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PTAB.US: Decisions of PTAB Patent Trial and Appeal Board Updated Daily.

Monday, April 30, 2012

suitco surface

REVERSED
1700 Chemical & Materials Engineering
1712 Ex Parte Mariani et al 11/847,446 KRATZ 103(a) Cabot Corporation/ LAK EXAMINER EMPIE, NATHAN H

In re Suitco Surface, Inc., 603 F.3d 1255, 1260 (Fed. Cir. 2010) (“The broadest-construction rubric coupled with the term “comprising” does not give the PTO an unfetter license to interpret claims to embrace anything remotely related to the claimed Invention.” )

1722 Ex Parte Somervell et al 11/111,211 PER CURIAM 102(a)/103(a) TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED EXAMINER CHU, JOHN S Y

1771 Ex Parte David et al 11/275,277 KRATZ 103(a) 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY EXAMINER BOYER, RANDY

1781 Ex Parte Zhong et al 11/344,469 PAK 103(a) BANNER & WITCOFF, LTD. EXAMINER DEES, NIKKI H

2100 Computer Architecture and Software
2127 Ex Parte Waddington 10/349,766 HOMERE 103(a) ACCENTURE CHICAGO 28164 BRINKS HOFER GILSON & LIONE EXAMINER ROBERTSON, DAVID

2127 Ex Parte Weinrich et al 11/412,158 HOFF 102(b)/103(a) INVENSYS SYSTEMS, INC. , IP DEPARTMENT EXAMINER ORTIZ RODRIGUEZ, CARLOS R

2400 Networking, Mulitplexing, Cable, and Security
2452 Ex Parte Keohane et al 10/640,849 POTHIER 112(2)/103(a) Greg Goshorn, P.C. EXAMINER HUSSAIN, TAUQIR

2600 Communications
2617 Ex Parte Kaplan et al 11/125,833 BAUMEISTER 103(a) 37 C.F.R. § 41.50(b) 112(1) HUNTON & WILLIAMS LLP EXAMINER SHEDRICK, CHARLES TERRELL

2629 Ex Parte Budd et al 10/764,638 HUGHES 103(a) Ryan, Mason & Lewis, LLP EXAMINER LEFKOWITZ, SUMATI
 
3700 Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing, and Products & Design
3762 Ex Parte Werder et al 11/414,153 PRATS 102(b)/103(a) IPLM GROUP, P.A. EXAMINER ALTER, ALYSSA MARGO

3900 Central Reexamination Unit (CRU)
2618 Ex Parte 7274926 et al HTC CORP. Third Party Requester and Appellant v. IPCOM GMBH Patent Owner and Respondent 95/001,210 10/089,623 TURNER 112(1)/112(2)/103(a) JOHN S. PRATT, ESQ KILPATRICK TOWNSEND & STOCKTON LLP EXAMINER FOSTER, ROLAND G original EXAMINER CHAN, RICHARD
 
AFFIRMED-IN-PART

1700 Chemical & Materials Engineering
1731 Ex Parte Sheridan 10/923,865 COLAIANNI 101/112(1)/112(2) 102(b)/103(a) BUCHANAN, INGERSOLL & ROONEY PC EXAMINER MCDONOUGH, JAMES E

2100 Computer Architecture and Software
2193 Ex Parte Shapiro 11/428,376 HAHN 103(a) obviousness-type double patenting/103(a) LEMAIRE PATENT LAW FIRM, P.L.L.C. EXAMINER VU, TUAN A
 
AFFIRMED

1600 Biotechnology and Organic Chemistry
1623 Ex Parte Berger et al 10/498,946 BONILLA 102(b) Robert M Barrett Attorneys for Applicants Bell Boyd & Lloyd EXAMINER MAIER, LEIGH C

1700 Chemical & Materials Engineering
1712 Ex Parte Ivanov 11/199,620 KATZ 103(a) DAFFER MCDANIEL LLP EXAMINER HORNING, JOEL G

1716 Ex Parte Richardson et al 11/318,122 DELMENDO 102(e)/103(a) MARTINE PENILLA GROUP, LLP EXAMINER KACKAR, RAM N

1734 Ex Parte Horton et al 11/042,679 COLAIANNI 103(a) AKERMAN SENTERFITT EXAMINER KOSLOW, CAROL M

1765 Ex Parte Yang et al 11/235,624 SMITH 102(e)/103(a) GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY EXAMINER BERMAN, SUSAN W

2100 Computer Architecture and Software
2175 Ex Parte Smith et al 11/023,318 HUGHES 102(e)/103(a) CAREY, RODRIGUEZ, GREENBERG & O'KEEFE, LLP STEVEN M. GREENBERG EXAMINER PHANTANA ANGKOOL, DAVID

2400 Networking, Mulitplexing, Cable, and Security
2454 Ex Parte Dai et al 10/875,970 HUGHES 103(a) EXAMINER NGUYEN, DUSTIN STEVEN M. GREENBERG CAREY, RODRIGUEZ, GREENBERG & O'KEEFE, LLP

2600 Communications
2614 Ex Parte Amir et al 11/349,413 MORGAN 102(e)/103(a) ROGITZ & ASSOCIATES EXAMINER SELLERS, DANIEL R

2614 Ex Parte Hirschburger et al 10/685,280 DILLON 103(a) GREER, BURNS & CRAIN, LTD. EXAMINER PAUL, DISLER

2617 Ex Parte Newbury et al 11/263,578 BARRY 103(a) CARLSON, GASKEY & OLDS, P.C./Alcatel-Lucent EXAMINER DANIEL JR, WILLIE J

2617 Ex Parte Chaudhri et al 11/188,435 JEFFERY 103(a) MOTOROLA MOBILITY, INC EXAMINER PEACHES, RANDY

3600 Transportation, Construction, Electronic Commerce, Agriculture, National Security, and License & Review
3626 Ex Parte Nenov et al 10/250,696 CRAWFORD 112(2)/103(a) 37 C.F.R. § 41.50(b) 112(2) James W. Hill, M. D. McDermott Will & Emery EXAMINER RAJ, RAJIV J

