Distinguishing Dastar: False Patent Marking Claims Get New Life Under the Lanham Act

by Dennis Crouch

In a significant ruling that breathes new life into false patent marking claims, the Federal Circuit has held that falsely advertising a product as "patented" can give rise to liability under the Lanham Act's prohibition on false advertising. In Crocs, Inc. v. Effervescent, Inc., the appellate panel reversed a Judge Brimmer (D.Colo) summary judgment ruling, thus allowing competitor Dawgs to pursue false advertising claims against Crocs for allegedly misrepresenting its "Croslite" material as patented and 'exclusive.'  One advertisement read to the appellate panel stated: The reason the shoes are so comfortable is that they are made of a patented closed-cell resin. The resin has many positive aspects ..."  But, the closed-cell resin was not patented and instead was commercially available for anyone to use.

This ruling opens up a new avenue for challenging false patent marking after the America Invents Act severely curtailed such claims under the Patent Act itself. The decision also clarifies the scope of false advertising claims under the Lanham Act in light of key Supreme Court and Federal Circuit precedents such as Dastar and Baden Sports.

Professor Rebecca Tushnet is a leading commentator on Dastar and its progeny. In an earlier post, she also argued that the district court decision was "wrong" for much the same reason expressed by the appellate panel:

The patented/proprietary/exclusive language here is not the same as claiming authorship; it’s claiming uniqueness as a reason for consumers to believe that Crocs possess superior product characteristics to those of competitors’ products. To the extent that the claims lead consumers to believe that Crocs are “made of a material ‘different than any other footwear,’” a difference made credible to consumers by reference to patents and/or proprietary knowledge, that is a claim about the physical nature of specific product components, not about authorship. When the Supreme Court left 43(a)(1)(B) claims open in Dastar, this is the kind of thing that fits well.

Tushnet (September 2021).  See also, my prior discussion of the case that includes links to the briefs.


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Secret Springing Prior Art and Inter Partes Review

by Dennis Crouch

The Federal Circuit is set to decide an important issue regarding the scope of prior art that can be considered during inter partes review (IPR) proceedings in the pending appeal of Lynk Labs, Inc. v. Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.  At issue is whether section 102(a)(2) prior art qualifies for use in an IPR proceeding because those applications were not yet publicly accessible until after the priority date of the challenged patent.  This case has very significant implications because 102(a)(2) prior art is extensively used - especially in crowded and rapidly moving areas of technology.  The question, is whether this type of 102(a)(2) prior art qualifies as a "patent or printed-publication" under the IPR limits of section 311(b).   Note that the same issue is raised in  another pending CAFC case VLSI Tech. LLC v. Patent Quality Assurance LLC, No. 23-2298 (Fed. Cir.).

The dispute stems from an IPR petition filed by Samsung challenging claims of Lynk Labs' U.S. Patent No. 10,687,400 ("the '400 patent") related to LED lighting systems. Samsung's petition relied upon a prior-filed patent application ("Martin") as a key prior art reference. (Application No. 10/417,735 subsequently published as U.S. Patent App. Pub. No. 2004/0206970).  This prior application is not prior art under 102(a)(1) - because it was not patented or published until after Lynk's effective filing date. However, the prior application is prior art under the "secret springing prior art" provision of 102(a)(2), since it was on file prior to Lynk and then subsequently published.  I refer to this as "secret springing prior art" because Martin was only secretly on file at the time Lynk filed its application - later, once Martin published it suddenly became prior art --back dated to the application filing date.

The PTAB instituted review and ultimately found the challenged claims unpatentable based in part on the Martin reference.


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Federal Circuit Slices Through Patent Infringement Verdict: A Damage Apportionment Preview

The Federal Circuit recently issued a decision in Provisur Technologies, Inc. v. Weber, Inc., No. 23-1438 (Fed. Cir. Oct. 2, 2024), partially reversing a $10.5 million jury verdict in a patent infringement case involving food processing machinery. This decision marks the latest chapter in an ongoing legal battle between the two food processing equipment manufacturers. The case has a complex procedural history, including parallel inter partes review (IPR) that is now on petition to the U.S. Supreme Court.

This October decision covers some of the ground that the court may address in the upcoming en banc rehearing of EcoFactor v. Google, offering some foreshadowing of likely outcomes. Here, the court strongly sided with the accused infringer in requiring particularized apportionment related evidence before allowing a patentee to use the entire market value of a product as the royalty base.  In EcoFactor, the court will similarly focus on the evidentiary standard required of expert testimony on damages apportionment. Provisur was authored by Chief Judge Moore, one of the most 'pro patentee' judges -- signaling that patent owners are unlikely to smile when they read the EcoFactor decision.


