Introduction
Someone stole your invention and filed for a patent on it? Derivation proceedings in the Patent Office may be an answer. The Leahy-Smith America Invents Act (AIA) amended 35 U.S.C. § 135 to replace interference proceedings with a new process called derivation proceedings. This change took effect on March 16, 2013. But despite over three and a half years since this change, little is known about this procedure as few have been filed.
Derivation Proceedings Overview
Derivation proceedings, much like its Interference predecessor, is a trial-like proceeding conducted at the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) to determine whether (i) an inventor named in an earlier application derived the claimed invention from an inventor named in the petitioner's application, and (ii) the earlier application claiming such invention was filed without authorization. In other words, Derivation proceedings apply where there are allegations that an individual, having learned of an invention from another, files a patent application claiming the invention as his own.
To initiate a derivation proceeding, a petitioner must file (1) their own patent application and (2) a petition within one year of the first publication of the other party's claim to an invention that is the same or substantially the same as the petitioner's. The PTAB will institute proceedings if they determine the petition provides substantial evidence that the claimed invention was derived from an inventor named in the petitioner's application.
The parties then conduct a trial-like proceeding, similar to an inter partes review, before a three-judge panel where the petitioner must show that the earlier-filing inventor derived their invention from the petitioner.
PTAB Has Yet To Resolve an Instituted Derivation Proceeding
Little precedent exists regarding the conduct of a derivation proceeding because the PTAB has deferred action on each instituted petition. Since March 16, 2013, only seven proceedings have been made publically available. Of the seven public proceedings, only three have been instituted. In the three instituted proceedings, which are pending, the PTAB is waiting to take action until either party's application is in condition for allowance but for this issue. (See DER2013-00001 paper-6; DER2015-00003 paper 3; and DER2015-00009 paper 5). As a result, little precedent exists regarding the conduct of a derivation proceeding.
Conclusion
Derivation proceedings provide a tool for contesting inventorship at the USPTO. However, due to the recent creation of the proceeding, and its nature, the PTAB has yet to resolve a single instituted proceeding.
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.