It was a relatively light week in the district court for patent filings compared with recent memory, with 56 new complaints filed; the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) is holding steady with 27 filings (all inter partes reviews [IPRs] this week), a number nearly identical to the totals for the past few months. The District Court activity was driven by new complaints in existing campaigns, some new ANDA/aBLA litigations related to pharmaceutical generic entry, a smattering of company disputes, and a new campaign by Raymond Anthony Joao. At the Board, a trickle of petitions filed as part of ongoing licensing disputes between Dolby and Intertrust, some further challenges in the funded Neodron suits, some further filings by Verzion against Huawei, and a number of petitions in response to non-practicing entity (NPE) suits made up the balance.
Takeda Best Shot: In late 2019, Japanese drug conglomerate Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Ltd. took over pharmaceutical giant Shire PLC, and with it, took over their new drug application (NDA) of VYVANSE®, the brand name of lisdexamfetamine dimesylate, an attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD) drug with the potential for abuse and for treatment of moderate to severe binge eating, as well as the Orange Book-listed patents covering said drug, of which there are at least 18.
One key feature of the drug is that it is an amphetamine derivative resistant to abuse. An earlier (i.e., first-filed) abbreviated new drug application (ANDA) suit with generic would-be entrant Amneal et. al. was an overwhelming success for Takeda, finding that at least claim 4 of the compound patent was infringed and that the invalidity arguments brought by the generic challengers failed. The suits filed this week represent late-filer challenges provoked by notice letters, though it seems Takeda’s portfolio and earlier ruling put them in a strong position to either fight to the end or settle on favorable terms with many of the would-be generics.
My Name is Mr. Gig: The now-infamous Raymond Anthony Joao has started still another assertion campaign, this one asserting four patents under corporate alter ego GreatGigz Solutions, LLC (or GreatGigz, LLC, a separate entity). The patents, 6,662,194, 7,490,086, 9,760,864, and 10,096,000, claim aspects of temporary job placement and recruiting—and thus have been asserted against “gig economy” companies GitHub, Angie’s List, Lyft, Uber, and LinkedIn in the Western District of Texas within a week of each other.
This is in addition to the recent NavBlazer suit and the now-notorious Joao Bock Transaction Systems, LLC and Joao Control and Monitoring Systems LLC suits, which sued more than 170 times combined. Joao is infamous for having claims per patent that number in the hundreds in those earlier suits; eventually some of those patents and claims were held ineligible under Section 101, and now-retired Judge Sue Robinson in the District of Delaware awarded fees to defendants, affirmed on appeal. The complaints go into great detail arguing for venue and that the patents are not unpatentable under 35 USC 101.
Snap Judgment: A Board panel has found that “me-too” joinder petitions on instituted cases should be subject to the Board’s discretion to deny, and has denied two Snap petitions seeking to join recently instituted IPR proceedings against Blackberry—but of course, it’s much more complicated than a brief summary does justice. Ostensibly for settlement purposes and to block the other companies from settling without Snap, Snap waited until institution of the first cases to file identical me-too joinder petitions, i.e., IPR2020-00391 and IPR2020-00392. But the background is highly relevant, and convoluted; here, Blackberry sued both Snap and Facebook in the Central District of California, Snap in April of 2019; claims 1, 2, 9, 14, 15, 21 were at issue in an IPR filed by Facebook, and Snap filed their own first full petition IPR2019-00830, this one on claims 1, 2, 4–6, 8, 9, 11, 14–18, 20, 21, and 23. The District Court judge in late 2019 ruled that some claims, 1, 2, 14, 20, and 21, were patent ineligible. Shortly thereafter (Dec. 4), the Board instituted the Facebook (and Instagram, and WhatsApp) petition. Then, Blackberry voluntarily cancelled claim 9 and 15, thus effectively eliminating any claims in the proceeding not subject to either the 101 or the cancellation but leaving all remaining claims at issue.
