kropa

REVERSED

1600 Biotechnology and Organic Chemistry
1649 Ex Parte Ishikawa et al 11/150,861 GRIMES ADAMS Dissenting PRATS 103(a) Workman Nydegger / INVENTION SCIENCE FUND EXAMINER DUTT, ADITI

1700 Chemical & Materials Engineering
1735 Ex Parte Talwar 11/551,550 COLAIANNI FRANKLIN OWENS 103(a) DUKE W. YEE YEE & ASSOCIATES, P.C. EXAMINER YOON, KEVIN E

2100 Computer Architecture and Software
2165 Ex Parte Opaterny 11/114,399 HUGHES BOALICK MACDONALD 102(b) SIEMENS CORPORATION EXAMINER BUCKINGHAM, KELLYE DEE

2400 Networking, Mulitplexing, Cable, and Security
2453 Ex Parte Nastacio et al 10/809,175 NAPPI DESHPANDE DROESCH 103(a) RSW IP Law IBM CORPORATION EXAMINER LINDSEY, MATTHEW S

2600 Communications
2612 Ex Parte Keller et al 09/842,346 NAPPI HAHN MACDONALD 102(e)/103(a) FITCH EVEN TABIN & FLANNERY EXAMINER BROWN, VERNAL U

3600 Transportation, Construction, Electronic Commerce, Agriculture, National Security, and License & Review
3643 Ex Parte Welbourne 11/318,279 SCHEINER 102(b)/103(a) Dascenzo Intellectual Property Law, P.C. EXAMINER PARSLEY, DAVID J

3700 Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing, and Products & Design
3781 Ex Parte Da Silva et al 11/235,035 SPAHN 103(a) Harness Dickey & Pierce, P.L.C. EXAMINER MCKINLEY, CHRISTOPHER BRIAN
AFFIRMED-IN-PART

1600 Biotechnology and Organic Chemistry
1611 Ex Parte Lee et al 11/111,240 ADAMS 102(a)/103(a) C.F.R. § 41.50(b) 103(a) HEWLETT-PACKARD COMPANY EXAMINER GHALI, ISIS A D

2100 Computer Architecture and Software
2172 Ex Parte Best et al 09/747,063 POTHIER WINSOR ZECHER 103(a) 103(a)/112(1) SUGHRUE MION PLLC USPTO CUSTOMER NO WITH IBM/SVL EXAMINER PILLAI, NAMITHA

2184 Ex Parte Haines et al 11/348,636 RUGGIERO BAUMEISTER HOFF 103(a) 103(a) Fellers, Snider, Blankenship, Bailey & Tippens EXAMINER TSENG, CHENG YUAN

3600 Transportation, Construction, Electronic Commerce, Agriculture, National Security, and License & Review
3653 Ex Parte Tsuchiyama et al 10/580,211 GREENHUT CALVE HOELTER 102(b) 37 C.F.R. § 41.50(b) 102(b) STAAS & HALSEY LLP EXAMINER SEVERSON, JEREMY R

3700 Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing, and Products & Design
3751 Ex Parte Gueret 11/320,557 6,669,389 KAUFFMAN BARRETT SAINDON 251/102(b)/103(a) 102(b)/103(a) FINNEGAN, HENDERSON, FARABOW, GARRETT & DUNNER LLP EXAMINER NGUYEN, TUAN N

The subject matter of claim 204 is not all magnetic particles; rather, claim 204 covers magnetic particles that are part of a mascara product. Therefore, the preamble serves to further define the structure of the article claimed. See Kropa v. Robie, 187 F2d 150, 152 (CCPA 1951).

Kropa v. Robie, 187 F.2d 150, 88 USPQ 478 (CCPA 1951) . . . . . . . . . . . . 707.07(f), 2111.02

3762 Ex Parte Hanson et al 10/531,359 MILLS 102(b)/103(a) 103(a) PHILIPS INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY & STANDARDS EXAMINER KAHELIN, MICHAEL WILLIAM
AFFIRMED

1600 Biotechnology and Organic Chemistry
1657 Ex Parte Studin et al 11/788,959 ADAMS 103(a) Stuart D. Frenkel Frenkel & Associates EXAMINER SCHUBERG, LAURA J

1700 Chemical & Materials Engineering
1731 Ex Parte Vacassy et al 11/491,612 COLAIANNI FRANKLIN OWENS 103(a) STEVEN WESEMAN CABOT MICROELECTRONICS CORPORATION EXAMINER CHRISTIE, ROSS J

1766 Ex Parte Thomas et al 12/281,023 GARRIS OWENS WARREN 103(a) OBLON, SPIVAK, MCCLELLAND MAIER & NEUSTADT, L.L.P. EXAMINER TOSCANO, ALICIA

1774 Ex Parte Jung et al 11/699,770 FRANKLIN COLAIANNI WARREN 102(b)/103(a) THE INVENTION SCIENCE FUND CLARENCE T. TEGREENE EXAMINER RAMDHANIE, BOBBY

1776 Ex Parte Broske et al 11/254,964 OWENS 102(e)/103(a) Agilent Technologies, Inc. in care of: CPA Global EXAMINER THERKORN, ERNEST G

3600 Transportation, Construction, Electronic Commerce, Agriculture, National Security, and License & Review
3667 Ex Parte Dudley et al 10/860,287 KIM 103(a) HUNTON & WILLIAMS LLP EXAMINER
GREENE, DANIEL LAWSON

3700 Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing, and Products & Design
3734 Ex Parte Hansen et al 11/122,397 ADAMS SCHEINER WALSH 102(b) SEAGER, TUFTE & WICKHEM, LLC EXAMINER COLELLO, ERIN L

3761 Ex Parte Osborn et al 10/860,910 FRANKLIN FREDMAN GREEN 102(b)/103(a) THE PROCTER & GAMBLE COMPANY EXAMINER KIDWELL, MICHELE M
REEXAMINATION

EXAMINER AFFIRMED-IN-PART

3900 Central Reexamination Unit (CRU)
3733 Ex Parte 7128744 et al SMITH & NEPHEW, INC. Requester, Respondent v. SYNTHES (U.S.A) Patent Owner, Appellant 95/000,465 and 90/009,377 10/665,505 SONG LEBOVITZ ROBERTSON 103(a) 103(a) Patent Owner WOODCOCK WASHBURN LLP Third Party Requester ROBERT A, KING HUNTON & WILLIAMS, LLP EXAMINER REIP, DAVID OWEN original EXAMINER SWIGER III, JAMES L

