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  • PTAB · Oct 1, 2025 · IPR2025-00603 · APJ Grace Karaffa Obermann · IPR · Adverse judgment

    The Board entered adverse judgment against Patent Owner based on its statutory disclaimer of claims 1–18, then terminated the proceeding.

    RulingsAdverse judgment
    • Adverse judgmentAdverse judgmentGranted

      “In other words, the Smith & Nephew decision makes plain that entry of adverse judgment (as opposed to a denial without adverse judgment) is appropriate in situations where a patentee seeks to regain, through continued prosecution, subject matter that is patentably indistinct from previously surrendered subject matter. Id. That is precisely the situation at hand. Claim 43, pending in the ’822 continuation application, is of the same or broader scope than disclaimed claim 1 of the ’529 patent, as shown in Petitioner’s claim chart:” slip op. at 4

    None
    Patents in suitUS 11,332,529
  • PTAB · Sep 2, 2025 · IPR2025-00355 · APJ Avelyn Ross · IPR · Adverse judgment

    The Board entered adverse judgment against Patent Owner after it disclaimed claims 1–23, terminated the IPR, and cancelled the scheduled hearing.

    RulingsAdverse judgment
    • Adverse judgmentAdverse judgmentGranted

      “Under our rules, a party may request adverse judgment against itself at any time during a proceeding, and we construe a disclaimer of all claims involved in a trial as a request for adverse judgment. 37 C.F.R. §42.73(b). Because Patent Owner has disclaimed all challenged claims, and has requested adverse judgment, we determine that it is appropriate to enter adverse judgment against Patent Owner pursuant to 37 C.F.R. § 42.73(b) and to terminate this proceeding. Under these circumstances, we grant Patent Owner’s Motion, and grant Patent Owner’s request that the hearing in this matter, scheduled for September 15, 2025, be cancelled.” slip op. at 2

    None
    Patents in suitUS 9,636,649
  • PTAB · Sep 2, 2025 · IPR2024-01005 · APJ Avelyn Ross · IPR · Adverse judgment

    The Board entered adverse judgment against Patent Owner, terminated review of claims 1–23, and cancelled the scheduled hearing after Patent Owner disclaimed all challenged claims.

    RulingsAdverse judgment
    • Adverse judgmentAdverse judgmentGranted

      “Under our rules, a party may request adverse judgment against itself at any time during a proceeding, and we construe a disclaimer of all claims involved in a trial as a request for adverse judgment. 37 C.F.R. §42.73(b). Because Patent Owner has disclaimed all challenged claims, and has requested adverse judgment, we determine that it is appropriate to enter adverse judgment against Patent Owner pursuant to 37 C.F.R. § 42.73(b) and to terminate this proceeding. Under these circumstances, we grant Patent Owner’s Motion, and” slip op. at 2

    None
    Patents in suitUS 9,636,649
  • PTAB · Feb 17, 2023 · PGR2022-00046 · APJ Robert L Kinder · PGR · Adverse judgment

    The Board entered adverse judgment against Patent Owner after it disclaimed the sole challenged claim, which the Board cancelled.

    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.” Id.” slip op. at 3

    None
  • PTAB · Feb 9, 2023 · PGR2022-00045 · APJ Grace Karaffa Obermann · PGR · Adverse judgment

    The Board entered adverse judgment against Patent Owner and cancelled claim 1 based on statutory disclaimers; alternatively, it held claim 1 unpatentable on every asserted ground.

    RulingsAdverse judgment
    • Adverse judgmentAdverse judgmentGranted

      “first embodiment, including Figures 1 and 2. Ex. 1106; Paper 32, 2. On January 26, 2023, Patent Owner filed a statutory disclaimer of the second embodiment, including Figures 3, 4, and 5. Ex. 1107; Paper 32, 2. Patent Owner successfully paid the statutory disclaimer fees in connection with both disclaimers. Ex. 1106, 4; Ex. 1107, 4; Paper 32, 2–3. Based on the information presented, we find that Patent Owner, by disclaiming all figures and embodiments described in the ’702 patent, has disclaimed the entire scope of the sole design claim at issue, such that no challenged claim remains in this proceeding. Specifically, in that regard, the ’702 patent claims and describes two embodiments, where the first embodiment is depicted in Figures 1 and 2, and the second embodiment is depicted in Figures 3, 4, and 5. Ex. 1001, code (57). The statutory disclaimers, taken together, disclaim both embodiments and all five figures set forth in the ’702 patent. Exs. 1106, 1107. Accordingly, we determine that adverse judgment against Patent Owner based on the disclaimers is warranted. 37 C.F.R. §§ 42.73(b)(1), 42.73(b)(2); Paper 32, 3.8” slip op. at 6

