO/SB/43 (“DISCLAIMER IN PATENT UNDER 37 CFR 1.321(a)”) was filed and received by the Office on that date. See Ex. 2002. The disclaimer form was signed by Lance D’Armico, Secretary for Patent Owner Times Fiber Communications, Inc. See Ex. 2002, 3; see also Ex. 2001 (recorded assignment of the challenged patent from Amphenol Corporation to Times Fiber Communications, Inc., executed on December 23, 2021). The form identifies Patent Owner as having a “100% Ownership Interest” in the ’632 Patent, and identifies claims 1–14 and 16– 21 as being disclaimed. See Ex. 2002, 3. The evidence also reflects payment of the required fee. See id. at 1, 4–5. We determine Patent Owner has met the requirements for an effective disclaimer under 35 U.S.C. § 253 and 37 C.F.R. § 1.321(a). In view of this disclaimer, and as consistent with 37 C.F.R. § 42.107(e) and the Board’s precedential General Electric decision, we determine a denial of institution is sufficient to dispose of this case. See Gen. Elec. Co., IPR2017-00491, Paper 9. Thus, we decline to institute an inter partes review.” slip op. at 4

    Discretionary denial
    Patents in suitUS 10,913,632
  • PTAB · Jun 10, 2022 · IPR2022-00111 · APJ Jason M Repko · IPR · Institution

    The Board denied institution because the patent was likely subject to the AIA’s nine-month IPR waiting period, and the petition was filed less than six months after grant.

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

      “A petition for inter partes review shall be filed after the later of either—(1) the date that is 9 months after the grant of a patent; or (2) if a post-grant review is instituted under chapter 32, the date of the termination of such post-grant review.” 35 U.S.C. § 311(c). Similarly, our rules require that, for patents described in section 3(n)(1) of the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act, Pub. L. No. 112–29, 125 Stat. 284 (Sept. 16, 2011) (“AIA”), a petition for inter partes review must be filed no earlier than nine months after the date of the grant of the patent. 37 C.F.R. § 42.102(a)(1). Patents subject to the AIA first-inventor-to file provisions are those that issue from applications “that contain or contained at any time— (A) a claim to a claimed invention that has an effective filing date as defined in section 100(i) of title 35, United States Code, that is on or after [March 16, 2013]; or (B) a specific reference under section 120, 121, or 365(c) of title 35, United States Code, to any patent or application that contains or contained at any time such a claim. AIA § 3(n)(1). slip op. at 6

    Discretionary denial
    Patents in suitUS 11,017,020
  • PTAB · Apr 15, 2022 · IPR2022-00026 · APJ Kristina M Kalan · IPR · Institution

    The Board denied institution because the Patent Owner recorded a compliant statutory disclaimer of all challenged claims 1–19.

    RulingsInstitution decision
    • Adverse judgmentAdverse judgmentOther

      “[§] 253(a) in compliance with § 1.321(a) of this chapter, disclaiming one or more claims in the patent. No inter partes review will be instituted based on disclaimed claims.” 37 C.F.R. § 42.107(e) (2019). A disclaimer under 35 U.S.C. § 253(a) is “considered as part of the original patent” as of the date on which it is “recorded” in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (“Office”). 35 U.S.C. § 253(a). For a disclaimer to be “recorded” in the Office, the document filed by the patent owner must:” slip op. at 5

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

      “To institute 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). For the reasons discussed below, we decline to institute inter partes review.” slip op. at 2

    Discretionary denial
    Patents in suitUS 8,034,480

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.