• Great West Casualty Company / Bitco General Insurance Corporation et al. v. Intellectual Ventures II LLCInstitution denied
  PTAB · Feb 9, 2016 · CBM2015-00171 · APJ Michael W Kim · CBM · Institution

  The Board denied institution because Petitioner did not show that any existing claim qualified as a covered business method patent under AIA § 18(d)(1).

  RulingsInstitution decision

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

    “that the patent for which review is sought is a covered business method patent.” The AIA defines “covered business method patent” as “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.” AIA § 18(d)(1); see 37 C.F.R. § 42.301(a).” slip op. at 6

  • Adverse judgmentAdverse judgmentOther

    “disclaimer under 37 C.F.R. § 1.321(a) of claims 1–10. Prelim. Resp. 13 (citing Ex. 2002). Thus, the question is whether we should consider now-statutorily disclaimed claims 1–10 in determining whether or not the ’177 patent is a covered business method patent for the purposes of instituting a covered business method patent review. We determine that we should not. 37 C.F.R. § 1.321(a) is the rule promulgated by the Office for creating a procedure for a patentee to avail itself of the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 253. See Manual of Patent Examining Procedure § 1490. Our reviewing court has held that a patent with a statutory disclaimer is to be treated as though the disclaimed claims never existed. See Guinn v. Kopf, 96 F.3d 1419, 1422 (Fed. Cir. 1996) (“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.”). Accordingly, for the purposes of whether or not to institute a covered business method patent review, we treat claims 1–10 as never having existed. See Google Inc. v. SimpleAir, Inc., CBM2015-00019 slip op. at 14– 15 (PTAB May 19, 2014) (Paper 11); but see J.P. Morgan Chase v. Intellectual Ventures, Case CBM2014-00157 slip op. at 12–15 (PTAB Jan. 12, 2016) (Paper 40) (although the panel states that “petitioner’s standing to file a petition for covered business method patent review is evaluated based on the time the petition was filed,” in this proceeding, Patent Owner” slip op. at 7

  • Claim Construction › Threshold & procedure › Whether a term needs construction (O2 Micro)Term construed petitioner constructionDecided for petitioner

    “unexpired patent are interpreted according to their broadest reasonable construction in light of the specification of the patent in which they appear. 37 C.F.R. § 42.300(b); Versata Dev. Grp., Inc. v. SAP Am., Inc., 793 F.3d 1306, 1328 (2015) (affirming use of the broadest reasonable construction standard in a covered business method patent review). Under that standard, and absent any special definitions, we give claim terms their ordinary and customary meaning, as would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art at the time of the invention. In re Translogic Tech., Inc., 504 F.3d 1249, 1257 (Fed. Cir. 2007).” slip op. at 5

  Claim construction
  Patents in suitUS 7,516,177
• Mylan Pharmaceuticals Inc. v. Astrazeneca ABInstitution denied
  PTAB · Dec 9, 2015 · IPR2015-01340 · APJ Robert A Pollock · IPR · Institution

  The Board denied institution because Petitioner did not show a reasonable likelihood that claims 1, 2, 4, 6–22, 25–30, 32–37, and 39–42 would have been obvious.

  RulingsInstitution decision

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

    “inter partes review may not be instituted “unless . . . there is a reasonable likelihood that the petitioner would prevail with respect to at least 1 of the claims challenged in the petition.” 35 U.S.C. § 314(a). Upon considering the Petition, Preliminary Response, and Reply, we conclude that Petitioner has not established a reasonable likelihood that it would prevail in showing the unpatentability of any challenged claim of the ’186 patent. Therefore, we deny an inter partes review of the challenged claims of the ’186 patent.” slip op. at 2

  • Obviousness (§103) › Motivation to combine / reasonable expectation of successMotivation not foundNot shown unpatentable