It was then, post-institution, that Snap filed the me-too and sought to join the existing proceeding, as is common joinder practice. The Board, exercising their discretion, denied Snap’s petitions for joinder. They acknowledged that an identical me-too petition does not tax the Board’s resources, but faulted the parties for delaying in their filing and cited the unique nature of some of the claims having been disclaimed, and some having been subject to a 101 ruling in the district court, as well as Snap’s earlier petition and the fact that their one-year period had lapsed. They acknowledged that the me-too petition was properly filed but denied institution under Section 314, given the other considerations.
PTAB (27) |
Case Number |
Action |
Owner |
Petitioner |
Patent |
IPR2020-01282 |
Filed |
Acorn Semi, LLC [Acorn Technologies, Inc.] |
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. |
10090395 |
IPR2020-01273 |
Filed |
Intertrust Technologies Corporation [Fidelio Acquisition Co., LLC] |
Dolby Laboratories, Inc. |
7340602 |
IPR2020-01294 |
Filed |
Midwest Energy Emissions Corp. |
AEP Generation Resources Inc.,
AEP Texas Inc
Southwestern Energy Power Co. |
10343114 |
IPR2020-01315 |
Filed |
Monterey Research, LLC [Vector Capital Corp.] |
Advance Micro Devices, Inc |
8373455 |
IPR2020-01271 |
Filed |
Synkloud Technologies, LLC. |
Microsoft Corporation
HP, Inc. |
9239686 |
IPR2020-01299 |
Filed |
Paice LLC
The Abell Foundation, Inc |
Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
BMW of North America, LLC |
8630761 |
IPR2020-01218 |
Filed |
BOT M8, LLC |
Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC |
8095990 |
IPR2020-01278 |
Filed |
Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. |
Verizon Business Network Services LLC [Verizon Communications Inc.] |
9312982 |
IPR2020-01272 |
Filed |
Oceana Innovations, LLC [Endpoint IP] |
Frontier Communications Corporation |
6508678 |
IPR2020-01210 |
Filed |
Analog Devices Inc |
Xilinx, Inc. |
10250250 |
IPR2020-01283 |
Filed |
Polaris Powerled Technologies, LLC [Microchip Technology Inc.] |
LG Electronics, Inc.
Hisense Co., Ltd. |
8223117 |
IPR2020-01265 |
Filed |
Parker Vision, Inc. |
Intel Corporation |
7110444 |
IPR2020-01198 |
Filed |
P21 Ltd. |
Favored Tech Corporation |
10421876 |
IPR2020-01318 |
Filed |
Novartis Pharma AG
Novartis Technology LLC
Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp. |
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. |
9220631 |
IPR2020-01295 |
Filed |
Midwest Energy Emissions Corp. |
AEP Generation Resources Inc.,
AEP Texas Inc
Southwestern Energy Power Co. |
10343114 |
IPR2020-01292 |
Filed |
Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. |
Verizon Business Network Services LLC |
8406236 |
IPR2020-01219 |
Filed |
Analog Devices Inc |
Xilinx, Inc. |
8487659 |
IPR2020-01320 |
Filed |
Novartis Pharma AG
Novartis Technology LLC
Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp. |
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. |
9220631 |
IPR2020-01301 |
Filed |
Synkloud Technologies, LLC. |
Adobe Inc. |
9219780 |
IPR2020-00665 |
Filed |
Intertrust Technologies Corporation [Fidelio Acquisition Co., LLC] |
Dolby Laboratories, Inc. |
8931106 |
IPR2020-01317 |
Filed |
Novartis Pharma AG
Novartis Technology LLC
Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp. |
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. |
9220631 |
IPR2020-01291 |
Filed |
Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. |
