Federal Circuit Approves Interim-Director Director Reviews
By Kaylee Rabatin and Matt Johnson - The Federal Circuit’s decision on May 27, 2022 in Arthrex Inc. v. Smith & Nephew Inc. et al., set forth that Patent Commissioner, Drew Hirshfeld, was within the bounds of the U.S. Supreme Court’s United States v. Arthrex ruling...
Fintiv Denial Despite Stipulation
By Evan Jones, Nicole Newman,* and Matt Johnson - On May 9, 2022, the Patent Trial and Appeal Board denied Hillman Group, Inc.’s (“Hillman’s”) three petitions for inter partes review. See The Hillman Group, Inc. v. Hy-Ko Products Co. LLC, IPR2022-00168, -00169, and...
PTAB News and Notes
By Lisa Furby and Matt Johnson - Within the past few weeks, the PTAB has issued new guidance addressing a number of important issues including the use of applicant admitted prior art, the Director review process, and changes to PTAB hearings going forward. Earlier...
LEGISLATION: PTAB Reform Act of 2022
By Haytham Soliman and Matt Johnson - Since the passage of the America Invents Act in 2012, both petitioners and patent owners have expressed concerns regarding the procedures and practices of the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB). In an effort to respond to these...
Director to Review Institution of Trial Challenging Patents Found Infringed
By Pranita Dhungana,* Christian Roberts, and Matt Johnson - U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (“USPTO”) Director Vidal is initiating sua sponte review of the Patent Trial and Appeal Board’s (“PTAB”) decisions to institute inter partes review of two patents owned by...