Friday, April 27, 2012

unigene, spormann, dulberg, mayo

REVERSED

1700 Chemical & Materials Engineering
1726 Ex Parte Kato et al 11/727,472 SMITH 103(a) MCDERMOTT WILL & EMERY LLP EXAMINER RHEE, JANE J

1731 Ex Parte Uzunian et al 11/530,522 SMITH 102(b)/103(a) BASF CORPORATION EXAMINER ABU ALI, SHUANGYI

1763 Ex Parte Tabary et al 11/574,172 NAGUMO 103(a) ANTONELLI, TERRY, STOUT & KRAUS, LLP EXAMINER LI, AIQUN

1764 Ex Parte Callander et al 11/552,591 COLAIANNI 103(a) EDWIN A. SISSON , ATTORNEY AT LAW . LLC EXAMINER LEE, DORIS L

1788 Ex Parte Hayashi et al 11/572,522 COLAIANNI 112(1)/103(a) GREENBLUM & BERNSTEIN, P.L.C. EXAMINER DESAI, ANISH P

1789 Ex Parte Sarma et al 11/251,654 OWENS 102(b) 37 C.F.R. § 41.50(b) 103(a) JONES DAY EXAMINER YOO, HONG THI

2100 Computer Architecture and Software
2167 Ex Parte Factor et al 11/192,480 HUGHES 102(e) Stephen C. Kaufman IBM CORPORATION EXAMINER REYES, MARIELA D

2174 Ex Parte Williams et al 11/135,507 THOMAS 102(e)/103(a) HEWLETT-PACKARD COMPANY EXAMINER KUMAR, ANIL N

2800 Semiconductors, Electrical and Optical Systems and Components
2816 Ex Parte Kushnarenko 11/357,081 HUGHES 102(b)/103(a) EITAN MEHULAL LAW GROUP EXAMINER TRA, ANH QUAN

3600 Transportation, Construction, Electronic Commerce, Agriculture, National Security, and License & Review
3634 Ex Parte Kinross 10/927,905 BAHR 103(a) HOWARD & HOWARD ATTORNEYS PLLC EXAMINER REDMAN, JERRY E

3700 Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing, and Products & Design
3736 Ex Parte Fulton et al 10/839,112 MILLS 103(a) WELSH FLAXMAN & GITLER LLC EXAMINER SZMAL, BRIAN SCOTT
 
3762 Ex Parte Wallace et al 10/841,069 PRATS 102(b)/103(a) VISTA IP LAW GROUP LLP/BSC - NEUROMODULATION EXAMINER PATTON, AMANDA K

Thus, “[o]bviousness requires more than a mere showing that the prior art includes separate references covering each separate limitation in a claim under examination.” Unigene Laboratories, Inc. v. Apotex, Inc., 655 F.3d 1352, 1360 (Fed. Cir. 2011).

AFFIRMED-IN-PART

1600 Biotechnology and Organic Chemistry
1612 Ex Parte Liversidge et al 11/372,227 FRANKLIN 103(a) 103(a) Elan Drug Delivery, Inc. c/o Foley & Lardner EXAMINER MILLIGAN, ADAM C

1700 Chemical & Materials Engineering
1773 Ex Parte Daniel et al 11/537,679 COLAIANNI 103(a) 103(a) FAY SHARPE LLP / XEROX - PARC EXAMINER KWAK, DEAN P

Obviousness cannot be predicated on what is unknown. In re Spormann, 363 F.2d 444, 448 (CCPA 1966).

2100 Computer Architecture and Software
2166 Ex Parte Kaplan 11/129,275 THOMAS 103(a) 103(a) TUTUNJIAN & BITETTO, P.C. EXAMINER YEN, SYLING

2400 Networking, Mulitplexing, Cable, and Security
2432 Ex Parte Pinder et al 10/015,351 CHEN 103(a) 103(a) MERCHANT & GOULD SCIENTIFIC ATLANTA, A CISCO COMPANY EXAMINER NOBAHAR, ABDULHAKIM

3600 Transportation, Construction, Electronic Commerce, Agriculture, National Security, and License & Review
3622 Ex Parte Wilson 11/931,384 CRAWFORD 103(a) 103(a) ROYLANCE, ABRAMS, BERDO & GOODMAN, L.L.P. EXAMINER SORKOWITZ, DANIEL M

3684 Ex Parte Celi et al 10/324,535 KIM 103(a) 103(a) Novak Druce + Quigg LLP EXAMINER FIELDS, BENJAMIN S

3689 Ex Parte Doyle et al 10/663,509 DESHPANDE 103(a) 102(b)/103(a)
CAREY, RODRIGUEZ, GREENBERG & O''KEEFE, LLP STEVEN M. GREENBERG EXAMINER MOONEYHAM, JANICE A
3695 Ex Parte Volchek et al 11/957,999 KIM 103(a) 103(a) 37 C.F.R. § 41.50(b) 103(a) WIGGIN AND DANA LLP EXAMINER MADAMBA, CLIFFORD B

See In re Dulberg, 289 F.2d 522, 523 (CCPA 1961) (making something separable is obvious). 

Dulberg, In re, 289 F.2d 522, 129 USPQ 348 (CCPA 1961) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2144.04

3700 Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing, and Products & Design
3752 Ex Parte Daspit et al 09/569,178 HORNER 103(a) 103(a) TYCO FIRE PROTECTION PRODUCTS - WILLFIRE HC LLC EXAMINER HWU, DAVIS D

AFFIRMED

1600 Biotechnology and Organic Chemistry
1611 Ex Parte Jenkins et al 11/446,564 FRANKLIN 103(a)/nonstatutory obviousness-type double patenting Elan Drug Delivery, Inc. c/o Foley & Lardner EXAMINER BREDEFELD, RACHAEL EVA

1618 Ex Parte Van Bommel et al 10/596,920 ADAMS 103(a) 103(a) PHILIPS INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY & STANDARDS EXAMINER SCHLIENTZ, LEAH H

1636 Ex Parte O'BEIRNE et al 10/521,495 MILLS 102(b)/103(a) GE HEALTHCARE BIO-SCIENCES CORP. EXAMINER BOESEN, CHRISTIAN C

