- Micron Technology, Inc. v. Yangtze Memory Technologies Company, Ltd.Some claims unpatentablePTAB · Jul 6, 2026 · IPR2025-00191 · APJ Michael T Cygan · IPR · Final written decision
Claims 3, 8, 11, 12, and 19 are unpatentable under §103; Petitioner did not show claims 6, 9, 10, 13–18, and 20 unpatentable.
RulingsFinal written decision- Skill levelSkill level petitioner adoptedDecided for petitioner
“at the critical time “would have had a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering or a similar discipline, along with 2–3 years of professional experience working with (e.g., researching, designing, or teaching) monolithic 3D structures and NAND memory devices, or an equivalent level of skill, knowledge, and experience (e.g., an advanced degree may replace some of the professional experience).” Pet. 27 (citing Ex. 1003 ¶¶34–38). Petitioner further asserts that a POSITA “would have been aware of and generally knowledgeable about 3D NAND’s structure, how it is manufactured, and its component parts.” Id. Patent Owner does 5 Neither party presents evidence or arguments regarding objective evidence of non-obviousness. Pet. 100; PO. Resp. circuit design. PO Resp. 9–10 (citing Ex. 2021 ¶ 35). Neither Patent Owner nor Dr. Campbell considers the obviousness of the claims to turn on the precise definition of the level or ordinary skill in the art. PO Resp. 10; Ex. 2021 ¶ 35. For purposes of this Decision, we adopt Petitioner’s proposed level of ordinary skill, as it appears to be consistent with the specification of the ’322 patent and the prior art of record.” slip op. at 7
- Claim Construction › Threshold & procedure › Whether a term needs construction (O2 Micro)No construction neededDecided for petitioner
“C. Claim Construction Neither party proposes any express claim construction. Pet. 27 (stating claims should receive their “plain and ordinary meaning”); PO Resp. 10 (stating that Petitioner’s challenges fail “under any reasonable construction”). In an inter partes review, we construe a patent claim “using the same claim construction standard that would be used to construe the claim in a civil action under 35 U.S.C. [§] 282(b).” 37 C.F.R. § 42.100(b). Under this standard, the words of a claim generally are given their “ordinary and customary meaning,” which is the meaning the term would have to a person of ordinary skill at the time of the invention, in the context of the entire patent including the specification. Phillips v. AWH Corp., 415 F.3d 1303, 1312–13 (Fed. Cir. 2005) (en banc). We determine no terms require express construction for purposes of this Decision.” slip op. at 8
- Obviousness (§103) › Motivation to combine / reasonable expectation of successMotivation foundReasonable expectation foundDecided for petitioner
“We determine that such a configuration would be neither inoperable nor significantly undesirable. Dr. Campbell testified that he does not argue that this configuration would be inoperable. Ex. 1106, 74:12–17; Ex. 2021 ¶60. Dr. Lee testifies that this configuration is “consistent with Nishikawa[123]’s Figure 14B.” Ex. 1105 ¶ 13. Dr. Lee further testifies that this configuration would not necessarily require a larger footprint, but instead, “could simply replace the trenches, abutting the device edge.” Id. Dr. Campbell testified that if the circular TAC replaced the rectangular trench, “I don’t know what it would be or exactly where it would be,” and therefore, “I can’t say what the size of the red circle would have to be.” Ex. 1106, 83:19–84:3. Therefore, the record does not support finding a circular TAC to have a larger footprint. Absent a larger footprint, there is no evidence that the end-connected TAC would be undesirable.” slip op. at 15
- Expert testimonyPetitioner expert creditedPatent owner expert discountedMixed
“nor significantly undesirable. Dr. Campbell testified that he does not argue that this configuration would be inoperable. Ex. 1106, 74:12–17; Ex. 2021 ¶60. Dr. Lee testifies that this configuration is “consistent with Nishikawa[123]’s Figure 14B.” Ex. 1105 ¶ 13. Dr. Lee further testifies that this configuration would not necessarily require a larger footprint, but instead, “could simply replace the trenches, abutting the device edge.” Id. Dr. Campbell testified that if the circular TAC replaced the rectangular trench, “I don’t know what it would be or exactly where it would be,” and therefore, “I can’t say what the size of the red circle would have to be.” Ex. 1106, 83:19–84:3. Therefore, the record does not support finding a circular TAC to have a larger footprint. Absent a larger footprint, there is no evidence that the end-connected TAC would be undesirable.” slip op. at 15
Patent outcomesUS 11,581,322 mixedClaim construction§ 103 obviousnesscites KSR · GrahamPatents in suitUS 11,581,322 - Ipr2026-00229InstitutedPTAB · Jul 2, 2026 · IPR2026-00229 · APJ John A Squires · IPR · Institution
Institution of inter partes review in IPR2026-00229 was granted because the petitioner showed a reasonable likelihood of prevailing on at least one challenged claim.
