Judge Profile

Kara L. Szpondowski

109 IP cases indexed. Covers patent matters.

Cases Presided Over

109 cases indexed | Page 3 of 4

patent instituted · Oct 24, 2024

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. et al. v.Netlist, Inc.

· IPR2025-00002

Samsung Electronics successfully secured institution in this IPR, challenging all 20 claims of Netlist's patent (11880319) based on obviousness and anticipation. The Board found that the Petitioner demonstrated a reasonable likelihood of unpatentability over various combinations of prior art, including Hazelzet, JEDEC, Buchmann, Wang, and Kim. This decision sets a strong precedent for challenging memory module initialization claims using industry standards and technical literature.

patent mixed - some claims cancelled, some upheld · Oct 1, 2024

Micron Technology, Inc. et al. v.Netlist, Inc.

· IPR2024-00370

The PTAB held claims 1, 10‑13, and 21 of Netlist’s ’035 memory‑module patent unpatentable as obvious over Osanai and Tokuhiro, while claims 2, 6, and 22 remained valid.

patent denied · Oct 1, 2024

Micron Technology, Inc. et al. v.Netlist, Inc.

· IPR2024-00370

The PTAB denied Micron's request for rehearing of its petition to institute an IPR against Netlist's memory‑controller patent, finding that Micron introduced arguments not present in the original petition.

patent instituted · Oct 1, 2024

Micron Technology, Inc. et al. v.Netlist, Inc.

· IPR2024-00370

The PTAB instituted an inter‑partes review of Netlist’s ’608 memory‑module patent on claims 1‑5 after Samsung’s petition showed a reasonable likelihood of unpatentability under obviousness.

patent denied · Oct 1, 2024

Micron Technology, Inc. et al. v.Netlist, Inc.

· IPR2024-00370

Micron’s petition to invalidate Netlist’s memory‑module patent was denied by the PTAB because the petitioner could not demonstrate a reasonable likelihood of success on any of the five challenged claims.

patent denied · Oct 1, 2024

Micron Technology, Inc. et al. v.Netlist, Inc.

· IPR2024-00370

The PTAB denied Micron's petition to join the Samsung IPR, ruling that the challenges were substantively identical to existing filings. The Board applied General Plastic factors, finding no reasonable likelihood of prevailing and denying institution based on prior filing history and potential road-mapping concerns.

patent instituted · Sep 8, 2024

Charter Communications, Inc. v.Iarnach Technologies Limited

· IPR2024-01287

The PTAB instituted the IPR for Charter Communications against Iarnach Technologies, finding sufficient evidence that claims of Patent No. 9287982 are obvious over various prior art references (Bernstein, Tsuge, MEF 6.1). The Board addressed numerous claim construction issues, confirming some preambles were limiting while others were not.

patent denied · Sep 8, 2024

Charter Communications, Inc. v.Iarnach Technologies Limited

· IPR2024-01286

Charter Communications, Inc. failed to invalidate 13 claims covering Passive Optical Networks (PON) and multicast encryption technologies before the PTAB. The Board denied institution based on insufficient evidence showing obviousness over prior art including RFCs and Murakami.

patent instituted · Aug 30, 2024

Cholla Energy LLC et al. v.LANCIUM LLC

· IPR2024-01361

Cholla Energy LLC et al. successfully petitioned to institute IPR against LANCIUM LLC regarding patent 11283261, challenging 16 claims based on obviousness (35 U.S.C. § 103). The Board found a reasonable likelihood of unpatentability over combinations of prior art references like Kiani and Pelio.

patent final · Aug 30, 2024

Cholla Energy LLC et al. v.LANCIUM LLC

· IPR2024-01361

The Board found all 16 challenged claims unpatentable under 35 U.S.C. § 103 based on combinations of prior art references. The Petitioner successfully demonstrated that the subject matter was taught or suggested by combining Kiani, Pelio, Chapel, Belady, and Forestiero for various limitations. This final decision confirms the invalidity of the patent claims in the area of power management for datacenters.

patent terminated or settled · Aug 14, 2024

Anker Innovations Ltd. v.Powermat Technologies Ltd.

· IPR2024-00996

Anker Innovations and Powermat Technologies settled their IPR dispute over wireless charging patents, leading the PTAB to terminate the proceeding. No merits were decided.

patent terminated or settled · Aug 14, 2024

Anker Innovations Ltd. v.Powermat Technologies Ltd.

· IPR2024-00995

Anker Innovations and Powermat Technologies settled their wireless‑charging patent dispute in IPR2024‑00995. The Board terminated the proceeding and ordered the settlement agreement to be kept confidential.

patent all challenged claims unpatentable · Aug 10, 2024

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. et al. v.Netlist, Inc.

· IPR2025-00001

The PTAB held that Samsung’s challenge to Netlist’s ’595 memory‑module patent succeeded; all 24 claims were found obvious over a combination of prior‑art references and thus unpatentable.

patent instituted · Aug 10, 2024

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. et al. v.Netlist, Inc.

· IPR2025-00001

The PTAB instituted an IPR against Netlist’s ’218 memory‑module patent after finding Samsung’s petition showed a reasonable likelihood of success on at least one claim.

patent instituted · Aug 10, 2024

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. et al. v.Netlist, Inc.

· IPR2025-00001

The PTAB instituted an inter partes review of Netlist’s ’595 memory‑module patent after finding Samsung’s petition showed a reasonable likelihood of unpatentability for all 24 claims. The Board declined to exercise discretionary denial under §§ 314(a) and 325(d).

patent all challenged claims unpatentable · Aug 10, 2024

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. et al. v.Netlist, Inc.

