- Shenzhen Root Technology Co., Ltd. v. Willow Blossom Holdco Limited And Willow Innovations, Inc.All claims unpatentablePTAB · Sep 25, 2026 · IPR2025-00554 · APJ Barry L Grossman · IPR · Final written decision
Claims 17–19 and 21–33 are unpatentable as obvious under each asserted § 103 ground.
RulingsFinal written decision- Skill levelSkill level petitioner adoptedDecided for petitioner
“Factors pertinent to a determination of the level of ordinary skill in the art include: (1) educational level of the inventor; (2) type of problems encountered in the art; (3) prior art solutions to those problems; (4) rapidity with which innovations are made; (5) sophistication of the technology; and (6) educational level of workers active in the field. Env’t Designs, Ltd. v. Union Oil Co., 713 F.2d 693, 696–697 (Fed. Cir. 1983) (citing Orthopedic Equip. Co. v. All Orthopedic Appliances, Inc., 707 F.2d 1376, 1381–82 (Fed. Cir. 1983)). Not all such factors may be present in every case, and one or more of these or other factors may predominate in a particular case. Id. Moreover, these factors are not exhaustive but are merely a guide to determining the level of ordinary skill in the art. Daiichi Sankyo Co. v. Apotex, Inc., 501 F.3d 1254, 1256 (Fed. Cir. 2007). In determining a level of ordinary skill, we also may look to the prior art, which may reflect an appropriate skill level. Okajima, 261 F.3d at 1355.” slip op. at 17
- Claim Construction › Threshold & procedure › Whether a term needs construction (O2 Micro)No construction neededOther
“according to the Phillips standard,” and that “no formal claim constructions are necessary for purposes of resolving controversies in this proceeding. Pet. 3. We agree. Given the lack of dispute on this record, we do not perceive the need to construe any claim limitation. Claims must be construed “only to the extent necessary to resolve the controversy.” AstraZeneca AB v. Mylan Pharms. Inc., 19 F.4th 1325, 1345 (Fed. Cir. 2021) (quoting Vivid Techs., Inc. v. American Science & Eng’g, Inc., 200 F.3d 795, 803 (Fed. Cir. 1999); see also Nidec Motor Corp. v. Zhongshan Broad Ocean Motor Co., 868 F.3d 1013, 1017 (Fed. Cir. 2017) (“Because we need only construe terms ‘that are in controversy, and only to the extent necessary to resolve the controversy,’ we need not construe the claim preambles here where the construction is not ‘material to the [obviousness] dispute.’” (citations omitted)).” slip op. at 18
- Expert testimonyPetitioner expert creditedDecided for petitioner
“We find Mr. Bauer’s testimonial evidence persuasive and undisputed as to why a person of ordinary skill, a degreed engineer with two years of experience designing human breast pump equipment, would modify Furrer to use a battery as a power source, and have a reasonable degree of confidence that it would work successfully.” slip op. at 26
- Obviousness (§103) › Motivation to combine / reasonable expectation of successMotivation foundReasonable expectation foundDecided for petitioner
“We find Mr. Bauer’s testimonial evidence persuasive and undisputed as to why a person of ordinary skill, a degreed engineer with two years of experience designing human breast pump equipment, would modify Furrer to use a battery as a power source, and have a reasonable degree of confidence that it would work successfully. Concerning the proposed combination of Furrer and Alvarez, Mr. Bauer testifies why a person of ordinary skill would combine Furrer and Alvarez, explaining that: a POSITA6 would have turned to the teachings of Alvarez to implement Furrer’s vacuum pump using a conventional pump controller having a portable, battery-powered pump to not only increase portability and to allow the user to move about when using the device but also to provide improved control for the system. Ex. 1003 ¶ 138. Mr. Bauer also testifies: a POSITA would have recognized that Alvarez advantageously provides details for such a conventional vacuum pump suitable for safely and controllably delivering negative pressure using a “[c]ontroller 115 [that] “houses the power source and drive mechanism for pumping device 100, and also contains hardware for various functions, such as controlling pumping device 100, milk production quantification, and communication with other devices. 6 “POSITA” is a patent law acronym for a “person of ordinary skill in the art.” Id. ¶ 139 (citing Ex. 1005 ¶ 69). Mr. Bauer further explains that Alvarez discloses that a “pump unit2100 [disclosed in Alvarez] preferably include[es] a controller and processor 2104 as well as a motor 2102 for actuating the device.” Id. (citing Ex. 1005 ¶ 115); see also id. ¶¶ 140–142 (providing “second,” “third,” and “fourth” reasons why a person of ordinary skill would have been motivated to combine Furrer and Alvarez). Mr. Bauer concludes from his analysis that “a person skilled in the art” slip op. at 26
Patent outcomesUS 11,806,454 unpatentableClaim construction§ 103 obviousnesscites Phillips · KSR · GrahamPatents in suitUS 11,806,454 - Intel Corporation v. Advanced Cluster Systems, Inc.All claims unpatentablePTAB · Sep 23, 2026 · IPR2025-00915 · APJ Arthur M Peslak · IPR · Final written decision
Claims 1–30 are unpatentable: claims 1–3, 5–16, and 18–30 as obvious over Menon, Trefethen, RS6000, and MPIref; claims 4 and 17 over those references plus POEref.