EXAMINER AFFIRMED

3900 Central Reexamination Unit (CRU)
2819 Ex Parte 7161506 et al BLUE COAT SYSTEMS, INC. Respondent v. REALTIME DATA LLC. 95/000,479 SIU MacDONALD TORCZON 102(b)/102(e)/103(a) Patent Owner, Appellant Patent Owner STERN, KESSLER, GOLDSTEIN & FOXX P.L.L.C. Third Party Requester MICHAEL A. MESSINA, ESQ. MCDERMOTT, WILL & EMERY EXAMINER LEUNG, CHRISTINA Y original EXAMINER NGUYEN, LINH V

EXAMINER AFFIRMED

3900 Central Reexamination Unit (CRU)
2155 Ex Parte 7321937 et al BLUE COAT SYSTEMS, INC. Respondent v. REALTIME DATA LLC. Patent Owner, Appellant 95/000,466 SIU MacDONALD TORCZON 102(b)/102(e)/103(a) Patent Owner STERNE, KESSLER, GOLDSTEIN & FOXX P.L.L.C. Third Party Requester MCDERMOTT WILL & EMERY LLP EXAMINER HENEGHAN, MATTHEW E original EXAMINER ENG, DAVID Y

EXAMINER AFFIRMED

3900 Central Reexamination Unit (CRU)
2819 Ex Parte 7378992 et al BLUE COAT SYSTEMS, INC. Respondent v. REALTIME DATA LLC. Patent Owner, Appellant 95/000,478 SIU MacDONALD TORCZON 102(b)/102(e)/103(a) Patent Owner STERNE, KESSLER, GOLDSTEIN & FOX P.L.L.C. Third Party Requester MCDERMOTT WILL & EMERY LLP EXAMINER LEUNG, CHRISTINA Y original EXAMINER NGUYEN, LINH V

EXAMINER AFFIRMED

3900 Central Reexamination Unit (CRU)
2819 Ex Parte 6624761 et al BLUE COAT SYSTEMS, INC. Respondent v. REALTIME DATA LLC. Patent Owner, Appellant 95/000,464 SIU MacDONALD TORCZON 102(b)/102(e)/103(a) Patent Owner STERNE, KESSLER, GOLDSTEIN & FOX P.L.L.C. Third Party Requester MICHAEL A. MESSINA, ESQ. MCDERMOTT, WILL & EMERY EXAMINER LEUNG, CHRISTINA Y original EXAMINER WAMSLEY, PATRICK G

REVERSED

1600 Biotechnology and Organic Chemistry
1627 Ex Parte Theobald et al 11/421,615 FREDMAN McCOLLUM PRATS 103(a) HOFFMANN & BARON, LLP EXAMINER CHONG, YONG SOO

1700 Chemical & Materials Engineering
1745 Ex Parte Kertesz 11/299,345 NAGUMO HANLON KRATZ 103(a) LUCAS & MERCANTI, LLP EXAMINER BELL, WILLIAM P

1788 Ex Parte Smith et al 11/152,984 HASTINGS GAUDETTE NAGUMO 103(a) Siemens Corporation EXAMINER CHANG, VICTOR S

AFFIRMED

1600 Biotechnology and Organic Chemistry
1618 Ex Parte Avramoff et al 10/575,809 McCOLLUM FREDMAN SCHEINER 103(a)/112(1) Graeser Associates International Inc. EXAMINER WESTERBERG, NISSA M

2600 Communications
2624 Ex Parte Lagrange et al 10/525,132 BAUMEISTER HAHN POTHIER 101/103(a) PHILIPS INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY & STANDARDS EXAMINER BALI, VIKKRAM

REHEARING

GRANTED

1700 Chemical & Materials Engineering
1782 Ex Parte Campbell et al 10/442,765 OWENS GARRIS GUEST 103(a) 37 C.F.R. § 41.50(b) 103(a) UNILEVER PATENT GROUP EXAMINER THAKUR, VIREN A

american academy, stumbo, bicon

REVERSED

1700 Chemical & Materials Engineering
1729 Ex Parte Mikhail et al 11/196,632 GARRIS 102(b)/103(a) MILLER IP GROUP, PLC GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION EXAMINER YANCHUK, STEPHEN J

2600 Communications
2612 Ex Parte Sturm 11/926,244 WINSOR 102(b) CROWELL & MORING LLP EXAMINER WANG, JACK K

3600 Transportation, Construction, Electronic Commerce, Agriculture, National Security, and License & Review
3643 Ex Parte Blette et al 10/939,540 SPAHN 103(a) 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY EXAMINER POON, PETER M

See In re Am. Acad. of Sci. Tech. Ctr., 367 F.3d 1359, 1364 (Fed. Cir. 2004) (We determine the scope of the claims in patent applications not solely on the basis of the claim language, but upon giving claims their broadest reasonable construction in light of the specification as it would be interpreted by one of ordinary skill in the art.).

American Academy of Science Tech. Center, In re, 367 F.3d 1359, 70 USPQ2d 1827 (Fed. Cir. 2004) . . . . . 2111, 2111.01
See Bicon Inc. v. Straumann Co., 441 F.3d 945, 950 (Fed. Cir. 2006) (Claims are construed with an eye toward giving effect to all terms in the claim.).

See Stumbo v. Eastman Outdoors, Inc., 508 F.3d 1358, 1362 (Fed. Cir. 2007) (denouncing claim constructions which render phrases in claims superfluous).