1700 Chemical & Materials Engineering
1733 Ex Parte Tanaka et al 11/666,830 LORIN 103(a) OBLON, SPIVAK, MCCLELLAND MAIER & NEUSTADT, L.L.P. EXAMINER YANG, JIE

1734 Ex Parte Bouet-Griffon et al 10/561,010 GAUDETTE 103(a) Baker Donelson Bearman Caldwell & Berkowitz PC EXAMINER LEE, REBECCA Y

1741 Ex Parte Liu et al 11/022,283 BEST 103(a) DORITY & MANNING, P.A. EXAMINER CORDRAY, DENNIS R

1745 Ex Parte Wargo et al 11/325,519 COLAIANNI 103(a) ROSENBERG, KLEIN & LEE EXAMINER CHAN, SING P

1765 Ex Parte Scurati et al 11/305,279 ADAMS 112(1) 103(a)
BRIDGESTONE AMERICAS, INC. EXAMINER ZEMEL, IRINA SOPJIA
1771 Ex Parte Bandali 11/635,324 COLAIANNI 103(a) LyondellBasell Industries EXAMINER SINGH, PREM C

1775 Ex Parte Ririe 10/478,453 SMITH 103(a) MAGINOT, MOORE & BECK, LLP EXAMINER BEISNER, WILLIAM H

1783 Ex Parte Cornelisse 11/068,705 COLAIANNI 103(a) DAY PITNEY LLP ACCOUNT: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC. EXAMINER WATKINS III, WILLIAM P
 
2100 Computer Architecture and Software
2158 Ex Parte Thomas 11/363,239 HUGHES 103(a) SAP / FINNEGAN, HENDERSON LLP EXAMINER WU, YICUN

2177 Ex Parte Gebert et al 09/782,850 PER CURIAM Res Judicata/103(a) InfoPrint Solutions/ Blakely EXAMINER QUELER, ADAM M
 
2192 Ex Parte Shapiro 11/428,369 HAHN 103(a) LEMAIRE PATENT LAW FIRM, P.L.L.C. EXAMINER DAO, THUY CHAN
 
2400 Networking, Mulitplexing, Cable, and Security
2454 Ex Parte Hong et al 10/139,301 KUMAR 103(a) THE FARRELL LAW FIRM, P.C. EXAMINER NGUYEN, DUSTIN

2600 Communications
2617 Ex Parte Golestani et al 10/953,356 SMITH 103(a) CAPITOL PATENT & TRADEMARK LAW FIRM, PLLC EXAMINER EDOUARD, PATRICK NESTOR

In the event of further prosecution, the Examiner should evaluate claim 1 in light of the recent decision from the U.S. Supreme Court in Mayo Collaborative Servs. v. Prometheus Labs., Inc., 132 S.Ct. 1289 (2012), to determine whether claim 1 recites anything more than the combination of a law of nature with a known step of allocating. 

2625 Ex Parte Sievert et al 10/909,237 RUGGIERO 103(a) HEWLETT-PACKARD COMPANY EXAMINER DICKER, DENNIS T
 
2800 Semiconductors, Electrical and Optical Systems and Components
2833 Ex Parte Denneler et al 10/416,071 MacDONALD 103(a) KENYON & KENYON LLP EXAMINER HAMMOND, BRIGGITTE R
 
2835 Ex Parte Neal et al 11/584,126 HUGHES 102(b)/102(e)/103(a) HEWLETT-PACKARD COMPANY EXAMINER PAPE, ZACHARY

2857 Ex Parte Randall 11/174,118 DIXON 103(a) MAGINOT, MOORE & BECK, LLP EXAMINER BUI, BRYAN

2871 Ex Parte Vesely et al 10/098,681 DILLON 103(a) DICKSTEIN SHAPIRO MORIN & OSHINSKY LLP EXAMINER CHUNG, DAVID Y

3600 Transportation, Construction, Electronic Commerce, Agriculture, National Security, and License & Review
3695 Ex Parte Doyle et al 11/303,606 CRAWFORD 102(b) IM IP Law PLLC EXAMINER OYEBISI, OJO O

3700 Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing, and Products & Design
3731 Ex Parte Martinek 10/972,464 SCHEINER 103(a) Tyco Healthcare Group LP d/b/a Covidien EXAMINER SONNETT, KATHLEEN C

3735 Ex Parte Shah et al 10/861,837 FRANKLIN 103(a) Gates & Cooper LLP EXAMINER TOTH, KAREN E

3738 Ex Parte Hazebrouck et al 11/860,833 BONILLA 102(b)/103(a) BARNES & THORNBURG LLP EXAMINER HOBAN, MELISSA A

3900 Central Reexamination Unit (CRU)
3625 Ex Parte 7,379,900 et al Ex parte Variant Holdings, LLC and Variant, Inc., Appellants and Patent Owners 90/010,701 09/504,374 TURNER 102(b)/102(e) STEPHEN WREN EXAMINER CHOI, WOO H original EXAMINER ZURITA, JAMES H

REHEARING

DENIED

1600 Biotechnology and Organic Chemistry
1612 Ex Parte Levine et al 11/510,094 WALSH 103(a) ABELMAN, FRAYNE & SCHWAB EXAMINER KISHORE, GOLLAMUDI S

Thursday, April 26, 2012

chevenard, boon

REVERSED

1700 Chemical & Materials Engineering
1735 Ex Parte Mandigo et al 11/246,966 PER CURIAM 103(a) WIGGIN AND DANA LLP EXAMINER IP, SIKYIN

2100 Computer Architecture and Software
2164 Ex Parte Cochran et al 10/981,005 HOMERE 102(b)/102(e)/103(a) HEWLETT-PACKARD COMPANY EXAMINER PULLIAM, CHRISTYANN R

3700 Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing, and Products & Design
3771 Ex Parte Bruna 10/532,961 BROWN 103(a) SUGHRUE MION, PLLC EXAMINER MATTER, KRISTEN CLARETTE

AFFIRMED-IN-PART

1700 Chemical & Materials Engineering
1781 Ex Parte Keller et al 10/498,863 GARRIS 102(e)/103(a) 103(a) ROTHWELL, FIGG, ERNST & MANBECK, P.C. EXAMINER DICUS, TAMRA