· IPR2025-00001

Samsung successfully challenged Netlist’s 9,858,218 patent covering memory‑module handshaking. The PTAB found all 22 claims obvious over prior‑art combinations of Hazelzet and Buchmann. The decision also rejected the parties’ proposed claim constructions.

patent instituted · Aug 10, 2024

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. et al. v.Netlist, Inc.

· IPR2025-00001

The PTAB institution decision found that Samsung Electronics demonstrated a reasonable likelihood of prevailing on its IPR challenge against Netlist, Inc.'s memory module patents. The Board determined the Office erred in its prior evaluation and applied collateral estoppel to support the petitioner's obviousness arguments over Hazelzet and Buchmann.

patent instituted · Aug 5, 2024

Ericsson Inc. et al. v.XR COMMUNICATIONS LLC

· IPR2024-00868

The PTAB instituted trial in an IPR proceeding concerning MIMO/Beamforming antenna technology. The Board found sufficient evidence to suggest that several challenged claims are unpatentable over the prior art, specifically Trigui and Rudrapatna. This decision moves the dispute forward toward a full evidentiary hearing on obviousness grounds.

patent final · Aug 5, 2024

Ericsson Inc. et al. v.XR COMMUNICATIONS LLC

· IPR2024-00868

The PTAB issued a Final Written Decision finding all 17 challenged claims unpatentable under 35 U.S.C. § 103(a). The Board determined that the prior art reference Trigui disclosed sufficient elements, rendering the claimed MIMO/Beamforming technology obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art (PHOSITA).

patent all challenged claims unpatentable · Jun 28, 2024

Aylo Freesites Ltd et al. v.WellcomeMat, LLC

· IPR2024-01101

The PTAB held that claims 13–15 and 17–20 of U.S. Patent 8,307,286 are unpatentable after finding the petitioner’s prior‑art references anticipate or render the claims obvious. The decision resolves the consolidated IPRs and denies the patent owner’s motions.

patent instituted · Jun 28, 2024

Aylo Freesites Ltd et al. v.WellcomeMat, LLC

· IPR2024-01101

Aylo Freesites successfully obtained institution of an IPR against WellcomeMat’s 8,307,286 patent covering video cue‑point editing for real‑estate marketing, with the Board finding a reasonable likelihood of unpatentability and rejecting discretionary‑denial arguments.

patent instituted · Jun 28, 2024

Aylo Freesites Ltd et al. v.WellcomeMat, LLC

· IPR2024-01101

The PTAB institution decision found reasonable likelihood of prevailing for Aylo Freesites Ltd in challenging WellcomeMat's patentability. The challenge focused on claim 17, alleging anticipation and obviousness based on multiple prior art references.

patent terminated or settled · Jun 24, 2024

ZF Friedrichshafen AG et al. v.Foras Technologies Ltd.

· IPR2024-00969

ZF Friedrichshafen, ZF Active Safety, and Nissan settled with Foras Technologies over U.S. Patent 7,502,958, filing a joint motion to withdraw the IPR. The Board terminated the proceeding and sealed the settlement agreement as confidential.

patent instituted · Jun 3, 2024

Ericsson Inc. et al. v.XR COMMUNICATIONS LLC

· IPR2024-00613

The PTAB institution decision found a reasonable likelihood of prevailing for the Petitioner in its IPR against XR Communications LLC. The challenge focused on whether multi-beam directed signal systems were unpatentable under 35 U.S.C. § 103 using prior art references Agee and Butler.

patent Final Written Decision · Jun 3, 2024

Ericsson Inc. et al. v.XR COMMUNICATIONS LLC

· IPR2024-00613

The PTAB issued a Final Written Decision rejecting the petitioner's contentions that the patent was unpatentable over Agee or in combination with Butler. The Board found Petitioner failed to meet its burden of proof, specifically regarding how prior art disclosed critical signal processing limitations.

patent instituted · May 30, 2024

Nokia of America Corporation et al. v.Iarnach Technologies Limited

· IPR2024-00899

Nokia of America Corporation successfully petitioned the PTAB to challenge Iarnach Technologies Limited's patent (9806892) on grounds of obviousness in passive optical networks (PON). The Board found a reasonable likelihood of unpatentability for several claims based on combinations of prior art references.

patent final · May 30, 2024

Nokia of America Corporation et al. v.Iarnach Technologies Limited

· IPR2024-00899

The PTAB found several claims of the patent unpatentable based on obviousness over combinations of prior art standards (G.987.3, G.988) and publications (Röger). The Board specifically determined that Claim 1 was obvious because the combination suggested direct transitions between low-power states for increased energy efficiency.

patent instituted · May 13, 2024

Cholla Energy LLC et al. v.LANCIUM LLC

· IPR2024-00914

Cholla Energy LLC et al. successfully had their patent claims instituted at the PTAB, asserting that LANCIUM LLC's power delivery patents are obvious under 35 U.S.C. § 103. The petitioner argued that combining prior art references like Pelio and Chapel would render the challenged claims unpatentable in the data center space.

patent final · May 6, 2024

Anker Innovations Limited v.Powermat Technologies Ltd.

· IPR2024-00994

The PTAB issued a Final Written Decision finding that claims 1–7 and 9–14 were unpatentable over prior art references. The petitioner successfully demonstrated obviousness under 35 U.S.C. § 103, particularly regarding the combination of Onishi and Flowerdew for independent claim 1.

patent terminated or settled · Apr 19, 2024

ZF Friedrichshafen AG et al. v.Foras Technologies Limited

· IPR2024-00727

ZF Friedrichshafen, its affiliates, and Nissan settled with Foras Technologies, leading to a joint motion to terminate the IPR over patent 7,502,958. The Board granted the termination and sealed the settlement agreement as business‑confidential.

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