3644 Ex Parte Freidell 11/338,221 SAINDON 102(b)/103(a) Mark P. Stone EXAMINER WILLIAMS, MONICA L

AFFIRMED-IN-PART

1700 Chemical & Materials Engineering
1733 Ex Parte Cameron et al 10/517,906 GARRIS 103(a) 103(a) The BOC Group, Inc. EXAMINER YANG, JIE
REEXAMINATION

EXAMINER AFFIRMED-IN-PART & REVERSED-IN-PART

3900 Central Reexamination Unit (CRU)
3749 Ex Parte 6886553 et al Ex parte HEATMAX, INC. Patent Owner and Appellant 90/008,869 DELMENDO 102(b)/103(a) 102(b)/103(a) PATENT OWNER: THOMAS, KAYDEN, HORSTEMEYER & RISLEY, LLP THIRD-PARTY REQUESTER: WILLIAM L. BROOKS INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY PRACTICE GROUPEXAMINER WILLIAMS, CATHERINE SERKE original EXAMINER YEUNG, JAMES C
AFFIRMED

1700 Chemical & Materials Engineering
1721 Ex Parte Pickering 11/445,360 HASTINGS 103(a) MDIP LLC EXAMINER VAJDA, PETER L

1747 Ex Parte Ueyoko et al 11/592,893 KATZ 103(a) THE GOODYEAR TIRE & RUBBER COMPANY EXAMINER FISCHER, JUSTIN R

1778 Ex Parte Benevides et al 11/211,066 GARRIS 112(2)/103(a) Waters Technologies Corporation EXAMINER THERKORN, ERNEST G

2100 Computer Architecture and Software
2163 Ex Parte Egnor et al 11/024,967 SMITH 103(a) HARRITY & HARRITY, LLP EXAMINER HWA, SHYUE JIUNN

2179 Ex Parte Lee et al 10/743,476 ZECHER 102(b) THE FARRELL LAW FIRM, P.C. EXAMINER LO, WEILUN

2186 Ex Parte Kuwata 11/372,198 DANG 103(a) MCGINN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LAW GROUP, PLLC EXAMINER DUDEK JR, EDWARD J

2800 Semiconductors, Electrical and Optical Systems and Components
2813 Ex Parte Shih et al 10/703,762 RUGGIERO 102(e)/103(a) HEWLETT-PACKARD COMPANY EXAMINER SMOOT, STEPHEN W

3600 Transportation, Construction, Electronic Commerce, Agriculture, National Security, and License & Review
3685 Ex Parte Gaetano 10/641,853 FISCHETTI 103(a) 37 CFR § 41.50(b) 103(a) MITEL NETWORKS CORPORATION EXAMINER AGWUMEZIE, CHARLES C

3700 Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing, and Products & Design
3731 Ex Parte Venturelli 10/538,913 GREEN 103(a) MEDTRONIC VASCULAR, INC. EXAMINER MCEVOY, THOMAS M

3751 Ex Parte Aylward 11/421,624 BAHR 103(a) ALSTON & BIRD LLP EXAMINER NIESZ, JASON KAROL
REHEARING

DENIED

3700 Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing, and Products & Design
3732 Ex Parte Golden 11/095,355 HOELTER 102(b) GIFFORD, KRASS, SPRINKLE, ANDERSON & CITKOWSKI, P.C EXAMINER MAI, HAO D

unigene

REVERSED

3600 Transportation, Construction, Electronic Commerce, Agriculture, National Security, and License & Review
3627 Ex Parte Heath 11/112,288 KIM 112(2)/102(b)/103(a) Starkweather and Associates EXAMINER AMSDELL, DANA

3629 Ex Parte Bohle 10/772,081 FETTING 103(a) SAP / FINNEGAN, HENDERSON LLP EXAMINER SENSENIG, SHAUN D

3629 Ex Parte Jannott et al 10/960,834 FISCHETTI 102(e)/103(a) BUCKLEY, MASCHOFF & TALWALKAR LLC EXAMINER CUMARASEGARAN, VERN

3700 Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing, and Products & Design
3731 Ex Parte Pai et al 10/982,385 PRATS 103(a) Vista IP Law Group LLP EXAMINER SEVERSON, RYAN J

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).

3732 Ex Parte Jia et al 11/676,807 MILLS 103(a) CANTOR COLBURN LLP EXAMINER LEWIS, RALPH A

3733 Ex Parte Burgess et al 11/264,522 FREDMAN 102(a)/103(a) Maginot, Moore & Beck LLP EXAMINER CARTER, TARA ROSE E

REEXAMINATION

EXAMINER AFFIRMED

3900 Central Reexamination Unit (CRU)
3672 Ex Parte 7096977 et al Varco I/P, Inc. Patent Owner and Appellant v. Tesco Corporation Requester 95/000,162 11/040,453 ROBERTSON 112(1)/112(2)/102(b)/103(a) PATENT OWNER: THE MATTHEWS FIRM THIRD-PARTY REQUESTER: ANDREWS KURTH LLP (3RD PTY REQ) EXAMINER FOSTER, JIMMY G original CHRISTIE, PARKER & HALE, LLP EXAMINER NEUDER, WILLIAM P
AFFIRMED

2400 Networking, Mulitplexing, Cable, and Security
2494 Ex Parte Hidalgo et al 09/859,123 MacDONALD 103(a) IBM CORPORATION EXAMINER KHOSHNOODI, NADIA

2600 Communications
2611 Ex Parte Wu et al 10/603,302 MacDONALD 103(a) TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED EXAMINER JOSEPH, JAISON

2800 Semiconductors, Electrical and Optical Systems and Components
2893 Ex Parte Slater et al 10/916,113 SAADAT 112(1)/102(b)/103(a) MYERS BIGEL SIBLEY & SAJOVEC EXAMINER QUACH, TUAN N

3600 Transportation, Construction, Electronic Commerce, Agriculture, National Security, and License & Review
3643 Ex Parte Moharram 10/935,392 GREEN 103(a) OMAYMA E. MOHARRAM EXAMINER PARSLEY, DAVID J

3700 Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing, and Products & Design
3766 Ex Parte Carroll 11/198,386 HORNER 103(a) BLANK ROME LLP EXAMINER GEDEON, BRIAN T

dance, perfect web, vaidyanathan, KSR

REVERSED

1700 Chemical & Materials Engineering
1776 Ex Parte Carson et al 10/510,865 GAUDETTE 103(a) General Electric Company EXAMINER SAVAGE, MATTHEW O

Evidence of obviousness must come from the prior art, not the applicant’s own disclosure. In re Dance, 160 F.3d 1339, 1343 (Fed. Cir. 1998). “[T]o invoke ‘common sense’ or any other basis for extrapolating from prior art to a conclusion of obviousness,” the fact finder “must articulate [his or her] reasoning with sufficient clarity for review.” Perfect Web Technologies, Inc. v. InfoUSA, Inc., 587 F.3d 1324, 1330 (Fed. Cir. 2009)); see also, In re Vaidyanathan, 381 Fed.Appx. 985, 994 (Fed. Cir. 2010) (non-precedential) (“KSR did not free the PTO’s examination process from explaining its reasoning. In making an obviousness rejection, the examiner should not rely on conclusory statements that a particular feature of the invention would have been obvious or was well known. Instead, the examiner should elaborate, discussing the evidence or reasoning that leads the examiner to such a conclusion.”).