    • Novelty / Anticipation (§102) › Anticipation standard (single reference, every element)UnpatentableUnpatentable

      “In particular, we find that Reddy discloses a design having substantially the same overall appearance as the claimed design, as shown in Petitioner’s comparison illustration reproduced below. Paper 22, 10 (citing Pet. 63). The above illustration compares the claimed design in the upper half to Reddy’s design in the lower half. Both designs include an image of a Three Square Arrangement9 followed by an image of “a $0.00 in practically identical style and font.” Id. at 10–11 (quoting Pet. 64). We determine that Petitioner proves by a preponderance of the evidence, moreover, “that ‘the overall visual effect of the claimed design,’ when compared to ‘the design disclosed in Reddy[,] would be substantially the same to an ordinary observer.’” Id. at 11 (alteration in original) (citation omitted); Pet. 64–67 (and evidence cited therein). Based on the full trial record, we agree with Petitioner and find that “there is no material difference” slip op. at 8

    • Obviousness (§103) › Motivation to combine / reasonable expectation of successUnpatentableMotivation foundUnpatentable

      “To the extent “any ‘slightly different spacing of the squares,’ as between the claimed and prior art designs,” is not de minimus, we find “that the ordinary designer would have modified Reddy’s design to mirror the claimed design” in order “to increase the amount of data” contained in the code. Paper 22, 13 (quoting Pet. 72 (citing Ex. 1002 ¶ 97)). The ordinary designer, considering Reddy alone, “would find the claimed ‘design as a whole has substantially the same overall visual appearance as the Reddy design,’ as so modified.” Id. (quoting Pet. 73 (citing Ex. 1002 ¶ 99)). Based on the full trial record, we determine that Reddy renders the challenged claim unpatentable as obvious.” slip op. at 9

    • BurdenUnpatentable

      “We conclude that Patent Owner has forfeited any arguments opposing the information advanced in the Petition with respect to the other asserted grounds of invalidity. We adopt the reasoning set forth in the Petition with respect to those grounds. See Pet. 23–45 (arguments and evidence directed to publication and accessibility of SGQR, GrabPay, Digital Debit Video, and Digital Debit Patent), 73–88 (arguments and evidence directed to the grounds that assert SGQR, GrabPay, Digital Debit Video, and Digital Debit Patent). On this record, Petitioner demonstrates by a preponderance of the evidence that the subject matter of the challenged claim would have been obvious based on the other grounds asserted in the Petition. Id.” slip op. at 9

    § 102 anticipation§ 103 obviousness
  • PTAB · Feb 9, 2023 · PGR2022-00031 · APJ Grace Karaffa Obermann · PGR · Adverse judgment

    Adverse judgment was entered after Patent Owner disclaimed the sole claim; alternatively, the claim was held unpatentable on the asserted anticipation and obviousness grounds.

    RulingsAdverse judgment
    • Adverse judgmentAdverse judgmentGranted

      “On October 5, 2022, Patent Owner filed a statutory disclaimer of the first embodiment, including Figures 1 and 2. Ex. 1106; Paper 32, 2. On January 26, 2023, Patent Owner filed a statutory disclaimer of the second embodiment, including Figures 3, 4, and 5. Ex. 1107; Paper 32, 2. Patent Owner successfully paid the statutory disclaimer fees in connection with both disclaimers. Ex. 1106, 4; Ex. 1107, 4; Paper 32, 2–3. Based on the information presented, we find that Patent Owner, by disclaiming all figures and embodiments described in the ’702 patent, has disclaimed the entire scope of the sole design claim at issue, such that no challenged claim remains in this proceeding. Specifically, in that regard, the ’702 patent claims and describes two embodiments, where the first embodiment is depicted in Figures 1 and 2, and the second embodiment is depicted in Figures 3, 4, and 5. Ex. 1001, code (57). The statutory disclaimers, taken together, disclaim both embodiments and all five figures set forth in the ’702 patent. Exs. 1106, 1107. Accordingly, we determine that adverse judgment against Patent Owner based on the disclaimers is warranted. 37 C.F.R. §§ 42.73(b)(1), 42.73(b)(2); Paper 32, 3.8” slip op. at 6

