- Enovate Medical, LLC v. Intermetro Industries CorporationAll claims unpatentablePTAB · May 11, 2016 · IPR2015-00300 · APJ Jennifer S Bisk · IPR · Final written decision
Claims 27, 28, 88, 101, and 108 are unpatentable as obvious over Dell, Sweere, and Allan, with Planar additionally applied to claim 108.
RulingsFinal written decision- PTAB / AIA Trials › Real party in interest / privityRpi dispute resolved for petitionerDecided for petitioner
“77 Fed. Reg. 48,756, 48,759 (Aug. 14, 2012) (internal citations omitted). Generally, “the ‘real party-in-interest’ [on the petitioner side] is the party that desires review of the patent. Thus, the ‘real party-in-interest’ may be the petitioner itself, and/or it may be the party or parties at whose behest the petition has been filed.” Id.” slip op. at 8
- ExcludeMotion to exclude, grantedGranted
“IV. MOTIONS TO EXCLUDE Petitioner filed a Motion to Exclude Exhibits 2003–2006. Paper 33. Each of Exhibits 2003–2005 is a license agreement, and Exhibit 2006 is a Declaration by Robert A. Sobie. All of this evidence was submitted by Patent Owner as objective evidence of secondary considerations. Because we do not rely on any of that evidence in a manner adverse to Petitioner, we dismiss the Motion as moot. Patent Owner filed a Motion to Exclude Exhibit 1007, which is a declaration by T.E. Schlesinger, Ph.D., which Petitioner filed with its Reply. Paper 35. Because we do not rely on Exhibit 1007 in any manner, we dismiss the Motion as moot.” slip op. at 28
- PTAB / AIA Trials › Other PTAB motions (exclude, strike, seal, additional discovery, rehearing)Other
“entity. It was filed without our authorization because it was filed with Patent Owner’s Opposition to Petitioner’s Motion to Exclude despite that Exhibit 202316 is not responsive to the Motion to Exclude. Paper 42 (“Opp. to Pet. Mot. to Excl.”). In fact, Patent Owner’s Opposition requests that we enter into the record “new Exhibit 2023, which was finalized subsequent to Patent Owner’s Response.” Opp. to Pet. Mot. to Excl. 1. A request for relief should not be made in an opposition brief. It should be made in a motion. 37 C.F.R. § 42.20(a) (“Relief, other than a petition requesting the institution of a trial, must be requested in the form of a motion.”). Further, a motion (and, thus, a request for relief) may be filed only if authorization has been obtained. 37 C.F.R. § 42.20(b) (“A motion will not be entered without Board authorization. Authorization may be provided in an order of general applicability or during the proceeding.”). Consequently, Exhibit 2023 shall be expunged because it was filed without our authorization. See 37 C.F.R. § 42.7.” slip op. at 29
- Claim Construction › Threshold & procedure › Whether a term needs construction (O2 Micro)No construction needed
“No limitation requires an express construction for purposes of the patentability challenge at issue here. See Pet. 6–7 (offering only one proposed construction, which was not material to the patentability challenge);8 PO Resp. 11 (“Patent Owner agrees that the claim terms involved in the [instituted Grounds] do not require construction for purposes of resolving this [inter partes review (IPR)].”).” slip op. at 7
Patent outcomesUS 6,721,178 unpatentableClaim construction§ 103 obviousnesscites KSR · GrahamPatents in suitUS 6,721,178 - PTAB · Apr 4, 2016 · IPR2015-01469 · APJ Karl D Easthom · IPR · Adverse judgment
The Board entered adverse judgment against Gold Charm Limited and ordered claims 1 and 5 cancelled after Patent Owner abandoned the contest.
RulingsAdverse judgment- Adverse judgmentAdverse judgmentGranted
“A party may request entry of adverse judgment against itself at any time during a proceeding. 37 C.F.R. § 42.73(b). Here, Patent Owner has requested to abandon the contest, which would be construed as a request for adverse judgment even apart from Patent Owner’s explicit request for adverse judgment. Id. § 42.73(b)(4). Under these circumstances, entry of judgment adverse to the Patent Owner and cancellation of claims 1 and 5 of the ʼ163 patent are appropriate. Patent Owner’s request for adverse judgment is granted.” slip op. at 2
NonePatents in suitUS 5,870,163 - TRW Automotive U.S. LLC v. Magna Electronics Inc.No claims unpatentablePTAB · Jan 15, 2016 · IPR2014-01348 · APJ Michael J Fitzpatrick · IPR · Final written decision
The Board held claims 40, 41, 43, 44, 46–59, 61–64, 66–74, 86, 87, 89, and 90 not unpatentable because it excluded Goldbeck for lack of authentication.
