brana

custom search

REVERSED
Tech Center 1600 Biotechnology and Organic Chemistry
1643 Ex Parte Sugiyama et al 13143492 - (D) LAVIER 112(1) FINNEGAN, HENDERSON, FARABOW, GARRETT & DUNNER LLP HUFF, SHEELA JITENDRA

As such, the present appeal presents the same basic question addressed by the Federal Circuit in In re Brana, 51 F .3d 1560, 1564 (Fed. Cir. 1995): "what must the applicant prove regarding the practical utility or usefulness of the invention for which patent protection is sought"? For the Brana court and the present appeal, this issue of utility is an aspect of the enablement requirement under § 112 because "[o]bviously, if a claimed invention does not have utility, the specification cannot enable one to use it." Id. The Brana court made it clear that evidence of clinical efficacy is not a prerequisite: 

Usefulness in patent law, and in particular in the context of pharmaceutical inventions, necessarily includes the expectation of further research and development. The stage at which an invention in this field becomes useful is well before it is ready to be administered to humans. Were we to require Phase II testing in order to prove utility, the associated costs would prevent many companies from obtaining patent protection on promising new inventions, thereby eliminating an incentive to pursue, through research and development, potential cures in many crucial areas such as the treatment of cancer. 

Id. at 1568. 

Brana, In re, 51 F.3d 1560, 34 USPQ2d 1436 (Fed. Cir. 1995) 2107.01 ,   2107.03 ,   2164.01(c) ,   2107.02 ,   2164.02 ,   2164.04 ,   2164.07

Tech Center 1700 Chemical & Materials Engineering
1798 Ex Parte Bui et al 14579858 - (D) HASTINGS 102/103 WOMBLE BOND DICKINSON (US) LLP WRIGHT, PATRICIA KATHRYN

Tech Center 2100 Computer Architecture and Software
2131 Ex Parte ABE 14684796 - (D) SILVERMAN 103 Alliance IP, LLP-1 YEW, CHIE W

2136 Ex Parte Tsirkin et al 15251943 - (D) FRAHM 102 Haynes and Boone, LLP (50833) RUSSELL, ANDREW D

2182 Ex Parte REID et al 14461664 - (D) SILVERMAN 112(2)/102/103 NIXON & VANDERHYE, P.C. PAN, DANIEL H

Tech Center 2600 Communications
2613 Ex Parte Lyren 14823559 - (D) CRAIG 112(1) PHILIP S. LYREN, PC BRIER, JEFFERY A

2657 Ex Parte Beers et al 13976957 - (D) BUI 101 NIXON & VANDERHYE, P.C. JACKSON, JAKIEDA R

Tech Center 2800 Semiconductors, Electrical and Optical Systems and Components
2836 Ex Parte Melanson et al 13077421 - (D) GUPTA 103 PHILIPS LIGHTING HOLDING B.V. AMRANY, ADI

2838 Ex Parte Rotzoll 12121580 - (D) ROBERTSON 103 MOSER TABOADA QUDDUS, NUSRAT

Tech Center 3600 Transportation, Construction, Electronic Commerce, Agriculture, National Security, and License & Review
3623 Ex Parte Eder 11262146 - (D) SHAH 101 BRUNDIDGE & STANGER, P.C. MANSFIELD, THOMAS L

Tech Center 3700 Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing, and Products & Design
3726 Ex Parte AMANO 13372698 - (D) HOFFMANN 112(2)/103 KANESAKA BERNER AND PARTNERS LLP WILENSKY, MOSHE K

3761 Ex Parte Zikeli et al 14389062 - (D) HOFFMANN 103 GREER, BURNS & CRAIN, LTD PAIK, SANG YEOP

AFFIRMED-IN-PART
Tech Center 2100 Computer Architecture and Software
2191 Ex Parte Krauss 11618214 - (D) NAPPI 103 103 Cuenot, Forsythe & Kim, LLC WU, JUNCHUN

Tech Center 2800 Semiconductors, Electrical and Optical Systems and Components
2829 Ex Parte Goel et al 14673928 - (D) TIMM 103 103 Murphy, Bilak & Homiller, PLLC ARROYO, TERESA M

