`
`
`
`
`
`UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`
`
`
`BEFORE THE PATENT TRIAL AND APPEAL BOARD
`
`
`
`
`R.J. Reynolds Vapor Company,
`
`Petitioner
`
`v.
`
`Fontem Holdings 1 B.V.
`
`Patent Owner
`
`U.S. Patent No.: 9,370,205
`Issue Date: June 21, 2016
`Title: Electronic Cigarette
`
`
`
`
`Inter Partes Review No.: IPR2017-01642
`
`
`
`PETITION FOR INTER PARTES REVIEW OF
`U.S. PATENT NO. 9,370,205 PURSUANT TO
`35 U.S.C. §§ 311-319 AND 37 C.F.R. § 42
`
`

`

`
`
`TABLE OF CONTENTS
`
`Page
`
`TABLE OF AUTHORITIES .................................................................................. vii
`
`EXHIBITS LIST ....................................................................................................... ix
`
`I.
`
`INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................... 1
`
`II. MANDATORY NOTICES UNDER 37 C.F.R. § 42.8 ................................... 1
`
`A.
`
`B.
`
`C.
`
`D.
`
`E.
`
`Real Party-in-Interest and Deposit Account ......................................... 1
`
`Related Matters (37 C.F.R. §42.8(b)(2)) ............................................... 2
`
`1.
`
`Related Matters ........................................................................... 2
`
`a.
`
`b.
`
`c.
`
`Related Litigations ............................................................ 2
`
`Related Proceedings Before the Board ............................. 6
`
`Related Proceedings Before the Board ............................. 8
`
`Lead and Back-Up Counsel ................................................................... 8
`
`Service Information ............................................................................... 9
`
`Proof of Service ..................................................................................... 9
`
`III. GROUNDS FOR STANDING ........................................................................ 9
`
`IV.
`
`V.
`
`IDENTIFICATION OF CHALLENGE AND STATEMENT
`OF THE PRECISE RELIEF REQUESTED ................................................. 10
`
`THRESHOLD REQUIREMENT FOR INTER PARTES
`REVIEW ........................................................................................................ 11
`
`VI. STATEMENT OF REASONS FOR THE RELIEF
`REQUESTED ................................................................................................ 11
`
`A.
`
`B.
`
`C.
`
`Background of the 205 Patent ............................................................. 11
`
`Person Having Ordinary Skill in the Art (“PHOSITA”)..................... 14
`
`Claim Construction.............................................................................. 14
`
`D. Description of the Prior Art ................................................................. 15
`
`1.
`
`Brooks (Ex.1002) ...................................................................... 15
`
`2. Whittemore (Ex.1003) .............................................................. 22
`
`E.
`
`Claims 1-22 Are Unpatentable As Obvious Over Brooks
`In View Of Whittemore ....................................................................... 23
`
`i
`
`
`

`

`
`
`1.
`
`Claim 1 ...................................................................................... 29
`
`a.
`
`b.
`
`c.
`
`d.
`
`e.
`
`f.
`
`g.
`
`h.
`
`“A vaporizing device comprising” ................................. 29
`
`“a battery assembly comprising a battery, a
`sensor, an LED and a micro-controller unit
`electrically connected to a circuit board
`within a tubular battery assembly housing” ................... 30
`
`“a first electrode at an end of the battery
`assembly housing” .......................................................... 37
`
`“an atomizer assembly comprising an
`atomizer and a liquid supply in a tubular
`atomizer assembly housing” ........................................... 38
`
`“with the atomizer including a heater wire
`coil wound around a porous body, with the
`heater wire coil and the porous body
`positioned perpendicular to a longitudinal
`axis of the tubular atomizer assembly
`housing” .......................................................................... 45
`
`“the heater wire coil and the porous body in
`an airflow path through the tubular atomizer
`assembly housing leading to a suction
`nozzle wherein air passes across the heater
`wire coil and the porous body” ....................................... 48
`
`“a second electrode at an end of the atomizer
`assembly housing” .......................................................... 50
`
`“the battery assembly and the atomizer
`assembly electrically connected by
`engagement of the first electrode with the
`second electrode, and with electricity
`conducted from the battery to the heater
`wire coil through the first and second
`electrodes” ...................................................................... 51
`
`2.
`
`Claim 2: “The device of claim 1 with the atomizer
`further including a through hole aligned with the
`heater wire coil” ........................................................................ 52
`
`ii
`
`
`

