Inventor Raises Concerns Over PTAB Judges and Return-to-Office Mandate February 6, 2025 — A new executive order from the Trump administration mandating federal employees to return to the office has sparked debate, particularly among inventors who have faced challenges with the U.S. patent system. The order raises questions about whether judges on the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB)—who have long worked remotely—will be required to return to in-person proceedings. Molly Metz, a five-time world champion jump rope athlete and inventor, shared her personal experience with the PTAB system, highlighting its impact on small inventors. Metz, who patented a revolutionary jump rope handle technology in 2010, saw her patents invalidated by the PTAB in 2021. This decision led to the downfall of her business, JumpNrope, resulting in the loss of licensing deals and the layoff of 45 employees. Metz argues that PTAB judges, who often make life-altering decisions remotely, should be held to the same standards as district court judges, who conduct in-person proceedings. She recalls that during her oral argument—an event that determined the fate of her patents—one of the PTAB judges was interrupted by a barking dog, underscoring what she describes as a lack of formality and accountability in the system. Critics of the PTAB claim it unfairly favors large corporations, with an estimated 80% of patents challenged before the board being invalidated. Supporters argue that the PTAB provides an efficient process for reviewing patent validity and curbing abusive litigation. With the new return-to-office mandate, questions remain about whether PTAB judges will be included in the order and, more broadly, whether the patent system itself needs reform to better protect small inventors. The original article by M. Stanley, published on IPWatchdog on February 6, 2025, provides further details on this issue. Read the full article here: https://ipwatchdog.com/2025/02/06/reflections-inventor-return-office-mandate-ptab-judges/id=185652/

Posted by InventorNews at 2025-02-06 23:13:36 UTC