AFFIRMED
Tech Center 1600 Biotechnology and Organic Chemistry
1619 Ex Parte Mohapatra et al 13773749 - (D) COTTA 103 Thomas Horstemeyer (USF) KASSA, TIGABU

1631 Ex Parte PANTALEONI 13719796 - (D) MILLS 101/103 Artegis Law Group, LLP/NVIDIA HARWARD, SOREN T

1657 Ex Parte CHASSARD et al 14761336 - (D) JENKS 103 RENNER OTTO BOISSELLE & SKLAR, LLP PERKINS, STEPHEN A

Tech Center 1700 Chemical & Materials Engineering
1799 Ex Parte Harris 14121096 - (D) REN 103 Paul M. Denk JOYNER, KEVIN

Tech Center 2100 Computer Architecture and Software
2174 Ex Parte Zadeh et al 13706182 - (D) ARPIN 112(2) 103 INNOVATION PARTNERS CHOW, DOON Y

Tech Center 2400 Networking, Multiplexing, Cable, and Security
2477 Ex Parte Amante et al 11314103 - (D) JURGOVAN 103 LEVEL 3 COMMUNICATIONS, LLC KANG, SUK JIN

Tech Center 2600 Communications
2695 Ex Parte Towell et al 13828234 - (D) BEAMER 103 PATTERSON Intellectual Property Law, P.C. KIYABU, KARIN A

Tech Center 2800 Semiconductors, Electrical and Optical Systems and Components
2871 Ex Parte YONEMURA 14601713 - (D) ROBERTSON 103 Studebaker & Brackett PC HSU, KENDRICK

2881 Ex Parte KAHEN et al 14060120 - (D) INGLESE 112(2) 103 Rhodes IP PLC OSENBAUGH-STEWART, ELIZA W

2894 Ex Parte Engel et al 15164063 - (D) GARRIS 103 OTDP HOFFMAN WARNICK LLC TRAN, TONY

Tech Center 3600 Transportation, Construction, Electronic Commerce, Agriculture, National Security, and License & Review
3621 Ex Parte DAVIS et al 13448745 - (D) BUSCH 103 101/103 Roberts Mlotkowski Safran Cole & Calderon, P.C. ZELASKIEWICZ, CHRYSTINAE

3622 Ex Parte Hu et al 13181344 - (D) NAPPI 103 101/103 Facebook/Fenwick MUNSON, PATRICIA H

3624 Ex Parte Cartwright 14270196 - (D) WIEDER 103 101/OTDP LOWE GRAHAM JONES, PLLC CHOY, PANG

3624 Ex Parte Ciprino et al 12971631 - (D) FISCHETTI 101 SCHMEISER, OLSEN & WATTS DICKERSON, TIPHANY B

3624 Ex Parte Godsey 13462056 - (D) MEDLOCK 101 SCHWEGMAN LUNDBERG & WOESSNER/EBAY KONERU, SUJAY

3625 Ex Parte Tannenbaum 13536290 - (D) FINAMORE 101/103 Laurence & Phillips IP Law LLP FADOK, MARK A

3628 Ex Parte Tannenbaum 13272826 - (D) FINAMORE 103 101 Laurence & Phillips IP Law LLP JOSEPH, TONY A S

3646 Ex Parte ZAUDERER 13584574 - (D) GUIJT 112(1)/112(2)/101/103 112(2) 41.50 112(1)/112(2) Roberts Mlotkowski Safran Cole & Calderon, P.C. O'CONNOR, MARSHALL P

3656 Ex Parte Nishikawa 14006816 - (D) PESLAK 103 WENDEROTH, LIND & PONACK, L.L.P. WAITS, ALAN B

3675 Ex Parte Givens et al 13398829 - (D) PLENZLER 103 PATTERSON & SHERIDAN, L.L.P. /Weatherford BYRD, EUGENE G

3684 Ex Parte Yen et al 12330487 - (D) CRAIG 112(2)/101/103 SHEPPARD, MULLIN, RICHTER & HAMPTON LLP CASEY, ALEXIS M

3686 Ex Parte Kos et al 13313424 - (D) THOMAS 103 101 Lewis Roca Rothgerber Christie LLP GORT, ELAINE L

3689 Ex Parte Moharram 10668133 - (D) MEDLOCK 112(1) 112(2)/101/103 OMAYMA E. MOHARRAM GILKEY, CARRIE STRODER

3695 Ex Parte Shuster et al 13919776 - (D) FISCHETTI 101 Coleman & Horowitt, LLP ROBINSON, KITO R

Tech Center 3700 Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing, and Products & Design
3763 Ex Parte Downing 14541867 - (D) HOFFMANN 102/103 Locke Lord LLP RUPPERT, ERIC S