Verizon Business Network Services LLC |
8824505 |
IPR2020-01209 |
Filed |
Intertrust Technologies Corporation [Fidelio Acquisition Co., LLC] |
Dolby Laboratories, Inc. |
7694342 |
IPR2020-01266 |
Filed |
Luminati Networks Ltd. |
Code 200 UAB
Teso Lt UAB
Metacluster Lt UAB
Oxysales UAB |
10257319 |
IPR2020-01296 |
Filed |
Midwest Energy Emissions Corp. |
AEP Generation Resources Inc.,
AEP Texas Inc
Southwestern Energy Power Co. |
8168147 |
IPR2020-01297 |
Filed |
Midwest Energy Emissions Corp. |
AEP Generation Resources Inc.,
AEP Texas Inc
Southwestern Energy Power Co. |
8168147 |
IPR2020-01290 |
Filed |
Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. |
Verizon Business Network Services LLC |
8824505 |
IPR2020-00170 |
Not Instituted – Merits |
Uniloc 2017 LLC [Fortress IP, Softbank] |
Google LLC |
6253201 |
IPR2020-00501 |
Not Instituted – Procedural |
Apalone, Inc., |
Kranos Corporation d/b/a Schutt Sports |
8938817 |
IPR2020-00391 |
Not Instituted – Procedural |
Blackberry Limited |
Snap, Inc. |
8296351 |
IPR2020-00392 |
Not Instituted – Procedural |
Blackberry Limited |
Snap, Inc. |
8676929 |
IPR2020-00308 |
Instituted |
Neodron Ltd. [Magnetar Capital] |
Samsung
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
Samsung Electronics America, Inc. |
10365747 |
IPR2020-00413 |
Instituted |
Hammond Development International, Inc. |
Google LLC |
10193935 |
IPR2020-00412 |
Instituted |
Hammond Development International, Inc. |
Google LLC |
9456040 |
IPR2020-00349 |
Instituted |
Samsung [Samsung Electronics Co.] |
Ascend Performance Materials Operations LLC [SK Capital Partners] |
9819057 |
IPR2020-00202 |
Instituted |
Maxell, Ltd. [Maxell Holdings, Ltd.] |
Apple Inc. |
10212586 |
IPR2020-00388 |
Instituted |
uniQure N.V.
Uniqure Biopharma B.V., |
Pfizer, Inc. |
9249405 |
IPR2020-00200 |
Instituted |
Maxell, Ltd. [Maxell Holdings, Ltd.] |
Apple Inc. |
10084991 |
IPR2020-00245 |
Instituted |
Nice Ltd. |
Callminer, Inc. |
8553872 |
IPR2019-01315 |
Adverse Judgment |
Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation [Boston Scientific Corporation] |
Nevro Corp. |
7127298 |
IPR2019-01216 |
Adverse Judgment |
Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation [Boston Scientific Corporation] |
Nevro Corp. |
7177690 |
IPR2015-01047 |
Final Written Decision |
VirnetX Inc. [VirNetX Holding Corp.] |
The Mangrove Partners [Celsion Corporation] Master Fund, Ltd.
Apple Inc.
Black Swamp IP, LLC |
7490151 |
IPR2019-00446 |
Final Written Decision |
Skybell Technologies, Inc. |
Ring LLC |
9179109 |
PGR2019-00024 |
Final Written Decision |
Traeger Pellet Grills LLC |
GMG Products LLC |
10158720 |
PGR2019-00025 |
Final Written Decision |
William F. O’Keeffe
O’Keeffee’s, Inc. |
Ely Holdings Ltd. |
9926709 |
IPR2019-00490 |
Final Written Decision |
HandyLab, Inc [Becton Dickinson Co.] |
QIAGEN North American Holdings, Inc. |
8323900 |
IPR2019-00151 |
Final Written Decision |
Align Technology, Inc. |
3Shape A/S
3Shape, Inc. |
8638448 |
IPR2019-00496 |
Final Written Decision |
MModal Services, Ltd [Legend Parent, Inc.] |
Nuance Communications, Inc. |
8412524 |
IPR2016-01238 |
Final Written Decision |
WAG Acquisition, LLC |
Webpower, Inc.
FriendFinder Networks, Inc.
Steamray, Inc.
WMM, LLC
WMM Holdings, LLC
et al. |
8122141 |
IPR2019-00499 |
Final Written Decision |
MModal Services, Ltd [Legend Parent, Inc.] |
Nuance Communications, Inc. |
8781829 |
IPR2019-00488 |
Final Written Decision |
HandyLab, Inc |
QIAGEN North American Holdings, Inc.
