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  • PTAB · Dec 4, 2017 · IPR2017-01441 · APJ Jon B Tornquist · IPR · Institution

    The Board denied institution because the petition did not show a reasonable likelihood that claims 1–18 were unpatentable over the asserted obviousness grounds.

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

      “review. 35 U.S.C. § 314; 37 C.F.R. § 42.4(a). The standard for instituting an inter partes review is set forth in 35 U.S.C. § 314(a), which provides that an inter partes review may not be instituted “unless the Director determines . . . there is a reasonable likelihood that the petitioner would prevail with respect to at least 1 of the claims challenged in the petition.”” slip op. at 2

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

      “Contrary to Petitioner’s arguments, the fact that two references relate to the same general subject matter is not, by itself, sufficient to explain why one of ordinary skill in the art would have sought to modify one reference in view of the other; it demonstrates at most that the two references are in the same field of endeavor. See In re GPAC Inc., 57 F.3d 1573, 1577–78 (Fed. Cir. 1995). Nor is an alleged admission that Fife and Stephenson are prior art to the ’075 patent sufficient to explain why these two references would be combined in a manner necessary to arrive at the claimed invention. See KSR Int’l Co. v. Teleflex Inc., 550 U.S. 389, 418–19 (2007) (“[I]nventions in most, if not all, instances rely upon building blocks long since uncovered, and claimed discoveries almost of necessity will be combinations of what, in some sense, is already known.”). In support of the Petition, Mr. Frost generally reiterates Petitioner’s arguments, stating: “[a] person of ordinary skill in the art would be motivated to combine the teachings of Fife and Stephenson since both Fife and Stephenson relate to methods for producing tantalum electrolytic capacitors, and both Fife and Stephenson constitute admitted prior art mentioned specifically in the ’075 Patent.” Ex. 1002 ¶ 32. Mr. Frost does not explain, however, why either of these factors would have prompted one of ordinary skill in the art to use Stephenson’s higher formation voltages in Fife. Thus, this testimony is entitled to little, if any, weight. See ActiveVideo Networks, Inc. v. Verizon Commc’ns, Inc., 694 F.3d 1312, 1328 (Fed. Cir. 2012) (expert testimony regarding motivation to combine is insufficient if it is “generic and bears no relation to any specific combination of prior art elements” and “fails to explain why a person of ordinary skill in the art would have combined elements from specific references in the way the claimed invention does”); see also Ashland Oil, Inc. v. Delta Resins & Refractories, Inc., 776 F.2d 281, 294 (Fed. Cir. 1985) (explaining that “[l]ack of factual support for expert opinion going to factual determinations” may “render the testimony of little probative value”). As Petitioner provides insufficient rationale to explain why one of ordinary skill in the art would have combined the disclosures of Fife and Stephenson in a manner necessary to achieve the claimed invention, it has not demonstrated a reasonable likelihood that the subject matter of claim 1 would have been obvious over those references. And, because challenged claims 2–11 and 13–18 each depend from claim 1, and because the deficiencies in Petitioner’s arguments and evidence regarding claim 1 are not remedied by Petitioner’s arguments and evidence regarding claims 2–11 and 13–18, Petitioner has likewise not demonstrated a reasonable likelihood that the subject matter of those claims would have been obvious over Fife and Stephenson.6” slip op. at 8