3791 Ex Parte Pu et al 12911233 - (D) KATZ 103 SCHWEGMAN LUNDBERG & WOESSNER/BSC CATINA, MICHAEL ANTHONY

3791 Ex Parte Van Den Heuvel et al 13810913 - (D) KATZ 112(1)/112(2) PHILIPS INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY & STANDARDS KREMER, MATTHEW

4112 Ex Parte Hathaway et al 13452471 - (D) SZPONDOWSKI 101 Target Brands Inc. AN, JG TAI

brana

custom search

REVERSED
Tech Center 1600 Biotechnology and Organic Chemistry
1644 Ex Parte Suzuki 13716469 - (D) FREDMAN 112(1) KILYK & BOWERSOX, P.L.L.C. SCHWADRON, RONALD B

That is not the law. As explained in In re Brana, 51 F.3d 1560, 1567 (Fed. Cir. 1995), the USPTO should not confuse "the requirements under the law for obtaining a patent with the requirements for obtaining government approval to market a particular drug for human consumption." The Brana court held that "[u]sefulness in patent law, and in particular in the context of pharmaceutical inventions, necessarily includes the expectation of further research and development. The stage at which an invention in this field becomes useful is well before it is ready to be administered to humans" Id. at 1568.

Brana, In re, 51 F.3d 1560, 34 USPQ2d 1436 (Fed. Cir. 1995) 2107.01 ,   2107.03 ,   2164.01(c) ,   2107.02 ,   2164.02 ,   2164.04 ,   2164.07

Tech Center 2600 Communications
2656 Ex Parte YAMAZAKI 14135908 - (D) MANTIS MERCADER 103 MURATA MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD. C/0 KEATING & BENNETT, LLP LE, LANA N

Tech Center 3700 Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing, and Products & Design
3737 Ex Parte Traboulsi et al 13631717 - (D) SCHOPPER 103 MCCARTER & ENGLISH, LLP GILLMAN, AMELIE R

3743 Ex Parte Spamer et al 12582773 - (D) McCARTHY 103 Dinsmore & Shohl LLP PROBST, SAMANTHA A

AFFIRMED-IN-PART
Tech Center 2100 Computer Architecture and Software
2142 Ex Parte Anajwala 14072344 - (D) SHAW 101/103 103 SHERIDAN ROSS P.C. KLICOS, NICHOLAS GEORGE

Tech Center 3700 Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing, and Products & Design
3724 Ex Parte Stones et al 10889762 - (D) CALVE 103 103 Black & Decker Corporation DEXTER, CLARK F

3742 Ex Parte Ptasienski 12503541 - (D) OSINSKI 102/103 102/103 Burris Law, PLLC STAPLETON, ERIC S

3744 Ex Parte Alshinnawi et al 13911159 - (D) HILL 103 103 Streets Lawfirm, PC - Lenovo (Singapore) Pte. Ltd. MALIK, RAHEENA REHMAN

3754 Ex Parte Shpringer et al 13275359 - (D) HOFFMANN 103 103 RECHES PATENTS CRANE, LAUREN ASHLEY

AFFIRMED
Tech Center 1600 Biotechnology and Organic Chemistry
1613 Ex Parte Flösser-Müller 13402522 - (D) FLAX 112(2)/112(4)/103 Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP (WM) BERRIOS, JENNIFER A

1631 Ex Parte Kilpinen et al 12936931 - (D) PRATS 101/103 YOUNG & THOMPSON HARWARD, SOREN T

Tech Center 1700 Chemical & Materials Engineering
1711 Ex Parte Kreutzfeldt et al 13122862 - (D) HASTINGS 103 ALSTON & BIRD LLP MARKOFF, ALEXANDER