`

`
`
`3.
`
`4.
`
`5.
`
`6.
`
`7.
`
`8.
`
`Claim 3: “The device of claim 2 with the through
`hole centered between spaced apart wire leads of
`the heater wire coil” .................................................................. 55
`
`Claim 4: “The device of claim 3 with the airflow
`path further including an air inlet in a side wall of
`the tubular atomizer assembly housing at the
`second electrode” ...................................................................... 60
`
`Claim 5: “The device of claim 3 further including
`fiber containing cigarette liquid in contact with the
`porous body” ............................................................................. 62
`
`Claim 6: “The device of claim 1 with the sensor in
`between a pressure balancing hole in the battery
`assembly housing and the first electrode” ................................ 65
`
`Claim 7: “The device of claim 1 with the first
`electrode contacting the second electrode
`regardless of an angular orientation of the battery
`assembly relative to the atomizer assembly” ............................ 70
`
`Claim 8: “The device of claim 1 with the first
`electrode contacting the second electrode with the
`battery assembly at any angular orientation relative
`to the atomizer assembly” ......................................................... 72
`
`9.
`
`Claim 9 ...................................................................................... 73
`
`a.
`
`b.
`
`c.
`
`d.
`
`“A vaporizing device” .................................................... 73
`
`“a battery assembly comprising a battery, a
`sensor, an LED and a micro-controller unit
`within a tubular battery assembly housing” ................... 73
`
`“having a pressure balancing hole on a first
`side of the sensor, and a first cavity in the
`tubular battery assembly housing on a
`second side of the sensor opposite from the
`first side of the sensor” ................................................... 73
`
`“an atomizer assembly comprising an
`atomizer and a second cavity in a tubular
`atomizer assembly housing, with the first
`cavity connecting into the second cavity” ...................... 75
`
`iii
`
`
`

`

`
`
`e.
`
`f.
`
`g.
`
`“the atomizer including a heater wire coil
`wound on a porous body, and the heater
`wire coil and the porous body perpendicular
`to a longitudinal axis of the tubular atomizer
`assembly housing” .......................................................... 76
`
`“the heater wire coil and porous body in an
`airflow path through the tubular atomizer
`assembly housing wherein air flows across
`the wire coil and the porous body; and” ......................... 76
`
`“the battery assembly and the atomizer
`assembly electrically connected via a first
`electrode at a first end of the battery
`assembly contacting a second electrode at a
`first end of the atomizer assembly with the
`battery assembly at any angular orientation
`relative to the atomizer assembly” ................................. 76
`
`10. Claim 10: “The vaporizing device of claim 9 with
`the airflow path passing through a through hole in
`the atomizer” ............................................................................. 77
`
`11. Claim 11: “The device of claim 10 wherein the
`heater wire coil is on a central section of the
`porous body” ............................................................................. 79
`
`12. Claim 12: “The device of claim 11 with the
`through hole between spaced apart wire leads of
`the heater wire coil” .................................................................. 80
`
`13. Claim 13: “The device of claim 12 with the airflow
`path further including an air inlet in a side wall of
`the tubular atomizer assembly housing adjacent to
`the second electrode” ................................................................ 80
`
`14. Claim 14: “The device of claim 12 further
`including fiber containing a cigarette liquid in
`contact with the atomizer” ........................................................ 81
`
`15. Claim 15: “The device of claim 12 wherein the
`porous body provides capillary action” .................................... 81
`
`16. Claim 16 .................................................................................... 82
`
`a.
`
`“A vaporizing device comprising” ................................. 82
`
`iv
`
`
`

`

`
`
`b.
`
`c.
`
`d.
`
`e.
`
`f.
`
`g.
`
`“a battery assembly comprising battery, a
`sensor, and a micro-controller unit
`electrically connected to a circuit board
`within a battery assembly housing, and a
`first electrode at a first end of the battery
`assembly housing” .......................................................... 82
`
`“an atomizer assembly comprising an
`atomizer and liquid absorbed in fiber
`material in a tubular atomizer assembly
`housing, and a second electrode at a first end
`of the atomizer assembly” .............................................. 83
`
`“the atomizer including a porous body in
`physical contact with the fiber material” ........................ 83
`
`“the atomizer including a heater wire wound
`in a coil on a part of the porous body which
`is perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the
`tubular atomizer assembly housing” .............................. 83
`
`“an airflow path through a through hole of
`the atomizer located between spaced apart
`wire leads of the heater wire coil, and the
`heater wire coil and the porous body in the
`airflow path, wherein air flows across the
`wire and porous body” .................................................... 83
`
`“the battery assembly electrically connected
`to the atomizer assembly via the first
`electrode contacting the second electrode” .................... 84
`
`17. Claim 17: “The device of claim 16 with the airflow
`path further including an air inlet in a side wall of
`tubular atomizer assembly housing adjacent to the
`first end of the tubular atomizer assembly housing” ................ 84
`
`18. Claim 18: “The device of claim 16 with the sensor
`in between a pressure balancing hole in the tubular
`battery assembly housing and the first electrode” .................... 84
`
`19. Claim 19: “The device of claim 16 with a central
`axis of the through hole bi-secting the heater wire
`coil” ........................................................................................... 84
`
`v
`
`
`

