- Google LLC v. Ecofactor, Inc.Adverse judgmentPTAB · Oct 1, 2025 · IPR2025-00097 · APJ Brent M Dougal · IPR · Adverse judgment
The Board granted EcoFactor’s request for adverse judgment after it disclaimed claims 1–18 and terminated the proceeding.
RulingsAdverse judgment- Adverse judgmentAdverse judgmentGranted
“A party before the Board “may request judgment against itself at any time during a proceeding.” 37 C.F.R. § 42.73(b). “Cancellation or disclaimer of a claim such that the party has no remaining claim in the trial” constitutes a request for adverse judgment. 37 C.F.R. § 42.73(b)(2). As all claims of the ’394 Patent have been disclaimed, Patent Owner’s request for adverse judgment is granted, and the proceeding is terminated.” slip op. at 2
NonePatents in suitUS 11,835,394 - PTAB · Sep 10, 2025 · IPR2025-00141 · APJ Ken B Barrett · IPR · Remand
The Board instituted IPR of claims 1–21 on all asserted grounds after finding a reasonable likelihood of prevailing on the Nishida-based challenges.
RulingsRemand decision- Director reviewDirector review, grantedGranted
“partes review of U.S. Patent No. 8,266,749 B2 (“the ’749 patent,” Ex. 1001). Paper 1 (“Pet.”). The Petition challenges the patentability of claims 1–21 of the ’749 patent. Nike, Inc. (“Patent Owner”)2 filed a Preliminary Response to the Petition. Paper 6 (“Prelim. Resp.”). With our authorization, Petitioner filed a Reply to Patent Owner’s Preliminary Response (Paper 10) and Patent Owner filed a Sur-reply (Paper 13). We discretionarily denied institution under 35 U.S.C. § 325(d). Paper 20. Petitioner filed a request for Director Review of the Decision denying institution. Paper 21. Director Review was granted, the Decision denying institution of inter partes review was vacated, and the case was remanded to the Board. Id. at 4. Specifically, the case was “remanded to the Board with instructions to consider Petitioner’s Nishida grounds and to determine whether the Petition should be instituted.” Id. at 3–4.” slip op. at 2
- PTAB / AIA Trials › Institution threshold (reasonable likelihood / more likely than not)InstitutedInstituted
“presented in the Petition and the Preliminary Response “shows that 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). Having considered the arguments and evidence presented by Petitioner and Patent Owner, we determine that Petitioner has demonstrated a reasonable likelihood of prevailing on at least one of the challenged claims of the ’749” slip op. at 2
- Expert testimonyPetitioner expert creditedPatent owner expert discountedDecided for petitioner
“In support of Petitioner’s position, Dr. Adanur testifies that “Nishida discloses that the unfinished surface area 1.1 is part of the web 1 itself,” that Nishida discloses that the computer-controlled process can (using Nishida’s phrase) “put in” up to seven different textile fibers or yarns into the web of material in one operation, and that, “[t]hus, Nishida discloses simultaneously knitting its layouts 2 and tongue 40 (each a ‘textile element’) with the unfinished surface area 1.1 (a ‘surrounding textile structure’).” Ex. 1002 ¶ 216 (citing Ex. 1022, 2:12–20, 4:47–55, 5:45–49). For purposes of institution, we credit that testimony over the testimony of Dr. Pastore, because, on the current record, we regard Dr. Adanur’s testimony as more consistent with the evidence. This and the other related issues may be explored more fully during the trial.” slip op. at 23
- Skill levelSkill level petitioner adoptedDecided for petitioner
“Petitioner contends that: A person of ordinary skill in the art (“POSITA”) in the field of the ’749 patent in March 2004 would have been someone with at least a few years of experience in knit materials and knitting methods and machines that can be used in making footwear, or a bachelor’s degree in textile-related sciences, engineering, or industrial product design, or equivalent academic or work experience, including in the footwear industry. EX1002, ¶68. Such a person of ordinary skill would have at least a general understanding of general construction processes and materials used in the manufacturing process of fabric-based articles. For individuals with a lower educational level, a person could still be of ordinary skill in the art provided that person’s working experience compensates for any such lower educational level, or vice versa. See id. Pet. 23–24. Patent Owner states that, “[f]or purposes of this Preliminary Response, Nike applies Skechers’ definition for a person of ordinary skill in the art.” Prelim. Resp. 14. Petitioner’s definition is consistent with the level of ordinary skill reflected in the prior art references of record. See Okajima v. Bourdeau, 261 F.3d 1350, 1355 (Fed. Cir. 2001) (recognizing that the prior art itself may reflect an appropriate level of skill in the art). For purposes of this decision, we apply Petitioner’s definition of the person of ordinary skill in the art.” slip op. at 10
Claim construction§ 102 anticipation§ 103 obviousnesscites Phillips · KSR · GrahamPatents in suitUS 8,266,749 - AT&T Mobility LLC / AT&T Services Inc. et al. v. Daingean Technologies Ltd.No claims unpatentablePTAB · Jul 14, 2025 · IPR2024-00402 · APJ Mary C Hoffman · IPR · Final written decision
The Board granted Patent Owner’s revised non-contingent motion to amend, canceling claims 1–4 and substituting claims 7 and 8, which Petitioner did not prove unpatentable.