    “a personal of ordinary skill would have chosen compound 25 as a lead compound. Accepting that compound 25 is a lead compound, it nevertheless “remains necessary to identify some reason that would have led a chemist to modify a known compound in a particular manner to establish prima facie obviousness of a new claimed compound.” Takeda Chem. Indus., Ltd. v. Alphapharm Pty., Ltd., 492 F.3d 1350, 1357 (Fed. Cir. 2007). Here, we focus on whether the evidence of record supports Petitioner’s contention that one of ordinary skill in the art would have been motivated to replace the 6- carbon cyclohexyl group at the 2-position of compound 25 with a 10-carbon adamantyl moiety. 1. Stability Petitioner points to the stability of compound 25 as an important reason for selecting it as a lead compound. See, e.g., Pet. 25; Reply 3–4. For example, Petitioner argues that Ashworth I teaches the advantages of a large cycloalkyl moiety, such as the cyclohexyl group of compound 25, in promoting both stability (by preventing cyclization of the primary amine) and affinity (by biasing the molecule toward the trans configuration). Pet. 25; see also Ex. 1003 ¶¶ 111–121. Petitioner further argues, however, that one of ordinary skill in the art would have been motivated to substitute the cyclohexyl group of compound 25 with the even larger cycloalkyl adamantyl group taught by Villhauer to increase its stability and potency (affinity).2 Ex. 1003 ¶ 113; Pet. 26. Petitioner does not, however, explain why one of ordinary skill in the art would have sought to further increase the stability of compound 25. In light of the evidence of record, we agree with Patent Owner that such motivation is lacking. Prelim. Resp. 44–47.” slip op. at 7

  • Skill levelSkill level petitioner adoptedOther

    “Applying this analysis, Petitioner contends that one of ordinary skill in the art1 would have selected Ashworth I compound 25 (“compound 25”) as a lead compound in the development of DP-IV inhibitors “because of its superior combination of potency and stability.” Reply 1 (citing Pet. 24–25). Compound 25 has the structure shown below: Compound 25 comprises a glycyl moiety having a primary amine (NH2), a cyclohexyl group on the β-carbon (2-position) of the glycyl moiety, and a 1 At this stage of the proceeding, we accept Petitioner’s contention that a person of ordinary skill in the art would typically “have an advanced degree (e.g., a Ph.D.) in pharmaceutics, pharmaceutical chemistry, medicinal chemistry or a related field and at least 2-3 years of practical experience in the design of drugs” or less education but considerably more professional experience. Pet. 12; see Prelim. Resp. 31.” slip op. at 6

  § 103 obviousness
• Acxiom Corporation v. Phoenix Licensing, LLCInstitution denied
  PTAB · Nov 19, 2015 · CBM2015-00134 · APJ Stacey G White · CBM · Institution

  The Board denied the petitions because Acxiom did not establish standing as a real party in interest or privy of an entity sued for infringement.

  RulingsInstitution decision

  • PTAB / AIA Trials › Real party in interest / privityInstitution denied rpiDenied

    “authority with respect to the defense, settlement, or compromise of any such claim.” Id. As to the Declaration, Brian Williamson, Senior Account Executive for Acxiom’s Gerber Account, declares that it is his “understanding that Gerber sent Acxiom notice of a demand for indemnification for costs and potential liabilities arising from the [patent infringement suits involving the subject patents] referencing the indemnification provision in the Services and Data Agreement.” Ex. 1128 ¶¶ 2, 6. We do not find this evidence to be sufficient to show that Petitioner has standing to bring this Petition. See 37 C.F.R. § 42.304(a) (stating that it is Petitioner’s burden to “demonstrate that the patent for which review is sought is a covered business method patent, and that the petitioner meets the eligibility requirements of § 42.302.”). As Patent Owner points out, “the Petition does not supply the demand for indemnification, Acxiom’s response, or any correspondence regarding indemnification.” Prelim. Resp. 4; cf. General Electric Co. v. Transdata, Inc., Case IPR2014-01380, slip op. at 7–8 (PTAB Apr. 15, 2015) (Paper 34) (an agreement to indemnify as to a specific lawsuit was sufficient evidence of privity). Similarly, the Williamson Declaration does not provide any details as to the purported demand for indemnity nor does it inform us of Petitioner’s view as to the merits of any such demand for indemnity. Nor does Mr. Williamson testify as to whether the Agreement was in force at the relevant time. Thus, Petitioner has not provided evidence sufficient to show that it has an obligation to indemnify Gerber or any other entity that may have been sued for infringement.3 Also, as discussed 3 AAA also is listed as a real party-in-interest. Pet. 3. Petitioner, however, provides no argument or evidence as to why it believes that AAA is a real party-ininterest of Petitioner. Thus, we have no basis to ascertain whether Petitioner may above, Petitioner has not provided evidence sufficient to show what services, if any, Petitioner provides to Gerber. Therefore, Petitioner does not provide us with evidence sufficient to show that Gerber is a real party-in-interest of Petitioner. Also, the heavily redacted Agreement does not provide us with sufficient evidence regarding the relationship between these entities to show that Gerber is a privy of Petitioner sufficient to support Petitioner’s argument for standing. Thus, we do not have sufficient evidence to show that Petitioner has proper standing to bring this Petition. Therefore, we deny Petitioner’s request to institute a covered business method review of the challenged claims. See Changes to Implement Inter Partes Review Proceedings, Post-Grant Review Proceedings, and Transitional Program for Covered Business Method Patents, 77 Fed. Reg. 48,680, 48,709 (Aug. 14, 2012) (Response to Comment 102) (“Facially improper standing is a basis for denying the petition without proceeding to the merits of the decision.”).” slip op. at 5

