Broadening

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Recapture, Orita Doctrine & Same Invention Limit Scope

As provided by 35 U.S.C. § 251, Patent Reissue is a mechanism by which a Patent Owner may correct an error in an issued patent. A proper reissue application is directed to an error that renders an issued patent wholly, or partly, inoperative. Such an error could be the mere absence of narrower dependent claims. In re Tanaka (CAFC 2011)

Although patent reissue allows for the correction of mistakes in claim scope, the proceeding is not a “do-over” of the original prosecution — not even when broadening. For example, claim scope previously surrendered may not be “recaptured” via a broadening patent reissue. This same public reliance policy reasoning is utilized in other obscure aspects of patent reissue practice. For example, the Orita doctrine, prevents Patent Owners from obtaining by reissue, restricted claims that were never pursued.

This week, the Federal Circuit revisited a further limit on broadening patent reissues it last addressed in 2014.
Continue Reading Broadening Reissue Patents Have Limits

CAFC Decides Patent Reissue was Improperly Broadened Based on Previous Markman Definition

Yesterday, in ArcelorMittal France v. AK Steel Corp. (CAFC 2015), the CAFC considered the impact of a reissue of U.S. Patent 6,296,805 on a previous appeal decision.  The ‘805 patent, directed to rolled steel, recited the claim limitation “very high mechanical resistance.”  In an earlier infringement suit between the parties, the district court found this terminology to define “a tensile strength greater than 1500 MPa.” This construction was upheld by the CAFC on appeal, and the case as remanded as to other issues.

During the appeal of the claim construction, Patentee reissued the ‘805 patent as reissue patent RE44,153.  The reissue patent included a new claim, claim 23, that recited “mechanical resistance in excess of 1000MPa.”  The originally construed claims remained in the reissue patent. Once back in the district court, Patentee amended its complaint to include claim 23 of the new reissue patent.  Thereafter, on summary judgement, the district court ruled the reissue patent invalid for improper broadening. In the second appeal, decided yesterday, the CAFC agreed that claim 23 of the ‘153 reissue was improperly broadened.  

Ostensibly, the USPTO did not consider 1000MPa limitation as broadening relative to the specification of the ‘805 patent.  On the other hand, the CAFC found  “greater than 1000MPa” to be broadening based upon the district court’s previous construction that the scope of “very high mechanical resistance” was greater than 1500MPa. This difference in construction highlights the potential incongruity between USPTO and district court claim construction practices.

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Continue Reading Patent Reissue Breadth Anchored to Previous Markman Construction

In re Youman Faults BPAI Recapture Analysis

Back in 2010, the BPAI rejected certain claims in Ex parte Youman as attempting to recapture previously surrendered subject matter via a patent reissue application. This case was noteworthy for several reasons, not the least of which was its 10+ year pendency before reaching a Board decision. A link to the earlier BPAI decision is found (here).

As a reminder, Youman sought to broaden certain means-plus-function elements of his issued patent, and modify language relating to the selection of displayed characters of an electronic program guide via a television remote control.

The originally issued claims recited a “selection means…cycling forward and backward” through displayed characters. This feature was added to distinguish over the art of record during the prosecution of the underlying patent application. In the patent reissue application (broadening), this language was broadened to using a wireless remote control for “changing from a first to a second character.” This change was rejected by the BPAI as an attempt to recapture previously surrendered subject matter.

In rejecting the claim as recapturing previously surrendered subject matter, the BPAI relied upon some of the same MPEP language (“overlooked aspects”) later criticized by the CAFC in In re Mostafazadeh. In its most recent consideration of the recapture doctrine, the CAFC focused on the claim language that must be analyzed in the third prong of the recapture test. …

Continue Reading CAFC Again Recalibrates Recapture Doctrine

Continuation Practice in Broadening Patent Reissue Applications Examined

Yesterday, the CAFC decided an important question pertaining to broadening patent patent reissue practice. (In re Staats, decision here). The issue before the Court was whether a broadening patent reissue application of Apple Computer Patent 5,940,600 was filed within the proscribed two year window.

During prosecution of the subject patent reissue application (a third, broadening continuation filing) the examiner rejected the claims under 35 U.S.C. 251 as presenting broadening claims outside of the proscribed two year window. The Office reasoned that the error in the original reissue filing (parent) was allegedly unrelated to the error presented for correction in the third filing…presented for the first time 7 years later. In essence, the Office argued that it is not enough to merely present a “place holder” intent to broaden within the proscribed two years only to file a continuation years later that attempts to broaden in “unforeseeable” ways.

The CAFC heard arguments on the BPAI decision back in September of 2011 and strongly hinted that earlier CCPA precedent would control the case. Not surprisingly, the Court reversed the USPTO based on previous precedent…
Continue Reading CAFC Reverses USPTO on Patent Reissue Dispute

patent reissue oathMost practitioners are well aware that disputes with the USPTO over formal oath requirements in patent reissue are the rule, not the exception.  I have written extensively in the past as to the significant delays caused by this seemingly straight forward formal requirement.

