<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:m="http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/2004/12/omml" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40">
<head>
<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8">
<meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 15 (filtered medium)">
<!--[if !mso]><style>v\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
o\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
w\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
.shape {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
</style><![endif]--><style><!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:Helvetica;
panose-1:2 11 6 4 2 2 2 2 2 4;}
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;}
@font-face
{font-family:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;}
@font-face
{font-family:Aptos;}
@font-face
{font-family:remialcxesans;}
@font-face
{font-family:zone-1;}
@font-face
{font-family:zones-AQ;}
@font-face
{font-family:template-5QSGLunPEem16QANOhMLNA;}
@font-face
{font-family:"Calibri \(Body\)";}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{margin:0in;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif;}
a:link, span.MsoHyperlink
{mso-style-priority:99;
color:blue;
text-decoration:underline;}
span.EmailStyle20
{mso-style-type:personal-compose;
font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif;
color:windowtext;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
font-size:10.0pt;
mso-ligatures:none;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
--></style><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapedefaults v:ext="edit" spidmax="1026" />
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapelayout v:ext="edit">
<o:idmap v:ext="edit" data="1" />
</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]-->
</head>
<body lang="EN-US" link="blue" vlink="purple" style="word-wrap:break-word">
<div class="WordSection1">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:black">I agree. It\u2019s a pretty weak rejection.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:black">First, I\u2019d argue all claim limitations must be taught.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:black">\u201cTo establish obviousness of a claimed invention, all the claim limitations must be taught or suggested by the prior art.
<i>In re Royka</i>, 490 F.2d 981, 180 U.S.P.Q. 580 (CCPA 1974). Additionally, when judging the patentability of a claim against the prior art, all elements in the claim must be considered.
<i>In re Wilson</i>, 424 F.2d 1382, 1385, 165 U.S.P.Q. 494, 496 (CCPA 1970).\u201d <o:p>
</o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:black">Second, I\u2019d throw in hindsight and cite KSR using a variation of the following
</span><span style="font-size:11.0pt">language: <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">\u2026lacks any rational underpinning and is strongly indicative of impermissible hindsight reconstruction. \u201cRejections on obviousness cannot be sustained by mere conclusory statements;
instead, there must be some articulated reasoning with some rational underpinning to support the legal conclusion of obviousness.\u201d
<i>KSR</i>, 550 U.S. 398, 82 USPQ2d at 1396 quoting <i>In re Kahn</i>, 441 F.3d 977, 988, 78 USPQ2d 1329, 1336 (Fed. Cir. 2006).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">It\u2019s doubtful </span><i><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:black">In re Japikse</span></i><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:black">
amounts to articulated reasoning, unless the arrangement was strictly a design choice without any improvement, assuming this is the cited section:
</span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt">C.
<i>Rearrangement of Parts</i> <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in"><i><span style="font-size:11.0pt">In re</span></i><span style="font-size:11.0pt">
<i>Japikse,</i> 181 F.2d 1019, 86 USPQ 70 (CCPA 1950) (Claims to a hydraulic power press which read on the prior art except with regard to the position of the starting switch were held unpatentable because shifting the position of the starting switch would
not have modified the operation of the device.); <i>In re Kuhle,</i> 526 F.2d 553, 188 USPQ 7 (CCPA 1975) (the particular placement of a contact in a conductivity measuring device was held to be an obvious matter of design choice).
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">My two cents<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<div>
<div>
<table class="MsoNormalTable" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" style="width:100.0%;border-collapse:collapse">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in">
<table class="MsoNormalTable" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" style="width:100.0%;border-collapse:collapse">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="padding:7.5pt 0in 0in 0in">
<table class="MsoNormalTable" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" style="width:100.0%;border-collapse:collapse">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in">
<table class="MsoNormalTable" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="border-collapse:collapse">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in">
<table class="MsoNormalTable" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" style="width:100.0%;border-collapse:collapse">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in">
<table class="MsoNormalTable" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="border-collapse:collapse">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td valign="top" style="padding:7.5pt 0in 0in 0in">
<p style="margin:0in"><b><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#0F172E">Scott C. Sample</span></b><b><span style="font-size:1.0pt;font-family:remialcxesans;color:white">\u200b</span></b><b><span style="font-size:1.0pt;font-family:template-5QSGLunPEem16QANOhMLNA;color:white">\u200b</span></b><b><span style="font-size:1.0pt;font-family:zone-1;color:white">\u200b</span></b><b><span style="font-size:1.0pt;font-family:zones-AQ;color:white">\u200b</span></b><b><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#0F172E"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in">
<table class="MsoNormalTable" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="border-collapse:collapse">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 2.25pt 0in 2.25pt">
<p style="margin:0in"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri \(Body\)";color:gray">|<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</td>
<td nowrap="" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in">
<p style="margin:0in"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri \(Body\)";color:gray">Partner<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in">
<p style="margin:0in"><a href="https://www.cm.law/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:1.0pt;text-decoration:none"><img border="0" width="130" height="50" style="width:1.3541in;height:.5208in" id="Picture_x0020_64594228" src="cid:image001.png@01DB9D66.A1499260"></span></a><span style="font-size:1.0pt"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in">
