On December 4, 2019, the PTAB hosted the last installment for
2019 in its "Boardside Chat" webinar series. The program,
presented by Deputy Chief Judge Jacqueline Bonilla and Lead
Administrative Patent Judge Jessica Kaiser, addressed Motion to
Amend practice in IPR proceedings, particularly the recent
developments in this area. The program focused on three main
topics: the proposed rulemaking on allocations of burden when
moving to amend, the motion to amend pilot program, and other
amendment options through reissue and reexamination.
First, the panel noted that the proposed rulemaking on
the allocation of burden was published October 22, 2019, and the
period for public comment closes on December 23, 2019. Under the
proposed rule, the Patent Owner carries the burden of showing that
a motion to amend complies with certain statutory and regulatory
requirements, and the Petitioner carries the burden of showing that
the substitute claims proposed by the Patent Owner would