RulingsInstitution decision- PTAB / AIA Trials › Institution threshold (reasonable likelihood / more likely than not)InstitutedInstituted
“petitioner has shown a reasonable likelihood of prevailing with respect to at least one of the claims challenged in the petition, and no other non- discretionary considerations warrant denial of institution. Accordingly, institution of inter partes review is granted in the following proceedings: IPR2026-00140 IPR2026-00205 IPR2026-00219 IPR2026-00203 IPR2026-00215 IPR2026-00227 IPR2026-00204 IPR2026-00217 IPR2026-00229” slip op. at 1
NonePatents in suitUS 12,240,458 - Ipr2026-00227InstitutedPTAB · Jul 2, 2026 · IPR2026-00227 · APJ John A Squires · IPR · Director review
The Director granted institution of IPR2026-00227 after finding a reasonable likelihood of prevailing on at least one challenged claim and no other basis to deny institution.
RulingsDirector review decision- PTAB / AIA Trials › Institution threshold (reasonable likelihood / more likely than not)InstitutedInstituted
“petitioner has shown a reasonable likelihood of prevailing with respect to at least one of the claims challenged in the petition, and no other non- discretionary considerations warrant denial of institution. Accordingly, institution of inter partes review is granted in the following proceedings: IPR2026-00140 IPR2026-00205 IPR2026-00219 IPR2026-00203 IPR2026-00215 IPR2026-00227 IPR2026-00204 IPR2026-00217 IPR2026-00229” slip op. at 1
NonePatents in suitUS 11,932,230 - Ipr2026-00219InstitutedPTAB · Jul 2, 2026 · IPR2026-00219 · APJ John A Squires · IPR · Institution
The Director granted institution of IPR2026-00219 after finding a reasonable likelihood of prevailing on at least one challenged claim and no other non-discretionary basis for denial.
RulingsInstitution decision- PTAB / AIA Trials › Institution threshold (reasonable likelihood / more likely than not)InstitutedInstituted
“petitioner has shown a reasonable likelihood of prevailing with respect to at least one of the claims challenged in the petition, and no other non- discretionary considerations warrant denial of institution. Accordingly, institution of inter partes review is granted in the following proceedings:” slip op. at 1
NonePatents in suitUS 12,221,104 - Ipr2026-00217InstitutedPTAB · Jul 2, 2026 · IPR2026-00217 · APJ John A Squires · IPR · Institution
The Director granted institution of IPR2026-00217 after finding a reasonable likelihood of prevailing on at least one challenged claim and no other non-discretionary reason to deny institution.
RulingsInstitution decision- PTAB / AIA Trials › Institution threshold (reasonable likelihood / more likely than not)InstitutedInstituted
“petitioner has shown a reasonable likelihood of prevailing with respect to at least one of the claims challenged in the petition, and no other non- discretionary considerations warrant denial of institution. Accordingly, institution of inter partes review is granted in the following proceedings: IPR2026-00140 IPR2026-00205 IPR2026-00219 IPR2026-00203 IPR2026-00215 IPR2026-00227 IPR2026-00204 IPR2026-00217 IPR2026-00229” slip op. at 1
NonePatents in suitUS 10,426,633 - Ipr2026-00215InstitutedPTAB · Jul 2, 2026 · IPR2026-00215 · APJ John A Squires · IPR · Institution
The Director granted institution of inter partes review in IPR2026-00215 after finding a reasonable likelihood of success on at least one challenged claim and no other basis to deny institution.
