- Runergy Alabama Inc. / Runergy USA Inc. et al. v. Trina Solar Co., Ltd.All claims unpatentablePTAB · Apr 15, 2026 · IPR2025-00186 · APJ Avelyn M Ross · IPR · Final written decision
Claims 1–11 are unpatentable under § 103 over Chang and Jin; the Board found the combination disclosed the claimed isolation portion and supported the challenged claims.
RulingsFinal written decision- Skill levelSkill level petitioner adoptedDecided for petitioner
“Petitioner contends that a person of ordinary skill in the art would have been someone with an advanced degree involving the disciplines of electrical engineering, applied physics, chemistry, or materials science, and at least two years of experience designing, developing, or researching in the field. Alternatively, that person would have had a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, applied physics, or materials science, and at least three years of experience designing, developing, or researching in the field. Pet. 4 (citing Ex. 1003 ¶ 49). Patent Owner does not address the level of ordinary skill in the art. See generally PO Resp; Sur-reply. In light of the complete trial record before us, we adopt Petitioner’s proposal regarding the level of ordinary skill in the art. Based on our review of the ’104 patent and the prior art of record, we determine that the definition offered by Petitioner comports with the qualifications a person would have needed to understand the ’104 patent and the prior art.” slip op. at 9
- Claim Construction › Threshold & procedure › Whether a term needs construction (O2 Micro)No construction neededNot reached
“C. Claim Construction We construe claim terms according to the standard set forth in Phillips v. AWH Corp., 415 F.3d 1303, 1312–17 (Fed. Cir. 2005) (en banc); 37 C.F.R. § 42.100(b). Under Phillips, we give claim terms “their ordinary and customary meaning.” Phillips, 415 F.3d at 1312. “[T]he ordinary and customary meaning of a claim term is the meaning that the term would have to a person of ordinary skill in the art in question at the time of the invention.” Id. at 1313. “Importantly, the person of ordinary skill in the art is deemed to read the claim term not only in the context of the particular claim in which the disputed term appears, but in the context of the entire patent, including the specification.” Id. Petitioner contends that “[n]o claim construction is believed to be necessary to resolve this Petition.” Pet. 23. And, Patent Owner does not address claim construction. See generally PO Resp. As neither party proposes an express construction for our consideration and because we determine that an express claim construction is not necessary for us to render a decision in this matter, we do not construe any claim terms. See Vivid Techs., Inc. v. Am. Sci. & Eng’g, Inc., 200 F.3d 795, 803 (Fed. Cir. 1999) (holding that “only those terms need be construed that are in controversy, and only to the extent necessary to resolve the controversy”); see also Nidec Motor Corp. v. Zhongshan Broad Ocean Motor Co., 868 F.3d 1013, 1017 (Fed. Cir. 2017) (citing Vivid Techs. in the context of an inter partes review).” slip op. at 10
- Expert testimonyPetitioner expert discountedPatent owner expert creditedMixed
“edge and offers little explanation of why the skilled artisan would apply Jin’s gap- T isolation region to both of Feldmann’s polysilicon and tunnel oxide layers. As noted above, Petitioner states that the skilled artisan would have included Jin’s gap-T isolation region in order to prevent shorting. Pet. 25. Petitioner’s reasoning is questionable—supported only by the conclusory testimony of Dr. Banerjee. Dr. Banerjee’s testimony offers no more evidentiary support than provided in the Petition. Compare Ex. 1003 ¶ 113, with Pet. 25. Petitioner cannot satisfy its burden of proving obviousness by employing “mere conclusory statements.” Magnum Oil, 829 F.3d at 1380. We acknowledge Dr. Banerjee’s testimony that the combination of Jin’s gap-T isolation region would prevent shorting and that extending the tunnel oxide layer the edge “could trap impurities and create negative fixed oxide charges, which could then create a p-type inversion in the n-type base substrate, leading to a leakage path to the p-type emitter on the front of the solar cell” (Ex. 1003 ¶ 113 (emphasis added)) but are not convinced by his equivocal testimony. Notably too, neither Jin nor Feldmann discuss issues relating to trapped impurities and Petitioner, as well as Dr. Banerjee, fail to direct our attention to any record evidence to support their contentions. Rather, we are persuaded by Dr. Peckerar’s testimony that as a general rule in semiconductor process technology, a bare silicon surface should not be left unpassivated after processing. Elemental silicon is highly chemically reactive. As such, the bare surface is a “magnet” for defects and contamination. Leaving the tunnel oxide in place across the entire substrate backside would reduce this problem. Ex. 2001 ¶ 142. Dr. Peckerar further explains that a person of ordinary skill in the art would have known how to avoid shorting and leakage. In particular, he testifies that the manner by