NeuMoDx Molecular, Inc. |
7998708 |
IPR2019-01493 |
Final Written Decision |
HandyLab, Inc |
NeuMoDx Molecular, Inc.
QIAGEN North American Holdings, Inc. |
7998708 |
IPR2019-00152 |
Final Written Decision |
Align Technology, Inc. |
3Shape A/S
3Shape, Inc. |
9615901 |
IPR2015-01046 |
Final Written Decision |
VirnetX Inc. [VirNetX Holding Corp.] |
The Mangrove Partners [Celsion Corporation] Master Fund, Ltd.
Apple Inc.
Black Swamp IP, LLC |
6502135 |
IPR2019-00481 |
Final Written Decision |
Carrum Technologies, LLC [Pratima Instruments, LLC] |
Unified Patents, LLC |
7925416 |
IPR2019-00416 |
Final Written Decision |
Ioengine, LLC |
Ingenico Inc. |
8539047 |
IPR2019-01115 |
Procedural Termination |
Data Scape Ltd. [Magnetar Capital] |
Unified Patents, LLC |
7720929 |
IPR2019-01277 |
Settlement |
Lodge Manufacturing Company |
Gibson Overseas, Inc. |
7622197 |
|
District Court (56) |
Case Number |
Action |
Plaintiff |
Defendant |
Patent |
1:20-cv-11319 |
Filed |
Q-State Biosciences, Inc. |
TET Systems Holding GMBH & Co. KG |
9181556
8383364 |
6:20-cv-00629 |
Filed |
Be Labs, Inc. |
AsusTek Computer, Inc. |
7827581
9344183 |
6:20-cv-00636 |
Filed |
Demaray, LLC |
Samsung Group |
7544276
7381657 |
2:20-cv-00372 |
Filed |
National Products Corp. |
YakAttack, LLC |
7523904 |
1:20-cv-04171 |
Filed |
Oakley, Inc. |
The Partnerships and Unincorporated Associations Identified on Schedule “A” |
D659180 |
1:20-cv-00953 |
Filed |
Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. |
Alvogen Group, Inc.
ALVOGEN PHARMA US, INC.
NORWICH PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
Alvogen PB Research And Development, LLC |
7105486
7223735
7678771
7687466
7700561
7718619
7713936
7662788
7655630
7659253
7659254
7662787
7671030
7671031
7723305
7687467
7674774
7678770 |
3:20-cv-01350 |
Filed |
Leland J. Hebert |
Allied Rubber & Gasket Co., Inc. |
8850931 |
6:20-cv-00645 |
Filed |
Arden Innovations, LLC [Endpoint IP] |
The Reinalt-Thomas Corp. DBA Discount Tire |
8001465 |
4:20-cv-00549 |
Filed |
Akoloutheo, LLC |
MediaKind |
|
4:20-cv-00552 |
Filed |
Communication Interface Technologies, LLC [Equitable IP] |
Allstate Insurance Co.
The Allstate Corp. |
6574239
8266296
8291010 |
1:20-cv-04218 |
Filed |
Cedar Lane Technologies Inc. |
Bullitt Mobile, LLC |
6473527
6972790
8537242
7292261
6972774 |
1:20-cv-05519 |
Filed |
Global Interactive Media, Inc. |
RCN Telecom Services, LLC |
7574721 |
4:20-cv-02536 |
Filed |
Dr Probir K Bondyopadhyay |
Attorney General William Barr |
|
2:20-cv-00514 |
Filed |
Datrec |
MyHeritage, Ltd.
MyHeritage USA, Inc. |
8156158
8381309 |
2:20-cv-08809 |
Filed |
THERAPEUTICSMD, INC. |
Teva Pharmaceutical |
10537581
10568891 |
8:20-cv-01256 |
Filed |
Symbology Innovations, LLC [Leigh Rothschild] |
Universal Electronics Inc. |
8424752 |
1:20-cv-04127 |
Filed |
Unicorn Global, Inc.
Hangzhou Chic Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd |
Smalife
STKE
e_Power
E-Link Technology Co., Ltd.