    • Novelty / Anticipation (§102) › Anticipation standard (single reference, every element)UnpatentableUnpatentable

      “In particular, we find that Reddy discloses a design having substantially the same overall appearance as the claimed design, as shown in Petitioner’s comparison illustration reproduced below. Paper 22, 10 (citing Pet. 63). The above illustration compares the claimed design in the upper half to Reddy’s design in the lower half. Both designs include an image of a Three Square Arrangement9 followed by an image of “a $0.00 in practically identical style and font.” Id. at 10–11 (quoting Pet. 64). We determine that Petitioner proves by a preponderance of the evidence, moreover, “that ‘the overall visual effect of the claimed design,’ when compared to ‘the design disclosed in Reddy[,] would be substantially the same to an ordinary observer.’” Id. at 11 (alteration in original) (citation omitted); Pet. 64–67 (and evidence cited therein). Based on the full trial record, we agree with Petitioner and find that “there is no material difference” slip op. at 8

    • Obviousness (§103) › Motivation to combine / reasonable expectation of successUnpatentableMotivation foundUnpatentable

      “To the extent “any ‘slightly different spacing of the squares,’ as between the claimed and prior art designs,” is not de minimus, we find “that the ordinary designer would have modified Reddy’s design to mirror the claimed design” in order “to increase the amount of data” contained in the code. Paper 22, 13 (quoting Pet. 72 (citing Ex. 1002 ¶ 97)). The ordinary designer, considering Reddy alone, “would find the claimed ‘design as a whole has substantially the same overall visual appearance as the Reddy design,’ as so modified.” Id. (quoting Pet. 73 (citing Ex. 1002 ¶ 99)). Based on the full trial record, we determine that Reddy renders the challenged claim unpatentable as obvious.” slip op. at 9

    § 102 anticipation§ 103 obviousness
  • PTAB · Sep 29, 2022 · IPR2022-00309 · APJ Jo-Anne M Kokoski · IPR · Adverse judgment

    The Board granted Patent Owner’s request for adverse judgment after disclaimer of all claims, entering judgment against claims 1, 6, 7, and 10-12 and terminating the proceeding.

    RulingsAdverse judgment
    • Adverse judgmentAdverse judgmentGranted

      “Rule 42.73(b) permits a party to “request adverse judgment against itself at any time during a proceeding.” 37 C.F.R. § 42.73(b). In addition, “[a]ctions construed to be a request for adverse judgment include . . . [c]ancellation or disclaimer of a claim such that the party has no remaining claim in the trial.” Id. § 42.73(b)(2). Because Patent Owner disclaimed all claims in the ’112 patent, there are no challenged claims remaining in the proceeding, and we grant Patent Owner’s Request for Adverse Judgment.” slip op. at 2

    None
    Patents in suitUS 8,035,112
  • PTAB · May 7, 2018 · PGR2017-00039 · APJ Grace Karaffa Obermann · PGR · Adverse judgment

    The Board entered adverse judgment against Petitioner after the parties agreed Petitioner had abandoned its challenge to claims 1–13.

    RulingsAdverse judgment
    • Adverse judgmentAdverse judgmentGranted

      “DISCUSSION A party may request entry of adverse judgment against itself at any time during a proceeding. See 37 C.F.R. § 42.73(b). On April 16, 2018, the parties filed a Joint Motion for Adverse Judgment against Petitioner. Paper 16 (“Joint Motion”). On May 3, 2018, the parties indicated that they “jointly continue to consent to entry of adverse judgment against” Petitioner as advanced in the Joint Motion. Paper 18, 1. The parties direct us to 37 C.F.R. § 42.73(b)(4), which we construe as an admission that Petitioner has abandoned the contest. Paper 16, 1; Paper 18, 1. CONCLUSION Under these circumstances, entry of judgment adverse to Petitioner is appropriate, and thus, granted. It is ORDERED that adverse judgment is entered against Petitioner under 37 C.F.R. § 42.73(b)(4); and” slip op. at 2

    • PTAB / AIA Trials › Motions to amend / substitute claimsGranted

      “On May 3, 2018, with our prior authorization, the parties filed a Joint Motion to Limit the Petition. Paper 18. Concurrently herewith, we issue an order granting the parties’ Joint Motion to Limit the Petition to remove the two grounds of unpatentability based on 35 U.S.C. § 112, leaving the challenge to claims 1–13 based on 35 U.S.C. § 103 as the sole ground remaining in dispute.” slip op. at 2

    None
    Patents in suitUS 9,463,183
  • PTAB · Aug 25, 2017 · IPR2016-01634 · APJ Meredith C Petravick · IPR · Adverse judgment

    The Board entered adverse judgment against Patent Owner on claims 1–11 after their cancellation and Patent Owner’s abandonment of the contest.