which charge is transported through a tunnel oxide can be controlled by adjusting manufacturing parameters such as time, temperature, thickness, and ambient impurities. A POSITA would plainly have adjusted these parameters to ensure that the tunnel oxide operates as intended (i.e., minimizes recombinant losses while transporting charge carriers to the backside of the solar cell) while avoiding undesirable leakage current. Because unwanted leakage charge can be avoided via other means during manufacture, there would have been no reason to reduce the physical extent of the tunnel oxide. Ex. 2001 ¶ 152 (referring to Ex. 2001 ¶¶ 149–151). Moreover, Dr. Peckerar testifies that “Dr. Banerjee also appears to be arguing that incorporation of impurities into the oxide will produce a MOSFET-like structure, with the contaminated oxide acting as a MOS gate leading to enhanced leakage,” but, for that to occur, “the source and drain areas would need to be of the same type.” Ex. 2001 ¶ 159. Here however, “the tunnel oxide layer is located between an n-type polysilicon layer and p-type frontside emitter layer” so “[n]o MOSFET-like structure can form because the source and drain are of different types.” Ex. 2001” slip op. at 18
- Obviousness (§103) › Motivation to combine / reasonable expectation of success › HindsightNot shown unpatentableMotivation not foundNot shown unpatentable
“base a conclusion of obviousness upon facts gleaned only through hindsight. “The invention must be viewed not after the blueprint has been drawn by the inventor, but as it would have been perceived in the state of the art that existed at the time the invention was made.” Sensonics, Inc. v. Aerosonic Corp., 81 F.3d 1566, 1570 (Fed. Cir. 1996) (citing Interconnect Planning Corp. v. Feil, 774 F.2d 1132, 1138 (Fed. Cir. 1985)). Therefore, “to establish a prima facie case of obviousness based on a combination of elements disclosed in the prior art, the [Petitioner] must articulate the basis on which it concludes that it would have been obvious to make the claimed invention.” Id. Impermissible hindsight is inferred when the specific understanding or principle within the knowledge of one of ordinary skill in the art that would motivate one (with no knowledge of the claimed invention) to make the proposed combination has not been explained. In re Rouffet, 149 F.3d 1350, 1358 (Fed. Cir. 1998).” slip op. at 16
Patent outcomesUS 9,722,104 unpatentableClaim construction§ 103 obviousnesscites Phillips · KSR · GrahamPatents in suitUS 9,722,104 - Deltran USA LLC v. The Noco CompanyAll claims unpatentablePTAB · Mar 13, 2026 · IPR2025-00885 · APJ Avelyn M Ross · IPR · Final written decision
Claims 1–11 are unpatentable under Richardson-based obviousness grounds; the Yu and Paparrizos grounds do not establish unpatentability.
RulingsFinal written decision- Skill levelSkill level petitioner adoptedDecided for petitioner
“Petitioner contends that a person of ordinary skill in the art, “[a]s of the claimed priority date of July 3, 2014, . . . would have been a person with a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or its equivalent and two years of experience in the field of electrical engineering including some experience in design of battery charging systems.” Pet. 21 (citing Ex. 1003 ¶¶ 19–30). Patent Owner “does not propose a different level of skill in the art[.]” PO Resp. 16. In light of the record before us, we adopt Petitioner’s proposal regarding the level of ordinary skill in the art, because it is supported by the testimony of C. Arthur MacCarley and not disputed by Patent Owner.” slip op. at 11
- Claim Construction › Threshold & procedure › Whether a term needs construction (O2 Micro)No construction neededOther
“As neither party proposes an express construction for our consideration and because we determine that claim construction is not necessary, we do not expressly construe any claim terms. See Vivid Techs., Inc. v. Am. Sci. & Eng’g, Inc., 200 F.3d 795, 803 (Fed. Cir. 1999) (holding that “only those terms need be construed that are in controversy, and only to the extent necessary to resolve the controversy”); see also Nidec Motor Corp. v. Zhongshan Broad Ocean Motor Co. Matal, 868 F.3d 1013, 1017 (Fed. Cir. 2017) (citing Vivid Techs. in the context of an inter partes review).” slip op. at 11
- PTAB / AIA Trials › §315(e) estoppelNot reached
“arguments relating to whether the prior findings are “necessary to the determination” or whether estoppel applies to arguments relating to Richardson being inoperative. See Pet. Reply 27. Nor does Petitioner respond to our inquiry about whether collateral estoppel maybe applied on a limitation by limitation basis. See Pet. Reply 27. At the hearing, however, Petitioner confirmed that resolution of the issue is not necessary to our final determination. JUDGE ROSS: Do we even need to decide the collateral estoppel issue? I mean, it seems to me that if your petition clearly made out your case for the combination of Richardson and Zhao, then we don't even need to reach that. MR. CHANDRA: That’s exactly right, Your Honor. That is our position, as well. We believe collateral estoppel applies, but