Patent Office Unveils Director’s PTAB Decision Review Steps (1)

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office announced an interim process for its director’s review of Patent Trial and Appeal Board decisions, following a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that the tribunal’s decisions must be subject to the director’s authority.

The director may review a PTAB decision on patent validity without being asked, the agency said. Parties involved in PTAB proceedings can also request director review. The reviews can address “any issue, including issues of fact and issues of law,” the agency said.

The justices in United States v. Arthrex gave the director the power to overturn decisions the board makes in ...