Via Rideshare Patent Survives Challenge From Rival at Tribunal

A ride-share patent that Via Transportation Inc. asserted against a rival in a federal lawsuit in Texas was unscathed after a challenge at an administrative tribunal.

The US Patent and Trademark Office’s Patent Trial and Appeal Board declined on June 23 to cancel Via’s US Patent No. 9,816,824 in response to arguments from RideCo. Inc. that its claimed inventions are obvious in light of prior art.

In May 2021 Via sued RideCo. in the US District Court for the Western District of Texas’ Waco Division, alleging that the company infringed four Via patents, including the ‘824 patent. The patents relate ...