you don't need to decide that issue in order to find these claims unpatentable. As I mentioned before, these are the same references. We have fairly sought out all of the portions of Richardson, we cited to specific portions. Not just relying on collateral estoppel, but the teachings of the reference itself. So, while this is an issue, we believe that collateral estoppel should apply. It does not have to apply in order to find the challenged claims unpatentable. Tr. 19:9–20. We are persuaded, as discussed in Section II.G., that Petitioner has shown where Richardson in combination with Zhao meets each limitation of the claims of the ’203 patent. Accordingly, we need not address whether Petitioner has demonstrated sufficiently that collateral estoppel applies here.” slip op. at 14
- Strike new argumentNew argument consideredOther
“Our Practice Guide states, that “[o]nce a trial is instituted, the Board may decline to consider arguments set forth in a preliminary response unless they are raised in the patent owner response.” Consolidated Trial Practice Guide (“Practice Guide”), 52 (Nov. 2019) (citing In re Nuvasive, Inc., 842 F.3d 1376, 1381 (Fed. Cir. 2016) (explaining that a patent owner waives an issue presented in its preliminary response if it fails to renew the issue in its response after trial is instituted)).12 In addition, in our Scheduling Order, we stated that “Patent Owner is cautioned that any arguments not raised in the response may be deemed waived.” Paper 9 at 10; see also Practice Guide, 94 (same). Patent Owner confirmed at the Oral Hearing its understanding that arguments raised in its Preliminary Response and not reasserted in its Patent Owner Response were not appropriate for consideration during trial. Tr. 4:10–6:17. Petitioner does not identify any particular argument raised in the Patent Owner Preliminary Response that is not present in the Patent Owner Response. But, in this Final Written Decision, we do not consider arguments made in the Patent Owner Preliminary Response and instead assess only those fairly presented in the Patent Owner Response.” slip op. at 15
Patent outcomesUS 11,667,203 unpatentableClaim construction§ 102 anticipation§ 103 obviousnesscites Phillips · KSR · GrahamPatents in suitUS 11,667,203 - PTAB · Oct 29, 2025 · IPR2025-00885 · APJ Avelyn M Ross · IPR · Institution
The Board instituted review of claims 1–11 on all petition grounds and granted ADC Solutions Auto LLC’s unopposed motion to join IPR2024-01219 in an understudy role.
RulingsInstitution decision- PTAB / AIA Trials › Institution threshold (reasonable likelihood / more likely than not)InstitutedInstituted
“We agree with the parties that the Deltran Petition involves the same patent, challenges the same claims, relies on the same expert declaration, and is based on the same grounds and combinations of prior art. Under these circumstances, our reasons for instituting review based on Deltran’s petition apply with equal force to the “substantively identical” Petition filed by ADC Solutions. Id. Accordingly, for the same reasons set forth in the Institution Decision filed in the Deltran IPR, we institute review on all claims and all grounds asserted in the Petition. See generally IPR01219, Paper 8 (Institution Decision in the Deltran IPR).” slip op. at 3
- PTAB / AIA Trials › Joinder §315(c) / SAS all-or-nothingJoinder, grantedGranted
“(1) the Motion for Joinder is timely, having been filed “no later than one month of the institution decision” in the Deltran IPR (Motion 6); (2) the Petition here “is substantially identical to the petition in the Deltran IPR” (id.; see also id. at 7 (“there are no substantive changes to the facts, citations, evidence, or arguments relied upon”); (3) “joinder should have no meaningful impact on the Deltran IPR trial schedule because the present Petition presents no new issues or grounds of unpatentability” (id. at 8); (4) “Petitioner explicitly agrees to take an ‘understudy’ role, which will simplify briefing and discovery” in the joined proceeding, “so long as the current lead petitioner in IPR2024-01219 remains an active party (id. at 9; see also id. at 4, 6);2 and (5) joinder will simplify “briefing and discovery” as all issues will be resolved “in a single proceeding” (id. at 9). Patent Owner does not contest any facts alleged by ADC Solutions in its Motion for Joinder. Having considered Petitioner’s Motion for Joinder, we determine that joinder of the instant proceeding with in the Deltran IPR is appropriate. For the reasons in our Decision Instituting Review in Deltran IPR, we find that the Petition in this proceeding also warrants institution of inter partes review and that joinder is appropriate. Accordingly, we grant Petitioner’s 2 We understand the “understudy role” as including Petitioner not making any oral argument or presentation during telephone conferences with the Board.” slip op. at 4
NonePatents in suitUS 11,667,203 - PTAB · Oct 29, 2025 · IPR2025-00918 · APJ Avelyn M Ross · IPR · Institution
The Board instituted inter partes review of claims 1–11 on all asserted grounds and granted Canadian Solar’s motion for joinder in IPR2025-00007.