Tech Center 2100 Computer Architecture and Software
2145 Ex Parte Feng et al 14159089 - (D) BEAMER 102/103 FERENCE & ASSOCIATES LLC BARRETT, RYAN S

2162 Ex Parte Costecalde et al 13909236 - (D) KHAN 101/103 LEE LAW, PLLC IBM SVLIP JAMI, HARES

Tech Center 2400 Networking, Multiplexing, Cable, and Security
2445 Ex Parte Suryanarayanan et al 13928284 - (D) BARRY 103 Knobbe, Martens, Olson & Bear, LLP AMAZON TECHNOLOGIES, INC. (SEAZN/ AMAZON) JAKOVAC, RYAN J

Tech Center 2600 Communications
2619 Ex Parte Bavoil et al 13917406 - (D) MANTIS MERCADER 103 PARKER JUSTISS, P.C./Nvidia CHIN, MICHELLE

2636 Ex Parte Bao et al 13902210 - (D) BUI 103 Clements Bernard Walker PLLC SANDHU, AMRITBIR K

Tech Center 2800 Semiconductors, Electrical and Optical Systems and Components
2838 Ex Parte Perreault et al 14035445 - (D) HASTINGS 103 DALY, CROWLEY, MOFFORD & DURKEE, LLP RIVERA-PEREZ, CARLOS O

Tech Center 3600 Transportation, Construction, Electronic Commerce, Agriculture, National Security, and License & Review
3662 Ex Parte Srinivasan et al 13916638 - (D) WOOD 103 HONEYWELL/FOGG ISMAIL, MAHMOUD

3691 Ex Parte Failing 13015957 - (D) ENGLE 103 101 BRYN c/o Cortex Law Group, P.C. AKINTOLA, OLABODE

Tech Center 3700 Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing, and Products & Design
3714 Ex Parte Amaitis et al 14082883 - (D) MOHANTY 101/OTDP CANTOR FITZGERALD, L.P. COBURN, CORBETT B

3715 Ex Parte Dohring et al 13827566 - (D) McCARTHY 101 WILSON, SONSINI, GOODRICH & ROSATI EGLOFF, PETER RICHARD

3715 Ex Parte Kron et al 13924205 - (D) CALVE 101/OTDP WILEY REIN LLP GISHNOCK, NIKOLAI A

3731 Ex Parte Coleman 13492058 - (D) SCHOPPER 112(2)/103 KS - Whitmyer IP Group LLC BOUTSIKARIS, SOCRATES L

3732 Ex Parte Rabe et al 12688657 - (D) SCHEINER 103 THE PROCTER & GAMBLE COMPANY STEITZ, RACHEL RUNNING

sri2, cortright, brana

custom search

REVERSED
Tech Center 2800 Semiconductors, Electrical and Optical Systems and Components
2871 Ex Parte KIMURA et al 12903977 - (D) KHAN 103 41.50 112(2) HAUPTMAN HAM, LLP NGUYEN, LAUREN

Tech Center 3600 Transportation, Construction, Electronic Commerce, Agriculture, National Security, and License & Review
3694 Ex Parte Satyavolu et al 13180533 - (D) MEDLOCK 103 GTC Law Group PC & Affiliates (Trnaxis, Inc,) NGUYEN, TIEN C

AFFIRMED-IN-PART
Tech Center 1700 Chemical & Materials Engineering
1724 Ex Parte Fork et al 12972384 - (D) HANLON 103 103 MARGER JOHNSON/PARC THOMAS, BRENT C

Tech Center 2400 Networking, Multiplexing, Cable, and Security
2465 Ex Parte Zhao et al 12674713 - (D) ENGELS 103 103 FAY SHARPE/LUCENT HOUSHMAND, HOOMAN

2468 Ex Parte South et al 12841290 - (D) MacDONALD 103 103/double patenting NIXON & VANDERHYE, P,C /Vonage CHU, WUTCHUNG

AFFIRMED
Tech Center 1600 Biotechnology and Organic Chemistry
1612 Ex Parte Zaidel et al 13262015 - (D) MAJORS 102 112(2)/103 COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY WEBB, WALTERE