RulingsFinal written decision- ExcludeMotion to exclude, grantedGranted
“Rule 901(a) states: “To satisfy the requirement of authenticating or identifying an item of evidence, the proponent must produce evidence sufficient to support a finding that the item is what the proponent claims it is.” Fed. R. Evid. 901(a). Thus, we first look to what TRW claimed Exhibit 1105 to be. In that regard, the only identifying information provided by TRW is a footnote in its Petition. See Pet. 2 n.4. The footnote offers a purported bibliographic reference for Exhibit 1105 as follows: “Goldbeck et al., ‘Lane 5 detection and tracking by video sensors,’ Intelligent Transportation Systems, 1999. Proc., 5-8 Oct. 1999, pp.74-79.; prior art under 35 U.S.C. § 102(b).” Id. Thus, TRW claimed that Exhibit 1105 was published during October 5–8 of 1999 in something called Intelligent Transportation Systems. Id. TRW did not cite or otherwise provide any evidence for this claim. Id.8” slip op. at 5
- BurdenNot shown unpatentable
“In its Petition, TRW offered Exhibit 1105 as an article published October 5– 8, 1999, in Intelligent Transportation Systems. Pet. 2 n.4. Magna timely objected for, among other things, lack of authentication. TRW did not serve any supplemental evidence that Exhibit 1105 is what TRW claims it is. And, in opposing the Motion to Exclude, TRW has not directed us to evidence probative of Exhibit 1105 being an article published October 5–8, 1999, in Intelligent Transportation Systems or persuaded us that Exhibit 1105 is self-authenticating for that which TRW generally claims it to be: “an IEEE publication from an IEEE periodical.” Opp. 4. Magna’s Motion to Exclude Exhibit 1105 for lack of authentication is granted. III. CONCLUSION Petitioner’s ground of unpatentability relies on Exhibit 1105 (Goldbeck). Because we exclude Exhibit 1105 from evidence, Petitioner’s ground of unpatentability necessarily fails.” slip op. at 12
Patent outcomesUS 8,508,593 not shown unpatentableNonePatents in suitUS 8,508,593 - TRW Automotive U.S. LLC v. Magna Electronics Inc.No claims unpatentablePTAB · Jan 6, 2016 · IPR2014-01347 · APJ Michael J Fitzpatrick · IPR · Final written decision
The Board held claims 1–3, 6–12, 16, 18–31, 33–39, 76–80, and 82–85 not unpatentable because it excluded Goldbeck for lack of authentication, defeating both obviousness grounds.
RulingsFinal written decision- ExcludeMotion to exclude, grantedGranted
“Rule 901(a) states: “To satisfy the requirement of authenticating or identifying an item of evidence, the proponent must produce evidence sufficient to support a finding that the item is what the proponent claims it is.” Fed. R. Evid. 901(a). Thus, we first look to what TRW claimed Exhibit 1005 to be.” slip op. at 6
- Novelty / Anticipation (§102) › Prior-art status of a reference › Printed publication / public accessibilityNot reached
“Magna challenged the sufficiency of TRW’s evidence that Exhibit 1005 constitutes a prior art printed publication. See PO Resp. 48–50; see also 35 U.S.C. § 311(b) (“A petitioner in an inter partes review may request to cancel as unpatentable 1 or more claims of a patent . . . only on the basis of prior art consisting of patents or printed publications.”). TRW responded to Magna’s sufficiency of the evidence arguments by” slip op. at 4
Patent outcomesUS 8,508,593 not shown unpatentable§ 102 anticipationPatents in suitUS 8,508,593 - Opower Inc. v. Cleantech Business Solutions, LLCAdverse judgmentPTAB · Nov 25, 2015 · CBM2014-00155 · APJ Karl D Easthom · CBM · Adverse judgment
The Board entered adverse judgment against Patent Owner on claims 1–16 after Patent Owner disclaimed all claims in the trial.