RulingsFinal written decision- PTAB / AIA Trials › Motions to amend / substitute claimsMotion to amend, grantedGranted
“whether the motion to amend meets the statutory and regulatory requirements set forth in 35 U.S.C. § 316(d) and 37 C.F.R. § 42.121.” See Lectrosonics, Inc. v. Zaxcom, Inc., IPR2018-01129, Paper 15 at 4 (PTAB Feb. 25, 2019) (precedential). A “patent owner bears the burden of persuasion to show, by a preponderance of the evidence, that the motion to amend complies” with the applicable statutory and regulatory requirements. 37 C.F.R. § 42.121(d)(1). Specifically, a patent owner must demonstrate the following: (1) the amendment proposes a reasonable number of substitute claims; (2) the amendment responds to a ground of unpatentability involved in the trial; (3) the amendment does not seek to enlarge the scope of the claims of the patent; and (4) the amendment does not introduce new matter. See 35 U.S.C. § 316(d); 37 C.F.R. § 42.121(a)–(b). For the reasons explained below, Patent Owner satisfies its burden of persuasion to show that the amendments comply with the applicable statutory and regulatory requirements.” slip op. at 8
- Skill levelSkill level patent owner adoptedDecided for patent owner
“Both parties rely on expert testimony for their respective positions relating to the number of years of experience needed to attain ordinary skill, but neither expert cites supporting evidence for their testimony. See Ex. 1002 ¶ 33; Ex. 2002 ¶ 15. Our decision is the same regardless of whether the length of experience is two years or three. We find Patent Owner’s proposed “wireless communications” is more consistent with the ’958 patent than Petitioner’s proposed “telecommunication,” which encompasses a variety of technologies including, e.g., landline and wireless telephones, cable, and satellite. See Ex. 1001, 1:11–62 (describing the invention in terms of wireless communications). Accordingly, we adopt a modified version of Petitioner’s proffered level of ordinary skill in the art, substituting “wireless communications” for “telecommunication.” Neither party, moreover, indicates the overall result would change based on a different definition.” slip op. at 18
- Claim Construction › Intrinsic evidence (Phillips canons) › Plain and ordinary meaning to a POSITATerm construed patent owner constructionDecided for patent owner
“We agree with Patent Owner that the recited second type SIBs exclude first type SIBs. The plain meaning of “first type” and “second type” indicates that the first type and second type are different in kind. RMTA 22 (App. A). Our interpretation is consistent with the Specification, which explains that second type SIBs exclude first type SIBs. As Patent Owner points out, the ’958 patent discloses “first type of system information (1TYP SIB) is . . . essential . . . for initial system access” and “second type of system information (2TYP SIB) is nonessential system information . . . defined as all other types of information, and thus excludes the [] information required for initial access.” Id. at 11–12 (citing Ex. 1001, 8:34– 46); see also Ex. 1001, Abstract (interchangeably using the terms second type and non-essential). Despite Petitioner’s argument that this disclosure is non-limiting and directed to a disclaimed example embodiment (Opp. 8–9), Petitioner could not identify any embodiment, among the approximately forty disclosed embodiments, describing something other than the first type SIB being essential information and the second type SIB being non-essential information. Tr. 22:18–26. Even the Petition acknowledges that “the ’958 Patent further classifies a second type of system information, the ‘non-essential’ SI, which is defined as all other types of information excluding that first type of information required for initial access.” Pet. 5. Furthermore, the prior art of record suggests that a person of ordinary skill would have understood second type SIBs exclude first type SIBs. See Ex. 1008 ¶ 48 (describing two categories of system information, “essential SI” and “Other SI”). Patent Owner’s expert also understood the recited first and second type SIBs as being mutually exclusive. See Ex. 1011, 49:10–13. For the above reasons, we do not agree with Petitioner that the recited second type SIB lacks any requirements, nor do we interpret claims 7 and 8 such that the first type SIB could be a second type SIB.” slip op. at 19