1617 Ex Parte Qin et al 13445754 - (D) ADAMS 103 KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC, PALLAY, MICHAEL B

1631 Ex Parte Jung et al 12283128 - (D) PAULRAJ 103/double patenting 41.50 101 Dorsey & Whitney I INVENTION SCIENCE FUND BORIN, MICHAEL L

1631 Ex Parte Jung et al 12283158 - (D) PAULRAJ 101/112(2)/double patenting 112(2)/103/double patenting 41.50 101 Dorsey & Whitney I INVENTION SCIENCE FUND BORIN, MICHAEL L

Tech Center 1700 Chemical & Materials Engineering
1725 Ex Parte Agrawal et al 12325360 - (D) RANGE 103 KELLOGG BROWN & ROOT LLC MERKLING, MATTHEW J

1742 Ex Parte Huang 12335816 - (D) McMANUS 103 E I DUPONT DE NEMOURS AND COMPANY SCHIFFMAN, BENJAMIN A

1788 Ex Parte Craamer et al 11886714 - (D) PER CURIAM 103 HOYNG ROKH MONEGIER LLP CHEVALIER, ALICIA ANN

Tech Center 2400 Networking, Multiplexing, Cable, and Security
2468 Ex Parte South et al 12841285 - (D) MacDONALD 102/103 NIXON & VANDERHYE, P,C /Vonage CHU, WUTCHUNG

2483 Ex Parte Adachi et al 11966609 - (D) BEAMER 103 BGL/NTT DoCoMo, Inc BAILEY, FREDERICK D

2486 Ex Parte Pitcher 12773616 - (D) YAP 103 Davidson, Davidson & Kappel, LLC TRUONG, NGUYEN T

Tech Center 2600 Communications
2631 Ex Parte Rudolf et al 12186657 - (D) POTHIER 112(2) 103 VOLPE AND KOENIG, P.C. TIMORY, KABIR A

2642 Ex Parte Viering et al 13257135 - (D) HOWARD 103 HARRINGTON & SMITH MIAH, LITON

Regardless of the general contentions and imputed intended meanings articulated by Appellants in the Appeal Brief, "[i]t is the claims that measure the invention." See SRI Int 'l v. Matsushita Elec. Corp. of Am., 775 F.2d 1107, 1121 (Fed. Cir. 1985) (en banc) (citations omitted).

SRI Int'l, Inc. v. Internet Sec. Sys., Inc., 511 F.3d 1186, 85 USPQ2d 1489 (Fed. Cir. 2008) 2152.02(e)

2689 Ex Parte Worthington et al 13015327 - (D) HORVATH 103 HONEYWELL/CONLEY ROSE TERRELL, EMILY C

Tech Center 2800 Semiconductors, Electrical and Optical Systems and Components
2814 Ex Parte Buchwalter et al 13312456 - (D) NAGUMO 103 NOVAK DRUCE CONNOLLY BOVE+ QUIGG LLP (FOR IBM YORKTOWN - DC OFFICE) PIZARRO CRESPO, MARCOS D

2837 Ex Parte HO 12885330 - (D) HOUSEL 102/103 DUANE MORRIS LLP - San Diego ROSENAU, DEREK JOHN

2884 Ex Parte O'KEEFE et al 12078755 - (D) DENNETT 103 NIXON & VANDERHYE, PC LEE, SHUNK

2894 Ex Parte Taleyarkhan 11653791 - (D) WILSON 112(1)/112(2)/101 Hahn Loeser & Parks, LLP - Chicago MONDT, JOHANNES P

"The PTO may establish a reason to doubt an invention's asserted utility when the written description 'suggest[ s] an inherently unbelievable undertaking or involve[s] implausible scientific principles."' In re Cortright, 165 F.3d 1353, 1357 (Fed. Cir. 1999) (quoting In re Brana, 51 F.3d 1560, 1566 (Fed. Cir. 1995)) (alteration in original). Stated differently, the Examiner must present the evidence necessary to establish a reason for one of ordinary skill in the art to question the objective truth of the statement of utility. Id.