Dance, In re, 160 F.3d 1339, 48 USPQ2d 1635 (Fed. Cir. 1998) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2143.01

KSR International Co. v. Teleflex Inc., 550 USPQ2d 1385 (2007) . . . . . . . . .2141 to 2145, 2216, 2242, 2286, 2616, 2642, 2686.04

2100 Computer Architecture and Software
2183 Ex Parte Davis et al 11/132,658 DESHPANDE 103(a) IBM Corporation EXAMINER PARTRIDGE, WILLIAM B

3700 Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing, and Products & Design
3734 Ex Parte Anderson et al 11/444,004 FREDMAN 102(b) Covidien EXAMINER TRUONG, KEVIN THAO

AFFIRMED-IN-PART

2800 Semiconductors, Electrical and Optical Systems and Components
2814 Ex Parte Melzak et al 10/914,468 ROBERTSON 103(a) 103(a) DEMONT & BREYER, LLC EXAMINER PHAM, LONG
AFFIRMED

1600 Biotechnology and Organic Chemistry
1611 Ex Parte Huang et al 11/556,322 GREEN 103(a) PHILIP S. JOHNSON JOHNSON & JOHNSON EXAMINER PURDY, KYLE A

1700 Chemical & Materials Engineering
1728 Ex Parte Trabold et al 12/016,014 OWENS 112(2)/102(b)/103(a) MILLER IP GROUP, PLC GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION EXAMINER CHAN, HENG M

2100 Computer Architecture and Software
2183 Ex Parte Chauvel et al 10/830,917 DANG 103(a) TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED EXAMINER FENNEMA, ROBERT E

2185 Ex Parte Loafman 11/778,054 JEFFERY 103(a)/non-statutory obviousness-type double patenting IBM CORP. (AUS) C/O THE LAW OFFICE OF JAMES BAUDINO, PLLC EXAMINER DOAN, DUC T

2400 Networking, Mulitplexing, Cable, and Security
2478 Ex Parte Kataoka 11/291,129 WINSOR 103(a) IBM CORP. (WSM) c/o WINSTEAD P.C. EXAMINER BEHARRY, NOEL R

3700 Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing, and Products & Design
3754 Ex Parte Tolbert 10/998,213 BAHR 102(b)/103(a) CHRISTIE, PARKER & HALE, LLP EXAMINER WILLIAMS, STEPHANIE ELAINE

3762 Ex Parte Haller et al 11/221,095 FREDMAN 103(a) Wong, Cabello, Lutsch, Rutherford & Brucculeri LLP (Boston Scientific) EXAMINER MANUEL, GEORGE C

belkin, american permahedge

REVERSED

1700 Chemical & Materials Engineering
1777 Ex Parte Yong 11/191,300 GARRIS 103(a) WALTER A. HACKLER, Ph.D. EXAMINER XU, XIAOYUN

3700 Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing, and Products & Design
3715 Ex Parte Huang 10/787,597 PETRAVICK 103(a) SUGHRUE MION, PLLC EXAMINER HU, KANG

3721 Ex Parte Wenchell et al 10/490,790 ADAMS 102(b) Paul R Audet U.S. Surgical, a division of Tyco Healthcare Group EXAMINER CHUKWURAH, NATHANIEL C

3745 Ex Parte Cunha et al 11/339,921 HORNER 102(b)/103(a) BACHMAN & LAPOINTE, P.C. c/o CPA Global EXAMINER EDGAR, RICHARD A
AFFIRMED-IN-PART

2600 Communications
2617 Ex Parte Rai et al 11/091,560 DANG 103(a) 103(a) CARLSON, GASKEY & OLDS, P.C./Alcatel-Lucent EXAMINER CHO, UN C

3700 Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing, and Products & Design
3734 Ex Parte Dorn 10/552,886 ADAMS 103(a) 103(a) C. R. Bard, Inc. Bard Peripheral Vascular, Inc. EXAMINER BLATT, ERIC D
REEXAMINATION

EXAMINER REVERSED

3900 Central Reexamination Unit (CRU)
2875 Ex Parte 6543911 et al VOLKSWAGEN GROUP OF AMERICA, INC. Requester and Appellant v. LIGHT TRANSFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES LLC Patent Owner and Respondent 95/001,410 COCKS 102(b) PATENT OWNER: Harold McGurk The Law Office of Clay McGurk THIRD-PARTY REQUESTER: KENYON & KENYON LLP EXAMINER HUGHES, DEANDRA M original EXAMINER ALAVI, ALI

The determination by an Examiner that a given prior art reference does not raise a substantial new question of patentability is a non-appealable determination which does not represent a final decision on the patentability of a claim in conjunction with the particular involved prior art reference. See Belkin Int’l, Inc. v. OptimumPath, LLC, Appeal No. 2011-3697 (BPAI Mar. 30, 2011) (informative opinion).
AFFIRMED

1600 Biotechnology and Organic Chemistry
1616 Ex Parte Kafrissen et al 11/466,504 PRATS 103(a) PHILIP S. JOHNSON JOHNSON & JOHNSON EXAMINER CHOI, FRANK I

1635 Ex Parte WILLIAMS et al 09/410,462 McCOLLUM 102(e) ONYX Pharmaceuticals, Inc. EXAMINER ANGELL, JON E

1700 Chemical & Materials Engineering
1782 Ex Parte HOWARD 12/013,337 KATZ 103(a) GABLE & GOTWALS EXAMINER SMITH, PRESTON

See American Permahedge, Inc. v. Barcana, Inc., 105 F.3d 1441, 1444 (Fed. Cir. 1997) (“Claims, not the specific embodiments, define the scope of protection.”).