    RulingsAdverse judgment
    • Adverse judgmentAdverse judgmentGranted

      “Actions construed to be a request for 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). Ex Parte Reexamination Certificate No. 9,187,921 C1, canceling claims 1–11 of the ’921 patent, issued on July 24, 2017. Ex. 3001; see Paper 14 (memorializing a conference call during which Patent Owner indicated that it was allowing the claims to be canceled in the reexamination intentionally). Claims 1–11 are all of the claims of the ’921 patent and all claims at issue in this inter partes review. Cancellation of claims 1–11 is construed as a request for adverse judgment. Additionally, “[a]ctions construed to be a request for adverse judgment include: . . . [a]bandonment of the contest.” 37 C.F.R. § 42.73(b)(4). Patent Owner did not file a Patent Owner’s Response or a Motion to Amend in this inter partes review by the May 17, 2017 deadline, set in the Scheduling Order (Paper 13), and did not file a paper in response to the Order to Show Cause by the August 22, 2017 deadline. Patent Owner’s lack of response is consistent with abandonment of the contest. Abandonment of the contest is construed as a request for adverse judgement. slip op. at 2

    None
    Patents in suitUS 9,187,921
  • PTAB · Mar 8, 2016 · IPR2015-00473 · APJ Ken B Barrett · IPR · Adverse judgment

    The Board granted Continental’s request for adverse judgment as patent owner for claims 14, 17, 27, and 31.

    RulingsAdverse judgment
    • Adverse judgmentAdverse judgmentGranted

      “A party may request judgment against itself at any time during a proceeding. 37 C.F.R. § 42.73(b). Pursuant to 37 C.F.R. § 42.73(b)(3), “[c]oncession of unpatentability” may be construed as a request for adverse judgment. We understand Continental to expressly request entry of adverse judgment against itself as the current patent owner. IPR2015-00481, Continental’s Ownership Statement 5. Additionally, we treat Continental’s concession that certain challenged claims are unpatentable (id. at 5; see IPR2015-00481, Paper 4 (Petition) 3–4 (challenging claims 14, 17, 31, and 33 of the ’431 patent)) as a request for adverse judgment at least as to those claims. 37 C.F.R. § 42.73(b)(3). Under these circumstances, entry of judgment adverse to Patent Owner Continental is appropriate.” slip op. at 7

    • PTAB / AIA Trials › Real party in interest / privityDecided for patent owner

      “assignment, and found that neither weighed in favor of Mr. Wingard. Id. at 9–10. The Court ultimately found, “at the time of the [bankruptcy] filing, that the patent was owned by Mr. Wingard personally, and, therefore, became part of the [Bankruptcy] Estate,” and the Court granted the Trustee’s motion to sell the patent. Id. at 10, 11; see also Ex. 1020 (Order granting the motion). The time to appeal the order has expired and no appeal was sought. Ex. 1017, 2 (citing Fed. R. Bankr. P. 8002). In an assignment dated December 17, 2015, the Bankruptcy Trustee assigned to Continental the entire right, title, and interest in the ’431 patent. Ex. 1017. An assignment from the Trustee to Continental Automotive GmbH is recorded in the USPTO at Reel/Frame 037329/0544. Ex. 3001. II. ANALYSIS In light of the Bankruptcy Court’s Order and the authorized sale of the ’431 patent, we recognize Continental as the current owner of the ’431 patent for purposes of this inter partes review proceeding. Continental asserts in the related 481 case: “because Continental is now the patent owner and has represented that the 431 patent claims are invalid, the claims should be found unpatentable either by way of a final determination or in response to a request for adverse judgment.” IPR2015-00481, Continental’s Ownership Statement 5.6 Continental also indicates that the same request” slip op. at 6

    None
    Patents in suitUS 5,530,431
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