<table class="MsoNormalTable" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="border-collapse:collapse">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td valign="top" style="padding:.75pt 0in 0in 0in">
<table class="MsoNormalTable" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="border-collapse:collapse">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in">
<p style="margin:0in"><span style="font-size:1.0pt"><img border="0" width="16" height="16" style="width:.1666in;height:.1666in" id="Picture_x0020_2" src="cid:image002.png@01DB9D66.A1499260" alt="Direct:"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in">
<p style="margin:0in"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri \(Body\)";color:gray"> <a href="tel:469-444-1488" target="_blank"><span style="color:gray;text-decoration:none">469-444-1488</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in"></td>
<td style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in"></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in"></td>
<td style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in"></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in">
<p style="margin:0in"><span style="font-size:1.0pt"><img border="0" width="16" height="16" style="width:.1666in;height:.1666in" id="Picture_x0020_3" src="cid:image003.png@01DB9D66.A1499260" alt="Email:"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in">
<p style="margin:0in"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri \(Body\)";color:gray"> <a href="mailto:ssample@cm.law" target="_blank"><span style="color:gray;text-decoration:none">ssample@cm.law</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in">
<table class="MsoNormalTable" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="border-collapse:collapse">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td valign="top" style="padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in">
<p style="margin:0in"><b><i><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri \(Body\)";color:gray"><a href="https://www.cm.law/cm-law-formerly-culhane-meadows-launches-second-decade-with-fresh-name-and-modern-brand/" target="_blank"><span style="color:#0F172E;text-decoration:none">Please note: Culhane Meadows is now CM Law</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in"></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<div>
<div style="border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in">
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">From:</span></b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"> Patentpractice <patentpractice-bounces@oppedahl-lists.com>
<b>On Behalf Of </b>Krista S. Jacobsen via Patentpractice<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Tuesday, March 25, 2025 9:02 AM<br>
<b>To:</b> For advice. <patentpractice@oppedahl-lists.com><br>
<b>Cc:</b> Krista S. Jacobsen <krista@jacobseniplaw.com><br>
<b>Subject:</b> [Patentpractice] In re Japikse and "criticality of the claimed limitation"<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<table class="MsoNormalTable" border="0" cellpadding="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt">
<div style="border:solid red 3.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;line-height:12.0pt;background:red">
<span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:white">EXTERNAL EMAIL<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:black"><img border="0" id="_x0000_i1025" src="https://receipts.canarymail.io/track/7CA20B27097B0DE48353ECA654B046B4_A12417436730DB0B5EAB905BDCF331F6.png"></span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<div id="CanaryBody">
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:black">I have an office action in which claims have been rejected under 103. For several of the claims, the examiner could not find in the applied references exactly
what is recited in the claims, but she rejected the claims anyway, stating only that the recited configuration would have been obvious \u201csince it has been held that rearranging parts of an invention involves only routine skill in the art.
<i>In re Japikse</i>, 86 USPQ 70.\u201d Then she adds, \u201cPlease note that in the instant application, the Applicant has not disclosed any criticality for the claimed limitation.\u201d<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:black">I am trying to figure out how best to respond to the examiner\u2019s citation to a CCPA decision from 1950 (!!!) and the apparent assertion that \u201ccriticality\u201d of limitations
must be disclosed.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:black">My first thought is that these rejections amount to improper hand-waving. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:black">Second, I am unaware of any requirement for an application to disclose \u201ccriticality for the claimed limitation\u201d in order for a claim to be patentable over a combination
of references. MPEP 2144.04 says this about \u201ccriticality\u201d: "If the applicant has demonstrated the criticality of a specific limitation, it would not be appropriate to rely solely on the rationale used by the court to support an obviousness rejection.\u201d The
examiner appears to have recast this statement as: \u201cIf the applicant has NOT demonstrated the criticality of a specific limitation, it WOULD be appropriate to rely solely on the rationale used by the court to support an obviousness rejection.\u201d Then she sticks
in a reference to <i>In re Japikse</i> and deems it obvious. I do not think that makes for a proper 103 rejection.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:black">Third, the examiner\u2019s rationale seems to seek to improperly shift the USPTO\u2019s burden. The applicant is not required to prove that an invention is nonobvious (apparently
by disclosing \u201ccriticality for the claimed limitation\u201d in the application). Instead, the USPTO is required to allow the claim unless the examiner can show that the claimed invention IS obvious.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:black">I would appreciate any thoughts from the brain trust, especially if you have received and responded to similar rejections. Thanks in advance.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:black">Best regards,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:black">Krista<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="CanarySig">
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:black">------------------------------------------<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:black">Krista S. Jacobsen<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:black">Attorney and Counselor at Law<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:black">Jacobsen IP Law<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:black"><a href="mailto:krista@jacobseniplaw.com">krista@jacobseniplaw.com</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:black">T: 408.455.5539<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:black"><a href="http://www.jacobseniplaw.com/">www.jacobseniplaw.com</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:black">NOTICE: This communication may include privileged or confidential information. If received in error, please notify the sender and delete this communication without
copying or distributing.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</body>
</html>