Amendment

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Federal Register Notice Advertises Alternative PTAB Amendment Options

Last Friday the USPTO published a notice in the Federal Register entitled: Notice Regarding Options for Amendments by Patent Owner Through Reissue or Reexamination During a Pending AIA Trial Proceeding (here). The Notice outlines considerations for stakeholders pursuing reexam/reissue as an alternative amendment path to Patent Trial & Appeal Board (PTAB) AIA trial mechanisms. While, the Notice is careful to emphasize that each case will be considered on its own merits, and provides aspects of the record that will be considered in this regard, practically speaking, most such proceedings will be stayed pending an AIA trial.

The true point of the Notice is to advertise that there are other, ex parte options for amending patents that are separate and apart from the PTAB’s controversial amendment processes.
Continue Reading PTAB Amendment Alternatives: Patent Reissue & Reexamination

Boardside Chat This Wednesday

This Wednesday, April 10, from noon to 1 p.m. ET, the Patent Trial & Appeal Board (PTAB) is hosting a Boardside Chat webinar about the new pilot program for motions to amend in AIA trials. Deputy Chief Judge Jackie Bonilla and Lead Judge Jessica Kaiser will present.

The new Pilot program…

Previous PTAB Opinions Designated Precedential

Yesterday, the Patent Trial & Appeal Board (PTAB) designated two older AIA trial decisions, and one recent decision, precedential. These three decisions follow last week’s Precedential Opinion Panel (POP) decision in Proppant Express Investments v. Oren Technologies, which held issue joinder was embraced by 35 U.S.C. § 315(c), but a matter of Board discretion.

Since the revision of its Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for designating precedential and informative decisions (SOP2), it is expected that the Board will continue to expand upon the current number of precedential decisions.
Continue Reading PTAB Ramps Up Issuance of AIA Trial Precedent

PLI Program to Focus on New Patent Owner Opportunities

The USPTO’s Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) is in the midst of a historic makeover. New leadership has recently introduced significant changes. These changes are designed to rebalance AIA trial practices to allow patent owners a fighting chance. From new claim construction standards, amendment options,…

PTAB Amendment Pilot Effective Today

Today, the Patent Trial & Appeal Board (PTAB) published the final Pilot Program for Motions to Amend in the Federal Register (here). The Pilot will run for one year, and is applicable to all AIA trial proceedings instituted going forward. (i.e., proceedings instituted before 3/15 are ineligible). The published Pilot carries forward the main idea of the initial RFC — feedback to the Patent Owner on its Motion to Amend prior to final decision — but, offers notable revisions in procedural timing and options as compared to the RFC.

As revised, those Patent Owners inclined to amend before the PTAB, may find the Pilot to offer strategic advantages beyond mere feedback.
Continue Reading Gaming the PTAB Amendment Pilot?

PTAB Updates Amendment Precedent

Today, the Patent Trial & Appeal Board (PTAB) designated Lectrosonics, Inc. v. Zaxcom, Inc, (IPR2018-01129, 01130, Paper 15 (Feb. 25, 2019) precedential as to the agency’s interpretation of 35 U.S.C § 316(d), amendment requirements and burden.

The Order provides guidance and information regarding statutory and regulatory requirements for a motion…

Boardside Chat & Special PLI Briefing

For those seeking Patent Trial & Appeal Board (PTAB) related CLE/programming this month, the PTAB itself is hosting a Boardside Chat webinar this Thursday, Dec. 6th from noon to 1 p.m. ET.

The topic of the webinar is hearsay and authentication before the Board. Lead Judge Michael Zecher along…

New Proposal May Only Amplify Current Amendment Criticisms

A few weeks back, the USPTO published a Request for Comments (RFC) (here) on a proposed procedure for motions to amend in AIA Trial Proceedings. The proposal provides for a pilot program in which the parties are provided with an initial Board assessment of the proposed amendment. The assessment is provided early in the process. The idea being to provide for a meaningful opportunity for Patent Owner’s to revise proposed amendments where appropriate.

While the agency’s effort to improve the amendment process is to be applauded, its proposal will only increase Patent Owner costs and frustrations.
Continue Reading How to Fix the PTAB’s Amendment Problem

Pilot Program Would Provide for Separate Briefing and Board Feedback

The USPTO has published a Request for Comments (RFC) (here) on a proposed procedure for motions to amend in AIA Trial Proceedings. The proposal provides for a pilot program in which the parties are provided with an initial Board assessment of the proposed amendment. The assessment is provided early in the process; providing meaningful opportunity to revise and oppose proposed amendments; and ensuring the amendment process concludes within the 12-month statutory timeline.

Specifically, the USPTO seeks public input on a proposed amendment process that would involve a preliminary non-binding decision by PTAB regarding the merits of a motion to amend.
Continue Reading PTAB Proposes Changes to Amendment Practice

Rebutting the Presumption of Unreasonability

Given the complications associated with amending litigated claims, amendment is still relatively rare at the Patent Trial & Appeal Board (PTAB).  Yet, there remain Patent Owners willing to amend claims in limited scenarios. For these Patent Owners, the Board has provided some helpful guidance post Aqua Products.  As a reminder, newly designated precedent Western Digital Corp. v. SPEX Techs., Inc has replaced now de-designated precedent/informative decisions of MasterImage 3D, Inc. v. RealD Inc.,Case IPR2015-00040 (PTAB July 15, 2015) (Paper 42) and Idle Free Sys., Inc. v. Bergstrom, Inc., Case IPR2012-00027 (June 11, 2013) (Paper 26).

However, Aqua Products did not overrule all aspects of these earlier decisions despite their de-designations. So, the question remains as to the continued viability of some of these earlier positions — such as the standard for assessing a “reasonable number” of substitute claims.

In a decision issued today, the Board emphasized that adding claims beyond a 1-1 substitution creates a presumption of unreasonability.  And, that rebutting that presumption may not necessarily require a showing of patentable distinctness between multiple substitutes, as previously explained in Idle Free.
Continue Reading PTAB Debates Standard for Reasonable Number of Substitute Claims