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

    “Default Protective Order and moves to seal Exhibits 1128 and 1129, as confidential pursuant to the Default Protective Order. Paper 5, 1. These Exhibits, however, are cited extensively in the Decision. Confidential information relied upon in a decision to grant or deny a request to institute ordinarily will be made public. Office Patent Trial Practice Guide, 77 Fed. Reg. 48,756, 48,760 (Aug. 14, 2012). We are not persuaded that there is sufficient reason to depart from that principle. Therefore, Petitioner’s Motion to Seal is denied. Accordingly, we order Exhibits base its standing on its relationship with AAA. See Acxiom Corp. v. Phoenix Licensing, LLC, Case CBM2015-00068, slip. op at 4–6 (PTAB Aug. 11, 2015) (Paper 23). 1128 and 1129 to be UNSEALED forty-five (45) days after the entry date of this decision.” slip op. at 6

  Discretionary denial
  Patents in suitUS 8,234,184
• Acxiom Corporation v. Phoenix Licensing, LLCInstitution denied
  PTAB · Nov 19, 2015 · CBM2015-00137 · APJ Stacey G White · CBM · Institution

  The Board denied the petitions because Acxiom did not establish standing to seek covered business method review; it did not reach the merits of the challenged claims.

  RulingsInstitution decision

  • PTAB / AIA Trials › Real party in interest / privityDenied

    “authority with respect to the defense, settlement, or compromise of any such claim.” Id. As to the Declaration, Brian Williamson, Senior Account Executive for Acxiom’s Gerber Account, declares that it is his “understanding that Gerber sent Acxiom notice of a demand for indemnification for costs and potential liabilities arising from the [patent infringement suits involving the subject patents] referencing the indemnification provision in the Services and Data Agreement.” Ex. 1128 ¶¶ 2, 6. We do not find this evidence to be sufficient to show that Petitioner has standing to bring this Petition. See 37 C.F.R. § 42.304(a) (stating that it is Petitioner’s burden to “demonstrate that the patent for which review is sought is a covered business method patent, and that the petitioner meets the eligibility requirements of § 42.302.”).” slip op. at 5

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

    “Default Protective Order and moves to seal Exhibits 1128 and 1129, as confidential pursuant to the Default Protective Order. Paper 5, 1. These Exhibits, however, are cited extensively in the Decision. Confidential information relied upon in a decision to grant or deny a request to institute ordinarily will be made public. Office Patent Trial Practice Guide, 77 Fed. Reg. 48,756, 48,760 (Aug. 14, 2012). We are not persuaded that there is sufficient reason to depart from that principle. Therefore, Petitioner’s Motion to Seal is denied. Accordingly, we order Exhibits” slip op. at 6

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

    “their real parties-in-interest or privies that have been sued or charged with infringement of a “covered business method patent,” which does not include patents for “technological inventions.” AIA §§ 18(a)(1)(B), 18(d)(1); see 37 C.F.R. § 42.302. Of key importance in this case is the requirement that “a person may not file a petition for a transitional proceeding with respect to a covered business method patent unless the person or the person’s real party in interest or privy has been sued for infringement of the patent or has been charged with infringement under that patent.” AIA § 18(a)(1)(B) (emphases added); see 37 C.F.R. § 42.302(a). Regarding this requirement, Petitioner does not allege that it has been charged with or sued for infringement, but instead contends that its” slip op. at 3

  Discretionary denial
  Patents in suitUS 7,890,366
• Acxiom And Gerber v. Phoenix Licensing, LLCInstitution denied
  PTAB · Nov 19, 2015 · CBM2015-00139 · APJ Stacey G White · CBM · Institution

  The Board denied institution because Acxiom did not show it had standing as a real party in interest or privy of an entity sued for infringement.