- Novelty / Anticipation (§102) › Anticipation standard (single reference, every element)Not shown unpatentableNot shown unpatentable
“(d) Limitation 7h: Analysis We agree with Patent Owner that Petitioner’s arguments with respect to limitation 7h are insufficient because they fail to address the limitation as written and improperly incorporate previous arguments by reference. For example, Petitioner did not map the recited “group identifier” when opposing Patent Owner’s Revised Motion to Amend. See Opp. 16–17. In its Sur-reply, Petitioner contends that limitation 7h’s requirement of transmitting the group identifier was previously “set out in Patent Owner’s prior papers,” but does not refer to any specific papers or exhibits. Pet. Surreply 11–12. We decline to search for and piece together Petitioner’s arguments and evidence to develop a persuasive theory of unpatentability. See 37 C.F.R. section 42.6(a)(3). Petitioner similarly failed to address adequately where Lee discloses or suggests the recited “compressed format” and “plural parameters.” See Opp. 16–17. Aside from the above concerns, we also do not see sufficient explanation with respect to limitation 7h’s requirement that the transmitting by broadcast be based on a comparison of the value tag. Petitioner argues that, because Patent Owner does not dispute limitation 7g, “it would have been obvious to a POSITA to use the same value tag[] to determine the system information broadcast in Lee’s compressed format embodiment.” Pet. Sur-reply 12. This conclusory statement is not supported by any citations to evidence and was improperly introduced in the Sur-reply. Moreover, whether it was obvious to determine what system information is broadcast is not commensurate with the claim scope because limitation 7h requires that the broadcasting (not the broadcast content) be based on a comparison of the value tag. See supra III.B.4 and IV.B. Further, we are not persuaded that Lee’s transmitting by broadcast is” slip op. at 26
Patent outcomesUS 10,841,958 not shown unpatentableClaim construction§ 102 anticipation§ 103 obviousness§ 112 disclosurecites Phillips · KSR · Graham · NautilusPatents in suitUS 10,841,958 - Abbott Laboratories v. Newtonoid Technologies, L.L.C.Adverse judgmentPTAB · May 29, 2025 · IPR2024-00932 · APJ Mary C Hoffman · IPR · Adverse judgment
The Board granted Patent Owner’s request for adverse judgment, terminated the trial, and cancelled claims 1 and 4–20.
RulingsAdverse judgment- Adverse judgmentAdverse judgmentGranted
“Our rules provide that “[a] party may request judgment against itself at any time during a proceeding.” 37 C.F.R. § 42.73(b). We understand Patent Owner’s May 19, 2025 email as a request for judgment against itself. Accordingly, on the record before us, we enter adverse judgment against Patent Owner pursuant to 37 C.F.R. § 42.73(b) and terminate the trial pursuant to 37 C.F.R. § 42.72. Accordingly, it is: ORDERED that Patent Owner’s May 19, 2025 email request for adverse judgment pursuant to 37 C.F.R. § 42.73(b) is granted;” slip op. at 3
NonePatents in suitUS 11,392,818 - PTAB · Jan 24, 2025 · IPR2024-00276 · APJ Michael J Fitzpatrick · IPR · Adverse judgment
The Board entered adverse judgment against Patent Owner on all challenged claims, 1–3, 6, 12, 14, 16, 18, and 19, after their disclaimer, and terminated the IPR.
RulingsAdverse judgment- Adverse judgmentAdverse judgmentGranted
“Request For Adverse Judgment. Paper 21 (“Mot.”). In the Joint Motion, the parties “jointly move to terminate the present inter partes review proceeding in light of the disclaimer filed by Patent Owner disclaiming all challenged claims.” Mot. 1 (citing 37 C.F.R. § 42.73; Ex. 2001). The cited exhibit is a disclaimer, filed October 24, 2024, under 37 C.F.R. § 1.321(a), of claims 1–3, 6, 12, 14, 16, 18, and 19 of the ’194 patent, which constitute all of the claims challenged in the inter partes review. Ex. 2001. In view of the disclaimer, “Patent Owner requests entry of adverse judgment as to [the challenged and now disclaimed] claims.” Mot. 1. We grant the Motion. Accordingly, it is: ORDERED that adverse judgment is entered against Patent Owner as” slip op. at 2
NonePatents in suitUS 9,415,194 - PTAB · Jan 24, 2025 · IPR2024-00275 · APJ Michael J Fitzpatrick · IPR · Adverse judgment
The Board entered adverse judgment against Patent Owner on all challenged, disclaimed claims and terminated the inter partes review.
