Google gets another chance to cancel touch screen patents
Google’s battle to invalidate a patent held by Intellectual Ventures relating to touch screens took another twist yesterday as the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit ruled in its favour.
Google had sought inter partes review from the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) for US patent number 6,121,960.
The patent discloses “a screen peripheral system” that includes “a touch-activated input device for generating and displaying a composite image.”
This would allow, for example, a keyboard to be on a device screen with an image or video playing in the background.
The PTAB found that the patent was neither obvious or anticipated and therefore dismissed Google’s claims.
The Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit however, did not agree.
“We have considered the parties’ remaining arguments and find them unpersuasive,” said circuit judge Evan Wallach.
“The board failed to provide any meaningful rationale for its finding. For example, the board did not explain why it dismissed Google’s expert testimony and evidence.”
He concluded in saying: “Therefore, we vacate and remand the board’s anticipation and obviousness determinations.”
Did you enjoy reading this story? Sign up to our free daily newsletters and get stories like this sent straight to your inbox
Today’s top stories:
Amazon and Google join six others to create ‘balanced patent policy’
FitBit accused of basing products on infringed patents
HTC hit with mixed verdict from Court of Appeals for Federal Circuit
Already registered?
Login to your account
If you don't have a login or your access has expired, you will need to purchase a subscription to gain access to this article, including all our online content.
For more information on individual annual subscriptions for full paid access and corporate subscription options please contact us.
To request a FREE 2-week trial subscription, please signup.
NOTE - this can take up to 48hrs to be approved.
For multi-user price options, or to check if your company has an existing subscription that we can add you to for FREE, please email Adrian Tapping at atapping@newtonmedia.co.uk