KLARQUIST NEWS
Klarquist Secures Federal Circuit Win For Mentor Graphics
On October 11, the Federal Circuit affirmed a PTAB decision finding Synopsys Inc. memory synthesis patent claims obvious. Synopsys had alleged infringement of the claims by Mentor Graphics Corporation, as part of a lawsuit filed late 2012 in N.D. Cal. The Court stayed that part of the case when the PTAB granted Mentor’s petition for IPR in mid-2014. Before the PTAB, Mentor won a final written decision finding all challenged claims unpatentable as obvious.
On appeal to the Federal Circuit, Synopsys argued that the PTAB decision lacked adequate findings and that substantial evidence did not support the finding of obviousness. Mentor responded that Synopsys had waived many of the arguments presented on appeal and highlighted expert testimony supporting the determination of obviousness.
The Federal Circuit panel consisted of Judges Newman, Dyk, and Clevenger.
Klarquist’s Andrew M. Mason argued on behalf of Mentor at the Federal Circuit. Other team members before the Federal Circuit and the PTAB included Jeffrey S. Love and John D. Vandenberg.
View the Federal Circuit Decision Rule 36 Opinion.