Davis Polk partner and IP Litigation practice head Ashok Ramani discussed the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s (USPTO) decision in Dabico v. AXA and its impact with Law360.

The acting USPTO director held that patent owners should, at some point, be able to rely on their patents not being subject to further inter partes review (IPR) challenges. The decision may provide clearer guidance around when IPRs will or won’t be instituted.

“A lot is coming quickly, but I do think, at least in this space, there appears to be an effort to put in fairly bright lines,” Ashok explained. “That makes it a little bit easier to advise clients. Now, clients aren’t necessarily going to be happy with the advice, but at least it’s going to, hopefully, continue to be relatively clear.”

“Unsettling Expectations: Stewart Broadens Denials Again,” Law360 (June 20, 2025) (subscription required)

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