New Twist On Mediation And Arbitration For PTAB Disputes

Law360, New York (May 10, 2016, 10:51 AM ET) -- Certain cases pending at the United States Patent and Trademark Office's Patent Trial and Appeal Board may be ripe for settlement via mediation or arbitration. Under a new PTAB initiative, parties involved in AIA post-grant proceedings are being encouraged to use mediation or arbitration to settle PTAB conflicts. PTAB cases, such as those involving noncompetitors, may benefit from an abbreviated alternative dispute resolution process, such as mediation, arbitration or a hybrid ADR process.

PTAB disputes including inter partes review, covered business method proceedings and post-grant review proceedings may...