    • Expert testimonyPetitioner expert discountedDecided for patent owner

      “In support of the Petition, Mr. Frost generally reiterates Petitioner’s arguments, stating: “[a] person of ordinary skill in the art would be motivated to combine the teachings of Fife and Stephenson since both Fife and Stephenson relate to methods for producing tantalum electrolytic capacitors, and both Fife and Stephenson constitute admitted prior art mentioned specifically in the ’075 Patent.” Ex. 1002 ¶ 32. Mr. Frost does not explain, however, why either of these factors would have prompted one of ordinary skill in the art to use Stephenson’s higher formation voltages in Fife. Thus, this testimony is entitled to little, if any, weight. See ActiveVideo Networks, Inc. v. Verizon Commc’ns, Inc., 694 F.3d 1312, 1328 (Fed. Cir. 2012) (expert testimony regarding motivation to combine is insufficient if it is “generic and bears no relation to any specific combination of prior art elements” and “fails to explain why a person of ordinary skill in the art would have combined elements from specific references in the way the claimed invention does”); see also Ashland Oil, Inc. v. Delta Resins & Refractories, Inc., 776 F.2d 281, 294 (Fed. Cir. 1985) (explaining that “[l]ack of factual support for expert opinion going to factual determinations” may “render the testimony of little probative value”).” slip op. at 8

    § 103 obviousness
    Patents in suitUS 9,312,075
  • PTAB · Nov 17, 2017 · IPR2016-01261 · APJ Joni Y Chang · IPR · Rehearing

    The Board denied Focal IP’s request to reconsider authorization for Petitioners to file a limited supplemental brief on substitute-claim patentability after Aqua Products.

    RulingsRehearing decision
    • RehearingRehearing, deniedDenied

      “no intervening change in law.” Prior to the Federal Circuit’s en banc decision in Aqua Products, the Board indicated that “[t]he burden is not on the petitioner to show unpatentability, but on the patent owner to show patentable distinction over the prior art of record and also prior art known to the patent owner.” MasterImage, Case IPR2015-00040, slip op. at 2 (clarifying Idle Free sys., Inc. v. Bergstrom, Inc., Case IPR2012-00027, slip op. at 4 (PTAB June 11, 2013)) (emphasis added). In Aqua Products, patentee appealed from the final written decision of the Board, which denied patentee’s motion to amend, challenging the Board’s amendment procedures that required patentee to demonstrate that amended claims would be patentable over prior art. A panel decision from the Federal Circuit affirmed the Board’s decision, but the Federal Circuit granted patentee’s request for 3 rehearing en banc and, subsequently, in its en banc decision, vacated and remanded the Board’s decision. The Federal Circuit’s en banc decision clearly stated that “[t]he matter is remanded for the Board to issue a final decision under § 318(a) assessing the patentability of the proposed substitute claims without placing the burden of persuasion on the patent owner.” Aqua Products, 872 F.3d at 1296 (emphasis added). Accordingly, Patent Owner’s argument that “there is no intervening change of law” is misplaced.” slip op. at 3

    • BurdenOther

      “holding in Aqua Products. Aqua Products, 872 F.3d at 1296 (instructing the Board to “assess[] the patentability of the proposed substitute claims without placing the burden of persuasion on the patent owner”) (emphasis added). We address below each of the Patent Owner’s arguments in turn.” slip op. at 3

    None
    Patents in suitUS 8,457,113
  • PTAB · Nov 17, 2017 · IPR2016-01260 · APJ Joni Y Chang · IPR · Rehearing

    The Board denied Patent Owner’s rehearing request, leaving in place its order authorizing Petitioners to file a 15-page supplemental brief on motion-to-amend patentability after Aqua Products.

    RulingsRehearing decision
    • RehearingRehearing, deniedDenied

      “A party requesting rehearing bears the burden of showing that the decision should be modified. 37 C.F.R. § 42.71(d). The party must identify specifically all matters we misapprehended or overlooked, and the place where each matter was previously addressed in a motion, an opposition, or a reply. Id.” slip op. at 2

    None
    Patents in suitUS 8,457,113
  • PTAB · Nov 17, 2017 · IPR2016-01262 · APJ Joni Y Chang · IPR · Rehearing

    The Board denied Focal IP’s request to reconsider authorization for Petitioners to file a limited supplemental brief on patentability of substitute claims after Aqua Products.