2100 Computer Architecture and Software
2166 Ex Parte Noguchi 11/153,085 KEFFERY 101/103(a) 103(a) RSW IP Law IBM CORPORATION EXAMINER YEN, SYLING

2400 Networking, Mulitplexing, Cable, and Security
2456 Ex Parte Wetherall et al 09/825,139 NAPPI 103(a) 103(a) HOUSTON ELISEEVA EXAMINER BARQADLE, YASIN M

AFFIRMED

1600 Biotechnology and Organic Chemistry
1632 Ex Parte Brough 10/586,072 FREDMAN 103(a) LEYDIG VOIT & MAYER, LTD EXAMINER SHEN, WU CHENG WINSTON

1653 Ex Parte Szeles et al 10/200,939 FREDMAN 103(a) COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY EXAMINER DRISCOLL, LORA E BARNHART

1700 Chemical & Materials Engineering
1783 Ex Parte Aeling et al 10/868,679 PER CURIAM 103(a) 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY EXAMINER WATKINS III, WILLIAM P

2400 Networking, Mulitplexing, Cable, and Security
2432 Ex Parte Gaur et al 10/790,966 SMITH 103(a) Driggs, Hogg, Daugherty & Del Zoppo Co., L.P.A. EXAMINER ZECHER, CORDELIA P K

2444 Ex Parte Allen et al 10/726,457 SMITH 103(a) HOFFMAN WARNICK LLC EXAMINER CHEEMA, UMAR

2453 Ex Parte Salmi et al 10/099,853 POTHIER 102(e)/103(a) 37 C.F.R. 41.50(b) 103(a) Ditthavong Mori & Steiner, P.C. EXAMINER NGUYEN, THUONG

2453 Ex Parte Coon et al 10/773,649 THOMAS 103(a) HEWLETT-PACKARD COMPANY EXAMINER NAJEE-ULLAH, TARIQ S

2492 Ex Parte Gilbert et al 10/181,598 SMITH 103(a) PEARNE & GORDON LLP EXAMINER DAVIS, ZACHARY A

2800 Semiconductors, Electrical and Optical Systems and Components
2818 Ex Parte Herner et al 10/955,549 SMITH 102(e)/103(a) DUGAN & DUGAN, PC EXAMINER GOODWIN, DAVID J

2885 Ex Parte Wang 11/500,094 MacDONALD 102(b)/103(a) GIFFORD, KRASS, SPRINKLE,ANDERSON & CITKOWSKI, P.C EXAMINER MACCHIAROLO, LEAH SIMONE

3600 Transportation, Construction, Electronic Commerce, Agriculture, National Security, and License & Review
3635 Ex Parte Darmer et al 10/754,975 PER CURIAM 103(a) TURNER PADGET GRAHAM & LANEY, P.A. EXAMINER KWIECINSKI, RYAN D
 
3643 Ex Parte Peinetti et al 12/170,275 McCOLLUM 103(a) PITTS & LAKE P C EXAMINER NGUYEN, SON T

3652 Ex Parte McGurn 11/373,347 SAINDON 103(a) Thomas & Karceski, P.C. EXAMINER KEENAN, JAMES W

See In re Chevenard, 139 F.2d 711, 712-13 (CCPA 1943) (declining to consider the belated challenge by an appellant to an examiner’s assertion as to “common knowledge” in the art “in the absence of any demand by appellant for the examiner to produce authority for his statement”); In re Boon, 439 F.2d 724, 728 (CCPA 1971) (requiring “a challenge to judicial notice … contain adequate information or argument so that on its face it creates a reasonable doubt regarding the circumstances justifying the judicial notice”).

Chevenard, In re, 139 F.2d 71, 60 USPQ 239 (CCPA 1943) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2144.03 

3688 Ex Parte Avissar 11/372,407 TURNER 102(e) Naomi Assia Law Offices C/O Landon IP Inc. EXAMINER WEISS, JOHN

3700 Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing, and Products & Design
3736 Ex Parte Bales et al 11/343,294 GREEN 103(a) MAYBACK & HOFFMAN, P.A. EXAMINER LLOYD, EMILY M
 
3761 Ex Parte Frye et al 10/874,409 McCOLLUM 103(a) BRINKS HOFER GILSON & LIONE EXAMINER WIEST, PHILIP R

3900 Central Reexamination Unit (CRU)
1775 Ex Parte 6623846 et al Guardian Industries Corporation Patent Owner and Appellant v. Cardinal CG Company Requester and Respondent 95/000,424 09/797,903 ROBERTSON 103(a) MICHAEL BEST & FRIEDRICH LLP (Chi) EXAMINER DIAMOND, ALAN D original EXAMINER KOPPIKAR, VIVEK D

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

cescon, ergo, noah

REVERSED

1600 Biotechnology and Organic Chemistry
1626 Ex Parte Dietrich et al 11/320,121 FREDMAN 103(a) FROMMER LAWRENCE & HAUG EXAMINER KOSACK, JOSEPH R

See In re Cescon, 474 F.2d 1331, 1334 (CCPA 1973) (concluding that, although not every compound within the scope of the claims was tested, the evidence of secondary considerations was sufficient where evidence showed a correlation and there was no factual basis to expect the compounds to behave differently in different environments).

