Tech Companies Wage Broad Battle on Patent Office Challenge Rule

Major technology companies are engaging in a multifaceted attack against the patent office over a rule they say makes it harder to invalidate patents they’re accused of infringing.

Apple Inc., Alphabet Inc.'s Google, Cisco Systems Inc. and Intel Corp. have sued the Patent and Trademark Office, arguing Patent Trial and Appeal Board precedent on instituting inter partes review oversteps both patent law and the Administrative Procedure Act.

Agency director Andrei Iancu has set what many see as a high bar for the board to launch formal patent reviews. Citing precedent, the board has in a number ...