Recent statistics show that motions for joinder are granted about 60% of the time. While parties can, therefore, expect a sympathetic ear regarding these motions, they are not always successful and it is worth noting the shortcomings of one such motion from Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., Samsung Electronics America, Inc., and Samsung Telecommunications America, LLC v. Arendi S.A.R.L, IPR2014-01143, involving US Pat. No. 7,496,854. In that case, the Board denied a motion for joinder due to several deficiencies in the motion.

Petitioner moved to join the instant petition with a related proceeding (IPR2014-00206) because the related proceeding involved the same patent, claims, prior art, and ground of unpatentability. Decision at 4. Further, Petitioner argued that the two proceedings have three other similarities: (1)  that the claim charts in both petitions are “substantially identical” with respect to the common ground of unpatentability; (2)  the instant petition adopts rationale of the Board advanced in the related proceeding; and (3)  the instant petition presents no new issues that would complicate the related proceeding. Id. at 5.

The Board disagreed, however, noting several deficiencies and issues in Petitioner’s Motion for Joinder which weighed against joining the proceedings. First, Petitioner failed to set forth in its motion a statement of differences between the instant proceeding and related proceeding with which joinder is sought. Second, Petitioner failed to set forth any statement of the meaning of “substantially identical,” regarding the claim charts in the two proceedings. Third, the Board found that there were, in fact, new issues presented in the instant proceeding, as Petitioner relied upon testimony which introduced argument and evidence not presented in the related proceeding. Id. at 5. Fourth, Petitioner stated that briefing and discovery would be simplified with joinder, but failed to explain how. Lastly, the Board noted that Petitioner’s promise to increase efficiency by working with the petitioner in the related proceeding rang hollow because there was no indication that the petitioner in the related proceeding would work with the instant Petitioner.  Id. at 6.

The PTAB is more than willing to join proceedings, but only if the joinder will not effect the fair, efficient, and just administration of the IPR proceedings. Here, Petitioner came up short in its showing regarding why the Board could grant joinder and maintain a fair and efficient proceeding.