    RulingsRehearing decision
    • RehearingRehearing, deniedDenied

      “A party requesting rehearing bears the burden of showing that the decision should be modified. 37 C.F.R. § 42.71(d). The party must identify specifically all matters we misapprehended or overlooked, and the place where each matter was previously addressed in a motion, an opposition, or a reply. Id.” slip op. at 2

    None
    Patents in suitUS 7,764,777
  • PTAB · Nov 17, 2017 · IPR2016-01258 · APJ Joni Y Chang · IPR · Rehearing

    The Board denied Focal IP’s request to reconsider authorization for Petitioners to file a limited supplemental brief addressing Aqua Products.

    RulingsRehearing decision
    • RehearingRehearing, deniedDenied

      “A party requesting rehearing bears the burden of showing that the decision should be modified. 37 C.F.R. § 42.71(d). The party must identify specifically all matters we misapprehended or overlooked, and the place where each matter was previously addressed in a motion, an opposition, or a reply. Id.” slip op. at 2

    • BurdenDecided for petitioner

      “Patent Owner’s arguments are misplaced, as they ignore the actual holding in Aqua Products. Aqua Products, 872 F.3d at 1296 (instructing the Board to “assess[] the patentability of the proposed substitute claims without placing the burden of persuasion on the patent owner”) (emphasis added). We address below each of the Patent Owner’s arguments in turn.” slip op. at 3

    None
    Patents in suitUS 7,764,777
  • PTAB · Nov 17, 2017 · IPR2016-01257 · APJ Joni Y Chang · IPR · Rehearing

    The Board denied Focal IP’s request to bar Petitioners from filing a limited supplemental brief on the patentability of substitute claims after Aqua Products.

    RulingsRehearing decision
    • RehearingRehearing, deniedDenied

      “A party requesting rehearing bears the burden of showing that the decision should be modified. 37 C.F.R. § 42.71(d). The party must identify specifically all matters we misapprehended or overlooked, and the place where each matter was previously addressed in a motion, an opposition, or a reply. Id.” slip op. at 2

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

      “rehearing en banc and, subsequently, in its en banc decision, vacated and remanded the Board’s decision. The Federal Circuit’s en banc decision clearly stated that “[t]he matter is remanded for the Board to issue a final decision under § 318(a) assessing the patentability of the proposed substitute claims without placing the burden of persuasion on the patent owner.” Aqua Products, 872 F.3d at 1296 (emphasis added). Accordingly, Patent Owner’s argument that “there is no intervening change of law” is misplaced.” slip op. at 4

    None
    Patents in suitUS 8,457,113
  • PTAB · Oct 19, 2017 · IPR2017-00856 · APJ Kristen L Droesch · IPR · Rehearing

    The Board denied the rehearing request, leaving institution denied because the patent did not disclose sufficient structure for the claimed means-plus-function limitation.

    RulingsRehearing decision
    • RehearingRehearing, deniedDenied

      “decision for an abuse of discretion. See 37 C.F.R. § 42.71(c). An abuse of discretion may arise if the decision is based on an erroneous interpretation of law, if a factual finding is not supported by substantial evidence, or if an unreasonable judgment is made in weighing relevant factors. Star Fruits S.N.C. v. U.S., 393 F.3d 1277, 1281 (Fed. Cir. 2005); Arnold P’ship v. Dudas, 362 F.3d 1338, 1340 (Fed. Cir. 2004); In re Gartside, 203 F.3d 1305, 1315–16 (Fed. Cir. 2000). The burden of showing that the decision should be modified is on Petitioner, the party challenging the decision. See 37 C.F.R. § 42.71(d). In addition, “[t]he request must specifically identify all matters the party believes the Board misapprehended or overlooked, and the place where each matter was previously addressed.” Id.” slip op. at 2