1636 Ex Parte Koide 09/903,412 FREDMAN 102(e)/103(a) VIKSNINS HARRIS & PADYS PLLP EXAMINER WESSENDORF, TERESA D

2100 Computer Architecture and Software
2159 Ex Parte Kolz et al 11/463,342 ARBES 103(a) IBM CORPORATION EXAMINER
CHANG, JEFFREY

2400 Networking, Mulitplexing, Cable, and Security
2434 Ex Parte Cochran et al 09/726,852 HOMERE 112(2)/102(e)/103(a) HEWLETT-PACKARD COMPANY EXAMINER POLTORAK, PIOTR

2600 Communications
2627 Ex Parte Weirauch 10/618,115 GIANNETTI 102(e)/103(a) 37 C.F.R. § 41.50(b) 102(a)/112(2)HEWLETT-PACKARD COMPANY EXAMINER FEILD, JOSEPH H

The use of means-plus-function language in a claim does not excuse Appellant from complying with the claim definiteness requirement of 35 U.S.C. § 112, second paragraph. See Ergo Licensing, LLC v. CareFusion 303 LLC, Inc., No. 2011-1229, 2012 WL 987833 at *1 (Fed. Cir. Mar. 26, 2012); Noah Sys., Inc. v. Intuit Inc., No. 2011-1390, 2012 WL 1150216 at *7 (Fed. Cir. Apr. 9, 2012). If an Applicant does not disclose structure for a means plus function term, the claim is indefinite. Ergo, 2012 WL 987833 at *1. The indefiniteness analysis requires us first to construe the claim. Noah, 2012 WL 1150216 at *7. Normally this is a two-step process. First, the claimed function must be determined. Next, the corresponding structure in the written description of the patent that performs that function must be identified. Id.

2800 Semiconductors, Electrical and Optical Systems and Components
2834 Ex Parte Caddell 11/043,343 ZECHER 102(b)/103(a) CARLSON, GASKEY & OLDS, P.C. EXAMINER LE, DANG D

3600 Transportation, Construction, Electronic Commerce, Agriculture, National Security, and License & Review
3646 Ex Parte Camp 11/168,044 ROBERTSON 103(a) MYERS BIGEL SIBLEY & SAJOVEC, P.A. EXAMINER LIU, HARRY K

3674 Ex Parte Verwoerd 10/550,133 LEE 112(1)/103(a) COLLARD & ROE, P.C. EXAMINER
LEE, GILBERT Y

3700 Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing, and Products & Design
3731 Ex Parte Goshgarian 10/427,351 ADAMS 103(a) MEDTRONIC VASCULAR, INC. EXAMINER SEVERSON, RYAN J

3735 Ex Parte Jina 11/277,731 ADAMS 102(e)/103(a) SHAY GLENN LLP EXAMINER D'ANGELO, MICHAEL J 

3761 Ex Parte Roberts et al 11/733,964 ADAMS 103(a) BAKER BOTTS L.L.P. EXAMINER TREYGER, ILYA Y

AFFIRMED-IN-PART

3900 Central Reexamination Unit (CRU)
2818 Ex Parte 6,314,051 et al RAMBUS, INC. Patent Owner, Appellant and Respondent v. SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD. Requestor and MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC. Requester, Cross-Appellant and Respondent 95/001,107 & 95/001,132 09/629,497 EASTHOM 102/103 37 C.F.R. § 41.77(b) 102/103 FINNEGAN, HENDERSON, FARABOW, GARRETT & DUNNER LLP EXAMINER ESCALANTE, OVIDIO original EXAMINER NGUYEN, TAN

2818 Ex Parte 6,266,285 et al RAMBUS, INC. Patent Owner, Appellant and Respondent  v. SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS, CO., LTD. Requestor and MICRON TECHNOLOGY INC. Requestor, Cross-Appellant and Respondent 95/001,106 & 95/001,131 09/566,551 EASTHOM 102/103 37 C.F.R. § 41.77(b) 102/103 FINNEGAN, HENDERSON, FARABOW, GARRETT & DUNNER LLP EXAMINER ESCALANTE, OVIDIO original EXAMINER NGUYEN, TAN

AFFIRMED

1700 Chemical & Materials Engineering
1734 Ex Parte Cherepy et al 11/445,569 OWENS 112(2)/102(b)/103(a) LAWRENCE LIVERMORE NATIONAL LABORATORY EXAMINER HOBAN, MATTHEW E

2400 Networking, Mulitplexing, Cable, and Security
2445 Ex Parte Nancy Soetens et al 10/171,971 RUGGIERO 103(a) SUGHRUE MION, PLLC EXAMINER BIAGINI, CHRISTOPHER D

2471 Ex Parte Krause 09/790,998 SMITH 103(a) SIEMENS CORPORATION EXAMINER WONG, WARNER

2600 Communications
2611 Ex Parte Citta et al 10/340,973 MOORE 103(a) ZENITH ELECTRONICS LLC EXAMINER
ODOM, CURTIS B

2611 Ex Parte Tierno 10/668,562 HOMERE 103(a) Ryan, Mason & Lewis, LLP EXAMINER MALEK, LEILA

2613 Ex Parte Azadet 10/219,905 SAADAT 102(e)/103(a) RYAN, MASON & LEWIS, LLP EXAMINER LI, SHI K

2800 Semiconductors, Electrical and Optical Systems and Components
2856 Ex Parte Guha et al 10/699,399 HOMERE 103(a) FLEIT GIBBONS GUTMAN BONGINI & BIANCO P.L. EXAMINER JAGAN, MIRELLYS

2887 Ex Parte Brady et al 11/564,408 HUGHES 103(a) WALL & TONG, LLP/ALCATEL-LUCENT USA INC. EXAMINER MARSHALL, CHRISTLE I

2895 Ex Parte Hovis et al 11/522,164 Per Curiam 112(2) 102(b) IBM CORPORATION EXAMINER
WOJCIECHOWICZ, EDWARD JOSEPH

3600 Transportation, Construction, Electronic Commerce, Agriculture, National Security, and License & Review
3623 Ex Parte Sarkar et al 11/216,797 PER CURIAM 103(a) GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY EXAMINER LAN, TZU-HSIANG

3700 Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing, and Products & Design
3779 Ex Parte Nesbitt 11/330,499 GREEN 103(a) K&L Gates LLP EXAMINER SWEET, THOMAS

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

thorner

REVERSED

1700 Chemical & Materials Engineering
1727 Ex Parte Ji 10/913,860 TIMM 103(a) HARNESS, DICKEY & PIERCE, P.L.C. EXAMINER BEST, ZACHARY P

2100 Computer Architecture and Software
2162 Ex Parte Chan et al 11/249,217 KOHUT 102(b)/103(a) CAREY, RODRIGUEZ, GREENBERG & O'KEEFE, LLP STEVEN M. GREENBERG EXAMINER ALAM, SHAHID AL