Cortright, In re, 165 F.3d 1353, 49 USPQ2d 1464 (Fed. Cir. 1999) 2111 , 2164.04

Brana, In re, 51 F.3d 1560, 34 USPQ2d 1436 (Fed. Cir. 1995) 2107.01 ,   2107.03 ,   2164.01(c) ,   2107.02 ,   2164.02 ,   2164.04 ,   2164.07

Tech Center 3700 Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing, and Products & Design
3711 Ex Parte GUILFOYLE 13013921 - (D) CAPP 103 Seyfarth Shaw LLP WONG, STEVEN B

3724 Ex Parte Skrobis et al 13419929 - (D) HOELTER 103 THE PROCTER & GAMBLE COMPANY PRONE, JASON D

3742 Ex Parte Nürnberger et al 12865817 - (D) PESLAK 102/103 KENNAMETAL INC NGUYEN, PHUONG T

REHEARING

DENIED
Tech Center 2800 Semiconductors, Electrical and Optical Systems and Components
2823 Ex Parte Weber et al 12822055 - (R) BEST 103 BAKER & HOSTETLER LLP STARK, JARRETT J

brana, bigio, clay, innovention toys

custom search

REVERSED
Tech Center 1600 Biotechnology and Organic Chemistry
1642 Ex Parte Senga et al 11818783 - (D) GRIMES 112(1) Husch Blackwell Sanders LLP Welsh & Katz AEDER, SEAN E

Nonetheless, “[u]sefulness in patent law, and in particular in the context of pharmaceutical inventions, necessarily includes the expectation of further research and development.” In re Brana, 51 F.3d 1560, 1568 (Fed. Cir. 1995) (Although the Brana court referred to usefulness, the rejection on appeal was based on nonenablement. See 51 F.3d at 1564.)

Brana, In re, 51 F.3d 1560, 34 USPQ2d 1436 (Fed. Cir. 1995) , 2107.01, 2107.03, 2164.01(c), 2107.02, 2164.02, 2164.04, 2164.07  

Tech Center 2100 Computer Architecture and Software
2157 Ex Parte Dheap et al 11390398 - (D) WEINBERG Dissenting SMITH 103 STEVENS & SHOWALTER, L.L.P. LE, JESSICA N

2164 Ex Parte Kwan 11222321 - (D) JEFFERY 112(2)/103 IBM ENDICOTT (ANTHONY ENGLAND) GEBRESENBET, DINKU W

Tech Center 2400 Networking, Multiplexing, Cable, and Security
2451 Ex Parte Sano et al 10909109 - (D) ROBERTSON 103 RENNER, OTTO, BOISSELLE & SKLAR, LLP TIV, BACKHEAN

Tech Center 2600 Communications
2657 Ex Parte Lee et al 10891423 - (D) DROESCH 103 STAAS & HALSEY LLP NEWAY, SAMUEL G

Tech Center 2800 Semiconductors, Electrical and Optical Systems and Components
2856 Ex Parte Herremans et al 11427599 - (D) THOMAS 103 ROBERTS MLOTKOWSKI SAFRAN & COLE, P.C. PATEL, HARSHAD R

2887 Ex Parte Johnson et al 11641556 - (D) PETTIGREW 102/103 37 C.F.R. § 41.50(b) 103 JENKINS, WILSON, TAYLOR & HUNT, P. A. VO, TUYEN KIM

Tech Center 3600 Transportation, Construction, Electronic Commerce, Agriculture, National Security, and License & Review
3635 Ex Parte Ruehl 11279321 - (D) SPAHN 103 GODFREY & KAHN S.C. GILBERT, WILLIAM V

3635 Ex Parte Lyngstad 10492867 - (D) KAMHOLZ 103 MARGER JOHNSON & MCCOLLOM, P.C. MICHENER, JOSHUA J

Tech Center 3700 Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing, and Products & Design
3721 Ex Parte Henriksson 10592601 - (D) ABRAMS 103 HOLTZ, HOLTZ, GOODMAN & CHICK PC CHUKWURAH, NATHANIEL C

