PTAB Releases September 2017 Stats
The PTAB has released its September 2017 statistics. These statistics mark the end of the USPTO's 2017 fiscal year (the USPTO’s fiscal year runs from October 1 to September 30 of each year). A total of 1,901 IPR petitions were filed in FY2017, with the following break-down by technology area:
· 1,122 petitions (59%) were filed in the electrical/computer technology area,
· 417 petitions (22%) were filed in the mechanical and business method technology area,
· 221 petitions (11%) were filed in the bio/pharma technology area,
· 127 petitions (7%) were filed in the chemical technology area, and
· 14 petitions (1%) were filed for design patents.
The PTAB’s full statistical report can be found at (https://www.uspto.gov/sites/default/files/documents/Trial_Stats_2017-09-30.pdf).