2400 Networking, Mulitplexing, Cable, and Security
2445 Ex Parte Xie et al 10/778,515 PER CURIAM 102(e) HICKMAN PALERMO TRUONG BECKER BINGHAM WONG/ORACLE EXAMINER JAKOVAC, RYAN J

2600 Communications
2651 Ex Parte Alli et al 10/387,250 GARRIS 103(a) H. Sanders Gwin, Jr. Shumaker & Sieffert, P.A. EXAMINER FIGUEROA, NATALIA

3600 Transportation, Construction, Electronic Commerce, Agriculture, National Security, and License & Review
3643 Ex Parte Lang et al 11/508,703 GRIMES 103(a) 37 C.F.R. § 41.50(b) 102(b) PRAXAIR, INC. EXAMINER PARSLEY, DAVID J

3700 Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing, and Products & Design
3733 Ex Parte Pelo et al 10/483,465 GRIMES 102(e)/103(a) Barnes & Thornburg EXAMINER
HOFFMAN, MARY C

3736 Ex Parte Goodall et al 11/523,172 GRIMES 103(a) THE INVENTION SCIENCE FUND
CLARENCE T. TEGREENE EXAMINER HOEKSTRA, JEFFREY GERBEN

3776 Ex Parte Wen 11/074,300 ADAMS 102(b)/103(a) ALIGN TECHNOLOGY C/O WAGNER BLECHER LLP EXAMINER PATEL, YOGESH P

AFFIRMED-IN-PART

1700 Chemical & Materials Engineering
1788 Ex Parte Whittaker et al 11/843,790 DELMENDO 103(a) 103(a) PANDUIT CORP. EXAMINER NORDMEYER, PATRICIA L

2100 Computer Architecture and Software
2169 Ex Parte Bohannon et al 10/626,835 BARRY 103(a) 103(a) RYAN, MASON & LEWIS, LLP EXAMINER KIM, PAUL

3600 Transportation, Construction, Electronic Commerce, Agriculture, National Security, and License & Review
3654 Ex Parte Sorensen 10/454,255 BAHR 103(a) 103(a) Thompson E. Fehr EXAMINER KRUER, STEFAN

To act as its own lexicographer, a patent applicant must clearly set forth a definition of the claim term in question other than its plain and ordinary meaning. Thorner v. Sony Comp. Entm’t Am., LLC, 669 F.3d 1362, 1365 (Fed. Cir. 2012). “It is not enough for a [patent applicant] to simply disclose a single embodiment or use a word in the same manner in all embodiments, the [applicant] must ‘clearly express an intent’ to redefine the term.” Id. (citation omitted).

3900 Central Reexamination Unit (CRU)
3644 Ex Parte Arvanities et al VIP PRODUCTS, L.L.C., Requestor and Respondent, v. MARGHERITA JESSIE ARVANITES, Patent Owner and Appellant. 95/001,507 6,918,355 10/694,562 SCHAFER 103(a) 103(a) Kunzler Needham Massey & Thorpe EXAMINER CLARK, JEANNE MARIE original EXAMINER SHAW, ELIZABETH ANNE

AFFIRMED

1600 Biotechnology and Organic Chemistry
1618 Ex Parte Lim et al 10/623,481 FREDMAN 103(a) King & Spalding LLP EXAMINER
YOUNG, MICAH PAUL


1657 Ex Parte Schmieding et al 11/350,078 MILLS 103(a) DICKSTEIN SHAPIRO LLP EXAMINER
SCHUBERG, LAURA J


1700 Chemical & Materials Engineering
1741 Ex Parte Boehm et al 10/499,107 GARRIS 103(a) ROTHWELL, FIGG, ERNST & MANBECK, P.C. EXAMINER CORDRAY, DENNIS R

2100 Computer Architecture and Software
2166 Ex Parte Banks et al 11/099,310 DANG 112(2)/102(e)/103(a)  IBM CORP. (WSM) c/o WINSTEAD P.C. EXAMINER CHEMPA KASERIL, ANN J

2169 Ex Parte Mack 11/308,723 DIXON 102(b)/103(a) WALTER J. TENCZA JR. EXAMINER MCCUE, BRITTANY N

2400 Networking, Mulitplexing, Cable, and Security
2424 Ex Parte Beyers et al 09/973,610 CHEN 103(a) MERCHANT & GOULD SCIENTIFIC ATLANTA, A CISCO COMPANY EXAMINER HOSSAIN, FARZANA E

2424 Ex Parte Newton et al 10/483,866 HOFF 103(a) Laurie E Gathman US Philips Corporation EXAMINER SHEPARD, JUSTIN E

2469 Ex Parte Denecheau et al 10/411,593 MacDONALD 103(a) HARRINGTON & SMITH EXAMINER MOORE, IAN N

2600 Communications
2617 Ex Parte Shiflett 11/003,113 WINSOR 103(a) COATS & BENNETT/SONY ERICSSON EXAMINER NGUYEN, DAVID Q

2625 Ex Parte Parry et al 10/625,241 HOMERE 103(a) HEWLETT-PACKARD COMPANY EXAMINER MILIA, MARK R

2800 Semiconductors, Electrical and Optical Systems and Components
2814 Ex Parte McHugo 10/892,983 JEFFERY 103(a) Kathy Manke Avago Technologies Limited EXAMINER SAYADIAN, HRAYR

3700 Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing, and Products & Design
3731 Ex Parte Atladottir et al 10/806,828 FRANKLIN 102(b)/103(a) FULWIDER PATTON LLP EXAMINER HOUSTON, ELIZABETH

3731 Ex Parte Greenberg et al 10/962,001 GRIMES 103(a) BRINKS HOFER GILSON & LIONE/CHICAGO/COOK EXAMINER TANNER, JOCELIN C

3762 Ex Parte Annicelli et al 11/417,288 BONILLA 103(a) DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE EXAMINER STOKLOSA, JOSEPH A

Monday, April 23, 2012

bj servs., union pac., venner, bell and howell

REVERSED

1700 Chemical & Materials Engineering
1785 Ex Parte Kasperchik et al 10/783,610 TIMM 103(a) HEWLETT-PACKARD COMPANY EXAMINER SHEWAREGED, BETELHEM