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

      “[W]e understand Petitioner to assert that the claimed function includes “imparting an acceleration based motion pattern to a predetermined selection among said objects,” and the structure corresponding to the claimed function is a programmed data processor or data microprocessor 22, and the flow chart of Figure 5. Patent Owner does not dispute Petitioner’s claim constructions for “data processing means” and “programmed calculating means.” See Prelim. Resp. 12–14. Patent Owner, however, provides an explicit claim construction for “an acceleration based motion pattern” as “a pattern of motion which reflects acceleration.” Id. at 13 (citing Ex. 1001, 3:63–4:14; Ex. 2001, 11); see id. at 18. Dec. 10–11. We further explained: The ’797 Patent disclosures cited by Petitioner reveal no more than a general purpose “programmed data processor.” See Pet. 24–27; Ex. 1001, Abstract, 2:42–44, 50–53, 57–60, 4:15–39, Figs. 1, 5. The cited ’797 Patent disclosures do not describe an algorithm, expressed as a mathematical formula, in prose, or as a flow chart, or in any other manner that provides sufficient structure for “imparting an acceleration based motion pattern to a predetermined selection among said objects.” See Pet. 24–27; Ex. 1001, Abstract, 2:42–44, 50–53, 57–60, 4:15–39, Figs. 1, 5. To the extent that Petitioner contends that the Figure 5 flow chart is the algorithm for the programmed data processor, as explained before, the cited ’797 Patent disclosures related to Figure 5 are silent with respect to “imparting an acceleration based motion pattern to a predetermined selection among the objects.” Dec. 12.” slip op. at 4

    • Strike new argumentNew argument disregardedDecided for patent owner

      “Petitioner’s arguments are not persuasive because Petitioner does not identify where these arguments were raised previously. See Req. Reh’g 1–3; 37 C.F.R. § 42.71(d). We cannot overlook arguments not made on the record before us. Petitioner presents these arguments addressing the combination of the ’797 Patent disclosures directed to Figures 4 and 5 for the first time in the Request for Rehearing. Compare Req. Reh’g 7–10, with Pet. 6–7, 15–16, and Prelim. Resp. 6.” slip op. at 9

    None
    Patents in suitUS 5,910,797
  • PTAB · Oct 6, 2017 · IPR2017-01353 · APJ Jeffrey W Abraham · IPR · Institution

    The Board denied institution because Petitioner did not show a reasonable likelihood that claims 1–4, 6, 8, 11–13, 15, and 18 were unpatentable over either asserted obviousness combination.

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

      “review. 35 U.S.C. § 314; 37 C.F.R. § 42.4(a). The standard for instituting an inter partes review is set forth in 35 U.S.C. § 314(a), which provides that an inter partes review may not be instituted “unless the Director determines . . . there is a reasonable likelihood that the petitioner would prevail with respect to at least 1 of the claims challenged in the petition.” After considering the Petition and Preliminary Response we determine that Petitioner has not demonstrated a reasonable likelihood of prevailing with respect to the challenged claims. Accordingly, we do not institute inter partes review.” slip op. at 2

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

      “As discussed above, however, Petitioner has not established sufficiently that Satterthwaite discloses adding STMP or any other salt of a condensed phosphate directly to the disclosed mixture of water, gypsum, and mineral wool. This deficiency undermines Petitioner’s argument that a person of ordinary skill in the art would look to Hjelmeland to determine how much STMP to add to Satterthwaite’s composition. Rather, in view of our determination regarding the disclosure of Satterthwaite, the more appropriate inquiry is whether, in view of Hjelmeland, a person of ordinary water mixture of Satterthwaite in the first place. Petitioner, however, does not explain adequately why one of ordinary skill in the art, having already utilized STMP to crosslink the starch, would have then sought to add STMP or any other condensed phosphate to Satterthwaite’s mixture in view of Hjelmeland’s disclosure. KSR Int’l Co. v. Teleflex Inc., 904 U.S. 398, 418 (2007) (“[A] patent composed of several elements is not proved obvious merely by demonstrating that each of its elements was, independently, known in the prior art.”). As a result, Petitioner has failed to identify a reason why a person of ordinary skill in the art would have combined the disclosed elements in the art in the same fashion as recited in the claims of the ’904 patent. Id. (“[I]t can be important to identify a reason that would have prompted a person of ordinary skill in the relevant field to combine the elements in the way the claimed new invention does.”).” slip op. at 19

    § 103 obviousnesscites Phillips
    Patents in suitUS 8,500,904
  • PTAB · Oct 6, 2017 · IPR2017-01351 · APJ Jon B Tornquist · IPR · Institution

    The Board denied institution because the petition did not show a reasonable likelihood that claims 1, 2, and 4–7 were unpatentable over either asserted obviousness combination.

