Can collateral estoppel be applied against the USPTO in reexamination proceedings?
No, collateral estoppel (issue preclusion) generally cannot be applied against the USPTO in reexamination proceedings based on a district court holding in an infringement proceeding. This principle was established in the case of In re Trans Texas Holdings Corp., 498 F.3d 1290, 83 USPQ2d 1835 (Fed. Cir. 2007). According to MPEP § 2659: “In In…
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