RulingsAdverse judgment- Adverse judgmentAdverse judgmentGranted
“C.F.R. § 1.321(a), of claims 9, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22–24, 44, and 46 of the ’597 patent, which constitute all of the claims challenged in the inter partes review. Ex. 2001. In view of the disclaimer, “Patent Owner requests entry of adverse judgment as to [the challenged and now disclaimed] claims.” Mot. 1. We grant the Motion. Accordingly, it is: ORDERED that adverse judgment is entered against Patent Owner as to claims 9, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22–24, 44, and 46 of U.S. Patent No. 9,072,597 B2; and FURTHER ORDERED that the inter partes review is terminated.” slip op. at 2
NonePatents in suitUS 9,072,597 - NXP USA, Inc. v. Parkervision, Inc.InstitutedPTAB · Dec 19, 2024 · IPR2024-01068 · APJ Bart A Gerstenblith · IPR · Institution
The Board instituted IPR on claims 1–5, 8, 9, 11–23, 26, 27, and 29–36 on all petitioned grounds and granted NXP's conditional motion to join the TI IPR.
RulingsInstitution decision- PTAB / AIA Trials › Institution threshold (reasonable likelihood / more likely than not)InstitutedInstituted
“An inter partes review may be instituted only if “the information presented in the petition . . . and any [preliminary] response . . . shows that 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) (2018). For the reasons given below, we institute inter partes review of the Challenged Claims of the ’528 patent. We also grant Petitioner’s Conditional Motion for Joinder and join Petitioner to IPR2024-00936.” slip op. at 3
- PTAB / AIA Trials › Discretionary denial › Fintiv (parallel litigation)Institution denied fintivDenied
“As set forth in the Director’s Memorandum, Interim Procedure for Discretionary Denials in AIA Post-Grant Proceedings with Parallel District Court Litigation (dated June 21, 2022), at 7, available at https://www.uspto.gov/sites/default/files/documents/interim_proc_discretion ary_denials_aia_parallel_district_court_litigation_memo_20220621_.pdf, the [Patent Trial and Appeal Board] will not discretionarily deny institution of an IPR . . . in view of parallel district court litigation where a petitioner stipulates not to pursue in a parallel district court proceeding the same grounds as in the petition or any grounds that could have reasonably been raised in the petition. Petitioner’s stipulation (Ex. 1041) satisfies the language from the Director’s Memorandum quoted above. Additionally, we do not see an issue with ambiguity in Petitioner’s stipulation. Specifically, following joinder, this IPR (i.e., IPR2024-01068), which is based on the Petition at issue here (i.e., the Petition filed by NXP), will still be pending even though Petitioner will be joined to IPR2024-00936. Thus, the “IPR from this [P]etition” will be “pending,” which satisfies the language of Petitioner’s stipulation and precludes the actions stated therein. Further, to the extent there was any potential ambiguity, that ambiguity is resolved by Petitioner’s representations in e-mail correspondence (Exhibit 3001), as noted above. Therefore, we need not analyze each Fintiv factor to reach the determination that we will not exercise our discretion to deny institution in view of the parallel litigation.” slip op. at 8
- Obviousness (§103) › Motivation to combine / reasonable expectation of successInstituted
“Compare Pet. with TI IPR, Paper 2 (petition); see also Motion 2 (stating that “NXP’s petition challenges the same claims on the same grounds, relies on the same prior art, and includes the exact same substantive arguments as the TI IPR”). Patent Owner raises the same arguments that it presented in the TI IPR. Regarding the first ground, Patent Owner asserts that (1) Petitioner has not shown that one of ordinary skill in the art would have been motivated to combine Tayloe, TI Datasheet, and Macnally (Prelim. Resp. 5– 9) and (2) Petitioner fails to provide a sufficient reasonable expectation of success in combining Macnally and Tayloe (id. at 9–12). Additionally, Patent Owner contends we should exercise our discretion to deny institution” slip op. at 6
- PTAB / AIA Trials › Joinder §315(c) / SAS all-or-nothingJoinder, grantedGranted
“35 U.S.C. § 315(c). We have explained that a motion for joinder should: (1) set forth reasons why joinder is appropriate; (2) identify any new grounds of unpatentability asserted in the petition; (3) explain what impact, if any, joinder would have on the trial schedule for the existing review; and (4) address specifically how briefing and discovery may be simplified. Kyocera Corp. v. Softview LLC, IPR2013-00004, Paper 15 at 4 (PTAB Apr. 24, 2013).” slip op. at 10
§ 103 obviousnessDiscretionary denialPatents in suitUS 9,118,528 - NXP USA, Inc. v. Parkervision, Inc.InstitutedPTAB · Dec 19, 2024 · IPR2024-01066 · APJ Bart A Gerstenblith · IPR · Institution
The Board instituted IPR on claim 14 under all three obviousness grounds and granted NXP’s conditional motion to join the Texas Instruments IPR.