RulingsInstitution decision- PTAB / AIA Trials › Institution threshold (reasonable likelihood / more likely than not)InstitutedInstituted
“petitioner has shown a reasonable likelihood of prevailing with respect to at least one of the claims challenged in the petition, and no other non- discretionary considerations warrant denial of institution. Accordingly, institution of inter partes review is granted in the following proceedings:” slip op. at 1
NonePatents in suitUS 12,239,333 - Ipr2026-00205InstitutedPTAB · Jul 2, 2026 · IPR2026-00205 · APJ John A Squires · IPR · Institution
Institution of inter partes review is granted in IPR2026-00205 because the petitioner showed a reasonable likelihood of prevailing on at least one challenged claim.
RulingsInstitution decision- PTAB / AIA Trials › Institution threshold (reasonable likelihood / more likely than not)InstitutedInstituted
“petitioner has shown a reasonable likelihood of prevailing with respect to at least one of the claims challenged in the petition, and no other non- discretionary considerations warrant denial of institution. Accordingly, institution of inter partes review is granted in the following proceedings: IPR2026-00140 IPR2026-00205 IPR2026-00219 IPR2026-00203 IPR2026-00215 IPR2026-00227 IPR2026-00204 IPR2026-00217 IPR2026-00229” slip op. at 1
NonePatents in suitUS 12,240,457 - Ipr2026-00204OtherPTAB · Jul 2, 2026 · IPR2026-00204 · APJ John A Squires · IPR · Order
The Director granted institution of inter partes review in IPR2026-00204 after finding a reasonable likelihood of prevailing on at least one challenged claim and no other reason to deny institution.
RulingsOther- PTAB / AIA Trials › Institution threshold (reasonable likelihood / more likely than not)InstitutedInstituted
“petitioner has shown a reasonable likelihood of prevailing with respect to at least one of the claims challenged in the petition, and no other non- discretionary considerations warrant denial of institution. Accordingly, institution of inter partes review is granted in the following proceedings:” slip op. at 1
NonePatents in suitUS 12,227,184 - Ipr2026-00203InstitutedPTAB · Jul 2, 2026 · IPR2026-00203 · APJ John A Squires · IPR · Institution
The Director granted institution of IPR2026-00203 after finding a reasonable likelihood of prevailing on at least one challenged claim and no other basis to deny institution.
RulingsInstitution decision- PTAB / AIA Trials › Institution threshold (reasonable likelihood / more likely than not)InstitutedInstituted
“petitioner has shown a reasonable likelihood of prevailing with respect to at least one of the claims challenged in the petition, and no other non- discretionary considerations warrant denial of institution. Accordingly, institution of inter partes review is granted in the following proceedings: IPR2026-00140 IPR2026-00205 IPR2026-00219 IPR2026-00203 IPR2026-00215 IPR2026-00227 IPR2026-00204 IPR2026-00217 IPR2026-00229” slip op. at 1
NonePatents in suitUS 9,232,403 - Ipr2026-00140InstitutedPTAB · Jul 2, 2026 · IPR2026-00140 · APJ John A Squires · IPR · Institution
The Director granted institution of IPR2026-00140 after finding a reasonable likelihood of prevailing on at least one challenged claim and no other non-discretionary reason to deny institution.
RulingsInstitution decision- PTAB / AIA Trials › Institution threshold (reasonable likelihood / more likely than not)InstitutedInstituted
“petitioner has shown a reasonable likelihood of prevailing with respect to at least one of the claims challenged in the petition, and no other non- discretionary considerations warrant denial of institution. Accordingly, institution of inter partes review is granted in the following proceedings:” slip op. at 1
NonePatents in suitUS 11,451,883
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.