RulingsAdverse judgment- Adverse judgmentAdverse judgmentGranted
“proceeding. 37 C.F.R. § 42.73(b). Actions construed as a request for entry of adverse judgment include “[c]ancellation or disclaimer of a claim such that the party has no remaining claim in the trial.” 37 C.F.R. § 42.73(b)(2). Here, Patent Owner has disclaimed, under 37 C.F.R. § 1.321, claims 1–16, all claims involved in this trial. Paper 28. The statutory disclaimer constitutes a request for entry of adverse judgment.1 III. CONCLUSION Entry of judgment against Patent Owner with respect to claims 1–16 of the ’245 patent is appropriate.” slip op. at 2
- PTAB / AIA Trials › Other PTAB motions (exclude, strike, seal, additional discovery, rehearing)Denied
“1 During a telephone conference on November 17, 2015, which included counsel for both parties and the panel, counsel for Petitioner stated he did not object to the request for adverse judgment, but requested that the panel issue with this judgment findings of fact and legal determinations arising from papers of record. Petitioner expressed a concern over a potential for duplicated efforts in ongoing reissue proceedings involving the ’245 patent. We exercise our discretion and decline the request to supplement the record. See 37 C.F.R. § 42.73(d) (3) (i) (precluding Patent Owner from obtaining claims that are not “patentably distinct from a finally refused or canceled claim”).” slip op. at 3
NonePatents in suitUS 8,489,245 - Apple Inc. v. Virnetx Inc.All claims unpatentablePTAB · Jul 29, 2015 · IPR2014-00483 · APJ Karl D Easthom · IPR · Final written decision
Claims 1, 7, 8, 10, 12, 13, 15, and 17 are unpatentable as anticipated by Provino; claims 2–5 and 18 are unpatentable as obvious over Provino with Kosiur and Xu, respectively.
RulingsFinal written decision- PTAB / AIA Trials › Joinder §315(c) / SAS all-or-nothingJoinder, grantedGranted
“Apple Incorporated (“Petitioner”) also filed a Petition (Paper 2) seeking an inter partes review of claims 1–5, 7, 8, 10, 12, 13, 15, 17, and 18 of the ’274 patent pursuant to 35 U.S.C. §§ 311–319 in Case IPR2014- 00483 (“’483 IPR”). Noting that Microsoft Corporation’s Petition and Apple Incorporated’s Petition were substantially identical in material aspects, the Board instituted an inter partes review of claims 1–5, 7, 8, 10, 12, 13, 15, 17, and 18, and joined IPR2014-00483 with IPR2014-00403 pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 315(c). See ’483IPR, Paper 11, 6–9.2 Thereafter, pursuant to a settlement agreement, the present proceeding was terminated with respect to Microsoft Corporation only. Paper 38.” slip op. at 2
- Claim Construction › Intrinsic evidence (Phillips canons) › Prosecution history disclaimer / disavowalTerm construed petitioner constructionDisclaimer not foundDecided for petitioner
“proceeding somehow limits the claims here that Patent Owner otherwise could have moved to amend under a broadest reasonable construction, Patent Owner’s arguments were not “unambiguous,” and do not “call for the application of prosecution history disclaimer.” See PO Resp. 17–18. There was no “express disclaimer,” Bigio, 381 F.3d at 1325, or “unambiguous disavowal[],” Grober, 686 F.3d at 1341.” slip op. at 11
- Claim Construction › Threshold & procedure › Whether a term needs construction (O2 Micro)Term construed board ownDecided for petitioner
“As the latter two sentences show, the ’274 patent Specification describes placing field hopping data (i.e., an address hopping technique, see id. at 46:64–47:11), into a payload portion of a data packet. The Specification does not tie “tunneled” packets into a specific requirement that requires a change in formatting––above and apart from any protocol formatting or structural change that may happen to, or does, occur by placing one type of data field (header) into another type of data field (payload). After discussing the insertion of the field hopping data into the payload portion, the Specification then describes that these “modified message packets preferably conform to the UDP protocol,” or “[a]lternatively . . . can conform to the TCP/IP protocol or the ICPM protocol.” Id. at 50:30–35. In other words, if there is a change in a protocol in these disclosed examples––for example, from one protocol format to a UDP protocol format––any change appears to come in preferred embodiments and after the packets have been modified (i.e., tunneled). Accordingly, based on the foregoing discussion, we modify our construction as set forth in the Institution Decision, such that “tunnel packeting” means “placing data or information from one field, such as a header, into another packet field, such as a payload, wherein the two fields normally have different structures or formats, or placing data structured in one format within the format of another protocol.”” slip op. at 22
- Claim Construction › Intrinsic evidence (Phillips canons) › Plain and ordinary meaning to a POSITATerm construed board ownDecided for petitioner
“In any event, to the extent it is material, the ’274 patent Specification employs the term “user’s computer” in a “conventional scheme . . . shown in FIG 25. A user’s computer 2501 includes a client application 2504 (for example a web browser) . . . .” Ex. 1001, 38:61–63. Although Patent Owner refers to this “conventional” computer as “another embodiment,” the ’274 patent Specification disparages the “conventional architecture” that employs a user’s computer, because it is not secure enough. See Ex. 1001, 39:4–13; PO Resp. 21. In general, the ’274 patent Specification states that “[t]he present invention” involves a “client computer” with a “client application” that “communicates with a server.” See Ex. 1001, 7:40–44. This description of “[t]he present invention” does not mention a “user’s computer.” Therefore, the ’274 patent Specification does not repeatedly treat a “client computer” and a “user’s computer” as the same. The broadest reasonable construction of a client computer is a computer associated with a client.” slip op. at 23
Patent outcomesUS 7,987,274 unpatentableClaim construction§ 102 anticipation§ 103 obviousnesscites Phillips · KSRPatents in suitUS 7,987,274 - PTAB · Mar 11, 2015 · IPR2014-01108 · APJ Michael W Kim · IPR · Order
The Board granted the parties’ joint motion and terminated the proceeding after settlement, before a final decision on the merits.