RulingsFinal written decision- Obviousness (§103) › Motivation to combine / reasonable expectation of successMotivation foundTeaching away not foundDecided for petitioner
“Ex. 1163 ¶ 37 (citing Ex. 1003 ¶ 71; Ex. 1005, 1–3). We credit Dr. Bajaj’s testimony which is unrebutted and supported by the record. We, thus, agree with Dr. Bajaj’s reasoning which is based on Menon. We further agree with Dr. Bajaj’s conclusion that Menon does not teach away from the combination with Trefethen. Id. ¶ 75. Menon’s description of building on and enhancing the teachings of Trefethen—the earlier work of the same research group at Cornell—by adding MEX routines to achieve high-performance parallel computing and extensibility for MATLAB, demonstrates a classic motivation for a POSITA to combine. RS6000 is specifically referenced in Menon-Trefethen and adds operational details of the parallel operating platform that teach a POSITA how to implement the MultiMATLAB system with a reasonable expectation of success. Considering Menon as a whole, these facts are inconsistent with Patent Owner’s teaching away arguments. For these reasons, Patent Owner’s teaching away argument is unavailing. Motivation to Combine Conclusion We have reviewed Petitioner’s evidence and contentions which we” slip op. at 42
- Obviousness (§103) › Graham factors (scope of art, differences, level of skill)UnpatentableUnpatentable
“For the foregoing reasons, Petitioner establishes by a preponderance” slip op. at 79
Patent outcomesUS 11,563,621 unpatentable§ 103 obviousnesscites KSR · GrahamPatents in suitUS 11,563,621 - Pgr2026-00043InstitutedPTAB · Sep 23, 2026 · PGR2026-00043 · APJ John A Squires · PGR · Institution
The Board granted institution of PGR2026-00043 after finding a reasonable likelihood that at least one challenged claim is unpatentable.
RulingsInstitution decision- PTAB / AIA Trials › Institution threshold (reasonable likelihood / more likely than not)InstitutedInstituted
“the petitioner has shown a reasonable likelihood of prevailing with respect to at least one of the claims challenged in the petition, or that it is more likely than not that at least one of the claims challenged in the petition is unpatentable, as appropriate, and no other non-discretionary considerations warrant denial of institution. Accordingly, institution of inter partes review and post-grant review is granted in the following proceedings: IPR2026-00336 PGR2026-00037 PGR2026-00043 IPR2026-00363 PGR2026-00042” slip op. at 2
NonePatents in suitUS 12,543,922 - Pgr2026-00042InstitutedPTAB · Sep 23, 2026 · PGR2026-00042 · APJ John A Squires · PGR · Institution
The Director granted institution of PGR2026-00042 after finding a reasonable likelihood that at least one challenged claim is unpatentable.
RulingsInstitution decision- PTAB / AIA Trials › Institution threshold (reasonable likelihood / more likely than not)InstitutedInstituted
“the petitioner has shown a reasonable likelihood of prevailing with respect to at least one of the claims challenged in the petition, or that it is more likely than not that at least one of the claims challenged in the petition is unpatentable, as appropriate, and no other non-discretionary considerations warrant denial of institution. Accordingly, institution of inter partes review and post-grant review is granted in the following proceedings:” slip op. at 2
NonePatents in suitUS 12,353,917 - Pgr2026-00037InstitutedPTAB · Sep 23, 2026 · PGR2026-00037 · APJ John A Squires · PGR · Institution
The Director granted institution of PGR2026-00037 after determining the petition showed the required likelihood of prevailing and no non-discretionary consideration warranted denial.
