As we have discussed, the proposed PATENT Act contains provisions that alter many facets of IPR proceedings. One of those potential changes is a new ability to include affidavits or declarations of supporting evidence and opinions to Patent Owner Preliminary Responses. A recent decision by the Board makes clear, however, that the Board is not going to jump the gun on this change. Masterimage 3D, Inc. v. Reald Inc., IPR2015-00876.

In Masterimage, Patent Owner sought to introduce deposition testimony from Petitioner’s expert that was given in related IPR proceedings. Patent Owner believed the testimony was helpful to the Preliminary Response, though it did not contradict any of the testimony provided in his declaration in this proceeding.

The Board declined to allow the introduction of the testimony at the Preliminary Response stage. Pursuant to the existing IPR regulations, new testimony may be permitted only where a party demonstrates it is in the interests of justice (i.e., where the evidence demonstrates that the trial may not be instituted). Because there was no allegation that the proffered testimony contradicted existing testimony, Patent Owner had not shown that presenting the evidence was in the interests of justice.