Wormwhole USA
et al. |
9376155
9452802
10696348
10696347
10486764
10597107 |
1:20-cv-05424 |
Filed |
IDEAL INDUSTRIES LIGHTING, LLC d/b/a Cree Lighting |
RAB Lighting, Inc. |
8596819
8403531
8777449
9261270
9476570 |
6:20-cv-00632 |
Filed |
PROVEN NETWORKS, LLC |
Aruba Networks
Hewlett-Parkard Co. |
8018852
8165024 |
1:20-cv-04180 |
Filed |
STI Holdings, Inc.
Stoughton Trailers, LLC
Stoughton Parts Sales, LLC |
HYUNDAI Translead, Inc. |
D790407
D864038
D889320 |
2:20-cv-06339 |
Filed |
One-E-Way, Inc. |
Apple |
10468047
8131391 |
6:20-cv-00646 |
Filed |
Maxell, Ltd. |
Apple |
7203517
7199821
8982086 |
4:20-cv-00550 |
Filed |
Communication Interface Technologies, LLC [Equitable IP] |
Albertson`s, LLC
Albertsons Companies, Inc. |
6574239
8266296
8291010 |
2:20-cv-00234 |
Filed |
Cedar Lane Technologies Inc. |
Huawei Technologies, Co., Ltd. |
6473527
6972790
8537242
7292261
6972774
6516147
6566805
9961264 |
3:20-cv-00531 |
Filed |
National Products Inc. |
YakAttack, LLC |
7523904 |
3:20-cv-00421 |
Filed |
Amarin Pharma, Inc.
AMARIN PHARMACEUTICALS IRELAND, LTD. |
HIKMA PHARMACEUTICALS INTERNATIONAL, LTD.
HIKMA PHARMACEUTICALS USA INC. |
8293728
8318715
8357677
8367652
8377920
8415335
8426399
8440650
8518929
8524698
8546372
8617594 |
4:20-cv-00335 |
Filed |
Ubiquitous Connectivity, LP |
Central Security Group – Nationwide, Inc. DBA Alert 360 |
10344999 |
5:20-cv-00815 |
Filed |
Ubiquitous Connectivity, LP |
City of San Antonio, by and through its agent, City Public Service Board of San Antonio DBA CPS Enegy |
10344999 |
2:20-cv-00239 |
Filed |
Neodron, Ltd. [Magnetar Capital] |
Fujitsu, Ltd.
Fujitsu |
9823784
8946574
10088960 |
1:20-cv-00949 |
Filed |
Merck Sharp & Dohme Co., Inc. |
Aurobindo Pharma, Ltd. |
7326708 |
6:20-cv-00639 |
Filed |
Aeritas, LLC |
Finnair Oyi |
8620364
7706819
9390435
9888107
10362160
7933589
7209903 |
6:20-cv-00640 |
Filed |
Teleputers, LLC |
Fujitsu
Fujitsu, Ltd. |
6922472
7174014
7519795
7092526
6952478 |
3:20-cv-04768 |
Filed |
Cartera Commerce, Inc.
Ebates Performance Marketing, Inc. DBA Rakuten Rewards |
MyMail, Ltd. [MyMail Management, LLC] |
8275863
9021070
10228838
9141263 |
1:20-cv-22945 |
Filed |
DeCurtis, LLC |
Carnival Corp. |
10171978
10304271
10499228
10037642
10045184
10049516
10157514 |
4:20-cv-00548 |
Filed |
Akoloutheo, LLC |
MediaKind |
|
1:20-cv-00160 |
Filed |
QUICK-MED Technologies, Inc. |
Sarasota Medical Products, Inc.
Walter F. Leise, III |
|
1:20-cv-00559 |
Filed |
Delta T, LLC dba Big Ass Fans |
David T. Williams
Vortikul, Ltd.
