Hundreds of ‘Submarine Patents’ Likely in Peril After Ruling (1)

A Nevada man’s quest for patents on what he contends are foundational computer designs may be at an end after a Federal Circuit ruling that the decadeslong delays getting his applications considered may be his own fault.

Gilbert Hyatt filed a series of lawsuits claiming the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office unfairly held on to four of his applications for more than 20 years.

A trial judge rejected the agency’s arguments that the delays were caused by Hyatt’s own actions. On Tuesday, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit said the agency’s arguments have merit.

The fate of ...