REVERSED
Tech Center 2800 Semiconductors, Electrical and Optical Systems and Components
2842 Ex Parte Terrovitis 13278052 - (D) PESLAK 103 Bay Area Technology Law Group PC GANNON, LEVI
Tech Center 3600 Transportation, Construction, Electronic Commerce, Agriculture, National Security, and License & Review
3664 Ex Parte Chapman et al 13194822 - (D) HOFFMANN 102/103 SEED INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LAW GROUP PLLC MOYER, DALE S
Tech Center 3700 Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing, and Products & Design
3731 Ex Parte CHEN et al 13466393 - (D) PESLAK 102/103 Stryker - Vista IP Law Group SZPIRA, JULIE ANN
AFFIRMED-IN-PART
Tech Center 2100 Computer Architecture and Software
2135 Ex Parte Porterfield 13149518 - (D) SZPONDOWSKI 103 103 BROOKS, CAMERON & HUEBSCH , PLLC WADDY JR, EDWARD
Tech Center 3700 Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing, and Products & Design
3744 Ex Parte Wiest et al 12312415 - (D) BROWNE 103 103 DILWORTH & BARRESE, LLP MENGESHA, WEBESHET
AFFIRMED
Tech Center 1600 Biotechnology and Organic Chemistry
1633 Ex Parte Lin et al 12318806 - (D) NEW 103/double patenting Muncy, Geissler, Olds & Lowe, P.C. SCHULTZ, JAMES
Whether to treat a preamble term as a claim limitation is “determined on the facts of each case in light of the claim as a whole and the invention described in the patent.” While there is no simple test for determining when a preamble limits claim scope, we have set forth some general principles to guide that inquiry. “Generally,” we have said, “the preamble does not limit the claims.” Nonetheless, the preamble may be construed as limiting “if it recites essential structure or steps, or if it is ‘necessary to give life, meaning, and vitality’ to the claim.” A preamble is not regarded as limiting, however, “when the claim body describes a structurally complete invention such that deletion of the preamble phrase does not affect the structure or steps of the claimed invention.
American Medical Systems, Inc. v. Biolitec, Inc., 618 F.3d 1354, 1358–1359 (Fed. Cir. 2010) (internal citations omitted).
1655 Ex Parte German et al 12673553 - (D) SCHNEIDER 103 THOMPSON COBURN LLP LEITH, PATRICIA A
Tech Center 2600 Communications
2686 Ex Parte Borret et al 11886530 - (D) DEJMEK 103 STERNE, KESSLER, GOLDSTEIN & FOX P.L.L.C. MA, KAM WAN
Tech Center 3600 Transportation, Construction, Electronic Commerce, Agriculture, National Security, and License & Review
3652 Ex Parte Price et al 12054160 - (D) BROWNE 102/103 112(1) MPG LLP / Brooks BERRY JR, WILLIE WENDELL