3721 Ex Parte Denney et al 11401116 - (D) BAHR 103 KNOBBE MARTENS OLSON & BEAR LLP ELVE, MARIA ALEXANDRA

3721 Ex Parte Irwin 10835327 - (D) RICE 103 Wells St. John P.S. WEEKS, GLORIA R

3721 Ex Parte Nicolantonio et al 10959796 - (D) KAMHOLZ 102 STRIKER, STRIKER & STENBY WEEKS, GLORIA R

3737 Ex Parte Haider 10742283 - (D) DILLON 103 GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY MEHTA, PARIKHA SOLANKI

AFFIRMED-IN-PART
Tech Center 2600 Communications
2615 Ex Parte Mehra 10694323 - (D) CURCURI 103 103 HEWLETT-PACKARD COMPANY NEURAUTER, GEORGE C

AFFIRMED
Tech Center 1600 Biotechnology and Organic Chemistry
1616 CHEMTURA CORPORATION Requester v. ALBEMARLE CORPORATION Patent Owner and Appellant 95000391 6,958,423 09/888,246 GUEST 102/103 CONNOLLY BOVE LODGE & HUTZ, LLP JONES, DWAYNE C original BADIO, BARBARA P

1618 Ex Parte Kling 10440395 - (D) SCHEINER 103 WINSTEAD PC VU, JAKE MINH

Tech Center 2100 Computer Architecture and Software
2186 Ex Parte Rosenbloom et al 11167587 - (D) KUMAR 102 MICROSOFT CORPORATION SHOOK, HARDY & BACON L.L.P. BATAILLE, PIERRE MICHE

2191 Ex Parte Dye et al 10772518 - (D) ZECHER 103 Meyertons, Hood, Kivlin, Kowert & Goetzel PC CHEN, QING

Tech Center 2400 Networking, Multiplexing, Cable, and Security
2424 Ex Parte James et al 11097724 - (D) HOMERE 103 THE DIRECTV GROUP, INC. TILAHUN, ALAZAR

2427 Ex Parte Townsend et al 11403869 - (D) THOMAS 102/103 ROTHWELL, FIGG, ERNST & MANBECK, P.C. HUERTA, ALEXANDER Q

2465 Ex Parte Limaye et al 10284619 - (D) SMITH 103 Wilson & Ham ZHU, BO HUI ALVIN

Tech Center 2600 Communications
2658 Ex Parte Da Palma et al 10734866 - (D) NEW 103 CAREY, RODRIGUEZ, GREENBERG & O'KEEFE, LLP COLUCCI, MICHAEL C

A reference qualifies as prior art for an obviousness determination under 35 U.S.C. § 103 only when it is analogous to the claimed invention. Innovention Toys, LLC, v. MGA Entertainment, Inc., 637 F.3d 1314, 1321 (Fed. Cir. 2011). “Two separate tests define the scope of analogous prior art: (1) whether the art is from the same field of endeavor, regardless of the problem addressed and, (2) if the reference is not within the field of the inventor's endeavor, whether the reference still is reasonably pertinent to the particular problem with which the inventor is involved.” In re Bigio, 381 F.3d 1320, 1325 (Fed. Cir. 2004). Furthermore, “[a] reference is reasonably pertinent if, even though it may be in a different field from that of the inventor’s endeavor, it is one which, because of the matter with which it deals, logically would have commended itself to an inventor’s attention in considering his problem.” In re Clay, 966 F.2d 656, 659 (Fed. Cir. 1992).

Bigio, In re, 381 F.3d 1320, 72 USPQ2d 1209 (Fed. Cir. 2004) 2141.01(a)

Clay, In re, 966 F.2d 656, 23 USPQ2d 1058 (Fed. Cir. 1992) 2144.08

2687 Ex Parte Ho et al 11297767 - (D) BENOIT 103 NIXON & VANDERHYE, PC HEINZ, ALLEN J

Tech Center 3700 Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing, and Products & Design
3732 Ex Parte Chen et al 12055010 - (D) FREDMAN 102/103 ALIGN TECHNOLOGY C/O WAGNER BLECHER LLP MAI, HAO D