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Diamond in the Rough: Can a Composition of Matter Claim Be an Abstract Idea?

by Dennis Crouch

US Synthetic Corp. v. ITC, Docket No. 23-01217 (Fed. Cir., pending appeal)

The United States International Trade Commission (ITC) is often seen as a pro-patentee venue -- but not for US Synthetics and its attempts to enforce its patents covering drill bit diamond tips.

In its October 2022 decision, the ITC found the asserted claims of USS's US10508502 invalid under 35 U.S.C. § 101 even though the patent claims polycrystalline diamond compacts ("PDCs") used in drill bits and other applications. The ITC's decision is now on appeal to the Federal Circuit, with oral arguments set for October 8, 2024.  PhRMA provided amicus support for the patentee, arguing that the ITC's decision represents an unprecedented expansion of abstract idea analysis to invalidate composition of matter claims. PhRMA contends such claims should be deemed inherently non-abstract and tangible, unlike computer programs that may rightfully be seen as mental processes or mathematical concepts.

Professor Jeffrey Lefstin (UC SF Law) provided an earlier blog post on the original ITC decision that included a detailed historical perspective on this case. Lefstin traced the evolution of functional claim language in patent law, from its initial rejection in cases like General Electric v. Wabash Appliance (1938) to its acceptance in In re Swinehart (1971). He argued that the ITC's decision in the PDC case, following the Federal Circuit's reasoning in American Axle, represents a dramatic shift away from decades of established patent jurisprudence. His analysis underscores the potential far-reaching implications of applying the American Axle framework to composition claims, suggesting it could invalidate many biotechnology patents and upend well-established enablement doctrines.


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USPTO announces End of AFCP 2.0

by Dennis Crouch

Termination of AFCP 2.0 Program: The USPTO has announced that the After Final Consideration Pilot (AFCP) 2.0 program will expire on December 14, 2024. This decision comes after the Office proposed implementing a new fee for AFCP 2.0 requests earlier this year, which received significant pushback.

Take-Home Points for Patent Practitioners:

  1. AFCP 2.0 has been popular with over 60,000 requests filed annually for the past 8 years.
  2. Last day for AFCP 2.0 requests: December 14, 2024
  3. Reason for termination: Program is costly and applicants do not provide any direct fee recovery.
  4. Proposed fee ($500 for large entities) was met with significant push-back.

As the USPTO bids farewell to this popular program, patent practitioners are focusing on reshuffling their after-final strategies.


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Animated Arguments: Can Plotagraph’s Digital Animation Patents Survive Alice?

by Dennis Crouch

On September 30, 2024, the Supreme Court held its long conference, and considered whether to grant certiorari in a number of pending patent cases, including the eligibility-focused petition in Eolas v. Amazon. As we await the outcome of that conference, I wanted to highlight another new elitibility petition. This one in Plotagraph v. Lightricks.

Plotagraph, Inc. along with inventors Troy Plota and Sascha Connelly petitioned the court - seeking review of a non-precedential Federal Circuit decision that invalidated five of their patents related to digital animation technology.  U.S. Patent Nos. 10,346,017, 10,558,342, 10,621,469, 11,182,641, and 11,301,119.  The patented invention allows users to animate portions of digital still photos or video frames by selecting and shifting sets of pixels to simulate motion. For example, the technology could be used to make a waterfall in a still photo appear to be flowing. The Federal Circuit affirmed a district court decision that found these patents ineligible under § 101, concluding that they were directed to the abstract idea of digital animation and lacked an inventive concept.


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Check your Patent Term Adjustments (PTA): What you Need to Know about the USPTO Error

by Dennis Crouch

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has disclosed a significant error in its patent term adjustment (PTA) calculations, potentially affecting patents issued between March 19, 2024, and July 30, 2024.

The USPTO discovered a coding error introduced in a recent software update. This error specifically affected two aspects of the PTA calculation:

1. The "A" delay under 35 U.S.C. 154(b)(1)(A)
2. The amount of overlap under 35 U.S.C. 154(b)(2)(A)

Importantly, other components of the PTA calculation were not impacted by this error. The USPTO estimates that approximately 1% of patents issued during the affected period may have been impacted.  In many cases, the overall PTA remained correct because the inaccurate "A" delay equaled the inaccurate "Overlap." However, in some instances, these inaccuracies didn't balance out.


