king, ngai, nehls, kao

custom search

AFFIRMED-IN-PART
Tech Center 2100 Computer Architecture and Software
2169 Ex Parte Kraft 11239708 - (D) McKONE 103 103 37 C.F.R. § 41.50(b) 103 HICKMAN PALERMO TRUONG BECKER BINGHAM WONG/Yahoo! CHAU, DUNG K

When the only distinguishing factor between a method and the prior art is the nature of information being manipulated, the invention is not patentable unless the information has a “new and unobvious functional relationship” with the otherwise known method. See King Pharm., Inc. v. Eon Labs, Inc., 616 F.3d 1267, 1279 (Fed. Cir. 2010) (quoting In re Ngai, 367 F.3d 1336, 1338 (Fed. Cir. 2004)). For example, if the invention is no more than using a computer to facilitate manipulating information that previously would have been manipulated by less efficient means (e.g., manually), “the nature of the information being manipulated does not lend patentability to an otherwise unpatentable computer-implemented product or process.” Ex partes Nehls, 88 USPQ2d 1883, 1889 (BPAI 2008) (precedential). Similarly, a limitation that merely informs a user of the benefits of performing the remainder of the method is not functional. See King Pharm., 616 F.3d at 1279; In re Huai-Hung Kao, 639 F.3d 1057, 1072-73 (Fed. Cir. 2011). Cf. Ngai, 367 F.3d at 1339 (addition of a set of written instructions to an otherwise known kit did not distinguish the claimed kit from the prior art).

King Pharmaceuticals Inc. v. Eon Labs Inc., 616 F.3d 1267, 95 USPQ2d 1833 (Fed. Cir. 2010) 2111.05

Ngai, In re, 367 F.3d 1336, 70 USPQ2d 1862 (Fed. Cir. 2004) , 2112.01

Tech Center 3600 Transportation, Construction, Electronic Commerce, Agriculture, National Security, and License & Review
3654 Ex Parte Gabor 11858025 - (D) GERSTENBLITH 103 37 C.F.R. § 41.50(b) 112(2) ERIC GABOR RIVERA, WILLIAM ARAUZ

Tech Center 3700 Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing, and Products & Design
3744 Ex Parte Barr et al 10641365 - (D) HOFFMANN 103 112(1)/112(2) 37 C.F.R. § 41.50(b) 112(2) HEWLETT-PACKARD COMPANY FORD, JOHN K

AFFIRMED
Tech Center 3600 Transportation, Construction, Electronic Commerce, Agriculture, National Security, and License & Review
3623 Ex Parte Kong 11195461 - (D) FETTING 102 CAREY, RODRIGUEZ, GREENBERG & O'KEEFE, LLP BOSWELL, BETH V

3625 Ex Parte WILLIS 11736675 - (D) MEDLOCK 112(2)/103 IBM CORPORATION C/O DARCELL WALKER, ATTORNEY AT LAW ZUKANOVICH, BRANDY A

3633 Ex Parte Stavenjord 10675548 - (D) BUNTING 102/103 FULBRIGHT & JAWORSKI L.L.P. A, PHI DIEU TRAN

3661 Ex Parte Sutardja 11338978 - (D) WEATHERLY 103 HARNESS, DICKEY & PIERCE P.L.C. BEHNCKE, CHRISTINE M

3665 Ex Parte Stoschek et al 11395705 - (D) HOFFMANN 103 KENYON & KENYON LLP ALGAHAIM, HELAL A
3679 Ex Parte Stringer 11371866 - (D) HILL 112(2)/103 EMCH, SCHAFFER, SCHAUB & PORCELLO CO FERGUSON, MICHAEL P

3683 Ex Parte Flockhart et al 10673105 - (D) FETTING 112(2)/103 SHERIDAN ROSS P.C. CHONG CRUZ, NADJA N