Today, the Federal Circuit released a precedential opinion, a nonprecedential opinion, and a nonprecedential order. The precedential opinion comes in an appeal from the Patent Trial and Appeal Board, which held all claims of a patent unpatentable as obvious. The nonprecedential opinion similarly comes in an appeal from the Patent Trial and Appeal Board and addresses the patentability of claims. Finally, the nonprecedential order dismisses a petition for failure to submit an opening brief. Here are the introductions to the opinions and a link to the dismissal.
Volvo Penta of the Americas, LLC v. Brunswick Corp. (Precedential Opinion)
Volvo Penta of the Americas, LLC (“Volvo Penta”) appeals from a final written decision of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (“USPTO”) Patent Trial and Appeal Board (“the Board”) holding all claims, claims 1–18, of U.S. Patent 9,630,692 unpatentable as obvious. Brunswick Corp. v. Volvo Penta of the Ams., LLC, IPR2020- 01512, 2022 WL 1153453 (P.T.A.B. Mar. 3, 2022) (“Decision”), J.A. 1–119 (public version), 1285–1309 (confidential excerpts). For the reasons articulated below, we vacate and remand.
In re Universal Electronics, Inc. (Nonprecedential Opinion)
Universal Electronics, Inc. appeals from the final decision of the Patent Trial and Appeal Board affirming the rejection of certain claims in U.S. Patent Application No. 15/711,381 (’381 application) as obvious under 35 U.S.C. § 103. The rejected claims recite methods for using a universal remote control in conjunction with a relay device to control various appliances. Because substantial evidence supports the Board’s findings, we affirm.