The USPTO has published a second update to the AIA Trial Practice Guide (TPG) containing additional guidance about trial practice before the Board.
The USPTO published the original TPG in August 2012, concurrent with the promulgation of the AIA Trial Rules. A first update to the TPG was published in August 2018. The USPTO is now providing a second update of certain sections of the TPG to provide further guidance to the public. This TPG update is not all-encompassing, and there may be further revisions as we continue to review AIA trial proceedings.
Among other things, the updated sections of the TPG include guidance on:
- Factors that may be considered by the Board in determining when additional discovery will be granted
- The revised claim construction standard to be used in IPR, PGR, and CBM proceedings
- The submission of testimonial evidence with a patent owner preliminary response
- Information to be provided by the parties if there are multiple petitions filed at or about the same time challenging the same patent
- Motion to amend practice
- Factors that may be considered by the Board in determining whether to grant a motion for joinder
- Procedures to be followed when a case is remanded
- Procedures for parties to request modifications to the default protective order
The July 2019 update, the first TPG update from August 2018, and the full version of the August 2012 TPG can be downloaded here.
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.