3768 Ex Parte Hardy et al 10955630 - (D) BAHR 103 GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY WEATHERBY, ELLSWORTH

REVERSED 

1600 Biotechnology and Organic Chemistry 

Ex Parte Den Hartog et al GREEN 103(a) FINNEGAN, HENDERSON, FARABOW, GARRETT & DUNNER LLP 

Ex Parte Li McCOLLUM 101/112(1) FOLEY & LARDNER LLP 

Section 101 requires a utility that is both substantial and specific. A substantial utility requires:

show[ing] that an invention is useful to the public as disclosed in its current form, not that it may prove useful at some future date after further research. Simply put, to satisfy the “substantial” utility requirement, an asserted use must show that that claimed invention has a significant and presently available benefit to the public.

In re Fisher, 421 F.3d 1365, 1371 (Fed. Cir. 2005). A specific utility is “a use which is not so vague as to be meaningless.” Id. In other words, “in addition to providing a ‘substantial’ utility, an asserted use must also show that [the] claimed invention can be used to provide a well-defined and particular benefit to the public.” Id.

[T]he PTO has the initial burden of challenging a presumptively correct assertion of utility in the disclosure. Only after the PTO provides evidence showing that one of ordinary skill in the art would reasonably doubt the asserted utility does the burden shift to the applicant to provide rebuttal evidence sufficient to convince such a person of the invention’s asserted utility.

In re Brana, 51 F.3d 1560, 1566 (Fed. Cir. 1995) (citation omitted). “Enablement, or utility, is determined as of the application filing date.” Id. at 1567 n.19. However, post-filing evidence “can be used to substantiate any doubts as to the asserted utility [when it] pertains to the accuracy of a statement already in the specification.” Id. In addition, “[i]t is well established that the enablement requirement of § 112 incorporates the utility requirement of § 101.” 

In re Fisher, 421 F.3d at 1378. Fisher, In re, 421 F.3d 1365, 76 USPQ2d1225 (Fed. Cir. 2005) . . . .. . . . . . . .2106, 2107.01 

Brana, In re, 51 F.3d 1560, 34 USPQ2d1436 (Fed. Cir. 1995) . . . . . . . . . . . .2106, 2107.01,2107.03, 2164.01(c),2107.02, 2164.02, 2164.04, 2164.07 

1700 Chemical & Materials Engineering 

Ex Parte McDonnell et al OWENS 102(a)/102(e)/103(a) FAY SHARPE LLP 

Ex Parte Nishizawa et al OWENS 102(e)/103(a) OBLON, SPIVAK, MCCLELLAND MAIER & NEUSTADT, L.L.P. 

Ex Parte Rovito et al GARRIS 102(b) AIR PRODUCTS AND CHEMICALS, INC. 

Ex Parte Hueffer et al OWENS 103(a) OBLON, SPIVAK, MCCLELLAND MAIER & NEUSTADT, L.L.P. 

Ex Parte Lettmann et al PAK 103(a) Harness, Dickey and Pierce, P.L.C. 

2400 Networking, Mulitplexing, Cable, and Security 

Ex Parte Lewin et al HOFF 103(a) MEYERTONS, HOOD, KIVLIN, KOWERT & GOETZEL, P.C. 

2800 Semiconductors, Electrical and Optical Systems and Components 

Ex Parte Zhou et al MANTIS MERCADER 102(b) HEWLETT-PACKARD COMPANY 

Ex Parte Eurlings et al MARTIN 102(b)/102(e) PILLSBURY WINTHROP SHAW PITTMAN, LLP 

3600 Transportation, Construction, Electronic Commerce, Agriculture, National Security, and License & Review 

Ex Parte Cox et al STAICOVICI 103(a) REED SMITH LLP 

3700 Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing, and Products & Design 

Ex Parte Bhatti et al PATE III 102/103(a) DELPHI TECHNOLOGIES, INC. 

Ex Parte Kalloo et al HORNER 103(a) NIXON & VANDERHYE PC 

AFFIRMED-IN-PART 

2100 Computer Architecture and Software 

Ex Parte Watler et al SIU 101/102(e)/103(a) FROST BROWN TODD, LLC