  RulingsInstitution decision

  • PTAB / AIA Trials › Real party in interest / privityInstitution denied rpiInstitution denied

    “authority with respect to the defense, settlement, or compromise of any such claim.” Id. As to the Declaration, Brian Williamson, Senior Account Executive for Acxiom’s Gerber Account, declares that it is his “understanding that Gerber sent Acxiom notice of a demand for indemnification for costs and potential liabilities arising from the [patent infringement suits involving the subject patents] referencing the indemnification provision in the Services and Data Agreement.” Ex. 1128 ¶¶ 2, 6. We do not find this evidence to be sufficient to show that Petitioner has standing to bring this Petition. See 37 C.F.R. § 42.304(a) (stating that it is Petitioner’s burden to “demonstrate that the patent for which review is sought is a covered business method patent, and that the petitioner meets the eligibility requirements of § 42.302.”). As Patent Owner points out, “the Petition does not supply the demand for indemnification, Acxiom’s response, or any correspondence regarding indemnification.” Prelim. Resp. 4; cf. General Electric Co. v. Transdata, Inc., Case IPR2014-01380, slip op. at 7–8 (PTAB Apr. 15, 2015) (Paper 34) (an agreement to indemnify as to a specific lawsuit was sufficient evidence of privity). Similarly, the Williamson Declaration does not provide any details as to the purported demand for indemnity nor does it inform us of Petitioner’s view as to the merits of any such demand for indemnity. Nor does Mr. Williamson testify as to whether the Agreement was in force at the relevant time. Thus, Petitioner has not provided evidence sufficient to show that it has an obligation to indemnify Gerber or any other entity that may have been sued for infringement.3 Also, as discussed” slip op. at 5

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

    “Default Protective Order and moves to seal Exhibits 1128 and 1129, as confidential pursuant to the Default Protective Order. Paper 5, 1. These Exhibits, however, are cited extensively in the Decision. Confidential information relied upon in a decision to grant or deny a request to institute ordinarily will be made public. Office Patent Trial Practice Guide, 77 Fed. Reg. 48,756, 48,760 (Aug. 14, 2012). We are not persuaded that there is sufficient reason to depart from that principle. Therefore, Petitioner’s Motion to Seal is denied. Accordingly, we order Exhibits” slip op. at 6

  Discretionary denial
  Patents in suitUS 7,860,744
• Acxiom Corporation v. Phoenix Licensing, LLCInstitution denied
  PTAB · Nov 19, 2015 · CBM2015-00138 · APJ Stacey G White · CBM · Institution

  The Board denied institution because Acxiom did not establish standing as a real party in interest or privy of an entity sued for infringement.

  RulingsInstitution decision

  • PTAB / AIA Trials › Real party in interest / privityInstitution denied rpiInstitution denied

    “authority with respect to the defense, settlement, or compromise of any such claim.” Id. As to the Declaration, Brian Williamson, Senior Account Executive for Acxiom’s Gerber Account, declares that it is his “understanding that Gerber sent Acxiom notice of a demand for indemnification for costs and potential liabilities arising from the [patent infringement suits involving the subject patents] referencing the indemnification provision in the Services and Data Agreement.” Ex. 1128 ¶¶ 2, 6. We do not find this evidence to be sufficient to show that Petitioner has standing to bring this Petition. See 37 C.F.R. § 42.304(a) (stating that it is Petitioner’s burden to “demonstrate that the patent for which review is sought is a covered business method patent, and that the petitioner meets the eligibility requirements of § 42.302.”). As Patent Owner points out, “the Petition does not supply the demand for indemnification, Acxiom’s response, or any correspondence regarding indemnification.” Prelim. Resp. 4; cf. General Electric Co. v. Transdata, Inc., Case IPR2014-01380, slip op. at 7–8 (PTAB Apr. 15, 2015) (Paper 34) (an agreement to indemnify as to a specific lawsuit was sufficient evidence of privity). Similarly, the Williamson Declaration does not provide any details as to the purported demand for indemnity nor does it inform us of Petitioner’s view as to the merits of any such demand for indemnity. Nor does Mr. Williamson testify as to whether the Agreement was in force at the relevant time. Thus, Petitioner has not provided evidence sufficient to show that it has an obligation to indemnify Gerber or any other entity that may have been sued for infringement.3 Also, as discussed” slip op. at 5