2100 Computer Architecture and Software
2173 Ex Parte Belknap et al 09/986,248 HOMERE 103(a) SUGHRUE MION PLLC USPTO CUSTOMER NO WITH IBM/SVL EXAMINER BONSHOCK, DENNIS G

2400 Networking, Mulitplexing, Cable, and Security
2453 Ex Parte Page et al 10/095,413 DIXON 102(b)/103(a) CAREY, RODRIGUEZ, GREENBERG & O''KEEFE, LLP STEVEN M. GREENBERG EXAMINER CHOUDHURY, AZIZUL Q

2476 Ex Parte Vesuna et al 10/837,439 SAADAT 103(a) MOTOROLA SOLUTIONS, INC. EXAMINER HO, CHUONG T

2836 Ex Parte Sedlak et al 10/701,058 KRIVAK 112(1)/112(2)/103(a) DICKSTEIN SHAPIRO LLP EXAMINER PARRIES, DRU M

3600 Transportation, Construction, Electronic Commerce, Agriculture, National Security, and License & Review
3627 Ex Parte Chiappetta et al 10/431,723 FETTING 103(a) IBM CORPORATION EXAMINER REFAI, RAMSEY

3700 Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing, and Products & Design
3724 Ex Parte SHAH 09/403,796 KAUFFMAN 103(a) EDWIN D. SCHINDLER EXAMINER PRONE, JASON D

3733 Ex Parte Yuksel et al 09/983,537 FREDMAN 102(b) SUTHERLAND ASBILL & BRENNAN LLP EXAMINER PHILOGENE, PEDRO

3734 Ex Parte Sekine et al 11/375, 946 FREDMAN 103(a) SCULLY SCOTT MURPHY & PRESSER, PC EXAMINER BLATT, ERIC D

3737 Ex Parte Lee et al 10/454,786 ADAMS 103(a) HARNESS, DICKEY & PIERCE, P.L.C. EXAMINER KISH, JAMES M

3754 Ex Parte Salemme 11/012,560 GREENHUT 102(b)/103(a) THE PROCTER & GAMBLE COMPANY EXAMINER JACYNA, J CASIMER

3762 Ex Parte Guzman et al 11/191,740 ADAMS 103(a) CYBERONICS, INC. EXAMINER MANUEL, GEORGE C

3772 Ex Parte Michelson 11/410,609 BAHR 102(b) MARTIN & FERRARO, LLP EXAMINER BROWN, MICHAEL A

pioneer

REVERSED

1700 Chemical & Materials Engineering
1745 Ex Parte Schliephacke et al 10/830,172 GUEST 103(a) Briscoe, Kurt G. Norris McLaughlin & Marcus, PA EXAMINER SELLS, JAMES D

3600 Transportation, Construction, Electronic Commerce, Agriculture, National Security, and License & Review
3651 Ex Parte Szymonski et al 11/216,468 SAINDON 102(b)/103(a) DORITY & MANNING, P.A. EXAMINER KUMAR, RAKESH

3700 Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing, and Products & Design
3742 Ex Parte Vinegar et al 11/112,881 McCARTHY 103(a) SHELL OIL COMPANY EXAMINER PAIK, SANG YEOP
AFFIMRED-IN-PART

3700 Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing, and Products & Design
3721 Ex Parte Hess et al 11/541,098 CALVE 103(a) 103(a) K&L Gates LLP EXAMINER WEEKS, GLORIA R

AFFIRMED

1700 Chemical & Materials Engineering
1734 Ex Parte Li et al 10/936,239 TIMM 103(a)/provisional obviousness double patenting CARLSON, GASKEY & OLDS, P.C. EXAMINER ZHU, WEIPING
REHEARING

DENIED

2400 Networking, Mulitplexing, Cable, and Security
2456 Ex Parte Samn 10/392,768 ROBERTSON 103(a) SCHMEISER, OLSEN & WATTS EXAMINER NGUYEN, VAN KIM T

To find good cause on this basis would allow a party to allege good cause at any time by retaining new counsel. Parties are bound by the conduct of prior counsel. See Pioneer Inv. Serv. Co. v Brunswick Assoc., 507 U.S. 380, 396-97 (1993).

ball aerosol

REVERSED

1700 Chemical & Materials Engineering
1714 Ex Parte Moran et al 11/247,622 GAUDETTE 103(a) HARNESS, DICKEY & PIERCE, P.L.C. EXAMINER WALDBAUM, SAMUEL A

see also, Ball Aerosol and Specialty Container, Inc. v. Ltd. Brands, Inc., 555 F.3d 984, 993 (Fed. Cir. 2009) (“[T]he analysis that ‘should be made explicit’ refers not to the teachings in the prior art of a motivation to combine, but to the court’s analysis.”).

1773 Ex Parte Tipler et al 11/251,187 GARRIS 103(a) ST. ONGE STEWARD JOHNSTON & REENS, LLC EXAMINER SASAKI, SHOGO

AFFIRMED

1600 Biotechnology and Organic Chemistry
1613 Ex Parte Collins et al 12/399,681 FREDMAN 103(a) PHILIP S. JOHNSON JOHNSON & JOHNSON EXAMINER BASQUILL, SEAN M

1618 Ex Parte Snyder et al 10/284,960 GRIMES 103(a) NOVARTIS EXAMINER VU, JAKE MINH

1632 Ex Parte Karatzas et al 10/326,892 WALSH dissenting-in-part McCOLLUM 102(e)/103(a) Elliot M. Olstein Carella, Byrne, Bain, Gifillan, Cecchi, Stewart & Olstein EXAMINER BERTOGLIO, VALARIE E

1633 Ex Parte Birch et al 10/501,777 GRIMES 103(a) NIXON & VANDERHYE, PC EXAMINER BURKHART, MICHAEL D

1655 Ex Parte Tsygankov 10/907,749 FREDMAN 103(a) Smith & Hopen, P.A. EXAMINER HOFFMAN, SUSAN COE

1700 Chemical & Materials Engineering
1711 Ex Parte Vernon et al 11/130,713 SMITH 103(a) THE PROCTER & GAMBLE COMPANY EXAMINER HECKERT, JASON MARK

1725 Ex Parte Warrier et al 10/758,843 GAUDETTE 103(a) BACHMAN & LAPOINTE, P.C. EXAMINER CREPEAU, JONATHAN

2100 Computer Architecture and Software
2111 Ex Parte Blanton et al 11/593,762 POTHIER 103(a) 37 C.F.R. § 41.50(b) 103(a) WARN PARTNERS, P.C. EXAMINER HUYNH, KIM T

