In
Rather than appealing specific PTAB decisions where the NHK-Fintiv rule was used to deny institution, Plaintiffs' complaint challenged the administrative framework of the PTAB's precedential opinions. Plaintiffs presented three arguments: 1) the Director exceeded statutory authority in adopting the NHK-Fintiv rule; 2) the NHK-Fintiv rule is arbitrary, capricious, and violates the AIA; and 3) the NHK-Fintiv rule is a final, binding rule that was issued without notice-and-comment rulemaking. In response, the Government filed a motion to dismiss alleging that Plaintiffs lacked standing and that the issues were not justiciable under the Administrative Procedure Act.
The Court granted the Government's motion to dismiss, finding that Plaintiffs had standing to bring the case, but that the issues were not justiciable in light of the
Regarding standing, the Court found that Plaintiffs had established an injury-in-fact based on the PTAB's denial of an opportunity to obtain the benefit of inter partes review (IPR) through the application of the NHK-Fintiv rule. The Court also found the complaint showed a causal connection between the NHK-Fintiv rule and diminished opportunity to experience the benefits of IPR. Finally, the Court concluded that injury was redressable by the ability to enjoin the Director from applying the NHK-Fintiv rule.
After finding standing, the Court addressed the justiciability of Plaintiffs' arguments. The Court examined the underlying rational of Cuozzo and
Footnotes
1.No. 5:20-cv-06128-EJD (
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3.For a detailed discussion of the NHK-Fintiv rule, please see
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