In its precedential order in
Apple Inc v Fintiv,
Inc, the US Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) clarified its
approach to whether to deny institution of a postgrant proceeding
under 35 USC section 314 based on a co-pending district court
proceeding. The March 2020
Fintiv order was
controversial and provoked a spirited response from stakeholders.
This included a federal lawsuit in August 2020 by several of
Silicon Valley s heavy hitters, who alleged that the so-called NHK-Fintiv rule
1 is procedurally
invalid . The US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) requested
comments on the NHK Fintiv rule and designated two
NHK-Fintiv related decisions precedential.
The Fintiv order and its aftermath