3600 Transportation, Construction, Electronic Commerce, Agriculture, National Security, and License & Review
3662 Ex Parte Goren et al 11/346,722 HORNER 103(a) MOTOROLA SOLUTIONS, INC. EXAMINER ISSING, GREGORY C

3700 Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing, and Products & Design
3732 Ex Parte Kenealy et al 11/820,831 SCHEINER 103(a) NIXON PEABODY, LLP EXAMINER SINGH, SUNIL K

net moneyin, finisar

REVERSED

1600 Biotechnology and Organic Chemistry
1654 Ex Parte Chow et al 11/285,815 GREEN 102(b) KILPATRICK TOWNSEND & STOCKTON LLP EXAMINER NIEBAUER, RONALD T

1700 Chemical & Materials Engineering
1765 Ex Parte Brust et al 12/029,929 McKELVEY 102(a)/103(a)/double patenting EASTMAN KODAK COMPANY EXAMINER VALDEZ, DEVE E

Anticipation requires that a prior art reference (Szajeski I in this appeal) describe all the elements of the claim within the four corners of the reference arranged or combined in the same way as in the claim. Net MoneyIN Inc. v. VeriSign Inc., 545 F.3d 1359, 1369-70 (Fed. Cir. 2008); Finisar Corp. v. DirecTV Group, Inc., 523 F.3d 1323, 1334-35 (Fed. Cir. 2008).

1783 Ex Parte Buhay et al 11/085,330 HASTINGS 103(a) Andrew C. Siminerio, Esq. PPG Industries, Inc. EXAMINER FERGUSON, LAWRENCE D

2800 Semiconductors, Electrical and Optical Systems and Components
2892 Ex Parte Chow et al 11/670,714 NAPPI 103(a) LAW OFFICES OF MIKIO ISHIMARU EXAMINER TRICE, KIMBERLY N

3700 Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing, and Products & Design
3743 Ex Parte Schellstede 11/270,685 LEE dissenting TORCZON 103(a) Roy Kiesel Ford Doody & Thurmon EXAMINER LU, JIPING
AFFIRMED-IN-PART

1700 Chemical & Materials Engineering
1775 Ex Parte Jung et al 11/396,256 COLAIANNI 102(b) 102(b) IV - SUITER SWANTZ PC LLO EXAMINER YOO, REGINA M
REEXAMINATION

REHEARING DENIED

3900 Central Reexamination Unit (CRU)
1645 Ex Parte 6846477 et al 90/008,751 10/174,701 LEBOVITZ 37 C.F.R. §§ 1.111-1.113 and 1.550 PFIZER INC Mary J Hosley EXAMINER PONNALURI, PADMASHRI original EXAMINER SWARTZ, RODNEY P

AFFIRMED

1600 Biotechnology and Organic Chemistry
1633 Ex Parte Raschke et al 09/844,662 GRIMES 112(1)/102(e)/103(a) ROBINS & PASTERNAK EXAMINER KELLY, ROBERT M

2600 Communications
2626 Ex Parte Davis et al 10/804,688 NAPPI 102(b) WOLF GREENFIELD & SACKS, P.C. EXAMINER YEN, ERIC L

2800 Semiconductors, Electrical and Optical Systems and Components
2835 Ex Parte Jollenbeck et al 11/924,434 FRAHM 103(a) K&L Gates LLP EXAMINER VORTMAN, ANATOLY

catalina, ahlert, knapp

REVERSED

2400 Networking, Mulitplexing, Cable, and Security
2444 Ex Parte Kumar et al 10/917,988 ZECHER 102(b)/103(a) 37 C.F.R. § 41.50(b) 103(a) CARLSON, GASKEY & OLDS, P.C./Alcatel-Lucent EXAMINER IBRAHIM, MOHAMED

2457 Ex Parte Singerle 10/808,166 GONSALVES 102(b) Authenticatid Corp. EXAMINER RUBIN, BLAKE J

3700 Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing, and Products & Design
3742 Ex Parte Sandberg et al 10/693,820 McCARTHY 103(a)/non-statutory obviousness-type double patenting DEL CHRISTENSEN SHELL OIL COMPANY EXAMINER PAIK, SANG YEOP

3742 Ex Parte Sandberg et al 10/693,840 McCARTHY 103(a)/non-statutory obviousness-type double patenting DEL CHRISTENSEN SHELL OIL COMPANY EXAMINER PAIK, SANG YEOP
AFFIRMED-IN-PART

2100 Computer Architecture and Software
2175 Ex Parte Bomers 10/699,968 GONSALVES 112(1)/112(2)/103(a) 103(a) COATS & BENNETT, PLLC EXAMINER KEATON, SHERROD L

3700 Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing, and Products & Design
3733 Ex Parte Perez-Cruet 11/408,571 FREDMAN 102(b)/103(a) 103(a) MILLER IP GROUP, PLC EXAMINER HARVEY, JULIANNA NANCY
REEXAMINATION

EXAMINER REVERSED

3900 Central Reexamination Unit (CRU)
3672 Ex Parte 5,894,897 et al 90/010,342 08/708,396 SONG 103(a) MORGAN LEWIS & BOCKIUS LLP (WA) Third Party Requester: Bracewell & Giuliani, LLP EXAMINER FOSTER, JIMMY G original EXAMINER BAGNELL, DAVID J
AFFIRMED

1600 Biotechnology and Organic Chemistry
1615 Ex Parte Colombo et al 10/496,327 GRIMES 103(a) COLLARD & ROE, P.C. EXAMINER AHMED, HASAN SYED

Cf. Catalina Mktg. Int’l, Inc. v. Coolsavings.com, Inc., 289 F.3d 801, 809 (Fed. Cir. 2002) (“[T]he patentability of apparatus or composition claims depends on the claimed structure, not on the use or purpose of that structure.”).