Dafydd & Yong, Pte. Ltd. |
D614757
D672868
D635237
D641075 |
3:20-cv-01234 |
Filed |
Steer Machine Tool & Die Corp. |
SS Niles Bottle Stoppers, LLC
Ruth Niles |
D575639
D758853 |
6:20-cv-00652 |
Filed |
GreatGigz Solutions, LLC [Raymond Anthony Joao] |
Uber Technologies, Inc. |
6662194
10096000
7490086
9760864 |
5:20-cv-04677 |
Filed |
Avago Technologies International Sales PTE, Ltd.
Broadcom Corporation |
Netflix |
6982663
6744387
6341375
7266079
8259121
8959245
8270992
8572138
9332283 |
6:20-cv-00633 |
Filed |
GreatGigz Solutions, LLC [Raymond Anthony Joao] |
Angie`s List, Inc. |
6662194
10096000
7490086
9760864 |
6:20-cv-00634 |
Filed |
Demaray, LLC |
Intel Corp. |
7544276
7381657 |
8:20-cv-01257 |
Filed |
Battery Conservation Innovations, LLC [Leigh Rothschild] |
Iogear, Inc. |
9239158 |
1:20-cv-00948 |
Filed |
Cedar Lane Technologies Inc. |
Royole Corp. |
6972790
8537242
6566805 |
3:20-cv-01344 |
Filed |
Vedanti Licensing Limited, LLC |
GOOGLE, LLC
John Doe |
7974339 |
4:20-cv-00551 |
Filed |
Communication Interface Technologies, LLC [Equitable IP] |
Aldi, Inc.
Compagnie, oHG
ALDI SUD Dienstleistungs, GmbH |
6574239
8266296
8291010 |
4:20-cv-02444 |
Filed |
Magema Technology, LLC |
Phillips 66
Phillips 66 Co.
WRB Refining, LP |
10308884
10533141
10604709
U10584287 |
2:20-cv-08966 |
Filed |
Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Ltd
Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. |
Alvogen Group, Inc.
ALVOGEN PHARMA US, INC.
NORWICH PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
Alvogen PB Research And Development, LLC |
7105486
7223735
7678771
7687466
7718619
7713936
7662788
7655630
7659253
7659254
7662787
7671030
7671031
7674774
7723305
7687467
7700561
7678770 |
0:20-cv-01576 |
Filed |
Pro-Troll, Inc. |
KMDA, Inc.
PROKING SPOON, LLC |
D516663 |
6:20-cv-00644 |
Filed |
Alert Signal Intellectual Property, LLC [Fred DuFrense] |
GOOGLE, LLC |
8212661
8446270
8624718
9313626 |
2:20-cv-00241 |
Filed |
Neodron, Ltd. [Magnetar Capital] |
PANASONIC CORP.PANASONIC CORPORATION OF NORTH AMERICA |
9823784
8946574
10088960 |
1:20-cv-05537 |
Filed |
Globe Electric Company, Inc. |
All Star Lighting Supplies, Inc. d/b/a Luxrite |
10234091 |
3:20-cv-00800 |
Filed |
SOLUTEX, N.A. LLC |
Designs for Health, Inc. |
10568858
10653703 |
1:20-cv-02961 |
Filed |
DataWidget, LLC |
The Rocket Science Group, LLC DBA MailChimp |
10102557 |
6:20-cv-00649 |
Filed |
Browse3D LLC |
BASS PRO, LLC
Bass Pro Outdoor World, LLC |
10031897 |
6:20-cv-00651 |
Filed |
GreatGigz Solutions, LLC [Raymond Anthony Joao] |
Lyft, Inc. |
6662194
10096000
7490086
9760864 |
|
Jonathan Stroud
Jonathan Stroud is General Counsel at Unified Patents, LLC, where he manages a growing team of talented, diverse attorneys and oversees a docket of administrative challenges, appeals, licensing, pooling, and
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2 comments so far.
Pro Say
July 23, 2020 08:47 pmVirnetX is robbed.
Yet again.
Does the amount of shame the unconstitutional PTAB is willing to accept for doing Apple’s bidding know no bounds?
Josh Malone
July 23, 2020 01:12 pmVirnetx looks like another case of the USPTO/PTAB nullifying a jury verdict for the benefit of Apple. This cronyism and corruption must be dealt with.