  • ExcludeDenied

    “Default Protective Order and moves to seal Exhibits 1128 and 1129, as confidential pursuant to the Default Protective Order. Paper 5, 1. These Exhibits, however, are cited extensively in the Decision. Confidential information relied upon in a decision to grant or deny a request to institute ordinarily will be made public. Office Patent Trial Practice Guide, 77 Fed. Reg. 48,756, 48,760 (Aug. 14, 2012). We are not persuaded that there is sufficient reason to depart from that principle. Therefore, Petitioner’s Motion to Seal is denied. Accordingly, we order Exhibits base its standing on its relationship with AAA. See Acxiom Corp. v. Phoenix Licensing, LLC, Case CBM2015-00068, slip. op at 4–6 (PTAB Aug. 11, 2015) (Paper 23). 1128 and 1129 to be UNSEALED forty-five (45) days after the entry date of this decision.” slip op. at 6

  Discretionary denial
  Patents in suitUS 8,738,435
• Acxiom Corporation v. Phoenix Licensing, LLCInstitution denied
  PTAB · Nov 19, 2015 · CBM2015-00136 · APJ Stacey G White · CBM · Institution

  The Board denied institution because Petitioner did not establish standing to seek covered business method review, failing to show it was a real party-in-interest or privy of a sued entity.

  RulingsInstitution decision

  • PTAB / AIA Trials › Real party in interest / privityInstitution denied rpiInstitution denied

    “authority with respect to the defense, settlement, or compromise of any such claim.” Id. As to the Declaration, Brian Williamson, Senior Account Executive for Acxiom’s Gerber Account, declares that it is his “understanding that Gerber sent Acxiom notice of a demand for indemnification for costs and potential liabilities arising from the [patent infringement suits involving the subject patents] referencing the indemnification provision in the Services and Data Agreement.” Ex. 1128 ¶¶ 2, 6. We do not find this evidence to be sufficient to show that Petitioner has standing to bring this Petition. See 37 C.F.R. § 42.304(a) (stating that it is Petitioner’s burden to “demonstrate that the patent for which review is sought is a covered business method patent, and that the petitioner meets the eligibility requirements of § 42.302.”).” slip op. at 5

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

    “Default Protective Order and moves to seal Exhibits 1128 and 1129, as confidential pursuant to the Default Protective Order. Paper 5, 1. These Exhibits, however, are cited extensively in the Decision. Confidential information relied upon in a decision to grant or deny a request to institute ordinarily will be made public. Office Patent Trial Practice Guide, 77 Fed. Reg. 48,756, 48,760 (Aug. 14, 2012). We are not persuaded that there is sufficient reason to depart from that principle. Therefore, Petitioner’s Motion to Seal is denied. Accordingly, we order Exhibits” slip op. at 6

  Discretionary denial
  Patents in suitUS 7,856,375
• Acxiom Corporation / Gerber Life Insurance Company et al. v. Phoenix Licensing, LLCInstitution denied
  PTAB · Nov 19, 2015 · CBM2015-00135 · APJ Stacey G White · CBM · Institution

  The Board denied institution because Acxiom did not show that Gerber was its real party in interest or privy, leaving Acxiom without CBM standing.

  RulingsInstitution decision

  • PTAB / AIA Trials › Real party in interest / privityInstitution denied rpiDenied

    “authority with respect to the defense, settlement, or compromise of any such claim.” Id. As to the Declaration, Brian Williamson, Senior Account Executive for Acxiom’s Gerber Account, declares that it is his “understanding that Gerber sent Acxiom notice of a demand for indemnification for costs and potential liabilities arising from the [patent infringement suits involving the subject patents] referencing the indemnification provision in the Services and Data Agreement.” Ex. 1128 ¶¶ 2, 6. We do not find this evidence to be sufficient to show that Petitioner has standing to bring this Petition. See 37 C.F.R. § 42.304(a) (stating that it is Petitioner’s burden to “demonstrate that the patent for which review is sought is a covered business method patent, and that the petitioner meets the eligibility requirements of § 42.302.”).” slip op. at 5