In most cases, the dispute relates to a lack of specificity in identifying the error to be corrected in the patent reissue application. While in many cases the correction necessary is relatively minor. However, in most cases the objection raised relative to the oath does not come from the examiner, but instead, a Quality Assurance Specialist (QAS) of the USPTO. Thus, it is not uncommon to contact the examiner to request a recommended change to an oath to finally settle the dispute only to have the examiner inform you “I think it’s fine, but the QAS has some issue that I don’t really understand.” This leaves the Patentee with no efficient means to address the problem in a timely manner. This type of roadblock is especially aggravating in broadening patent reissue applications.

Continue Reading Defects in Patent Reissue Oaths Inefficiently Cured

In re Staats Argued at CAFC

Last week, an important question relating to broadening patent reissue practice was argued before the CAFC. (In re Staats).

At issue in Staats is a third reissue patent application of Apple Computer Patent 5,940,600. The third reissue patent application was a continuation that claimed priority back to the original reissue application. (the original reissue application being properly filed within two years of issuance of the ‘600 Patent). During prosecution of the third continuation the examiner rejected the claims under 35 U.S.C. 251 as presenting broadening claims outside of the two year window for broadening reissue. The examiner reasoned that the error in the original reissue filing was allegedly unrelated to the error presented for correction in the third filing.

An expanded panel of the BPAI affirmed the rejection (Ex Parte Staats) characterizing the issue in dispute as:

This is a case of first impression. Resolution of the case hinges on one fundamental question: Can a continuing reissue application broaden patented claims beyond the statutory two-year period in a manner unrelated to the broadening aspect that was identified within the two-year period? Put another way, is it enough under the law to merely present an intent to broaden that is limited to a particular aspect (e.g., a particular embodiment of the invention) within the two-year period, yet broaden in unforeseeable ways (e.g., pertaining to other embodiments) outside the two-year period?

In last year’s BPAI decision, the Board analyzed the statute based upon their understanding of the equitable principles underlying the two-year limitation provided by the statute. In doing so, the BPAI relied heavily on…
Continue Reading USPTO Patent Reissue Laches Theory Tested at CAFC

USPTO Affirmed on Facts, But Corrected as to Proper Recapture Rule AnalysisBack in February I recounted the oral agument of In re Mostafazadeh. This case explored the degree to which a claim limitation added to distinguish over the prior art during original prosecution may be broadened during patent reissue. In patent reissue, Mostafazadeh sought an intermediate scope to the “circular attachment pad” limitation added to his claims during original prosecution. In the reissue claims, the terminology “circular” was removed. To justify this broadening, the Patentee argued that the claim was materially narrowed in “other respects.”On appeal, the CAFC considered whether or not the “materially narrowed in other respects” aspect of the rule established in In re Clement, (MPEP 1412.02), must be related to the “critical limitation” (i.e., circular attachment pad) or whether the narrowing must relate to an “overlooked aspect,” such as an unclaimed species or embodiment as advanced by the USPTO.In their affirmance of the USPTO. the CAFC characterized the BPAI analysis as “perplexing” and found their interpretation of “materially narrowing” as “contrary to our precedent.”The CAFC decision (here) explained that the materially narrowing necessary to avoid recapture must relate to the surrendered subject matter, not an “overlooked aspect” of the invention as required by the USPTO, stating:[A] limitation that is added during prosecution to overcome prior art cannot be entirely eliminated on reissue because doing so would constitute recapture of the surrendered subject matter. The limitation may be modified, however, so long as it continues to materially narrow the claim scope relative to the surrendered subject matter such that the surrendered subject matter is not entirely or substantially recaptured..           .           .           .           .           .           . [T]he recapture rule is violated when a limitation added during prosecution is eliminated entirely, even if other narrowing limitations are added to the claim. If the added limitation is modified but not eliminated, the claims must be materially narrowed relative to the surrendered subject matter such that the surrendered subject matter is not entirely or substantially recaptured. (emphasis added)Mostafazadeh did not eliminate the attachment pad limitation, only modified it by removing “circular.” Still, the Board found that the narrowing limitations added in the patent reissue did not relate to the attachment pad limitation, thus step (3) of the Clement test could not save the Patentee. Had the Patentee added narrowing language that related to the circular pads, such as requiring that the attachment pads be formed of a specific alloy, or oriented in a certain way, the removal of “circular” may have been acceptable.This case, much like In re Tanaka, will provide Patentees a greater degree of flexibility, and opportunity to pursue patent reissue going forward.

Back in February I recounted the oral agument of In re Mostafazadeh. This case explored the degree to which a claim limitation added to distinguish over the prior art during original prosecution may be broadened during patent reissue. In patent reissue, Mostafazadeh sought an intermediate scope to the “circular attachment pad” limitation added to his claims during original prosecution. In the reissue claims, the terminology “circular” was removed. To justify this broadening, the Patentee argued that the claim was materially narrowed in “other respects.”

On appeal, the CAFC considered whether or not the “materially narrowed in other respects” aspect of the rule established in In re Clement, (MPEP 1412.02), must be related to the “critical limitation” (i.e., circular attachment pad) or whether the narrowing must relate to an “overlooked aspect,” such as an unclaimed species or embodiment as advanced by the USPTO.

