Patent Chief Denies Air Unit Challenge Over Settled Expectations

The US Patent and Trademark Office’s acting director cited the “settled expectations” of a patent being in force for nearly eight years as a key factor supporting a decision to shoot down a patent validity challenge over preconditioned air units.

Coke Morgan Stewart, the PTO’s acting director, granted patent owner AXA Power ApS’ request for discretionary denial and denied Dabico Airport Solutions Inc.'s challenge to US Patent No. 9,771,169, according to a June 18 decision. The length of time the patents have been in force is part of “settled expectations,” a factor introduced in a March memo establishing ...