- PPC Broadband, Inc. v. Times Fiber Communications, Inc.Institution deniedPTAB · 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 denialPatents in suitUS 10,913,632 - PTAB · Jul 1, 2019 · IPR2019-00485 · APJ Christa P Zado · IPR · Institution
The Board denied institution because ZTE filed a civil action challenging the patent’s validity before filing the petition, barring review under § 315(a)(1).
RulingsInstitution decision- PTAB / AIA Trials › Institution threshold (reasonable likelihood / more likely than not)Institution denied
“For the foregoing reasons, we determine that under the circumstances presented here, institution of inter partes review is barred under 35 U.S.C. § 315(a)(1). Therefore, we do not institute an inter partes review in this proceeding. In addition, because institution of inter partes review is barred under § 315(a)(1) and this section does not provide an exception for joinder under 35 U.S.C. § 315(c), we dismiss Petitioner’s Motion as moot.” slip op. at 11
- PTAB / AIA Trials › Real party in interest / privityDecided for patent owner
“We agree with Patent Owner that § 315(a)(1) bars institution of inter partes review in this case. There is no dispute that ZTE is the petitioner and a real party-in-interest in this proceeding. See Pet. 1 (identifying ZTE as the petitioner); see also id. at 79 (identifying ZTE as a real party-in-interest). Patent Owner contends, and Petitioner does not dispute, that on October 9, 2018, prior to the December 20, 2018 filing date of the Petition, ZTE filed a complaint for declaratory judgment alleging invalidity of the ’970 patent. Prelim. Resp. 4 (citing ZTE (USA), Inc. v. AGIS Software Devlopment LLC et al., No. 4:18-cv-06185 (N.D. Cal.) (filed October 9, 2018) (“ZTE action”)). Because ZTE filed a civil action challenging the validity of the ’970 patent before the date on which it filed the Petition, we agree with Patent Owner that inter partes review is barred by ZTE’s civil action. 35 U.S.C. § 315(a)(1).” slip op. at 8
- PTAB / AIA Trials › Joinder §315(c) / SAS all-or-nothingDenied
“Unlike 35 U.S.C. § 315(b), which provides an exception to the statutory time bar when a request for joinder is filed, nothing in the language of § 315(a)(1) indicates that the time bar does not apply if a party files for joinder. Consistent with the plain language of § 315(a)(1), which does not include a joinder exception, the Board has expressly held that a motion for joinder does not exempt a petitioner from the statutory bar under this section. Prelim. Resp. 5 (citing Colas Sols. Inc. v. Blacklidge Emulsions, Inc., Case IPR2018-00243, slip op. at 6, 9 (PTAB Feb. 27, 2018) (Paper 10) (informative)).” slip op. at 9
Discretionary denialPatents in suitUS 8,213,970 - PNC Bank, Na / Suntrust Bank v. Parus Holdings, Inc.Institution deniedPTAB · 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 denialPatents in suitUS 8,843,120 - PNC Bank, Na / Suntrust Bank v. Parus Holdings, Inc.Institution deniedPTAB · 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 denialPatents 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.