Patent Trial and Appeal Board Grants Askeladden’s Petition for Inter Partes Review of N5 Technologies Patent

PTAB finds that Askeladden demonstrated that it will likely prevail in proving all claims unpatentable.

For Immediate Release:
Date: April 25, 2017
Contact: Sean Oblack, 202.649.4629
Press@patentqualityinitiative.com

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New York, NY – Yesterday, the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) granted Askeladden’s request for inter partes review of U.S. Patent No. 7,197,297 assigned to N5 Technologies, LLC. The ’297 patent relates to methods for authenticating requests for information originating from a mobile device, such as a cell phone. N5 Technologies has asserted the ’297 patent in multiple lawsuits against members of the financial services industry. 

Askeladden, as part of its Patent Quality Initiative, petitioned the PTAB for inter partes review of the ’297 patent in October on the grounds that the claimed methods for authenticated access of data or services by a mobile device were known and obvious before the time when the application for the ’297 patent was filed with the USPTO. The PTAB found that Askeladden established a reasonable likelihood that all of the claims of the ’297 patent are unpatentable.   

“Askeladden is using the IPR program to promote innovation in the financial services sector,” said Sean Reilly, General Counsel of Askeladden. “We are excited by the Patent Trial and Appeal Board’s decision to institute inter partes review for this questionable patent.”

Askeladden is represented by Amster Rothstein and Ebenstein LLP.

About Patent Quality Initiative
Askeladden is an education, information and advocacy organization with the goal of improving the understanding, use and reliability of patents in financial services and other industries. As part of its Patent Quality Initiative, Askeladden strives to promote better patents and patent holder behaviors by regularly filing amicus briefs, Inter Partes Reviews (IPRs) and engaging in educational activities.