2100 Computer Architecture and Software
2161 Ex Parte Murashige et al 10/662,998 POTHIER 103(a) 37 C.F.R. § 41.50(b) 101/112(1) Go Daddy Operating Company, LLC EXAMINER DAYE, CHELCIE L

3700 Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing, and Products & Design
3718 Ex Parte Gilmore et al  10/641,368 BAHR 102(b) NIXON PEABODY LLP EXAMINER PANDYA, SUNIT 

3761 Ex Parte Rydenstam 10/904,359 SCHEINER 102(b)/103(a) BUCHANAN, INGERSOLL & ROONEY PC EXAMINER HAND, MELANIE JO

3772 Ex Parte Strait 10/834,492 GREENHUT 112(1)/102(b)/103(a) CHRISTIE, PARKER & HALE, LLP EXAMINER NGUYEN, CAMTU TRAN

3775  Ex Parte Becker 10/259,300 SAINDON 102(b)/103(a) EXAMINER BOLES, SAMEH RAAFAT 

3900 Central Reexamination Unit (CRU)
2162 Ex Parte 7096212 et al INTELLIGENT HOSPITAL SYSTEMS LTD. Requester and Appellant v. FORHEALTH TECHNOLOGIES, INC. Patent Owner and Respondent 95/000,333 CHANG 103(a) 37 C.F.R. § 41.77(b) 103(a) Leason Ellis LLP EXAMINER LEE, CHRISTOPHER E  original EXAMINER TO, BAOQUOC N 

AFFIRMED-IN-PART

2600 Communications
2612 Ex Parte Arik et al 11/275,188 RUGGIERO 103(a) 37 C.F.R. § 41.50(b) 103(a) GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY EXAMINER WU, DANIEL J

AFFIRMED

1600 Biotechnology and Organic Chemistry
1652  Ex Parte Lyamichev et al 11/489,665 WALSH 103(a) Casimir Jones, S.C. EXAMINER RAMIREZ, DELIA M 

1700 Chemical & Materials Engineering
1741  Ex Parte Kunert et al 10/362,045 HASTINGS 103(a) Todd T Taylor Taylor & Aust EXAMINER LAZORCIK, JASON L 

1783 Ex Parte Savicki et al 10/980,657 PRAISS 112(2)/102(b)/103(a) THE PROCTER & GAMBLE COMPANY EXAMINER OHERN, BRENT T 

A claim satisfies the definiteness requirement of 35 U.S.C. § 112, second paragraph, when one skilled in the art understands the claim parameters as read in light of the specification. BJ Servs. Co. v. Halliburton Energy Servs., Inc. 338 F.3d 1368, 1372 (Fed. Cir. 2003) (quoting Union Pac. Res. Co. v. Chesapeake Energy Corp., 236 F.3d 684, 692 (Fed. Cir. 2001) (“The definiteness inquiry focuses on whether those skilled in the art would understand the scope of the claim when the claim is read in light of the rest of the specification.”)).

Union Pacific Resources Co. v. Chesapeake Energy Corp., 236 F.3d 684, 57 USPQ2d 1293 (Fed. Cir. 2001) . . . . .2164.06(a)

2100 Computer Architecture and Software
2127 Ex Parte Schreder et al 10/729,774 COURTENAY 103(a) HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC. EXAMINER NORTON, JENNIFER L 

Broadly providing an automatic way to replace a manual activity accomplishing the same result is not sufficient to distinguish an automated process over the prior art. In re Venner, 262 F.2d 91, 95 (CCPA 1958).

Venner, In re, 262 F.2d 91, 120 USPQ 193 (CCPA 1958) . . . . . . . . 2144.04

We are also mindful that an inventor’s self-serving statements are rarely relevant to the proper construction of a claim term. Bell & Howell Document Mgmt. Prods. v. Altek Sys.,132 F.3d 701, 706 (Fed.Cir.1997).

3600 Transportation, Construction, Electronic Commerce, Agriculture, National Security, and License & Review
3636 Ex Parte Combest 11/389,539 SAINDON 103(a) GLOBAL IP COUNSELORS, LLP EXAMINER MCPARTLIN, SARAH BURNHAM

3663  Ex Parte De Sousa et al 10/691,795 DILLON 102(a)/103(a) BACHMAN & LAPOINTE, P.C. EXAMINER EL CHANTI, HUSSEIN A 

3700 Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing, and Products & Design
3738 Ex Parte Masini 11/409,404 KAUFFMAN 102(b)/103(a) GIFFORD, KRASS, SPRINKLE,ANDERSON & CITKOWSKI, P.C EXAMINER SNOW, BRUCE EDWARD

Friday, April 20, 2012

standard havens

REVERSED

1600 Biotechnology and Organic Chemistry
1615 Ex Parte Bracht et al 10/296,802 ADAMS 103(a) William F Lawrence Frommer Lawrence & Haug EXAMINER AHMED, HASAN SYED

2400 Networking, Mulitplexing, Cable, and Security

2436 Ex Parte Choti et al 10/985,334 HAHN 103(a) FOLEY AND LARDNER LLP EXAMINER REZA, MOHAMMAD W

2600 Communications

2617 Ex Parte Jones et al 10/779,261 WINSOR 103(a) 37 C.F.R. § 41.50(b) 102(e)/103(a) SPRINT EXAMINER D AGOSTA, STEPHEN M

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

3643 Ex Parte Breuil et al 10/975,390 FRANKLIN 102(b)/103(a) GREENBLUM & BERNSTEIN, P.L.C. EXAMINER PARSLEY, DAVID J

3662 Ex Parte Chiayee et al 10/523,669 CALVE 102 Ratner/Prestia EXAMINER TO, TUAN C

3700 Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing, and Products & Design

3762 Ex Parte Toy et al 10/836,117 FREDMAN 112(1) IPLM GROUP, P.A. EXAMINER HOLMES, REX R

3763 Ex Parte Chin et al 11/297,786 FRANKLIN 103(a) FAY KAPLUN & MARCIN, LLP EXAMINER STIGELL, THEODORE J


AFFIRMED-IN-PART

2100 Computer Architecture and Software
2162 Ex Parte Vedula 11/307,366 DANG 103(a) 102(e) LAW FIRM OF NAREN THAPPETA C/o Landon-IP Inc. EXAMINER ALAM, SHAHID AL