`

`
`
`20. Claim 20: “The device of claim 19 further
`including a first cavity in the battery assembly
`connecting into a second cavity in the atomizer
`assembly” .................................................................................. 84
`
`21. Claim 21: “The device of claim 16 with the first
`electrode contacting the second electrode with the
`battery assembly at any angular orientation relative
`to the atomizer assembly” ......................................................... 85
`
`22. Claim 22: “The device of claim 21 wherein the
`porous body provides capillary action” .................................... 85
`
`VII. CONCLUSION .............................................................................................. 85
`
`
`
`
`
`vi
`
`
`

`

`
`
`CASES
`
`TABLE OF AUTHORITIES
`
`Aspex Eyewear, Inc. v. Altair Eyewear, Inc.,
`288 F.App’x 697 (Fed.Cir.2008) ..........................................................................63
`
`Cuozzo Speed Techs. v. Lee,
`136 S. Ct. 2131, 579 U.S. ____ (2016) ................................................................14
`
`Ex parte Lepage,
`decision of the Patent Trial and Appeal Board, Patent Application
`No. 13/702,970, Appeal No. 2017-3943, Paper No. __ (not
`available), 15 pages (May 15, 2017) ....................................................................60
`
`Federal-Mogul World Wide, Inc. v. NJT Enterprises,
`2014 WL 6484989 (E.D. Mich. 2014) .................................................................63
`
`Fontem Ventures B.V. et al. v. R.J. Reynolds Vapor Company,
`No. 1:16-cv-01255 (M.D.N.C.) (prior No. 2:16-cv-02286 (C.D.
`Cal., filed April 4, 2016)) ....................................................................................... 2
`
`Fontem Ventures B.V. et al. v. R.J. Reynolds Vapor Company,
`No. 1:16-cv-01258 (M.D.N.C.) (prior No. 2:16-cv-04534 (C.D.
`Cal., filed June 22, 2016)) ...................................................................................... 2
`
`Fontem Ventures B.V. et al. v. R.J. Reynolds Vapor Company,
`No. 1:16-cv-1257 (M.D.N.C.) (prior No. 2:16-cv-04534 (C.D.
`Cal., filed June 22, 2016)) ...................................................................................... 3
`
`Fontem Ventures B.V. et al. v. R.J. Reynolds Vapor Company,
`No. 1:17-cv-175 (M.D.N.C., filed March 1, 2017) ................................................ 3
`
`Gardner v. TEC Sys., Inc.,
`725 F.2d 1338 (Fed. Cir. 1984) ..................................................................... 56, 68
`
`ICHL, LLC v. NEC Corp. of America,
`No. 5:08CV65, No. 5:08CV175, No. 5:08CV177, 2010 WL
`1609232 (E.D. Tex. Apr. 20, 2010) ......................................................................20
`
`ICHL, LLC v. Sony Electronics, Inc.,
`455 Fed. Appx. 978 (Fed. Cir. 2011) ...................................................................20
`
`In re Cuozzo Speed Techs., LLC,
`793 F.3d 1268 (Fed. Cir. 2015) ............................................................................14
`
`vii
`
`
`

`

`
`
`In re Japikse,
`181 F.2d 1019 (CCPA 1950) ......................................................................... 59, 68
`
`In re Mouttet,
`686 F.3d 1322 (Fed. Cir. 2012) ............................................................................29
`
`KSR Int’l v. Co. v. Teleflex Inc.,
`550 U.S. 398 (2007) .............................................................................................28
`
`Phillips v. AWH Corp.,
`415 F.3d 1303 (Fed. Cir. 2005) ..................................................................... 15, 20
`
`Vitronics Corp. v. Conceptronic, Inc.,
`90 F.3d 1576 (Fed. Cir. 1996) ..............................................................................15
`
`STATUTES
`
`35 U.S.C. § 102 ........................................................................................................22
`
`35 U.S.C. § 103 ............................................................................................. 1, 10, 23
`
`35 U.S.C. §§ 311-319...................................................................................... 1, 2, 11
`
`OTHER AUTHORITIES
`
`Manual of Patent Examining Procedure
`(9th ed. Rev. 7, Nov. 2015) ...................................................................................28
`
`Patent Trial Practice Guide
`77 Fed. Reg., Vol. 77, No. 157 (2012) ................................................................... 1
`
`REGULATIONS
`
`37 C.F.R. § 42 .................................................................................................. passim
`
`
`viii
`
`
`

`

`
`
`Exhibit
`No.
`
`Exhibit
`1001:
`
`Exhibit
`1002:
`
`Exhibit
`1003:
`
`Exhibit
`1004:
`
`EXHIBITS LIST
`
`Description
`
`U.S. Pat. No. 9,370,205 to Lik Hon
`
`U.S. Pat. No. 4,947,874 to Brooks et al.
`
`U.S. Pat. No. 2,057,353 to C. L. Whittemore, Jr.
`
`Declaration of Dr. Robert Sturges
`
`Exhibit
`1005:
`
`Nu Mark, LLC v. Fontem Holdings 1 B.V., IPR2017-00257
`(PTAB, filed November 11, 2016), Paper No. 10
`
`Exhibit
`1006:
`
`U.S. Pat. Appl. No. 13/754,521 Filed January 30, 2012
`
`Exhibit
`1007:
`
`Model No. MPL-502-V by Micro Pneumatic Logic, annotated
`image of pressure sensing port
`
`Exhibit
`1008:
`
`Model No. MPL-502-V by Micro Pneumatic Logic, annotated
`image of pressure balancing port
`
`Exhibit
`1009:
`
`Exhibit
`1010:
`
`MPL 502 Series Specifications, Micro Pneumatic Logic, Inc.,
`(March 11, 2006),
`http://www.pressureswitch.com/PDFs/0502STANDARDA.pdf
`[https://web.archive.org/web/20060311132848/
`http://www.pressureswitch.com/PDFs/0502STANDARDA.pdf]
`
`MPL Pressure Switch Solutions, Micro Pneumatic Logic, Inc.,
`(March 11, 2006),
`http://www.pressureswitch.com/PDFs/2000_MPLBrochure.pdf
`[https://web.archive.org/web/20060311132419/
`http://www.pressureswitch.com/PDFs/2000_MPLBrochure.pdf]
`
`Exhibit
`1011:
`
`McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific and Technical Terms,
`McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. (6th ed. 2003) (excerpt)
`
`Exhibit
`1012:
`
`Nu Mark, LLC v. Fontem Holdings 1 B.V., IPR2016-01642
`(PTAB, filed August 18, 2016), Paper No. 7
`
`Exhibit Nu Mark, LLC v. Fontem Holdings 1 B.V., IPR2016-01283
`
`ix
`
`
`

`

`
`
`1013:
`
`(PTAB, filed June 28, 2016), Paper No. 12
`
`Exhibit
`1014:
`
`U.S. Pub. No. 2009/0126745 to Hon, which is the parent
`application publication of the 205 patent (Ex.1001)
`
`Exhibit
`1015:
`
`Exhibit
`1016:
`
`Exhibit
`1017:
`
`Exhibit
`1018:
`
`Exhibit
`1019:
`
`Exhibit
`1020:
`
`Exhibit
`1021:
`
`Exhibit
`1022:
`
`U.S. Pat. No. 3,685,522 to Kleinhans
`
`U.S. Pat. No. 4,637,407 to Bonanno et al.
`
`U.S. Pat. No. 5,266,746 to Nishihara et al.
`
`U.S. Pat. No. 4,968,263 to Silbernagel et al.
`
`U.S. Pat. No. 2,461,664 to Smith
`
`U.S. Pat. No. 3,234,357 to Seuthe
`
`U.S. Pat. No. 5,743,251 to Howell et al.
`
`Chinese Pat. No. 2719043Y to Lik Hon
`
`Exhibit
`1023:
`
`Certified English translation of Chinese Pat. No. 2719043Y to
`Lik Hon
`
`Exhibit
`1024:
`
`Exhibit
`1025:
`
`Exhibit
`1026:
`
`Exhibit
`1027:
`
`Exhibit
`1028:
`
`Exhibit
`1029:
`
`U.S. Pat. No. 6,598,607 to Adiga et al.
`
`U.S. Pat. No. 4,793,365 to Sensabaugh, Jr. et al.
`
`U.S. Pat. No. 5,203,355 to Clearman et al.
`
`U.S. Pat. No. 2,472,282 to Burchett
`
`U.S. Pat. No. 2,032,695 to Gimera at al.
`
`U.S. Pat. No. 5,703,633 to Gehrer et al.
`
`x
`
`
`

`

`
`
`Exhibit
`1030:
`
`Exhibit
`1031:
`
`Exhibit
`1032:
`
`Exhibit
`1033:
`
`Exhibit
`1034:
`
`Exhibit
`1035:
`
`Exhibit
`1036:
`
`Exhibit
`1037:
`
`Exhibit
`1038:
`
`Exhibit
`1039:
`
`U.S. Pat. No. 6,885,814 to Saito et al.
`
`U.S. Pat. No. 5,894,841 to Voges
`
`European Pat. No. 1584910 to Tohyama et al.
`
`U.S. Pat. No. 6,311,561 to Bang et al.
`
`U.S. Pat. No. 2,442,004 to Hayward-Butt
`
`U.S. Pat. No. 3,200,819 to Gilbert
`
`U.S. Pat. No. 6,155,268 to Takeuchi
`
`U.S. Pat. No. 5,745,985 to Ghosh
`
`U.S. Pat. No. 4,676,237 to Wood
`
`U.S. Pat. No. 4,945,448 to Bremenour
`
`Exhibit
`1040:
`
`R. Messler, Joining of Materials and Structures (2004)
`(excerpt)
`
`Exhibit
`1041:
`
`Exhibit
`1042:
`
`Exhibit
`1043:
`
`Exhibit
`1044:
`
`U.S. Pat. No. 438,310 to Edison
`
`European Pat. Appl. No. EP0845220 A1 to Susa
`
`U.S. Pat. No. 5,177,424 to Connors
`
`U.S. Pat. No. 1,084,304 to Vaughn
`
`Exhibit
`1045:
`
`R.J. Reynolds Vapor Company v. Fontem Holdings 1 B.V.,
`IPR2016-01270 (PTAB, filed July 2, 2016), Paper No. 13
`
`Exhibit R.J. Reynolds Vapor Company v. Fontem Holdings 1 B.V.,
`
`xi
`
`
`

`

`
`
`
`
`1046:
`
`IPR2016-01270 (PTAB, filed July 2, 2016), Paper No. 11
`
`Exhibit
`1047:
`
`Exhibit
`1048:
`
`Exhibit
`1049:
`
`Exhibit
`1050:
`
`Exhibit
`1051:
`
`Exhibit
`1052:
`
`Exhibit
`1053:
`
`European Pat No. EP 2,022,349 to Han
`
`European Pat. Pub. 0 501 419 to Patteri
`
`Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, Merriam-Webster,
`Inc. (11th ed. 2003)(excerpt)
`
`Declaration of Kyle Yarberry
`
`Record of purchase of MPL-502-V-G-Range-A sensor
`
`U.S. Pat. No. 6,217,315 to Mifune et al.
`
`MPL 500: Low Pressure Momentary Switches,
`http://www.pryde.com.au/Data_Sheets/
`Industrial/02/MPL/MPL_500_pg1.pdf (last visited June 26,
`2017)
`
`Exhibit
`1054:
`
`Model No. MPL-502-V, Range A, by Micro Pneumatic Logic,
`Inc., Ft. Lauderdale, FL
`
`Exhibit
`1055:
`
`NuMark, LLC v. Fontem Holdings 1 B.V., IPR2017-00257
`(PTAB, filed December 9, 2016), Paper No. 10
`
`xii
`
`
`

`

`
`
`
`
`I.
`
`INTRODUCTION
`
`Pursuant to 35 U.S.C. §§ 311-319 and 37 C.F.R. § 42, R.J. Reynolds Vapor
`
`Company (“Petitioner”) requests Inter Partes Review (“IPR”) of claims 1-22 of
`
`U.S. Pat. No. 9,370,205 titled “Electronic Cigarette” (“205 patent,” Ex.1001),
`
`which is assigned to Fontem Holdings 1 B.V. (“Fontem” or “Patent Owner”).
`
`This Petition demonstrates a reasonable likelihood that claims 1-22 of the
`
`205 patent are unpatentable under 35 U.S.C. § 103 over the combination of U.S.
`
`Pat. No. 4,947,874 (“Brooks,” Ex.1002) and U.S. Pat. No. 2,057,353
`
`(“Whittemore,” Ex.1003), and in further view of the knowledge possessed by those
`
`skilled in the art as demonstrated by the prior art references cited herein.
`
`II. MANDATORY NOTICES UNDER 37 C.F.R. § 42.8
`
`A. Real Party-in-Interest and Deposit Account
`
`For purposes of 35 U.S.C. §312(a)(2) and 37 C.F.R. §42.8(b)(1) only,
`
`Petitioner, R.J. Reynolds Vapor Company, identifies the real parties-in-interest as
`
`R.J. Reynolds Vapor Company, R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, and RAI
`
`Services Company. Each of the foregoing entities is a direct or indirect wholly
`
`owned subsidiary of Reynolds American Inc. Although Petitioner does not believe
`
`that Reynolds American Inc. is a real party-in-interest (see Patent Trial Practice
`
`Guide 77 Fed. Reg., Vol. 77, No. 157 (2012) at 48759-60), Reynolds American
`
`Inc. and each of its other wholly owned subsidiaries (direct and indirect)
`
`

`

`
`
`nevertheless agree to be bound by any final written decision in these proceedings
`
`to the same extent as a real party-in-interest. See 35 U.S.C. §315(e).
`
`Petitioner authorizes the PTO to charge Deposit Account No. 23-1925 for
`
`the IPR Petition fees set in 37 C.F.R. §42.15(a), and authorizes payment of any
`
`additional fees to be charged to this Deposit Account.
`
`B. Related Matters (37 C.F.R. §42.8(b)(2))
`
`1.
`
`Related Matters
`
`Petitioner is not aware of any reexamination certificates or pending
`
`prosecution concerning the 205 patent.
`
`a.
`
`Related Litigations
`
`Petitioner is a defendant in the following litigation involving the 205 patent:
`
`Fontem Ventures B.V. et al. v. R.J. Reynolds Vapor Company, No. 1:16-cv-01258
`
`(M.D.N.C.) (prior No. 2:16-cv-04534 (C.D. Cal., filed June 22, 2016)). Claims 1-
`
`22 of the 205 patent have been asserted against the Petitioner.
`
`The above-referenced action is one of four related patent infringement
`
`actions filed by the Patent Owner against the Petitioner. In a related action,
`
`Fontem Ventures B.V. et al. v. R.J. Reynolds Vapor Company, No. 1:16-cv-01255
`
`(M.D.N.C.) (prior No. 2:16-cv-02286 (C.D. Cal., filed April 4, 2016)), the Patent
`
`Owner has asserted U.S. Patent Nos. 8,365,742; 8,490,628; 8,893,726; and
`
`8,899,239. In another related action, Fontem Ventures B.V. et al. v. R.J. Reynolds
`
`2
`
`

`

`
`
`Vapor Company, No. 1:16-cv-1257 (M.D.N.C.) (prior No. 2:16-cv-04534 (C.D.
`
`Cal., filed June 22, 2016)), the Patent Owner has asserted U.S. Patent Nos.
`
`9,326,548 and 9,326,549. In yet another related action, Fontem Ventures B.V. et
`
`al. v. R.J. Reynolds Vapor Company, No. 1:17-cv-175 (M.D.N.C., filed March 1,
`
`2017), the Patent Owner has asserted U.S. Patent Nos. 8,375,957; 8,393,331;
`
`8,863,752; 9,32,6550; 9,326,551; 9,339,062; 9,364,027; and 9,456,632.
`
`In addition to the petitions noted below with respect to the patents in the
`
`same family as the 205 patent, the current Petitioner has also filed petitions for IPR
`
`with respect to U.S. Patent Nos. 8,365,742; 8,490,628; 8,893,726; 8,899,239;
`
`9,326,548; and 9,326,549.
`
`The Patent Owner has also asserted the 205 patent as well as U.S. Patent No.
`
`8,375,957, which is in the priority chain of the 205 patent, and U.S. Patent Nos.
`
`8,863,752, 9,326,550, 9,326,551 and 9,339,062, which share priority claims with
`
`the 205 patent, in the following additional district court proceedings in which
`
`Petitioner was not and is not a party:
`
`a.
`
`Fontem Ventures B.V. and Fontem Holdings 1 B.V. v. Nu Mark
`
`LLC, No. 16-CV-1259 (M.D.N.C.) (prior No. 16-CV-4537 (C.D.
`
`Cal.));
`
`3
`
`

`

`
`
`b.
`
`Fontem Ventures B.V. and Fontem Holdings 1 B.V. v. Nu Mark
`
`LLC, No. 16-CV-1261 (M.D.N.C.) (prior No. 16-CV-2291) (C.D.
`
`Cal.));
`
`c.
`
`Fontem Ventures B.V. and Fontem Holdings 1 B.V. v. NJOY, Inc.,
`
`No. 14-CV-1645 (C.D. Cal.);
`
`d.
`
`Fontem Ventures B.V. and Fontem Holdings 1 B.V. v. LOEC, Inc.,
`
`dba blue cigs, No. 14-CV-1648 (C.D. Cal.);
`
`e.
`
`Fontem Ventures B.V. and Fontem Holdings 1 B.V. v. CB
`
`Distributors, Inc. and DR Distributors, LLC, dba 21st Century
`
`Smoke, LLC, No. 14-CV-1649 (C.D. Cal.);
`
`f.
`
`Fontem Ventures B.V. and Fontem Holdings 1 B.V. v. Vapor Corp.,
`
`No. 14-CV-1650 (C.D. Cal.);
`
`g.
`
`Fontem Ventures B.V. and Fontem Holdings 1 B.V. v. Fin Branding
`
`Group, LLC and Victory Electronic Cigarettes Corporation, No. 14-
`
`CV-1651 (C.D. Cal.);
`
`h.
`
`Fontem Ventures B.V. and Fontem Holdings 1 B.V. v. Ballantyne
`
`Brands, LLC, No. 14-CV-1652 (C.D. Cal.);
`
`i.
`
`Fontem Ventures B.V. and Fontem Holdings 1 B.V. v. Spark
`
`Industries, LLC, No. 14-CV-1653 (C.D. Cal.);
`
`4
`
`

`

`
`
`
`
`j.
`
`Fontem Ventures B.V. and Fontem Holdings 1 B.V. v. Logic
`
`Technology Development LLC, No. 14-CV-1654 (C.D. Cal.);
`
`k.
`
`Fontem Ventures B.V. and Fontem Holdings 1 B.V. v. VMR Products,
`
`LLC, dba V2CIGS, No. 14-CV-1655 (C.D. Cal.);
`
`l.
`
`Fontem Ventures B.V. and Fontem Holdings 1 B.V. v. NJOY, Inc.,
`
`No. 14-CV-8144 (C.D. Cal.);
`
`m.
`
`Fontem Ventures B.V. and Fontem Holdings 1 B.V. v. LOEC, Inc.,
`
`dba blue cigs, No. 14-CV-8149 (C.D. Cal.);
`
`n.
`
`Fontem Ventures B.V. and Fontem Holdings 1 B.V. v. CB
`
`Distributors, Inc. and DR Distributors, LLC, dba 21st Century
`
`Smoke, LLC, No. 14-CV-8154 (C.D. Cal.);
`
`o.
`
`Fontem Ventures B.V. and Fontem Holdings 1 B.V. v. Vapor Corp.,
`
`No. 14-CV-8155 (C.D. Cal.);
`
`p.
`
`Fontem Ventures B.V. and Fontem Holdings 1 B.V. v. Fin Branding
`
`Group, LLC and Victory Electronic Cigarettes International Group,
`
`Ltd., No. 14-CV-8156 (C.D. Cal.);
`
`q.
`
`Fontem Ventures B.V. and Fontem Holdings 1 B.V. v. Ballantyne
`
`Brands, LLC, No. 14-CV-8157 (C.D. Cal.);
`
`r.
`
`Fontem Ventures B.V. and Fontem Holdings 1 B.V. v. Spark
`
`Industries, LLC, No. 14-CV-8158 (C.D. Cal.);
`
`5
`
`

`

`
`
`s.
`
`Fontem Ventures B.V. and Fontem Holdings 1 B.V. v. Logic
`
`Technology Development LLC, No. 14-CV-8160 (C.D. Cal.); and
`
`t.
`
`Fontem Ventures B.V. and Fontem Holdings 1 B.V. v. VMR Products,
`
`LLC, dba V2CIGS, No. 14-CV-8161 (C.D. Cal.).
`
`
`
`b.
`
`Related Proceedings Before the Board
`
`Petitioner identifies the following related inter partes review proceedings
`
`and administrative matters:
`
`a.
`
`Petition for Inter Partes Review of U.S. Patent No. 8,375,957,
`
`IPR2015-00098, PTAB, filed October 21, 2014 by Petitioner Logic
`
`Technology Development, LLC;
`
`b.
`
`Petition for Inter Partes Review of U.S. Patent No. 8,375,957,
`
`IPR2015-01513, PTAB, filed June 26, 2015 by Petitioner JT
`
`International S.A.;
`
`c.
`
`Petition for Inter Partes Review of U.S. Patent No. 8,863,752,
`
`IPR2015-01301, PTAB, filed May 29, 2015 by Petitioners NJOY,
`
`Inc.; CB Distributors, Inc.; DR Distributors, LLC; FIN Branding
`
`Group, LLC; Electronic Cigarettes International Group, Ltd. f/k/a
`
`Victory Electronic Cigarettes Corporation; and, Logic Technology
`
`Development LLC;
`
`6
`
`

`

`
`
`d.
`
`Petition for Inter Partes Review of U.S. Patent No. 8,863,752,
`
`IPR2015-01604, PTAB, filed July 20, 2015 by Petitioner JT
`
`International S.A.;
`
`e.
`
`Petition for Inter Partes Review of U.S. Patent No. 8,375,957,
`
`IPR2016-01307, PTAB, filed June 28, 2016 by Petitioner Nu Mark
`
`LLC;
`
`f.
`
`Petition for Inter Partes Review of U.S. Patent No. 8,863,752,
`
`IPR2016-01309, PTAB, filed June 28, 2016 by Petitioner Nu Mark
`
`LLC;
`
`g.
`
`Petition for Inter Partes Review of U.S. Patent No. 9,370,205,
`
`IPR2016-01642, PTAB, filed August 18, 2016 by Petitioner Nu
`
`Mark LLC;
`
`h.
`
`Petition for Inter Partes Review of U.S. Patent No. 9,326,550,
`
`IPR2016-01707, PTAB, filed August 31, 2016 by Petitioner Nu Mark
`
`LLC;
`
`i.
`
`Petition for Inter Partes Review of U.S. Patent No. 9,326,551,
`
`IPR2016-01706, PTAB, filed August 31, 2016 by Petitioner Nu
`
`Mark LLC;
`
`7
`
`

`

`
`
`j.
`
`Petition for Inter Partes Review of U.S. Patent No. 9,339,062,
`
`IPR2016-01705, PTAB, filed August 31, 2016 by Petitioner Nu
`
`Mark LLC;
`
`k.
`
`Petition for Inter Partes Review of U.S. Patent No. 9,326,550,
`
`IPR2017-00205, PTAB, filed November 11, 2016 by Petitioner Nu
`
`Mark LLC;
`
`l.
`
`Petition for Inter Partes Review of U.S. Patent No. 9,339,062,
`
`IPR2017-00303, PTAB, filed November 18, 2016 by Petitioner Nu
`
`Mark LLC; and
`
`m.
`
`Petition for Inter Partes Review of U.S. Patent No. 9,370,205,
`
`IPR2017-01641, PTAB, filed June 23, 2017, by Petitioner R.J.
`
`Reynolds Vapor Company.
`
`c.
`
`Related Proceedings Before the Board
`
`A pending patent application claims the benefit of the 205 patent: U.S.
`
`Patent Application No. 15/158,421, filed May 18, 2016.
`
`C. Lead and Back-Up Counsel
`
`Lead Counsel
`
`Ralph J. Gabric
`Reg. No. 34,167
`rgabric@brinksgilson.com
`
`Brinks Gilson & Lione
`Suite 3600, NBC Tower
`
`Back-Up Counsel
`
`Robert Mallin
`Reg. No. 35,596
`rmallin@brinksgilson.com
`
`Brinks Gilson & Lione
`Suite 3600, NBC Tower
`
`8
`
`

`

`
`
`455 Cityfront Plaza Drive
`Chicago, IL 60611-5599
`T: 312-321-4200, F: 312-321-4299
`
`
`
`455 Cityfront Plaza Drive
`Chicago, IL 60611-5599
`T: 312-321-4200, F: 312-321-4299
`
`Yuezhong Feng
`Reg. No. 58,657
`yfeng@brinksgilson.com
`
`
`Brinks Gilson & Lione
`Suite 3600, NBC Tower
`455 Cityfront Plaza Drive
`Chicago, IL 60611-5599
`T: 312-321-4200, F: 312-321-4299
`
`
`
`D.
`
`Service Information
`
`Service of any documents via hand delivery, express mail or regular mail
`
`may be made to the lead and backup counsel at the postal mailing address above.
`
`Petitioner also consents to service by email at the above-designated email
`
`addresses.
`
`E.
`
`Proof of Service
`
`Proof of service of this Petition on the Patent Owner at the correspondence
`
`address of record for the 205 patent is attached.
`
`III. GROUNDS FOR STANDING
`
`As required by 37 C.F.R. §42.104(a), Petitioner certifies that the 205 patent
`
`is available for inter partes review and Petitioner is not barred or estopped from
`
`requesting review on the grounds herein.
`
`9
`
`

`

`
`
`IV.
`
`IDENTIFICATION OF CHALLENGE AND STATEMENT OF THE
`PRECISE RELIEF REQUESTED
`
`Pursuant to 37 C.F.R. §42.104(b), the precise relief requested is that the
`
`Board review and find unpatentable claims 1-22 of the 205 patent.
`
`Petitioner requests inter partes review and cancellation of claims 1-22 of the
`
`205 patent pursuant to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. §103 as set forth herein. Petitioner’s
`
`detailed statement of the reasons for the relief requested is set forth below in the
`
`section titled “Statement of Reasons for the Relief Requested.” In accordance with
`
`37 C.F.R. §42.6(c), copies of the exhibits are filed herewith including the
`
`Declaration of Dr. Robert Sturges (“Sturges Decl.,” Ex.1004).
`
`Claims 1-22 of the 205 patent are unpatentable as obvious over the
`
`combination of Brooks (Ex.1002) in combination with Whittemore (Ex.1003), and,
`
`if necessary, in further view of the knowledge possessed by the person of ordinary
`
`skill in the art.
`
`Statement of Non-Redundancy: The ground for invalidity set for in this
`
`petition has not been expressly considered either in another IPR or during
`
`prosecution of the 205 patent. The combination of Brooks and Whittemore was
`
`advanced in previous IPR2017-00257 filed by a different petitioner, but that IPR
`
`was terminated at the parties’ request prior to issuance of an institution decision.
`
`Ex.1055. In addition, Petitioner filed IPR2017-01641 on June 23, 2017 contending
`
`that claims 1-22 are anticipated by WO2007/131450, because claims 1-22 are not
`
`10
`
`

`

`
`
`entitled to the effective filing date of the parent PCT application that published as
`
`WO2007/131450. In contrast, the present petition is based upon obviousness over
`
`the combination of Brooks and Whittemore – references that are prior art to the
`
`claims of the 205 patent even it those claims were entitled to their earliest effective
`
`filing date. Thus, unlike the grounds asserted in IPR2017-01641, the grounds