In their affirmance of the USPTO. the CAFC characterized the BPAI analysis as “perplexing” and found their interpretation of “materially narrowing” as “contrary to our precedent.”

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Continue Reading CAFC Adjusts the USPTO’s Recapture Rule Analysis

mistakesLast Friday, In re Mostafazadeh was argued before the CAFC (argument here). The case explored the boundaries of the patent reissue recapture rule. At dispute in the appeal was whether or not the third step of the rule, as outlined in MPEP 1412.02, is tied to the “critical limitation” (i.e., originally surrendered subject matter) or not. {10:30 min. mark}

The three step analysis of In re Clement is as follows:

(1) first, we determine whether, and in what respect, the reissue claims are broader in scope than the original patent claims; 

(2) next, we determine whether the broader aspects of the reissue claims relate to subject matter surrendered in the original prosecution; and

(3) finally, we determine whether the reissue claims were materially narrowed in other respects, so that the claims may not have been enlarged, and hence avoid the recapture rule. (emphasis added)

In considering the case, the CAFC found both the MPEP discussion of step (3) and BPAI decision on this point to be confusing. {14.50 min mark}
Continue Reading Recapture Doctrine Before The CAFC

Recapture and Formality Issues Bog Down Important Cases As shown in the charts above (click to enlarge images), we analyzed the 745 broadening patent reissues filed since 2005. A surprising 200 applications of the 745 were ultimately abandoned. While many of these applications may have been seeking to secure a claim scope that was precluded

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Comparing Claims in Reissue Oath Haunts Patent HolderOn Wednesday, the Federal Circuit reversed a decision of the ITC that excluded the imports of Lucky Litter, LLC. The case (here) related to cat litter boxes having an automated cleaning feature. In reversing the ITC, the CAFC found that the “predetermined event” recited in claim 33 of the patent at issue (RE 36,847), was not limited to a cat exiting the litter box.Prior to seeking patent reissue, claim 1 of the patent recited a “cat exit sensor for sensing a cat exit” and a “delay means.” The Patentee filed a broadening patent reissue to remove these features. The reissue application oath explained that “[i]n particular, claim 1 of U.S. Patent 5,477,812 contains recitations regarding a cat exit sensor and delay means which are too limiting of the invention and unnecessary in view of the prior art. Claims 23 through 48 of the reissue application have limitations similar to those of claim 1, but define the invention with greater breadth.”The CAFC performed a traditional Phillips analysis of the ITC claim construction and held that “predetermined event,” by plain meaning, could not be limited to “cat exit.”  Still, the statement in the oath was cited by the court as a guidepost of the broader meaning of the claims added in reissue. Hindsight always being 20/20, what could the Patentee have done to potentially avoid this result?Claim construction issues aside, recent BPAI cases illustrate the importance of oaths in patent reissue. All too often, the preparation of the oath is deemed ministerial, and ignored in favor of prior art/claim drafting concerns. Oath preparation and wording should be a focal point of any patent reissue effort.When identifying an error in an original patent via added/amended claims in patent reissue, comparison to the originally issued claims is very attractive. This practice is not necessarily wrong, but can have unintended consequences as demonstrated by Lucky. By making such direct comparisons, the scope of the newly added claims becomes unnecessarily intertwined with the issued claims. For example, the oath in Lucky Litter would have been better off stating “new claims 23 through 48 are directed to the automated comb operation of a self cleaning cat litter box, albeit independent of any specific sensor or means-plus-function structure of the issued claims.” (I know, easy for me to say 10 years after the fact)It may be that the Patentee in Lucky still would have lost, oath or not. Nevertheless, the case demonstrates that oath filings are far from form practice, and can come back to haunt Patentees.  Finally, the patent is subject to an ongoing ex parte reexamination (90/010,389) and, as you may have guessed, new claims were added expressly reciting “cat exit.”  (see new claim 5

On Wednesday, the Federal Circuit reversed a decision of the ITC that excluded the imports of Lucky Litter, LLC. The case (here) related to cat litter boxes having an automated cleaning feature. In reversing the ITC, the CAFC found that the “predetermined event” recited in claim 33 of the patent at issue (RE 36,847), was not limited to a cat exiting the litter box.

Prior to seeking patent reissue, claim 1 of the patent recited a “cat exit sensor for sensing a cat exit” and a “delay means.” The Patentee filed a broadening patent reissue to remove these features. The reissue application oath explained that “[i]n particular, claim 1 of U.S. Patent 5,477,812 contains recitations regarding a cat exit sensor and delay means which are too limiting of the invention and unnecessary in view of the prior art. Claims 23 through 48 of the reissue application have limitations similar to those of claim 1, but define the invention with greater breadth.”

The CAFC performed a traditional Phillips analysis of the ITC claim construction and held that “predetermined event,” by plain meaning, could not be limited to “cat exit.”  Still, the statement in the oath was cited by the court as a guidepost of the broader meaning of the claims added in reissue. Hindsight always being 20/20, what could the Patentee have done to potentially avoid this result?
Continue Reading Patent Reissue Oaths Can Impact Claim Interpretation