RulingsInstitution decision- PTAB / AIA Trials › Institution threshold (reasonable likelihood / more likely than not)InstitutedInstituted
“the petitioner has shown a reasonable likelihood of prevailing with respect to at least one of the claims challenged in the petition, or that it is more likely than not that at least one of the claims challenged in the petition is unpatentable, as appropriate, and no other non-discretionary considerations warrant denial of institution. Accordingly, institution of inter partes review and post-grant review is granted in the following proceedings:” slip op. at 2
NonePatents in suitUS 12,347,711 - Ipr2026-00363InstitutedPTAB · Sep 23, 2026 · IPR2026-00363 · APJ John A Squires · IPR · Institution
The Director granted institution of IPR2026-00363 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
“the petitioner has shown a reasonable likelihood of prevailing with respect to at least one of the claims challenged in the petition, or that it is more likely than not that at least one of the claims challenged in the petition is unpatentable, as appropriate, and no other non-discretionary considerations warrant denial of institution. Accordingly, institution of inter partes review and post-grant review is granted in the following proceedings:” slip op. at 2
NonePatents in suitUS 12,143,424 - Ipr2026-00336InstitutedPTAB · Sep 23, 2026 · IPR2026-00336 · APJ John A Squires · IPR · Institution
Institution of IPR2026-00336 is granted after the petitioner showed a reasonable likelihood of prevailing on at least one challenged claim and no non-discretionary consideration warranted denial.
RulingsInstitution decision- PTAB / AIA Trials › Institution threshold (reasonable likelihood / more likely than not)InstitutedInstituted
“the petitioner has shown a reasonable likelihood of prevailing with respect to at least one of the claims challenged in the petition, or that it is more likely than not that at least one of the claims challenged in the petition is unpatentable, as appropriate, and no other non-discretionary considerations warrant denial of institution. Accordingly, institution of inter partes review and post-grant review is granted in the following proceedings:” slip op. at 2
NonePatents in suitUS 12,232,681 - Ipr2026-00337Institution deniedPTAB · Sep 23, 2026 · IPR2026-00337 · APJ John A Squires · IPR · Institution
Institution of IPR2026-00337 was denied because the petitioner failed to show a reasonable likelihood of prevailing on at least one challenged claim.
RulingsInstitution decision- PTAB / AIA Trials › Institution threshold (reasonable likelihood / more likely than not)Institution denied meritsInstitution denied
“Pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 314(a), after review of the merits, the petitioner has failed to show a reasonable likelihood of prevailing with respect to at least one of the claims challenged in the petition. Accordingly, institution of inter partes review is denied in the following proceedings: IPR2026-00331 IPR2026-00332 IPR2026-00337 Pursuant 35 U.S.C. §§ 314(a) and 324(a), after review of the merits,” slip op. at 2
NonePatents in suitUS 10,512,385 - Ipr2026-00332Institution deniedPTAB · Sep 23, 2026 · IPR2026-00332 · APJ John A Squires · IPR · Institution
Institution of IPR2026-00332 was denied because the petitioner failed to show a reasonable likelihood of prevailing on at least one challenged claim.
RulingsInstitution decision- PTAB / AIA Trials › Institution threshold (reasonable likelihood / more likely than not)Institution denied meritsInstitution denied
“Pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 314(a), after review of the merits, the petitioner has failed to show a reasonable likelihood of prevailing with respect to at least one of the claims challenged in the petition. Accordingly, institution of inter partes review is denied in the following proceedings:” slip op. at 2
NonePatents in suitUS 11,921,355 - Ipr2026-00331Institution deniedPTAB · Sep 23, 2026 · IPR2026-00331 · IPR · Institution
Institution of IPR2026-00331 was denied because the petitioner failed to show a reasonable likelihood of prevailing on at least one challenged claim.
RulingsInstitution decision- PTAB / AIA Trials › Institution threshold (reasonable likelihood / more likely than not)Institution denied meritsInstitution denied
“Pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 314(a), after review of the merits, the petitioner has failed to show a reasonable likelihood of prevailing with respect to at least one of the claims challenged in the petition. Accordingly, institution of inter partes review is denied in the following proceedings:” slip op. at 2
NonePatents in suitUS 11,921,355
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.