近日,美国专利审判和上诉委员会(PTAB)发布了一项新备忘录,对其《美国发明法案》(AIA)审判程序的最终书面决定流程进行了重大调整。该调整将会提升裁决的公正性和透明度,也有望有效缓解司法效率低下的问题。
根据新规PTAB委员会小组在做出最终书面决定(Final Written Decision)时,必须处理请愿书中提出的所有理由。此举旨在确保裁决机制更加严谨高效。新规适用于所有尚未举行口头听证的审判程序。
提高判决透明度与完整性:PTAB需要全面评估每项无效理由,这意味着PTAB需要投入更多时间和资源,有利于提升其裁决的透明度与完整性。此外,上诉法院(如美国联邦巡回上诉法院,简称CAFC)在审查时将获得更清晰、更完整的事实和理由。
大幅提升司法效率:此前CAFC常因PTAB未审查部分争议点而将案件发回重审,这大大降低了司法效率。新规实施后,这一现象将有望大幅减少。根据LexisNexis的数据,过去三年中,约37%的PTAB上诉案件因“未充分回应争议”被发回重审。新规实施后,这一比例有望降至15%以下。
The PTAB issued a memorandum in AIA trials (Published on: 07/29/2025 16:53 PM)
Update to AIA trial proceedings
Today, the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) issued a memorandum concerning final written decision procedures for America Invents Act (AIA) trial proceedings. The new procedure requires Board panels to address all grounds raised in the petition in their final written decisions. This approach is designed to promote compact decision making. The memorandum applies to all proceedings where an oral hearing has not yet occurred. The new procedure does not impact institution decisions.