How Long Is Too Long To Wait To Settle?
By Sue Gerber and Matt Johnson - An IPR “shall be terminated with respect to any petitioner upon the joint request of the petitioner and patent owner, unless the Office has decided the merits of the proceeding before the request for termination is filed.” 35 U.S.C....
Federal Circuit Holds Party Can Challenge PTAB Rulemaking
By Anthony Bautista and Matt Johnson - In Apple, Inc. v. Katherine K. Vidal, the Federal Circuit ruled that Apple and the other plaintiffs could continue their suit on a lone surviving challenge to the PTAB Director’s rulemaking procedures regarding institutional...
Multiple Dependent Claims are Treated as Multiple Claims
By Matt Chung and Matt Johnson - On February 24, 2023, Director Kathi Vidal issued a decision under director review granting rehearing and modifying the final written decision for Nested Bean, Inc. v. Big Beings USA Pty. Ltd. Nested Bean, Inc. (“Nested Bean”) filed a...
PRECEDENTIAL: Compelling Merits Analysis Only When Other Factors Indicate Denial
By Hannah Mehrle and Matt Johnson - In IPR2022-01242, Director Vidal clarified that her prior guidance, which allows the Board to institute inter partes review even if the Fintiv factors favor discretionary denial first requires the Board to find that Fintiv factors...
Supreme Court Requests Solicitor General’s Views On Important PTAB Estoppel Issue
By John Marlott and Sachin Patel* - What invalidity grounds is a petitioner barred from raising in parallel district court or ITC litigation after the petitioner previously challenged the patent and the PTAB has issued a final written decision? The U.S. Supreme Court...