RulingsInstitution decision- PTAB / AIA Trials › Institution threshold (reasonable likelihood / more likely than not)InstitutedInstituted
“We instituted review of claims 1–11 of the ’104 patent in IPR2025-00007 after a review of all arguments and evidence presented by the parties, including Patent Owner’s arguments in its preliminary response. For the reasons discussed in the Institution Decision in IPR2025-00007, we determine that Petitioner demonstrates a reasonable likelihood of showing at least one claim of the ’104 patent is unpatentable. Thus, we find that the Petition warrants institution of inter partes review on all claims and grounds set forth in the Petition.” slip op. at 11
- PTAB / AIA Trials › Joinder §315(c) / SAS all-or-nothingJoinder, grantedGranted
“Patent Owner did not file an opposition to Petitioner’s Motion for Joinder. Upon consideration of Petitioner’s arguments, we are persuaded that it is appropriate under these circumstances to join Petitioner to the proceeding in IPR2025-00007. Petitioner’s agreement to accept an “understudy” role and to not actively participate in IPR2025-00007 unless the current petitioner ceases to participate will limit any potential impact on the trial schedule and will avoid increasing the costs or complexity of the proceeding. Therefore, joinder of 8 Available at https://www.uspto.gov/TrialPracticeGuideConsolidated. Petitioner to IPR2025-00007 will further the goals of a just, speedy, and inexpensive resolution of Petitioner’s challenge. 37 C.F.R. § 42.1(b).” slip op. at 12
- Skill levelSkill level petitioner adoptedDecided for petitioner
“In light of the record before us, and for purposes of this Decision, we adopt Petitioner’s proposal regarding the level of ordinary skill in the art. Based on our review of the ’104 patent and the prior art of record, we determine that the definition offered by Petitioner comports with the qualifications a person would have needed to understand the ’104 patent and the prior art. We will make any final determination pertaining to the level of ordinary skill in the art, however, on the full trial record.” slip op. at 10
- Claim Construction › Threshold & procedure › Whether a term needs construction (O2 Micro)No construction neededOther
“For purposes of this Decision, we need not expressly construe any claim terms. See Vivid Techs., Inc. v. Am. Sci. & Eng’g, Inc., 200 F.3d 795, 803 (Fed. Cir. 1999) (holding that “only those terms need be construed that are in controversy, and only to the extent necessary to resolve the controversy”); see also Nidec Motor Corp. v. Zhongshan Broad Ocean Motor Co., 868 F.3d 1013, 1017 (Fed. Cir. 2017) (citing Vivid Techs. in the context of an inter partes review).” slip op. at 11
Claim constructioncites Phillips · KSR · GrahamPatents in suitUS 9,722,104 - PTAB · Oct 29, 2025 · IPR2025-00917 · APJ Debra L Dennett · IPR · Institution
The Board instituted IPR on claims 1–17 on all asserted grounds, finding a reasonable likelihood that at least one challenged claim is unpatentable, and granted Canadian Solar’s motion for joinder.
