As a way of keeping in touch with our clients and keeping them informed on PTAB developments during the COVID-19 pandemic, the firm launched the PTAB Briefing Webinar Series. This informal and interactive series will address current PTAB issues from a practical perspective. The eighth webinar was Standard Essential Patents at the PTAB: Are SEPs Faring any Differently than Non-SEPs? The speaker was Director Ryan Richardson and Director Michael Specht moderated the webinar.

Driven in large part by the significant economic potential and game-changing nature of 5G wireless capabilities, which are shaped by standards and impact many industries ranging from communications and home automation to automotive and medical devices, Standard Essential Patents (SEPs) are more important than ever. Nonetheless, they are often misunderstood and it is difficult to keep up with the fast-changing nature of the law.

During the webinar we discussed the evolving SEP case law and regulations and explored the interplay between district court and PTAB actions involving SEP patents. We then took a deep dive into SEPs at the PTAB – with some surprising results. Lastly, given our experiences with SEPs at the PTAB, we provided perspectives on how to handle SEP patents at the PTAB from both a patent owner and petitioner perspective.

To learn more about this topic and/or webinar, please contact the presenters.