Catalina Mktg. Int’l v. Coolsavings.com, Inc., 289 F.3d 801, 62 USPQ2d 1781(Fed. Cir. 2002).. . . . . . . 2111.02

1627 Ex Parte Rennie et al 10/979,498 GRIMES 103(a) THE PROCTER & GAMBLE COMPANY EXAMINER CARTER, KENDRA D

1700 Chemical & Materials Engineering
1783 Ex Parte Trefethren et al 11/414,101 TIMM 112(2)/102(b)/103(a) KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC. Tara Pohlkotte EXAMINER OHERN, BRENT T

2100 Computer Architecture and Software
2158 Ex Parte Thomas 11/363,234 ZECHER 103(a) SAP / FINNEGAN, HENDERSON LLP EXAMINER WU, YICUN

2600 Communications
2612 Ex Parte Wall et al 12/019,399 STEPHENS 103(a) TILLMAN WRIGHT, PLLC EXAMINER EDWARDS JR, TIMOTHY

The Examiner may take notice of facts or common knowledge in the art which are capable of such instant and unquestionable demonstration as to defy dispute. In re Ahlert, 424 F.2d 1088, 1091 (CCPA 1970). To challenge the Examiner's notice, Appellants must present evidence to the contrary. In re Knapp-Monarch Co., 296 F.2d 230, 232 (CCPA 1961) (considering challenge to the taking of judicial notice by Trademark Trial and Appeal Board).

Ahlert, In re, 424 F.2d 1088, 165 USPQ 418 (CCPA 1970) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2144.03

Knapp Monarch Co., In re, 296 F.2d 230, 132 USPQ 6 (CCPA 1961) . . . . . . . . . . . . .2144.03

2800 Semiconductors, Electrical and Optical Systems and Components
2835 Ex Parte Fujii et al 10/410,434 GONSALVES 103(a) RADER FISHMAN & GRAUER PLLC EXAMINER NORRIS, JEREMY C

2858 Ex Parte Guang et al 10/863,920 NAPPI 102(b)/103(a) KATTEN MUCHIN ROSENMAN LLP EXAMINER BOATENG, ALEXIS ASIEDUA

dance

REVERSED

1700 Chemical & Materials Engineering
1723 Ex Parte Bennett et al 10/921,347 WARREN 103(a) Whitham, Curtis & Christofferson, P.C. EXAMINER MENDEZ, ZULMARIAM

1733 Ex Parte Myneni et al 11/099,247 PAK 103(a) The Jackson Patent Group EXAMINER YANG, JIE

1747 Ex Parte Lee et al 10/998,563 LORIN 103(a) MCKENNA LONG & ALDRIDGE LLP EXAMINER MCNALLY, DANIEL

Since “[o]bviousness can not be established by hindsight combination to produce the claimed invention,” In re Dance, 160 F.3d 1339, 1343 (Fed. Cir. 1998), we find that a prima facie case of obviousness has not been established and, accordingly, we reverse the rejection.

Dance, In re, 160 F.3d 1339, 48 USPQ2d 1635 (Fed. Cir. 1998) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2143.01

1762 Ex Parte Weitzel et al 10/692,887 WARREN 102(b) BROOKS KUSHMAN P.C. EXAMINER EGWIM, KELECHI CHIDI

AFFIRMED-IN-PART

2800 Semiconductors, Electrical and Optical Systems and Components
2834 Ex Parte Iversen et al 11/377,168 WHITEHEAD, JR. 102(b)/103(a) 102(b)/103(a) MCCORMICK, PAULDING & HUBER LLP EXAMINER NGUYEN, HANH N

REHEARING

DENIED

2600 Communications
2618 Ex Parte Ciaburro et al 09/912,167 KRIVAK 103(a) K&A ASSOCIATES EXAMINER LEE, JOHN J

irdeto

REVERSED

1600 Biotechnology and Organic Chemistry
1611 Ex Parte Rodriguez-Kabana et al 11/864,148 McCOLLUM 103(a) KILPATRICK TOWNSEND & STOCKTON LLP EXAMINER KLINKEL, KORTNEY L

1700 Chemical & Materials Engineering
1761 Ex Parte Kane 11/630,603 COLAIANNI 103(a) Mallinckrodt Inc EXAMINER DELCOTTO, GREGORY R

1788 Ex Parte Song 11/141,236 PAK 103(a) EXXON MOBIL CHEMICAL COMPANY EXAMINER DESAI, ANISH P

Irdeto Access, Inc. v. Echostar Satellite Corp., 383 F.3d 1295, 1300 (Fed. Cir. 2004) (“Even when guidance is not provided in explicit definitional format, the specification may define claim terms ‘by implication’ such that the meaning may be found in or ascertained by a reading of the patent documents.”

2100 Computer Architecture and Software
2168 Ex Parte Urmston et al 10/984,678 HUGHES 102(b) VAN PELT, YI & JAMES LLP AND EMC CORPORATION EXAMINER GORTAYO, DANGELINO N

2400 Networking, Mulitplexing, Cable, and Security
2473 Ex Parte Blaker et al 09/999,647 WHITEHEAD, JR. 102(e)/103(a) MYERS BIGEL SIBLEY & SAJOVEC EXAMINER NGO, NGUYEN HOANG

2486 Ex Parte Valente 10/478,731 DILLON 103(a) Philips Electronics North America Corporation EXAMINER HALLENBECK-HUBER, JEREMIAH CHARLES

2600 Communications
2611 Ex Parte Lee et al 11/879,607 KRIVAK 103(a) THE DIRECTV GROUP, INC. EXAMINER BOLOURCHI, NADER

3600 Transportation, Construction, Electronic Commerce, Agriculture, National Security, and License & Review
3617 Ex Parte Sturm 11/753,204 KERINS 103(a) STURM & FIX LLP EXAMINER AVILA, STEPHEN P

3700 Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing, and Products & Design
3788 Ex Parte Takiar et al 11/321,426 KERINS 102(b)/103(a) VIERRA MAGEN/SANDISK CORPORATION EXAMINER PERREAULT, ANDREW D
AFFIRMED

1600 Biotechnology and Organic Chemistry
1648 Ex Parte De Leys et al 11/341,363 SCHEINER 103(a) PHILIP S. JOHNSON JOHNSON & JOHNSON EXAMINER PARKIN, JEFFREY S

1700 Chemical & Materials Engineering
1764 Ex Parte Rolly 11/510,350 COLAIANNI 103(a) HEWLETT-PACKARD COMPANY EXAMINER LEE, DORIS L