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

    “Default Protective Order and moves to seal Exhibits 1128 and 1129, as confidential pursuant to the Default Protective Order. Paper 5, 1. These Exhibits, however, are cited extensively in the Decision. Confidential information relied upon in a decision to grant or deny a request to institute ordinarily will be made public. Office Patent Trial Practice Guide, 77 Fed. Reg. 48,756, 48,760 (Aug. 14, 2012). We are not persuaded that there is sufficient reason to depart from that principle. Therefore, Petitioner’s Motion to Seal is denied. Accordingly, we order Exhibits” slip op. at 6

  Discretionary denial
  Patents in suitUS 6,999,938
• Acxiom Corporation v. Phoenix Licensing, LLCInstitution denied
  PTAB · Nov 19, 2015 · CBM2015-00140 · APJ Stacey G White · CBM · Institution

  The Board denied institution because Acxiom did not establish standing as a real party in interest or privy of an entity sued for infringement.

  RulingsInstitution decision

  • PTAB / AIA Trials › Real party in interest / privityInstitution denied

    “authority with respect to the defense, settlement, or compromise of any such claim.” Id. As to the Declaration, Brian Williamson, Senior Account Executive for Acxiom’s Gerber Account, declares that it is his “understanding that Gerber sent Acxiom notice of a demand for indemnification for costs and potential liabilities arising from the [patent infringement suits involving the subject patents] referencing the indemnification provision in the Services and Data Agreement.” Ex. 1128 ¶¶ 2, 6. We do not find this evidence to be sufficient to show that Petitioner has standing to bring this Petition. See 37 C.F.R. § 42.304(a) (stating that it is Petitioner’s burden to “demonstrate that the patent for which review is sought is a covered business method patent, and that the petitioner meets the eligibility requirements of § 42.302.”).” slip op. at 5

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

    “Default Protective Order and moves to seal Exhibits 1128 and 1129, as confidential pursuant to the Default Protective Order. Paper 5, 1. These Exhibits, however, are cited extensively in the Decision. Confidential information relied upon in a decision to grant or deny a request to institute ordinarily will be made public. Office Patent Trial Practice Guide, 77 Fed. Reg. 48,756, 48,760 (Aug. 14, 2012). We are not persuaded that there is sufficient reason to depart from that principle. Therefore, Petitioner’s Motion to Seal is denied. Accordingly, we order Exhibits” slip op. at 6

  Discretionary denial
  Patents in suitUS 5,987,434
• Dr. Reddy’S Laboratories, Inc. v. Pozen Inc.Institution denied
  PTAB · Oct 9, 2015 · IPR2015-00802 · APJ Susan L C Mitchell · IPR · Institution

  The Board denied institution on claims 1–4, finding no reasonable likelihood of success because Plachetka was not prior art and the obviousness showing was deficient.

  RulingsInstitution decision

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

    “We have jurisdiction under 35 U.S.C. § 314, which provides that an inter partes review may not be instituted “unless . . . there is a reasonable likelihood that the petitioner would prevail with respect to at least 1 of the claims challenged in the petition.” 35 U.S.C. § 314(a). Upon considering the Petition and Preliminary Response, we conclude that Petitioner has not established a reasonable likelihood that it would prevail in showing the unpatentability of any challenged claim of the ’285 patent. Therefore, we do not authorize an inter partes review for any claim of the ’285 patent.” slip op. at 2

  • Novelty / Anticipation (§102) › Priority / effective filing date / continuation supportPriority date awardedReference not prior artDecided for patent owner

    “For the reasons set forth above, Petitioner fails to convince us that the claims of the ’285 patent are not supported by at least the ’216 application. Therefore, the Plachetka Publication does not qualify as prior art under 35 U.S.C. § 102(b). Consequently, Petitioner has failed to establish a reasonable likelihood that it would prevail in showing that claims 1–4 are unpatentable as anticipated by the Plachetka Publication.” slip op. at 19

  • Obviousness (§103) › Motivation to combine / reasonable expectation of success › Teaching awayTeaching away foundMotivation not foundDecided for patent owner