RulingsOther- PTAB / AIA Trials › Other PTAB motions (exclude, strike, seal, additional discovery, rehearing)Granted
“Under 35 U.S.C. § 317(a), “[a]n inter partes review instituted under this chapter shall be terminated with respect to any petitioner upon the joint request of the petitioner and patent owner, unless the Office has decided the merits of the proceeding before the request for termination is filed.” The requirement for terminating review with respect to Petitioner is met. Under 35 U.S.C. § 317(a), “[i]f no petitioner remains in the inter partes review, the Office may terminate the review or proceed to a final written decision under section 318(a).” Asustek Computer Inc., Dexin Electronics Co., Ltd., and Thermaltake Technology represent all petitioners in this review. The Board has discretion to terminate this review with respect to Better Mouse Co., LLC as Patent Owner. The above represent all parties in this proceeding.” slip op. at 2
NonePatents in suitUS 7,532,200 - Target Corporation v. Destination Maternity CorporationRehearing grantedPTAB · Feb 12, 2015 · IPR2014-00509 · APJ Lora M Green · IPR · Rehearing
The Board granted Target’s request for rehearing of the denial of institution, for the reasons given in the related IPR2014-00508 decision.
RulingsRehearing decision- RehearingRehearing, grantedGranted
“our Decision Denying Joinder of the instant proceeding with IPR2013-00533 (Paper 18), as well as our Decision Denying Institution of Inter Partes Review (Paper 19). Paper 20 (“Request for Rehearing”). Patent Owner, Destination Maternity Corporation, was authorized to file an Opposition (Paper 22), to which Petitioner was authorized to file a Reply (Paper 23). For the reasons discussed in the Decision Granting Petitioner’s Request for Rehearing in related IPR2014-00508 (Paper 28), we grant the Request for Rehearing.” slip op. at 2
None - PTAB · Sep 23, 2014 · IPR2014-01007 · APJ Karl D Easthom · IPR · Order
The Board granted the parties’ joint motions and terminated each proceeding as to both parties without a final written decision.
RulingsOther- PTAB / AIA Trials › Other PTAB motions (exclude, strike, seal, additional discovery, rehearing)Granted
“Upon consideration of the parties’ contentions, we determine that terminating each of the proceedings with respect to both Petitioner and Patent Owner, at this early juncture, promotes efficiency and minimizes unnecessary costs. Based on the facts of these cases, it is appropriate to enter judgment in each case without rendering a final written decision.4 See 35 U.S.C. § 317(a); 37 C.F.R. § 42.72.” slip op. at 3
NonePatents in suitUS 8,635,583 - PTAB · Sep 23, 2014 · IPR2014-01001 · APJ Karl D Easthom · IPR · Order
The Board granted the parties’ joint motions to terminate all four proceedings and terminated each as to both parties, without a final written decision.
RulingsOther- PTAB / AIA Trials › Other PTAB motions (exclude, strike, seal, additional discovery, rehearing)Granted
“with respect to both Petitioner and Patent Owner. Id. at 2–4. The parties submit that termination is appropriate because each “proceeding is in its infancy.” Id. at 4. Issues raised during the trial have not been briefed fully and the Board has not yet decided the merits of each proceeding. Id. Petitioner indicates that it will no longer participate even if the Board does not terminate the respective proceeding. Id. According to the parties, Congress and federal courts have expressed a strong interest in encouraging settlement in litigation. Id. at 3. In exercising our independent determination, we generally expect that a proceeding will terminate after the filing of a settlement agreement. See, e.g., Office Patent Trial Practice Guide, 77 Fed. Reg. 48,756, 48,768 (Aug. 14, 2012). Upon consideration of the parties’ contentions, we determine that terminating each of the proceedings with respect to both Petitioner and Patent Owner, at this early juncture, promotes efficiency and minimizes unnecessary costs. Based on the facts of these cases, it is appropriate to enter judgment in each case without rendering a final written decision.4 See 35 U.S.C. § 317(a); 37 C.F.R. § 42.72.” slip op. at 3
NonePatents in suitUS 8,258,547
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.