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8 decisions · 408msnewest first
  • PTAB · May 5, 2025 · IPR2025-00092 · APJ Garth D Baer · IPR · Institution

    The Board denied institution because Orca disclaimed all challenged claims 1–19 before institution.

    RulingsInstitution decision
    • Adverse judgmentAdverse judgmentOther

      “Under 37 C.F.R. § 42.107(e), “[t]he patent owner may file a statutory disclaimer under 35 U.S.C. 253(a) in compliance with § 1.321(a) of this chapter, disclaiming one or more claims in the patent” and, if the statutory disclaimer is filed properly, “[n]o [IPR] will be instituted based on disclaimed claims.” A statutory disclaimer is “considered as part of the original patent” as of the date on which it is “recorded” in the USPTO. 35 U.S.C. § 253(a). “A statutory disclaimer under 35 U.S.C. § 253 has the effect of canceling the claims from the patent and the patent is viewed as though the disclaimed claims had never existed in the patent.” Guinn v. Kopf, 96 F.3d 1419, 1422 (Fed. Cir. 1996); see also Raytheon Techs. Corp. v. General Elec. Co., 993 F.3d 1374, n.4 (Fed. Cir. 2021) (“Disclaimed claims are treated as if they never existed.”)” slip op. at 2

    Discretionary denial
    Patents in suitUS 11,516,231
  • 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 · Jan 19, 2022 · PGR2021-00101 · APJ Garth D Baer · PGR · Institution

    The Board denied post-grant review of claims 1, 7, 9, 16, 22, and 24 because the patent is not eligible for PGR as a pre-AIA patent.

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

      “Act (“AIA”)5 apply only to AIA patents, which are patents that have an effective filing date on or after March 16, 2013. See AIA §§ 3(n)(1); 6(f)(2)(A). Pre-AIA patents—those with effective filing dates before March 16, 2013—are not eligible for post-grant review.” slip op. at 6

    Discretionary denial
    Patents in suitUS 10,951,632
  • PTAB · Jan 19, 2022 · PGR2021-00100 · APJ Thomas L Giannetti · PGR · Institution

    The Board denied post-grant review of claims 1, 9, 16, and 24 because the patent is pre-AIA and ineligible for post-grant review.

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

      “III. ELIGIBILITY FOR POST-GRANT REVIEW The post-grant review provisions of the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act (“AIA”)4 apply only to AIA patents, which are patents that have an effective filing date on or after March 16, 2013. See AIA §§ 3(n)(1); 6(f)(2)(A). Pre-AIA patents—those with effective filing dates before March 16, 2013—are not eligible for post-grant review.” slip op. at 5

    Discretionary denial
    Patents in suitUS 10,951,632
  • PTAB · Nov 29, 2021 · IPR2021-01011 · APJ Garth D Baer · IPR · Institution

    The Board denied institution because Patent Owner disclaimed all challenged claims 1–36, and the Board’s rules bar institution on disclaimed claims.

    RulingsInstitution decision
    • Adverse judgmentAdverse judgmentDenied

      “November 22, 2021, after Petitioner filed its Petition, Patent Owner filed a statutory disclaimer, disclaiming claims 1–36 of the ’957 patent. Ex. 2008. Under our rules, “[n]o inter partes review will be instituted based on disclaimed claims.” 37 C.F.R. § 42.107(e); see Gen. Elec. Co. v. United Techs. Corp., IPR2017-00491, Paper 9 (PTAB July 6, 2017) (explaining how Rule 42.107(e) operates in the case of a pre-institution disclaimer of all claims) (precedential). Because we cannot institute trial on disclaimed claims and Patent Owner has disclaimed all of the challenged claims, we do not institute an inter partes review of claims 1–36. III. ORDER Accordingly, it is: ORDERED that the Petition is denied as to the challenged claims of the ʼ957 patent; and FURTHER ORDERED that no inter partes review is instituted.” slip op. at 2

    Discretionary denial
    Patents in suitUS 8,577,957
  • PTAB · Oct 1, 2021 · IPR2021-00806 · APJ Garth D Baer · IPR · Institution

    The Board denied institution on claims 1–3 because Patent Owner disclaimed all claims of the ’903 patent.

    RulingsInstitution decision
    • Adverse judgmentAdverse judgmentDenied

      “We agree with Patent Owner. Under our rules, “[n]o inter partes review will be instituted based on disclaimed claims.” 37 C.F.R. § 42.107(e). Because we cannot institute trial on disclaimed claims, we do not institute an inter partes review of claims 1–3.” slip op. at 2

    Discretionary denial
    Patents in suitUS 9,747,903
  • PTAB · Nov 9, 2015 · CBM2015-00150 · APJ Bart A Gerstenblith · CBM · Institution

    The Board denied institution for claims 1–18 because Petitioner did not show that the patent was eligible for covered business method review.

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

      “for the creation of a transitional program for reviewing covered business method patents. “The Director may institute a transitional proceeding only for a patent that is a covered business method patent.” Pub. L. No. 112-29, § 18(a)(1)(E), 125 Stat. 284, 330 (Sept. 16, 2011). A “covered business method patent” is a patent that “claims a method or corresponding apparatus for performing data processing or other operations used in the practice, administration, or management of a financial product or service, except that the term does not include patents for technological inventions.” Id. § 18(d)(1), 125 Stat. at 331; accord 37 C.F.R. § 42.301(a) (providing the same definition of “covered business method patent”). “The petitioner must demonstrate that the patent for which review is sought is a covered business method patent.” 37 C.F.R. § 42.304(a).” slip op. at 9

    • PTAB / AIA Trials › Other PTAB motions (exclude, strike, seal, additional discovery, rehearing)Denied

      “discussed above, a teleconference was held with the parties on November 5, 2015. Petitioner and Patent Owner jointly request authorization to file a motion for termination under 35 U.S.C. § 327, the statute governing termination of instituted post-grant reviews due to settlement, but confirmed during the call that no written settlement agreement currently exists. The parties request that the proceedings terminate without estoppel, such that Petitioner can re-file the petitions upon completion of Federal Circuit review of the District Court’s ineligibility determination, if necessary. Patent Owner limits its agreement to Petitioner re-filing the same petitions. Effectively, the parties request that we stay these proceedings pending Federal Circuit review of the District Court’s decision. We deny the parties’ request. As explained below, the ’120 patent is not eligible for covered business method patent review. Deferring entering such a decision is inconsistent with our policy objective of “secur[ing] the just, speedy, and inexpensive resolution of every proceeding.” 37 C.F.R. § 42.1. We do not reach, and, thus, express no opinion on, eligibility of the claims of the ’120 patent under 35 U.S.C. § 101.” slip op. at 3

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

      “II. CLAIM CONSTRUCTION Although Petitioner presents constructions for several claim terms, no terms require express construction for purposes of this Decision.” slip op. at 9

    Claim constructionDiscretionary denial
    Patents in suitUS 8,843,120
  • PTAB · Nov 9, 2015 · CBM2015-00110 · APJ Bart A Gerstenblith · CBM · Institution

    The Board denied both petitions and did not institute CBM review of claims 1–18 because Petitioner did not show the patent was eligible for CBM review.

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

      “On this record, Petitioner has not introduced persuasive evidence to show that at least one claim of the ’120 patent claims a method or corresponding apparatus for performing data processing or other operations used in the practice, administration, or management of a financial product or service. Accordingly, Petitioner has not met its burden of demonstrating that the ’120 patent is eligible for covered business method patent review.” slip op. at 19

    Discretionary denial
    Patents in suitUS 8,843,120

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.