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

      “well as the testimony of Mr. Harlos and Dr. Bruce, we conclude that Petitioner has not demonstrated a reasonable likelihood that claims 1, 2, and 4–7 are unpatentable over the recited prior art references. Accordingly, we do not institute inter partes review with respect to any of the asserted grounds. IV. ORDER It is hereby ORDERED that inter partes review is not instituted.” slip op. at 17

    • Obviousness (§103) › Graham factors (scope of art, differences, level of skill)Not shown unpatentableNot shown unpatentable

      “Because the reaction of STMP and potato starch in Graux occurs before the starch is added to the gypsum and water mixture, and because the reaction converts the starch and STMP into di-starch orthophosphate and tetrasodium pyrophosphate, i.e., STMP is consumed during Graux’s reaction process, we are not persuaded that Graux expressly teaches or suggests a set gypsum that is “formed from”12 calcined gypsum, water, and sodium trimetaphosphate, as required by claim 1.” slip op. at 11

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

      “Furthermore, we are not persuaded by Petitioner’s argument that one of ordinary skill in the art would have looked to Hjelmeland to determine the amount of STMP to use in Graux. Pet. 21 (asserting that an ordinary artisan would have found it obvious to use the amount of condensed phosphate specified by Hjelmeland in the plaster composition of Graux). Although, as noted by Petitioner, Graux and Hjelmeland both disclose the use of a condensed phosphate, the references use this material in different ways. In particular, Graux uses the condensed phosphate (STMP) to crosslink a potato starch, whereas Hjelmeland discloses adding the condensed phosphate to a gypsum suspension to act as a retarding agent. Ex. 1006, 5:39–50; Ex. 1008, 3:60–4:16. Petitioner does not explain why the concentration of STMP used to retard the setting of a gypsum suspension is in any way related to the amount of STMP required to effectively crosslink a starch. Nor does Petitioner explain adequately why one of ordinary skill in the art, having already utilized STMP to crosslink its starch, would have then sought to add STMP to Graux’s mixture in view of Hjelmeland’s genus disclosure. KSR Int’l Co. v. Teleflex Inc., 550 U.S. 398, 418 (2007) (“[A] patent composed of several elements is not proved obvious merely by demonstrating that each of its elements was, independently, known in the prior art.”). Thus, Petitioner has failed to sufficiently identify a reason why a person of ordinary skill in the art would have combined the disclosed elements in the same fashion as recited in the claims of the ’980 patent. Id. (“[I]t can be important to identify a reason that would have prompted a person of ordinary skill in the relevant field to combine the elements in the way the claimed new invention does.”). Based on the foregoing, Petitioner has not demonstrated that Graux, ASTM C473-95, Hjelmeland, Sucech, and Summerfield teach or suggest every limitation of independent claim 1. As dependent claims 2 and 4–7 depend directly from claim 1, we are likewise not persuaded that the combination of Graux, ASTM C473-95, Hjelmeland, Sucech, and Summerfield teaches or suggests the subject matter of these claims.” slip op. at 13

    § 103 obviousnesscites Phillips · KSR
    Patents in suitUS 7,758,980
  • PTAB · Oct 6, 2017 · IPR2017-01350 · APJ Jon B Tornquist · IPR · Institution

    The Board denied institution because Petitioner failed to show a reasonable likelihood that challenged claims 1–7, 10–15, 18, 22, 26, 29, 32–34, and 40 were unpatentable over either asserted obviousness combination.