RulingsInstitution decision- PTAB / AIA Trials › Institution threshold (reasonable likelihood / more likely than not)InstitutedInstituted
“We instituted review of claims 1–17 of the ’009 patent in IPR2025-00006 after a review of all arguments and evidence presented by the parties, including Patent Owner’s arguments in its preliminary response. For the reasons discussed in the Institution Decision in IPR2025-00006, we determine that Petitioner demonstrates a reasonable likelihood of showing at least one claim of the ’009 patent is unpatentable. Thus, we find that the Petition warrants institution of inter partes review on all claims and grounds set forth in the Petition.” slip op. at 11
- PTAB / AIA Trials › Joinder §315(c) / SAS all-or-nothingJoinder, grantedGranted
“Patent Owner did not file an opposition to Petitioner’s Motion for Joinder. Upon consideration of Petitioner’s arguments, we are persuaded that it is appropriate under these circumstances to join Petitioner to the proceeding in IPR2025-00006. Petitioner’s agreement to accept an “understudy” role and to not 8 Available at https://www.uspto.gov/TrialPracticeGuideConsolidated. actively participate in IPR2025-00006 unless the current petitioner ceases to participate will limit any potential impact on the trial schedule and will avoid increasing the costs or complexity of the proceeding. Therefore, joinder of Petitioner to IPR2025-00006 will further the goals of a just, speedy, and inexpensive resolution of Petitioner’s challenge. 37 C.F.R. § 42.1(b).” slip op. at 12
- Skill levelSkill level petitioner adoptedOther
“Petitioner contends that a person of ordinary skill in the art would have been someone with an advanced degree involving the disciplines of electrical engineering, applied physics, chemistry, or materials science, and at least two years of experience designing, developing, or researching in the field. Alternatively, that person would have had a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, applied physics, or materials science, and at least three years of experience designing, developing, or researching in the field. Pet. 5 (citing Ex. 1003 ¶ 49). In light of the record before us, and for purposes of this Decision, we adopt Petitioner’s proposal regarding the level of ordinary skill in the art. Based on our review of the ’009 patent and the prior art of record, we determine that the definition offered by Petitioner comports with the qualifications a person would have needed to understand the ’009 patent and the prior art. We will make any final determination pertaining to the level of ordinary skill in the art, however, on the full trial record.” slip op. at 10
- Claim Construction › Threshold & procedure › Whether a term needs construction (O2 Micro)No construction neededOther
“Petitioner contends that “[n]o claim construction is necessary to resolve this Petition.” Pet. 25. For purposes of this Decision, we need not expressly construe any claim terms. See Vivid Techs., Inc. v. Am. Sci. & Eng’g, Inc., 200 F.3d 795, 803 (Fed. Cir. 1999) (holding that “only those terms need be construed that are in controversy, and only to the extent necessary to resolve the controversy”); see also Nidec Motor Corp. v. Zhongshan Broad Ocean Motor Co., 868 F.3d 1013, 1017 (Fed. Cir. 2017) (citing Vivid Techs. in the context of an inter partes review).” slip op. at 11
Claim constructioncites Phillips · KSR · GrahamPatents in suitUS 10,230,009 - LG Energy Solution, Ltd. v. Molecular Rebar Design, LLCAdverse judgmentPTAB · 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
NonePatents in suitUS 9,636,649 - LG Energy Solution, Ltd. v. Molecular Rebar Design, LLCAdverse judgmentPTAB · 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
NonePatents in suitUS 9,636,649 - Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. / Samsung Electronics America, Inc. v. Molecular Rebar Design, LLCInstitutedPTAB · Jul 17, 2025 · IPR2025-00359 · APJ Avelyn M Ross · IPR · Institution
The Board instituted review of claims 1–4 and 7–17 on all petition grounds and granted Samsung’s unopposed motion for joinder in IPR2024-01013.