2400 Networking, Mulitplexing, Cable, and Security

2467 Ex Parte Hsu et al 10/308,687 DANG 103(a) 103(a) KIRTON AND MCCONKIE EXAMINER MAIS, MARK A

AFFIRMED

1600 Biotechnology and Organic Chemistry
1618 Ex Parte Lyu et al 10/640,702 WALSH 112(1)/103(a) MEDTRONIC VASCULAR, INC. EXAMINER ROGERS, JAMES WILLIAM

1618 Ex Parte Sparer et al 10/640,853 WALSH 102(e)/102(b)/103(a) EXAMINER ROGERS, JAMES WILLIAM

1618 Ex Parte Sparer et al 10/640,714 WALSH 102(e)/102(b)/103(a) MUETING, RAASCH & GEBHARDT, P.A. EXAMINER ROGERS, JAMES WILLIAM

2100 Computer Architecture and Software

2141 Ex Parte Gomes et al 10/676,634 DANG 103(a) Jeffrey C. Hood Meyertons, Hood, Kivlin, Kowert & Goetzel PC EXAMINER AUGUSTINE, NICHOLAS

2187 Ex Parte Cox et al 11/050,551 HOMERE obviousness-type double patenting/103(a) MUIRHEAD AND SATURNELLI, LLC EXAMINER RUTZ, JARED IAN

2192 Ex Parte Krasikov et al 10/684,552 DILLON 112(1)/101/103(a) LAW OFFICE OF IDO TUCHMAN (YOR) EXAMINER WEI, ZHENG

2600 Communications

2617 Ex Parte Spain 10/668,634 HAHN 103(a) DEMONT & BREYER, LLC EXAMINER SHEDRICK, CHARLES TERRELL

2800 Semiconductors, Electrical and Optical Systems and Components

2859 Ex Parte Williams 11/479,420 RUGGIERO 102(e)/103(a) Fellers, Snider, Blankenship, Bailey & Tippens EXAMINER WILLIAMS, ARUN C

"An anticipatory reference . . . need not duplicate word for word what is in the claims." Standard Havens Prods. v. Gencor Indus., 953 F.2d 1360, 1369 (Fed. Cir. 1991).

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

3651 Ex Parte Ghezzi 10/514,987 HOELTER 103(a) COLEMAN SUDOL SAPONE, P.C. EXAMINER KUMAR, RAKESH

Thursday, April 19, 2012

klein, dann, stepan

REVERSED

3700 Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing, and Products & Design
3723 Ex Parte Kemper et al 10/732,162 BAHR 103(a) DORSEY & WHITNEY, LLP EXAMINER REDDING, DAVID A

3732 Ex Parte Shirasuka 11/582,111 FRANKLIN 103(a) STETINA BRUNDA GARRED & BRUCKER EXAMINER EIDE, HEIDI MARIE

3734 Ex Parte Quijano et al 11/263,302 FRANKLIN 102(b) Paul T. Parker PERKINS COIE LLP EXAMINER YABUT, DIANE D

3764 Ex Parte Stenberg 09/879,151 BONILLA 102(e)/103(a) Ronald L. Grudziecki BURNS, DOANE, SWECKER & MATHIS, L.L.P. EXAMINER ANDERSON, CATHARINE L


AFFIRMED-IN-PART

3700 Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing, and Products & Design
3732 Ex Parte Ruddle et al 11/227,934 PRATS 103(a) 103(a) 37 C.F.R. § 41.50(b) 112(2) Polster, Lieder, Woodruff & Lucchesi, L.C. EXAMINER EIDE, HEIDI MARIE

See In re Klein, 647 F.3d 1343, 1348 (Fed. Cir. 2011) (A reference is analogous prior art when it is “from the same field of endeavor, regardless of the problem addressed . . . .”) (emphasis added).


AFFIRMED

2400 Networking, Mulitplexing, Cable, and Security
2476 Ex Parte Colin et al 10/675,363 BISK 103(a) JAMES M. STOVER TERADATA CORPORATION EXAMINER AHMED, SALMAN

2800 Semiconductors, Electrical and Optical Systems and Components

2852 Ex Parte Hoffman 11/196,139 PER CURIAM 102(e) FLETCHER YODER P.C. EXAMINER FULLER, RODNEY EVAN

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

3636 Ex Parte Nazginov 10/964,436 HOELTER 103(a) 37 C.F.R. § 41.50(b) 103(a) OSTROLENK FABER LLP EXAMINER BARFIELD, ANTHONY DERRELL

3687 Ex Parte Love et al 11/416,946 FISCHETTI 103(a) 37 C.F.R. § 41.50(b) 103(a) KING & SPALDING EXAMINER ADE, OGER GARCIA

The mere existence of differences between the prior art and the claim does not establish nonobviousness. Dann v. Johnston, 425 U.S. 219, 230 (1976). The issue is “whether the difference between the prior art and the subject matter in question ‘is a differen[ce] sufficient to render the claimed subject matter unobvious to one skilled in the applicable art.’” Dann, 425 U.S. at 228 (citation omitted)

Dann v. Johnston, 425 U.S. 219, 189 USPQ 257 (1976) . . . . . . 716.01(a), 2141, 2141.03

3900 Central Reexamination Unit (CRU)

1711 Ex Parte 6359022 et al Ex parte STEPAN COMPANY Appellant 90/006,824 and 90/007,619 09/289,043 PER CURIAM 102(b)/103(a) 37 C.F.R. § 41.50(b) 102(a)/103(a) MCANDREWS HELD & MALLOY, LTD EXAMINER DIAMOND, ALAN D original EXAMINER GORR, RACHEL F

The United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit vacated the Board’s Decision in the above-identified ex parte reexamination proceedings, and remanded the proceedings with instructions to designate the Decision as including a new ground of rejection. In re Stepan Co., 660 F.3d 1341, 1346 (Fed. Cir. 2011).