Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) 9 Released
As discussed last week, a remand to the Patent Trial & Appeal Board (PTAB) may be a short-lived victory for Patent Owners.
The PTAB has now officially revised the “Standard Operating Procedure 9 (SOP9)” directed to default procedures for cases remanded from the Federal Circuit.
Some highlights:
- PTAB has set a goal of issuing remand decisions within 6 months of the Federal Circuit’s mandate.
- Panels will now meet with the Chief, Deputy Chief, or their delegates (i.e., one of the Vice Chief Judges) to discuss the remanded case and issues presented therein.
- PTAB has set forth default procedures for trials and appeals regarding whether further briefing, evidence, or oral hearings are warranted in individual case and whether prosecution will be reopened.
For more details, please read the revised SOP 9 (here).