RulingsInstitution decision- PTAB / AIA Trials › Discretionary denial › Fintiv (parallel litigation)Decided for petitioner
“the [Patent Trial and Appeal Board] will not discretionarily deny institution of an IPR . . . in view of parallel district court litigation where a petitioner stipulates not to pursue in a parallel district court proceeding the same grounds as in the petition or any grounds that could have reasonably been raised in the petition. Petitioner’s stipulation (Ex. 1041) satisfies the language from the Director’s Memorandum quoted above. Additionally, we do not see an issue with ambiguity in Petitioner’s stipulation. Specifically, following joinder, this IPR (i.e., IPR2024-01066), which is based on the Petition at issue here (i.e., the Petition filed by NXP), will still be pending even though Petitioner will be joined to IPR2024-00935. Thus, the “IPR from this [P]etition” will be “pending,” which satisfies the language of Petitioner’s stipulation and precludes the actions stated therein. Further, to the extent there was any potential ambiguity, that ambiguity is resolved by Petitioner’s representations in e-mail correspondence (Exhibit 3001), as noted above. Therefore, we need not analyze each Fintiv factor to reach the determination that we will not exercise our discretion to deny institution in view of the parallel litigation.” slip op. at 6
- PTAB / AIA Trials › Institution threshold (reasonable likelihood / more likely than not)InstitutedInstituted
“presented in the petition . . . and any [preliminary] response . . . shows that 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) (2018). For the reasons given below, we institute inter partes review of the Challenged Claim of the ’177 patent. We also grant Petitioner’s Conditional Motion for Joinder and join Petitioner to IPR2024-00935.” slip op. at 2
- PTAB / AIA Trials › Joinder §315(c) / SAS all-or-nothingJoinder, grantedGranted
“join as a party to [an instituted] inter partes review any person who properly files a petition under section 311 that . . . after receiving a preliminary response under section 313 or the expiration of the time for filing such a response . . . warrants the institution of an inter partes review under section 314. 35 U.S.C. § 315(c). We have explained that a motion for joinder should: (1) set forth reasons why joinder is appropriate; (2) identify any new grounds of unpatentability asserted in the petition; (3) explain what impact, if any, joinder would have on the trial schedule for the existing review; and (4) address specifically how briefing and discovery may be simplified.” slip op. at 7
Discretionary denialPatents in suitUS 7,865,177 - Google LLC v. Buffalo Patents, LLCAdverse judgmentPTAB · Dec 3, 2024 · IPR2023-01387 · APJ Mahshid D Saadat · IPR · Adverse judgment
The Board granted Patent Owner’s request for adverse judgment after it disclaimed all challenged claims 1–16 and 19.
RulingsAdverse judgment- Adverse judgmentAdverse judgmentGranted
“II. Discussion Per 37 C.F.R. § 42.73(b), a party may request judgment against itself at any time during a proceeding. Also, actions which are construed to be a request for adverse judgement include “[c]ancellation or disclaimer of a claim such that the party has no remaining claim in the trial.” Id. at § 42.73(b)(2). With the filing by Patent Owner of a statutory disclaimer of all challenged claims 1–16 and 19 in this proceeding, there are no remaining claims in this trial.” slip op. at 2
NonePatents in suitUS 8,204,737 - Google LLC v. Buffalo Patents, LLCAdverse judgmentPTAB · Dec 3, 2024 · IPR2023-01386 · APJ Jameson Lee · IPR · Adverse judgment
The Board granted Patent Owner’s request for adverse judgment after it disclaimed all challenged claims 1–12 and did not respond to the show-cause order.
RulingsAdverse judgment- Adverse judgmentAdverse judgmentGranted
“at any time during a proceeding. Also, actions which are construed to be a request for adverse judgement include “[c]ancellation or disclaimer of a claim such that the party has no remaining claim in the trial.” Id. at § 42.73(b)(2). With the filing by Patent Owner of a statutory disclaimer of all challenged claims 1–12 in this proceeding, there are no remaining claims in this trial. Because Patent Owner did not respond to the Show Cause Order, we construe Patent Owner’s statutory disclaimer of all challenged claims 1–12 as a request for entry of adverse judgment against Patent Owner. The request is granted.” slip op. at 2
NonePatents in suitUS 6,904,405
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.