    “An enteric-coated dosage form of omeprazole must be perfectly coated and acid resistant, since, if any drug leaks out of the dosage form in the stomach, it is almost immediately degraded. The same is the case if an acidic medium can diffuse into the dosage form through pin-holes or damage in the enteric-coating. We agree with the Patent Owner that Pilbrant teaches away from the claimed combination. Prelim. Resp. 36 (“Petitioner’s failure to acknowledge the complete disclosure of Pilbrant, which negates any motivation to use the non-enterically coated form of esomeprazole, despite the testimony of Petitioner’s own expert, is an incurable flaw in the Petition”). When a prior art reference teaches away from combining known elements, discovery of a successful means of combining them is more likely to be nonobvious. See KSR Internat’l Co. v. Teleflex Inc., 550 U.S. 398, 416 (2007). A reference teaches away “when a person of ordinary skill, upon reading the reference, would be discouraged from following the path set out in the reference, or would be led in a direction divergent from the path that was taken by the applicant.” In re Gurley, 27 F.3d 551, 553 (Fed. Cir. 1994), cited in In re Mouttet, 686 F.3d 1322, 1333-34 (Fed. Cir. 2012). We disagree with Petitioner’s conclusion that although one of skill in the art “might have believed” that enteric coated esomeprazole was generally the better option, “that does not exclude the use of non-enteric coated esomeprazole as still ‘good enough’ to be obvious, at least in a combination product where all the esomeprazole needs to do is raise the stomach pH to 3.5.” Pet. 51. Here, the very statement that Petitioner relies upon from Pilbrant to support its rationale to combine concerning preabsorption degradation of omeprazole caused Pilbrant to rule out the use of conventional oral dosage forms without an enteric coating. We agree with the Patent Owner that Petitioner’s “[m]otivation to combine in the face of an express teaching away must be found in the prior art itself and reliance on the teachings of the ’285 patent is impermissible hindsight.” Prelim. Resp. 37.” slip op. at 25

  • Claim Construction › Threshold & procedure › Whether a term needs construction (O2 Micro)Term construed patent owner constructionNo construction neededMixed

    “Both parties acknowledge that the claim requires a therapeutically effective amount of naproxen must be surrounded by a coating. Pet. 27; Prelim. Resp. 7. Petitioner’s interpretation, however, turns this requirement on its head. As Patent Owner notes, using the transitional term “comprising” means that additional components may be present, but does not change the elements that are stated in the claim. Prelim. Resp. 8 (citing Outside the Box Innovations, LLC v. Travel Caddy, Inc., 695 F.3d 1285, 1305 (Fed. Cir. 2012)). Petitioner’s interpretation, however, would encompass a composition where the vast majority of the naproxen, i.e., a therapeutically effective amount, would be outside of the coating. This is not a reasonable interpretation of the claim. We agree with Patent Owner that the broadest reasonable interpretation of the term “comprising . . . naproxen surrounded by a coating” means “a therapeutically effective amount of naproxen is surrounded by a coating,” but do not agree with Patent Owner’s arguments that this claim term excludes any uncoated naproxen from the claim. As Petitioner notes, the Patent Owner has previously addressed the meaning of this limitation in response to invalidity contentions asserting lack of written description support and enablement, stating that the specification of the ’285 patent supports the interpretation “that, in addition to naproxen surrounded by a coating that inhibits its release unless the surrounding medium of the unit dosage form is at least 3.5, the disclosed dosage forms may include additional naproxen outside the coating.” Ex. 1010, 49 (Patent Owner’s responses to invalidity contentions for the ’285 patent) (relying on statements in the specification of the ’285 patent where the combination of an acid inhibitor and an NSAID may be in multi-layer tablet form and where the drug combinations may typically be prepared in admixture with conventional excipients). Patent Owner also has previously stated that the transitional term “comprising” does not exclude the presence of additional naproxen outside of the coating. Id. at 51. We agree. Although the claim term requires that a therapeutically effective amount of naproxen in a unit dosage form is surrounded by a coating, it does not exclude a unit dosage form that has an amount of naproxen outside of the coating that is not therapeutically effective. Therefore, we do not agree that the claims of the ’285 patent” slip op. at 12

  Claim construction§ 102 anticipation§ 103 obviousnesscites KSR · Graham
  Patents in suitUS 8,557,285

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.