In re: Global IP Holdings LLC

Global’s patent claims carpeted automotive vehicle load floors having sandwich-type composite panels with cellular cores. Global filed a reissue application, seeking to broaden its claims. It replaced the term “thermoplastic” with “plastic” in several independent claims. The Patent Office’s rules for reissue applications require an inventor oath or declaration specifically identifying the error relied on as the basis for the reissue. The inventor filed a declaration explaining that he is the inventor of over 50 U.S. patents in the field of plastic-molded products and that, at the time of the invention, he was aware of the use of plastics other than thermoplastics for the formation of a sandwich-type composite panel with a cellular core. He cited patents and patent applications, including his own, and technical papers purportedly disclosing the use of thermoset plastics (instead of thermoplastics) in vehicle load floors. The examiner rejected Global’s reissue claims for failing to comply with the written description requirement of 35 U.S.C. 112. The Board affirmed. The Federal Circuit vacated; “the level of detail required to satisfy the written description requirement varies depending on the nature and scope of the claims and on the complexity and predictability of the relevant technology.”On remand, the Board should address the relevant factors, including predictability and criticality, based on the record and determine whether the written description requirement has been satisfied under the proper legal standard. View "In re: Global IP Holdings LLC" on Justia Law