1766 Ex Parte Todd et al 11/147,093 COLAIANNI 102(b)/102(a) ROBERT A. KENT EXAMINER TOSCANO, ALICIA

3600 Transportation, Construction, Electronic Commerce, Agriculture, National Security, and License & Review
3617 Ex Parte Saho et al 11/453,076 CALVE 102(b) CROWELL & MORING LLP EXAMINER
OLSON, LARS A

3636 Ex Parte Venegas 10/827,975 HORNER 103(a) GIFFORD, KRASS, SPRINKLE, ANDERSON & CITKOWSKI, P.C EXAMINER YIP, WINNIE S

3700 Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing, and Products & Design
3716 Ex Parte Krenn et al 10/940,420 BROWN 112(1)/103(a) TRASKBRITT, P.C. / SHUFFLE MASTER EXAMINER HSU, RYAN

3761 Ex Parte Donovan 11/584,145 SCHEINER 103(a) KINNEY & LANGE, P.A. EXAMINER KIDWELL, MICHELE M

orthokinetics, miyazaki

REVERSED

1600 Biotechnology and Organic Chemistry
1654 Ex Parte Wachs 11/098,775 SCHEINER 103(a) BANNER & WITCOFF, LTD. EXAMINER STEELE, AMBER D

1700 Chemical & Materials Engineering
1729 Ex Parte Fuller et al 11/053,714 TIMM 103(a) CARY W. BROOKS General Motors Corporation EXAMINER ECHELMEYER, ALIX ELIZABETH

2100 Computer Architecture and Software
2168 Ex Parte Lin et al 10/733,016 HOFF 103(a) THE LAW OFFICE OF KIRK D. WILLIAMS EXAMINER LE, DEBBIE M

2400 Networking, Mulitplexing, Cable, and Security
2484 Ex Parte Chen et al 10/219,045 BAUMEISTER 103(a) 37 C.F.R. § 41.50(b) 102(e) MOTOROLA MOBILITY, INC EXAMINER ATALA, JAMIE JO

3600 Transportation, Construction, Electronic Commerce, Agriculture, National Security, and License & Review
3622 Ex Parte Fellon 11/160,846 LORIN 101/103(a) 37 C.F.R. § 41.50(b) 103(a) SEAGER, TUFTE & WICKHEM, LLC EXAMINER AHMED, AFFAF

3622 Ex Parte Fellon 11/160,847 LORIN 101/103(a) 37 C.F.R. § 41.50(b) 103(a) SEAGER, TUFTE & WICKHEM, LLC EXAMINER AHMED, AFFAF

3700 Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing, and Products & Design
3764 Ex Parte Shepard et al 10/747,420 SCHEINER 102(b)/103(a) KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC. EXAMINER ANDERSON, CATHARINE L
AFFIRMED-IN-PART

3600 Transportation, Construction, Electronic Commerce, Agriculture, National Security, and License & Review
3653 Ex Parte Martens et al 11/239,125 BARRETT 103(a) 102(b)/103(a) ROBERTS MLOTKOWSKI SAFRAN & COLE, P.C. EXAMINER KUMAR, KALYANAVENKA K
AFFIRMED

1600 Biotechnology and Organic Chemistry
1651 Ex Parte Jorgensen et al 11/129,953 FRANKLIN 103(a) NOVOZYMES NORTH AMERICA, INC. EXAMINER ARIANI, KADE

2400 Networking, Mulitplexing, Cable, and Security
2427 Ex Parte Karaoguz et al 10/675,467 HOFF 102(e)/103(a) MCANDREWS HELD & MALLOY, LTD EXAMINER RYAN, PATRICK A

2486 Ex Parte Jeon 10/335,331 KRIVAK 102(e)/103(a) HARNESS, DICKEY & PIERCE, P.L.C. EXAMINER HALLENBECK-HUBER, JEREMIAH CHARLES

2600 Communications
2617 Ex Parte Marshall et al 09/969,000 MANTIS MERCADER 103(a) Intellectual Property and Licensing NXP B.V. EXAMINER THIER, MICHAEL

2625 Ex Parte Brown 10/255,631 KRIVAK 103(a) HEWLETT-PACKARD COMPANY EXAMINER HUNTSINGER, PETER K

2800 Semiconductors, Electrical and Optical Systems and Components
2835 Ex Parte Gadkaree et al 11/494,206 WHITEHEAD, JR. 103(a) CORNING INCORPORATED EXAMINER SINCLAIR, DAVID M

3700 Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing, and Products & Design
3716 Ex Parte Murakami 10/558,321 CRAWFORD 103(a) SNR DENTON US LLP EXAMINER RUSTEMEYER, MALINA K

3727 Ex Parte Hsu 11/479,255 HORNER 112(2)/102(b)/103(a) Olson & Cepuritis, LTD. EXAMINER WILSON, LEE D

The test for definiteness under 35 U.S.C. § 112, second paragraph, is whether “those skilled in the art would understand what is claimed when the claim is read in light of the specification.” Orthokinetics, Inc. v. Safety Travel Chairs, Inc., 806 F.2d 1565, 1576 (Fed. Cir. 1986) (citations omitted).

Orthokinetics, Inc. v. Safety Travel Chairs, Inc., 806 F.2d 1565, 1 USPQ2d 1081 (Fed. Cir. 1986) . . . . 2173.02, 2173.05(b)

[W]e employ a lower threshold of ambiguity when reviewing a pending claim for indefiniteness than those used by post-issuance reviewing courts. In particular, rather than requiring that the claims are insolubly ambiguous, we hold that if a claim is amenable to two or more plausible claim constructions, the USPTO is justified in requiring the applicant to more precisely define the metes and bounds of the claimed invention by holding the claim unpatentable under 35 U.S.C. § 112, second paragraph, as indefinite.

The USPTO, as the sole agency vested with the authority to grant exclusionary rights to inventors for patentable inventions, has a duty to guard the public against patents of ambiguous and vague scope. Such patents exact a cost on society due to their ambiguity that is not commensurate with the benefit that the public gains from disclosure of the invention. The USPTO is justified in using a lower threshold showing of ambiguity to support a finding of indefiniteness under 35 U.S.C. § 112, second paragraph, because the applicant has an opportunity and a duty to amend the claims during prosecution to more clearly and precisely define the metes and bounds of the claimed invention and to more clearly and precisely put the public on notice of the scope of the patent.

Ex parte Miyazaki, 89 USPQ2d 1207, 1211-12 (BPAI 2008) (precedential).