November 1, 2016
Exponent recently showcased our IPR and ITC Litigation Support Services at the American Intellectual Property Law Association Annual Meeting in Washington DC.
Patent Trial and Appeal Board Inter Partes Review
In 2012, the America Invents Act established the procedure for inter partes review (IPR) before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB). The IPR is designed as a supplement to co-pending patent litigation and intended to be an accessible and time efficient venue for challenging a patent's validity. Once a petition is accepted by the PTAB, a final decision by the Board is issued within one year. Exponent's consultants are well experienced in delivering high quality work product in such short time frames and have successfully defended multiple patents from IPR challenges.
Section 337 Investigations
Exponent's engineers and scientists have participated in numerous Section 337 Investigations before the ITC, on behalf of both complainants and respondents, for issues related to biomedical, electrical, mechanical or materials design of products. We have performed analysis of validity of the patents in question, addressing issues of:
- Anticipation (35 U.S.C. Section 102)
- Obviousness (U.S.C. Section 103)
- Graham Factors
- Secondary Considerations
- Prior art
- Best mode
- Enablement (U.S.C. Section 112)
Exponent has also tested thousands of products to evaluate infringement on one or more claims, and our methods and techniques have held up to the highest levels of scrutiny and cross-examination. We have also addressed issues surrounding the technical prong component required to establish domestic industry for asserted claims.
The fast-paced nature of ITC cases is perfectly suited for Exponent, as our staff is accustomed to executing high quality work in short time periods.
Our breadth and depth of experience is also reflected in the technologies that we have been involved in for Section 337 Investigations. Such technologies include:
- Polymeric materials
- Household appliances
- Semiconductor processing
- Non-volatile memories
- Computer and microprocessor architecture
- Cell phone technologies
- Kinesiotherapy devices
- Light emitting diodes
- Software
Our staff's analysis includes:
- Prior art searches
- Reverse engineering of commercial products
- Analysis of electrical circuitry
- Mechanical testing
- Source code review
- Analysis of semiconductor fabrication processes
Based on such analysis, Exponent has assisted clients by offering expert opinions regarding infringement, domestic industry and patent validity. Exponent has also offered opinions on claim construction and provided technology tutorials to ALJs.
Patent Infringement & Validity
Our extensive industrial and academic experience and network of contacts at all levels of commercial product and process development can be brought to bear on questions relating to:
- Claim construction
- Prior art
- Novelty
- Enablement
Exponent scientists and engineers are frequently called upon to investigate technical issues related to all stages of all types of intellectual property disputes including:
- Initial filings
- Markman hearings
- District court motions
- Jury and bench trials
- America Invents Act (AIA) inter partes reviews
- Exclusion orders
- Preliminary injunctions
Exponent engineers and scientists also have extensive experience presenting the results of their analyses and tests via written work product in the form of expert declarations and reports, and orally in claim construction hearings, trials, arbitrations, Interference Proceedings, and before the International Trade Commission (ITC) and Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB).