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`IPR2022-00088
`Declaration of Barry Cinnamon – ’062 Patent
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`UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
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`BEFORE THE PATENT TRIAL AND APPEAL BOARD
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`ECOFASTEN SOLAR, LLC AND ESDEC, INC.,
`Petitioners,
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`v.
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`UNIRAC, INC.,
`Patent Owner.
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`Case No. IPR2022-00088
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`U.S. Patent No. 9,584,062
`Issue Date: February 28, 2017
`Title: Apparatus for Mounting Photovoltaic Modules
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`DECLARATION OF BARRY CINNAMON
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`
`
`Mail Stop “PATENT BOARD”
`Patent Trial and Appeal Board
`United States Patent and Trademark Office
`P.O. Box 1450
`Alexandria, VA 22313-1450
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`
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`EAST\186239416.1
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`ECO
`Exhibit 1003 - Page 1
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`IPR2022-00088
`Declaration of Barry Cinnamon – ’062 Patent
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`TABLE OF CONTENTS
`
`I.
`
`INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................... 1
`
`II.
`
`BACKGROUND AND QUALIFICATION ................................................... 2
`
`III. UNDERSTANDING OF THE LAW .............................................................. 4
`
`IV. MATERIALS CONSIDERED FOR THIS DECLARATION ........................ 9
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`V.
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`SUMMARY OF OPINIONS ........................................................................... 9
`
`VI. SUMMARY OF THE ’062 PATENT ...........................................................10
`
`A.
`
`Brief Description .................................................................................10
`
`B.
`
`Prosecution History of the ’062 Patent ...............................................18
`
`C.
`
`Priority Date of the Challenged Claims ..............................................20
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`D.
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`Level of Ordinary Skill in the Art .......................................................20
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`VII. CLAIM CONSTRUCTION UNDER 37 C.F.R. § 42.104(b)(3) ..................20
`
`VIII. WENTWORTH .............................................................................................21
`
`A.
`
`Claim 1 ................................................................................................21
`
`1.
`
`2.
`
`3.
`
`4.
`
`[1P] An apparatus for mounting photovoltaic modules,
`comprising: ....................................................................................21
`[1.1] a bracket, wherein the bracket defines a slot in a lower
`portion of the bracket and wherein the slot extends along a
`longitudinal length of the bracket; ................................................22
`[1.2] a clamp securable to the bracket on an upper portion of the
`bracket; ..........................................................................................26
`[1.3] wherein a first photovoltaic module and a second photovol-
`taic module are mountable on a first side of the bracket and a first
`side of the clamp, wherein the first photovoltaic module is
`adjacent to the second photovoltaic module, and wherein only a
`respective end portion of the first photovoltaic module and the
`
`EAST\186239416.1
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`i
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`ECO
`Exhibit 1003 - Page 2
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`IPR2022-00088
`Declaration of Barry Cinnamon – ’062 Patent
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`5.
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`second photovoltaic module is mountable in the first side of the
`bracket and the first side of the clamp; and ...................................28
`[1.4] ..... a footer, wherein the footer is variably positionable on the
`bracket along the slot. ....................................................................31
`Claim 6: The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the footer is
`
`B.
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`generally L-shaped and wherein the footer is variably positionable on
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`the bracket along the slot via a securement mechanism that is disposed
`
`through the footer and is received in the slot. .....................................37
`
`C.
`
`Claim 7: The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the bracket
`
`includes a first ledge on the first side of the bracket and a second
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`ledge on a second side of the bracket. .................................................41
`
`D.
`
`Claim 8: The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the clamp
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`includes a first wing on the first side of the clamp and a second wing
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`on a second side of the clamp. .............................................................43
`
`E.
`
`Claim 9: The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the first
`
`photovoltaic module and the second photovoltaic module are
`
`mountable on the first side of the bracket and the first side of the
`
`clamp between the first ledge of the bracket and the first wing of the
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`clamp. ..................................................................................................46
`
`F.
`
`Claim 10: The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein a third
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`photovoltaic module and a fourth photovoltaic module are mountable
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`on the second side of the bracket and the second side of the clamp
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`EAST\186239416.1
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`ii
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`ECO
`Exhibit 1003 - Page 3
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`IPR2022-00088
`Declaration of Barry Cinnamon – ’062 Patent
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`between the second ledge of the bracket and the second wing of the
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`clamp, wherein the third photovoltaic module is adjacent to the fourth
`
`photovoltaic module, and wherein only a respective end portion of the
`
`third photovoltaic module and the fourth photovoltaic module is
`
`mountable in the second side of the bracket and the second side of the
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`clamp. ..................................................................................................48
`
`G.
`
`Claim 11: The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the first ledge
`
`of the bracket, the second ledge of the bracket, the first wing of the
`
`clamp, and the second wing of the clamp each extend along an entire
`
`longitudinal length of the apparatus. ...................................................50
`
`H.
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`Claim 12: The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein a plurality of
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`attachment mechanisms secure the clamp to the bracket on the upper
`
`portion of the bracket. .........................................................................52
`
`I.
`
`Claim 14: The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the bracket
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`defines a cavity between the upper portion of the bracket and the
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`lower portion of the bracket. ...............................................................54
`
`J.
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`Claim 17: The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a
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`trim assembly, wherein the trim assembly includes a trim and a trim
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`mounting bracket, wherein the trim mounting bracket is mountable on
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`EAST\186239416.1
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`iii
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`ECO
`Exhibit 1003 - Page 4
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`IPR2022-00088
`Declaration of Barry Cinnamon – ’062 Patent
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`the bracket, and wherein the trim is mountable on the trim mounting
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`bracket. ................................................................................................56
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`K.
`
`Claim 18: The apparatus according to claim 17, wherein a
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`longitudinal length of the trim is longer than the longitudinal length of
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`the bracket. ..........................................................................................59
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`L.
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`Claim 20: The apparatus according to claim 17, wherein a top portion
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`of the trim is electrically bonded to a top portion of the trim mounting
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`bracket and wherein a bottom portion of the trim mounting bracket is
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`electrically bonded to the bracket........................................................61
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`M. Claim 26: The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the first ledge
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`extends outwardly from the first side of the bracket and wherein the
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`second ledge extends outwardly from the second side of the
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`bracket….. ...........................................................................................61
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`N.
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`Claim 27: The apparatus according to claim 1 in combination with a
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`first photovoltaic module and a second photovoltaic module, wherein
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`the first photovoltaic module and the second photovoltaic module are
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`mounted on the first side of the bracket and the first side of the clamp
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`and wherein the first photovoltaic module is adjacent to the second
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`photovoltaic module. ...........................................................................63
`
`O.
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`Claim 28 ............................................. Error! Bookmark not defined.
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`EAST\186239416.1
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`iv
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`ECO
`Exhibit 1003 - Page 5
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`IPR2022-00088
`Declaration of Barry Cinnamon – ’062 Patent
`
`1.
`
`2.
`
`3.
`
`4.
`
`[28P] An apparatus for mounting photovoltaic modules,
`comprising: ................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
`[28.1] a bracket, wherein the bracket defines a slot in a lower
`portion of the bracket and wherein the slot extends along a
`longitudinal length of the bracket; ................................................64
`[28.2] a clamp securable to the bracket on an upper portion of the
`bracket; ..........................................................................................64
`[28.3] wherein only a first photovoltaic module is mountable on a
`first side of the bracket and a first side of the clamp, wherein only
`a second photovoltaic module is mountable on a second side of the
`bracket and a second side of the clamp, wherein only an end
`portion of the first photovoltaic module is mountable in the first
`side of the bracket and the first side of the clamp, and wherein
`only an end portion of the second photovoltaic module is
`mountable in the second side of the bracket and the second side of
`the clamp; and ...............................................................................65
`[28.4] a footer, wherein the footer is variably positionable on the
`bracket along the slot. ....................................................................67
`Claim 29 ..............................................................................................68
`
`5.
`
`P.
`
`1.
`
`2.
`
`3.
`
`4.
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`[29P] A system for mounting an array of photovoltaic modules,
`comprising: ....................................................................................68
`[29.1] a first mounting apparatus, wherein: a first photovoltaic
`module and a second photovoltaic module are mountable on a first
`side of the first mounting apparatus, wherein the first photovoltaic
`module is adjacent to the second photovoltaic module, and
`wherein only a respective first end portion of the first photovoltaic
`module and the second photovoltaic module is mountable on the
`first side of the first mounting apparatus; and ...............................68
`[29.2] a third photovoltaic module and a fourth photovoltaic
`module are mountable on a second side of the first mounting
`apparatus, wherein the third photovoltaic module is adjacent to the
`fourth photovoltaic module, and wherein only a respective first
`end portion of the third photovoltaic module and the fourth
`photovoltaic module is mountable on the second side of the first
`mounting apparatus; and ...............................................................68
`[29.3] a second mounting apparatus, wherein: the first
`photovoltaic module and a fifth photovoltaic module are
`mountable on a first side of the second mounting apparatus,
`wherein the first photovoltaic module is adjacent to the fifth
`
`EAST\186239416.1
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`v
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`ECO
`Exhibit 1003 - Page 6
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`
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`IPR2022-00088
`Declaration of Barry Cinnamon – ’062 Patent
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`5.
`
`photovoltaic module, and wherein only a second end portion of
`the first photovoltaic module and only a first end portion of the
`fifth photovoltaic module are mountable on the first side of the
`second mounting apparatus; and ...................................................69
`[29.4] the third photovoltaic module and a sixth photovoltaic
`module are mountable on a second side of the second mounting
`apparatus, wherein the third photovoltaic module is adjacent to the
`sixth photovoltaic module, and wherein only a second end portion
`of the third photovoltaic module and only a first end portion of the
`sixth photovoltaic module are mountable on the second side of the
`second mounting apparatus. ..........................................................69
`Claim 30: The system for mounting an array of photovoltaic modules
`
`Q.
`
`according to claim 29, further comprising a third mounting apparatus,
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`wherein only a second end portion of the fifth photovoltaic module is
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`mountable on a first side of the third mounting apparatus and wherein
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`only a second end portion of the sixth photovoltaic module is
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`mountable on a second side of the third mounting apparatus. ............70
`
`R.
`
`Claim 31 ..............................................................................................70
`
`1.
`
`2.
`
`3.
`
`4.
`
`[31P] An apparatus for mounting photovoltaic modules, compris-
`ing: .................................................................................................70
`[31.1] a bracket, wherein the bracket defines a slot in a lower
`portion of the bracket and wherein the slot extends along a
`longitudinal length of the bracket; ................................................70
`[31.2] a clamp securable to the bracket on an upper portion of the
`bracket; ..........................................................................................71
`[31.3] wherein a first photovoltaic module and a second photovol-
`taic module are mountable on a first side of the bracket and a first
`side of the clamp, wherein the first photovoltaic module is
`adjacent to the second photovoltaic module, and wherein only a
`respective end portion of the first photovoltaic module and the
`second photovoltaic module is mountable in the first side of the
`bracket and the first side of the clamp; and ...................................71
`
`EAST\186239416.1
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`vi
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`ECO
`Exhibit 1003 - Page 7
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`
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`IPR2022-00088
`Declaration of Barry Cinnamon – ’062 Patent
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`5.
`
`[71.4] a footer, wherein the footer is variably positionable on the
`bracket along the slot such that the footer is positioned on the
`bracket so as to be co-located at a position of a roof rafter to which
`the footer is to be mounted. ...........................................................71
`
`IX. WILDES AND WILDES II ...........................................................................74
`
`A.
`
`Claim 1 ................................................................................................78
`
`1.
`
`2.
`
`3.
`
`4.
`
`[1P] An apparatus for mounting photovoltaic modules,
`comprising: ....................................................................................78
`[1.1] a bracket, wherein the bracket defines a slot in a lower
`portion of the bracket and wherein the slot extends along a
`longitudinal length of the bracket; ................................................79
`[1.2] a clamp securable to the bracket on an upper portion of the
`bracket; ..........................................................................................82
`[1.3] wherein a first photovoltaic module and a second photovol-
`taic module are mountable on a first side of the bracket and a first
`side of the clamp, wherein the first photovoltaic module is
`adjacent to the second photovoltaic module, and wherein only a
`respective end portion of the first photovoltaic module and the
`second photovoltaic module is mountable in the first side of the
`bracket and the first side of the clamp; and ...................................86
`[1.4] ..... a footer, wherein the footer is variably positionable on the
`bracket along the slot. ....................................................................89
`Claim 6: The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the footer is
`
`5.
`
`B.
`
`generally L-shaped and wherein the footer is variably positionable on
`
`the bracket along the slot via a securement mechanism that is disposed
`
`through the footer and is received in the slot. .....................................91
`
`C.
`
`Claim 7: The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the bracket
`
`includes a first ledge on the first side of the bracket and a second
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`ledge on a second side of the bracket. .................................................91
`
`EAST\186239416.1
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`vii
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`ECO
`Exhibit 1003 - Page 8
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`
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`D.
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`Claim 8: The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the clamp
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`IPR2022-00088
`Declaration of Barry Cinnamon – ’062 Patent
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`includes a first wing on the first side of the clamp and a second wing
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`on a second side of the clamp. .............................................................93
`
`E.
`
`Claim 9: The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the first
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`photovoltaic module and the second photovoltaic module are
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`mountable on the first side of the bracket and the first side of the
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`clamp between the first ledge of the bracket and the first wing of the
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`clamp. ..................................................................................................95
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`F.
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`Claim 10: The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein a third
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`photovoltaic module and a fourth photovoltaic module are mountable
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`on the second side of the bracket and the second side of the clamp
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`between the second ledge of the bracket and the second wing of the
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`clamp, wherein the third photovoltaic module is adjacent to the fourth
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`photovoltaic module, and wherein only a respective end portion of the
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`third photovoltaic module and the fourth photovoltaic module is
`
`mountable in the second side of the bracket and the second side of the
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`clamp. ..................................................................................................96
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`G.
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`Claim 11: The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the first ledge
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`of the bracket, the second ledge of the bracket, the first wing of the
`
`EAST\186239416.1
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`viii
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`ECO
`Exhibit 1003 - Page 9
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`IPR2022-00088
`Declaration of Barry Cinnamon – ’062 Patent
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`clamp, and the second wing of the clamp each extend along an entire
`
`longitudinal length of the apparatus. ...................................................98
`
`H.
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`Claim 12: The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein a plurality of
`
`attachment mechanisms secure the clamp to the bracket on the upper
`
`portion of the bracket. .......................................................................100
`
`I.
`
`Claim 14: The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the bracket
`
`defines a cavity between the upper portion of the bracket and the
`
`lower portion of the bracket. .............................................................101
`
`J.
`
`Claim 17: The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a
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`trim assembly, wherein the trim assembly includes a trim and a trim
`
`mounting bracket, wherein the trim mounting bracket is mountable on
`
`the bracket, and wherein the trim is mountable on the trim mounting
`
`bracket. ..............................................................................................103
`
`K.
`
`Claim 18: The apparatus according to claim 17, wherein a
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`longitudinal length of the trim is longer than the longitudinal length of
`
`the bracket. ........................................................................................108
`
`L.
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`Claim 19: The apparatus according to claim 17, wherein a lowest-
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`most portion of the trim assembly extends below a lowest-most
`
`portion of the bracket. .......................................................................109
`
`EAST\186239416.1
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`ix
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`ECO
`Exhibit 1003 - Page 10
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`
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`M. Claim 20: The apparatus according to claim 17, wherein a top portion
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`IPR2022-00088
`Declaration of Barry Cinnamon – ’062 Patent
`
`of the trim is electrically bonded to a top portion of the trim mounting
`
`bracket and wherein a bottom portion of the trim mounting bracket is
`
`electrically bonded to the bracket......................................................111
`
`N.
`
`Claim 26: The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the first ledge
`
`extends outwardly from the first side of the bracket and wherein the
`
`second ledge extends outwardly from the second side of the
`
`bracket…. ..........................................................................................113
`
`O.
`
`Claim 27: The apparatus according to claim 1 in combination with a
`
`first photovoltaic module and a second photovoltaic module, wherein
`
`the first photovoltaic module and the second photovoltaic module are
`
`mounted on the first side of the bracket and the first side of the clamp
`
`and wherein the first photovoltaic module is adjacent to the second
`
`photovoltaic module. .........................................................................115
`
`P.
`
`Claim 28 ............................................................................................116
`
`1.
`
`2.
`
`3.
`
`4.
`
`[28P] An apparatus for mounting photovoltaic modules,
`comprising: ..................................................................................116
`[28.1] a bracket, wherein the bracket defines a slot in a lower
`portion of the bracket and wherein the slot extends along a
`longitudinal length of the bracket; ..............................................116
`[28.2] a clamp securable to the bracket on an upper portion of the
`bracket; ........................................................................................116
`[28.3] wherein only a first photovoltaic module is mountable on a
`first side of the bracket and a first side of the clamp, wherein only
`a second photovoltaic module is mountable on a second side of the
`
`EAST\186239416.1
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`x
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`ECO
`Exhibit 1003 - Page 11
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`
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`IPR2022-00088
`Declaration of Barry Cinnamon – ’062 Patent
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`bracket and a second side of the clamp, wherein only an end
`portion of the first photovoltaic module is mountable in the first
`side of the bracket and the first side of the clamp, and wherein
`only an end portion of the second photovoltaic module is
`mountable in the second side of the bracket and the second side of
`the clamp; and .............................................................................117
`[28.4] a footer, wherein the footer is variably positionable on the
`bracket along the slot. ..................................................................121
`Claim 29 ............................................................................................121
`
`5.
`
`Q.
`
`1.
`
`2.
`
`3.
`
`4.
`
`5.
`
`[29P] A system for mounting an array of photovoltaic modules,
`comprising: ..................................................................................121
`[29.1] a first mounting apparatus, wherein: a first photovoltaic
`module and a second photovoltaic module are mountable on a first
`side of the first mounting apparatus, wherein the first photovoltaic
`module is adjacent to the second photovoltaic module, and
`wherein only a respective first end portion of the first photovoltaic
`module and the second photovoltaic module is mountable on the
`first side of the first mounting apparatus; and .............................122
`[29.2] a third photovoltaic module and a fourth photovoltaic
`module are mountable on a second side of the first mounting
`apparatus, wherein the third photovoltaic module is adjacent to the
`fourth photovoltaic module, and wherein only a respective first
`end portion of the third photovoltaic module and the fourth
`photovoltaic module is mountable on the second side of the first
`mounting apparatus; and .............................................................122
`[29.3] a second mounting apparatus, wherein: the first
`photovoltaic module and a fifth photovoltaic module are
`mountable on a first side of the second mounting apparatus,
`wherein the first photovoltaic module is adjacent to the fifth
`photovoltaic module, and wherein only a second end portion of
`the first photovoltaic module and only a first end portion of the
`fifth photovoltaic module are mountable on the first side of the
`second mounting apparatus; and .................................................123
`[29.4] the third photovoltaic module and a sixth photovoltaic
`module are mountable on a second side of the second mounting
`apparatus, wherein the third photovoltaic module is adjacent to the
`sixth photovoltaic module, and wherein only a second end portion
`of the third photovoltaic module and only a first end portion of the
`
`EAST\186239416.1
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`xi
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`ECO
`Exhibit 1003 - Page 12
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`
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`IPR2022-00088
`Declaration of Barry Cinnamon – ’062 Patent
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`sixth photovoltaic module are mountable on the second side of the
`second mounting apparatus. ........................................................124
`Claim 30: The system for mounting an array of photovoltaic modules
`
`R.
`
`according to claim 29, further comprising a third mounting apparatus,
`
`wherein only a second end portion of the fifth photovoltaic module is
`
`mountable on a first side of the third mounting apparatus and wherein
`
`only a second end portion of the sixth photovoltaic module is
`
`mountable on a second side of the third mounting apparatus. ..........125
`
`S.
`
`Claim 31 ............................................................................................125
`
`1.
`
`2.
`
`3.
`
`4.
`
`5.
`
`[31P] An apparatus for mounting photovoltaic modules, compris-
`ing: ...............................................................................................125
`[31.1] a bracket, wherein the bracket defines a slot in a lower
`portion of the bracket and wherein the slot extends along a
`longitudinal length of the bracket; ..............................................125
`[31.2] a clamp securable to the bracket on an upper portion of the
`bracket; ........................................................................................125
`[31.3] wherein a first photovoltaic module and a second photovol-
`taic module are mountable on a first side of the bracket and a first
`side of the clamp, wherein the first photovoltaic module is
`adjacent to the second photovoltaic module, and wherein only a
`respective end portion of the first photovoltaic module and the
`second photovoltaic module is mountable in the first side of the
`bracket and the first side of the clamp; and .................................126
`[71.4] a footer, wherein the footer is variably positionable on the
`bracket along the slot such that the footer is positioned on the
`bracket so as to be co-located at a position of a roof rafter to which
`the footer is to be mounted. .........................................................126
`
`X.
`
`CONCLUSION ............................................................................................128
`
`
`
`
`
`EAST\186239416.1
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`xii
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`ECO
`Exhibit 1003 - Page 13
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`
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`IPR2022-00088
`Declaration of Barry Cinnamon – ’062 Patent
`
`EXHIBITS
`
`EX1001: U.S. Patent No. 9,584,062 (“the ’062 patent”)
`
`EX1002: Prosecution History of the ’062 Patent (“Prosecution History”)
`
`EX1003: Declaration of Barry Cinnamon
`
`EX1004: U.S. Patent No. 8,938,932 (“Wentworth”)
`
`EX1005: Provisional Patent Application No. 61/916,046
`
`EX1006: Partial Prosecution History of U.S. Patent Application No. 14/166,633
`
`EX1007: U.S. Patent No. 9,825,581
`
`EX1008: U.S. Patent Publication No. 2019/0245477
`
`EX1009: Provisional Patent Application No. 61/904,049 (“Wildes II”)
`
`EX1010: Provisional Patent Application No. 62/014,054 (“Wildes”)
`
`EX1011: Partial Prosecution History of U.S. Patent Application No. 14/541,127
`
`EAST\186239416.1
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`ECO
`Exhibit 1003 - Page 14
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`IPR2022-00088
`Declaration of Barry Cinnamon – ’062 Patent
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`I, Barry Cinnamon, hereby declare as follows:
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`I.
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`INTRODUCTION
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`1. My name is Barry Cinnamon. My curriculum vitae (CV) describes my
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`educational and professional background and is part of the record as EX1003.
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`2.
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`I have been retained as an expert witness on behalf of EcoFasten So-
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`lar, LLC and Esdec, Inc. for the above- captioned Petition for Inter Partes Review
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`(“IPR”) of claims 1, 6-12, 14, 17-19, and 26-31 (“the Challenged Claims”) of U.S.
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`Patent No. 9,584,062 (“the ’062 patent”). I am being compensated for my time in
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`connection with this IPR at my standard consulting rate of $425 per hour. My com-
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`pensation is in no way dependent on the outcome of this matter.
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`3.
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`In this declaration, I provide my opinions based on a skilled person’s
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`understanding of features described in this patent. In forming the opinions ex-
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`pressed in this declaration, I relied upon my education and experience in the rele-
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`vant field of the art, and have considered the viewpoint of a person having ordinary
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`skill in the relevant art, as of 2014. My opinions directed to the invalidity of the
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`Challenged Claims are based, at least in part, on the publications identified in the
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`Petition and discussed further below, which I have been instructed by Petitioner’s
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`counsel constitute prior art.
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`EAST\186239416.1
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`1
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`ECO
`Exhibit 1003 - Page 15
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`IPR2022-00088
`Declaration of Barry Cinnamon – ’062 Patent
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`II. BACKGROUND AND QUALIFICATION
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`1.
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`I received a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering
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`from Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1980. I also have a Master of Busi-
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`ness Administration in Marketing and Finance from the Wharton School, Univer-
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`sity of Pennsylvania in 1986.
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`2.
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`I have more than 40 years of experience designing and installing re-
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`newable energy systems. I am currently the CEO of Cinnamon Energy Systems,
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`where my responsibilities include installing residential and commercial renewable
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`energy systems. I have held this position since 2012. From 2014 to 2020, I was
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`also the CEO and Founder of Spice Solar, where my responsibilities included de-
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`signing solar mounting and racking components.
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`3.
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`Prior to my current positions, I was the Founder and CEO of Akeena
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`Solar from 2001 to 2012, where I was responsible for overseeing the operations
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`and growth of one of the largest residential and commercial solar contractors with
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`operations in six (6) states with more than 10,000 rooftop customers.
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`4.
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`I founded and operated several software, internet, and media compa-
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`nies from 1986 to 2001.
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`5.
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`From 1978 to 1984, I was a consultant for Renewable Energy Systems
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`Engineering, where my responsibilities included the design and installation of solar
`2
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`EAST\186239416.1
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`ECO
`Exhibit 1003 - Page 16
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`and heat pump systems. I also developed the first residential utility energy auditing
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`IPR2022-00088
`Declaration of Barry Cinnamon – ’062 Patent
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`program.
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`6.
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`As shown in my CV, I have authored or coauthored 9 publications,
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`which are all related to the deployment of solar energy systems.
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`7.
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`I am a member of several industry and professional organizations, in-
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`cluding the California Solar and Storage Association, for which I served as Presi-
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`dent in 2007-2008. I also regularly attend and present at industry and educational
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`conferences concerning solar energy and solar mounting systems, including Solar
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`Power International, North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners Con-
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`ference, and the Energy Storage Association.
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`8.
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`I have received several awards and recognitions for my work concern-
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`ing solar mounting technology, including 2009 Popular Mechanics Breakthrough
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`Award for Andalay Solar Panels, 2009 SEIA Innovator in PV Technology, and
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`2020 San Jose Energy Champion.
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`9.
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`I am an inventor on more than 30 U.S. and foreign patents, including
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`U.S. Patent No. 7,406,800, entitled “Mounting System for a Solar Panel,” which
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`demonstrates a solar panel with integrated racking and ground, and plug and play
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`side electrical connections.
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`EAST\186239416.1
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`3
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`ECO
`Exhibit 1003 - Page 17
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`10. Based on my professional experience, I believe I am qualified to tes-
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`IPR2022-00088
`Declaration of Barry Cinnamon – ’062 Patent
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`tify as an expert on matters related to the patent that is the subject of this Petition.
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`III. UNDERSTANDING OF THE LAW
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`11.
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`I am not a legal expert, and therefore I offer no opinions on the law.
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`However, I have been informed and am aware of legal standards that are relevant
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`to my analysis, as summarized below.
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`12.
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`I have been informed and understand that an issued patent claim is
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`presumed valid and establishing a patent claim to be unpatentable in an inter partes
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`review (“IPR”) or post-grant review (“PGR”) proceeding requires proof by “pre-
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`ponderance of the evidence,” which I understand means proof that it is more likely
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`than not that the claim is unpatentable.
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`13.
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`I have been informed and understand that the first step in an unpatent-
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`ability analysis involves construing claims, as necessary, to determine their scope.
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`Second, the construed claim language is then compared to the disclosures of the
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`prior art.
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`14.
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`I have been informed and understand that claims are generally given
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`their ordinary and customary meaning as understood by a person of ordinary skill
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`in the art (“POSITA”) at the time of the alleged invention, in light of the patent
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`specification and prosec