RulingsInstitution decision- PTAB / AIA Trials › Institution threshold (reasonable likelihood / more likely than not)InstitutedInstituted
“We instituted review of claims 1–4 and 7–18 of the ’483 patent in IPR2024- 01013 after a review of all arguments and evidence presented by the parties, including Patent Owner’s arguments in its preliminary response. For the reasons discussed in the Institution Decision in IPR2024-01013, we determine that Petitioner demonstrates a reasonable likelihood of showing at least one claim of the ’483 patent is unpatentable. Thus, we find that the Petition warrants institution of inter partes review on all claims and grounds set forth in the Petition.” slip op. at 8
- PTAB / AIA Trials › Joinder §315(c) / SAS all-or-nothingJoinder, grantedGranted
“Upon consideration of Petitioner’s arguments, we are persuaded that it is appropriate under these circumstances to join Petitioner to the proceeding in IPR2024-01013. Petitioner’s agreement to accept an “understudy” role and to not actively participate in IPR2024-01013 unless the current petitioner ceases to participate will limit any potential impact on the trial schedule and will avoid increasing the costs or complexity of the proceeding. Therefore, joinder of Petitioner to IPR2025-00359 will further the goals of a just, speedy, and inexpensive resolution of Petitioner’s challenge. 37 C.F.R. § 42.1(b).” slip op. at 10
Nonecites Phillips · KSR · GrahamPatents in suitUS 10,153,483 - Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. / Samsung Electronics America, Inc. v. Molecular Rebar Design, LLCInstitutedPTAB · Jul 17, 2025 · IPR2025-00358 · APJ Julia Heaney · IPR · Institution
The Board instituted review of claims 1–16 on all petition grounds and granted Samsung’s motion to join IPR2024-01012 as an understudy petitioner.
RulingsInstitution decision- PTAB / AIA Trials › Institution threshold (reasonable likelihood / more likely than not)InstitutedInstituted
“A. Whether the Petition Warrants Institution As we note above, the Petition challenges the same claims on the same grounds of unpatentability, and relies on the same evidence, including the same declarant testimony, as presented in the 1012 IPR. Pet. 1; Mot. 6– 7. In other words, the Petition is virtually identical to the petition filed in the 1012 IPR. We incorporate our analysis from the 1012 IPR regarding the asserted grounds of unpatentability and determine that Petitioner has demonstrated sufficiently under 35 U.S.C. § 315(c) that institution of an inter partes review is warranted under 35 U.S.C. § 314(a).” slip op. at 4
- PTAB / AIA Trials › Joinder §315(c) / SAS all-or-nothingJoinder, grantedGranted
“Based on the facts and circumstances discussed above, we determine Petitioner has established good cause for joining the 1012 IPR. Specifically, we find that joining Petitioner to the 1012 IPR is unlikely to require any delay or modification to the scheduling order already in place for the 1012 IPR. We also determine that Patent Owner will not be prejudiced unduly by the joinder of this proceeding. Thus, we determine that granting the Motion for Joinder under these circumstances would help “secure the just, speedy, and inexpensive resolution” of these proceedings. See 37 C.F.R. § 42.1(b). For the above reasons, we grant Petitioner’s Motion for Joinder and join Petitioner as a party to the 1012 IPR.” slip op. at 6
NonePatents in suitUS 10,608,282 - Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. / Samsung Electronics America, Inc. v. Molecular Rebar Design, LLCInstitutedPTAB · Jul 17, 2025 · IPR2025-00355 · APJ Julia Heaney · IPR · Institution
The Board instituted inter partes review of claims 1–23 on the petition’s grounds and granted Samsung’s motion to join the LGES IPR in an understudy role.
RulingsInstitution decision- PTAB / AIA Trials › Institution threshold (reasonable likelihood / more likely than not)InstitutedInstituted
“A. Whether the Petition Warrants Institution As we note above, the Petition challenges the same claims on the same grounds of unpatentability, and relies on the same evidence, including the same declarant testimony, as presented in the 1005 IPR. Pet. 1; Mot. 5. In other words, the Petition is virtually identical to the petition filed in the 1005 IPR. We incorporate our analysis from the 1005 IPR regarding the asserted grounds of unpatentability and determine that Petitioner has demonstrated sufficiently under 35 U.S.C. § 315(c) that institution of an inter partes review is warranted under 35 U.S.C. § 314(a).” slip op. at 4
- PTAB / AIA Trials › Joinder §315(c) / SAS all-or-nothingJoinder, grantedGranted
“Based on the facts and circumstances discussed above, we determine Petitioner has established good cause for joining the 1005 IPR. Specifically, we find that joining Petitioner to the 1005 IPR is unlikely to require any delay or modification to the scheduling order already in place for the 1005 IPR. We also determine that Patent Owner will not be prejudiced unduly by the joinder of this proceeding. Thus, we determine that granting the Motion for Joinder under these circumstances would help “secure the just, speedy, and inexpensive resolution” of these proceedings. See 37 C.F.R. § 42.1(b). For the above reasons, we grant Petitioner’s Motion for Joinder and join Petitioner as a party to the 1005 IPR.” slip op. at 6
NonePatents in suitUS 9,636,649
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.