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

      “review. 35 U.S.C. § 314; 37 C.F.R. § 42.4(a). The standard for instituting an inter partes review is set forth in 35 U.S.C. § 314(a), which provides that an inter partes review may not be instituted “unless the Director determines . . . there is a reasonable likelihood that the petitioner would prevail with respect to at least 1 of the claims challenged in the petition.” After considering the Petition and Preliminary Response, we determine that Petitioner has not demonstrated a reasonable likelihood of prevailing with respect to the challenged claims. Accordingly, we do not institute inter partes review.” slip op. at 2

    • BurdenDecided for patent owner

      “After reviewing the parties’ positions, we are not persuaded that Petitioner has demonstrated sufficiently that the prior art references teach or suggest including an enhancing material in the mixture of Graux in an amount such that, when the mixture is cast in the form of a ½ inch gypsum board, the board has a sag resistance of less than about 0.1 inch per two feet in length, as determined according to ASTM C473-95. Petitioner has not directed us to any sag resistance values for gypsum boards made using the ingredients disclosed in Graux and measured according to ASTM C473- 95,13 or evidence sufficient to establish that the claimed sag resistance value is an inherent property of a gypsum-containing product formed from the mixture disclosed in Graux. See Trintec Indus., Inc. v. Top–U.S.A. Corp., 295 F.3d 1292, 1295 (Fed. Cir. 2002) (“Inherent anticipation requires that the missing descriptive material is ‘necessarily present,’ not merely probably or possibly present, in the prior art.”) (quoting In re Robertson, 169 F.3d 743, 745 (Fed. Cir. 1999)). With regard to Petitioner’s argument that the ’284 patent discloses prior art gypsum boards having a sag resistance of less than 0.1 inch, we note that Petitioner has not directed us to any evidence demonstrating that these products contain the enhancing materials recited in independent claims 1, 2, 4, 5, 10, 34, or 40. Further, we agree with Patent Owner that the mere fact that a person of ordinary skill in the art would have been aware of the test methods set forth in ASTM C473-95 does not establish that boards tested according to 13 Even if we were to agree with Petitioner that Graux discloses a mixture of calcined gypsum, water, and a claimed enhancing material––which, for the reasons discussed above, we do not––Petitioner’s argument still suffers from this deficiency. those test methods would have a particular sag resistance value, or that a person of ordinary skill in the art would have been able to produce a board having a particular sag resistance value. Under the heading “Significance and Use” in the section discussing Humidified Deflection (i.e., sag resistance), ASTM C473-95 states only that “[t]his test method covers a procedure for evaluating the deflection of gypsum board.” Ex. 1009, 8 (Section 49.1) (emphasis added). We are not persuaded that such a disclosure would have taught or suggested combining the components of Graux to achieve a gypsum board having a sag resistance of less than about 0.1 inch per two foot length of said board. Based on the foregoing, Petitioner has not demonstrated that Graux discloses every limitation of independent claims 1, 2, 4, 5, 10, 34, or 40, or that one of ordinary skill in the art would have sought to modify Graux in view of ASTM C473-95, or any of the other recited prior art references, to arrive at the subject matter of the challenged claims. And, as each of the challenged dependent claims depends, directly or indirectly, from one of independent claims 1, 5, and 10, we are also not persuaded that these claims would have been obvious over Graux, ASTM C473-95, Hjelmeland, Sucech, Baig, and Summerland.” slip op. at 15

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

      “Petitioner also does not explain adequately why one of ordinary skill in the art, having already utilized STMP to crosslink the starch, would have then sought to add STMP to Satterthwaite’s mixture. KSR Int’l Co. v. Teleflex Inc., 550 U.S. 398, 418 (2007) (“[A] patent composed of several elements is not proved obvious merely by demonstrating that each of its elements was, independently, known in the prior art.”). Thus, Petitioner has failed to sufficiently identify a reason why a person of ordinary skill in the art would have combined the disclosed elements in the art in the same fashion as recited in the claims of the ’284 patent. Id. (“[I]t can be important to identify a reason that would have prompted a person of ordinary skill in the relevant field to combine the elements in the way the claimed new invention does.”).” slip op. at 18

    § 103 obviousnesscites Phillips · KSR
    Patents in suitUS 6,342,284
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