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The Historical Roots of Patent Injunctions: Revisiting Horton v. Maltby (1783)

by Dennis Crouch

In the ongoing debate over the proper standard for issuing injunctions in patent cases, a 240-year-old English Chancery decision has taken on renewed significance. Horton v. Maltby, LI Misc MS 112 (Ch. 1783), provides a window into the traditional principles of equity that modern U.S. courts are instructed to apply when considering injunctive relief for patent infringement.

The case arose when Horton, who had obtained a patent for a stocking-making machine, filed a bill in Chancery (England's primary court of equity until 1875) against Maltby for allegedly infringing the patent. Horton sought three equitable remedies: accounting of profits, delivery or destruction of the infringing machines, and an injunction to prevent further use. Maltby requested immediate dismissal via demurrer, arguing that Horton should first establish his right at law before seeking equitable relief.

Lord Ashurst, wrote the primary opinion rejecting the demurrer. His opinion draws a parallel between patent and copyright cases, noting that in both instances, ongoing infringement during litigation could cause "irreparable injury" to the rights holder. The opinion's reasoning suggests that the mere fact of continued infringement during the litigation was sufficient to establish irreparable harm—a key factor in granting injunctive relief.


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Free Post: Not Yet in Effect: Clarifying Misconceptions About the USPTO’s Proposed Terminal Disclaimer Rule

by Dennis Crouch

I wanted to provide a quick update on potential misinformation that came out in a panel that I was part of at the IPO annual conference.  One speaker noted that the USPTO terminal disclaimer rules were already in effect. That is not true.  In May 2024, the agency released a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) and has not yet indicated whether it will finalize the rules.  Terminal disclaimers filed today are not bound by the potential rule that appears to be intended to apply only prospectively to new terminal disclaimers filed after the rule goes into effect.  The disclaimer process is a formal written process, and the proposed rule would require new language to be included in terminal disclaimers filed to obviate nonstatutory double patenting. And seemingly, this new required language would only apply to terminal disclaimers filed after the rule becomes effective.

Although the proposed rule is not yet in effect, it may soon be finalized.  And, once finalized would have a dramatic impact on terminal disclaimer and continuation practice in the U.S.  Many of us believe that the rules – in their current form – are unlikely to be enforceable. However there is a key difference between requiring a party to sign a disclaimer, and the impact of such a disclaimer if signed. (more…)

Federal Circuit Grants En Banc Rehearing in EcoFactor v. Google, Limiting Damages Expert Testimony

by Dennis Crouch

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit has granted Google's en banc rehearing in EcoFactor, Inc. v. Google LLC, No. 2023-1101 (Fed. Cir. Sept. 25, 2024), focusing on the admissibility of expert testimony regarding patent damages. This will be the first en banc utility patent case since 2018.

The order vacates the panel's previous decision that had sided with the patentee and calls for new briefing on: whether the district court properly applied Federal Rule of Evidence 702 and Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 509 U.S. 579 (1993), in allowing testimony from EcoFactor's damages expert. The court has set a tight briefing schedule, with Google's opening brief due in 45 days, EcoFactor's response due 45 days later, and Google's reply due 30 days after that. Notably, the court is also welcoming amicus briefs without requiring consent or leave.  This is an important case to the patent community.  Under eBay and its progeny, equitable remedies are already tightly limited, and this case is looking to similarly tie-down damages theories to prevent large damage awards and provide further mechanisms to allow a judge to decide the outcome rather than a jury.

I begin this post with pessimism about the fundamental inquiry into patent damages.  In most cases, I see patent damages as inherently speculative. The law's hypothetical negotiation to reach a reasonable royalty is a counter-factual endeavor set so far apart from reality that its results have little real meaning.  In typical infringement cases,  there is no overlap between amounts acceptable to either party.  The baseline for a hypothetical royalty is typically determined by what the court would likely award in damages. However, this creates a circular problem, as the court's award is itself based on the hypothetical royalty. This circularity makes it challenging to establish a truly objective starting point for damage calculations.  Even when we have evidence of prior licenses -- those tend to be in wholly different scenarios where the patents have not yet been adjudged enforceable and infringed.   This distinction is important because every case I have encountered at the licensing stage includes credible arguments from the potential licensee that the patent is either not-enforceable or not-infringed.  Thus, although I see the hypothetical negotiation as a useful tool, our attempts to tightly align the historical fiction with the actual practice of patent licensing simply does not provide a real answer as to the results of such a hypothetical negotiation.

The inherent speculativeness of the hypothetical negotiation relates directly the Daubert standard and Rule 702.  In particular, the law requires that expert testimony on damages be based upon "reliable principles and methods."  And, I would reject any approach that, because of the difficulty in providing this evidence, would place a heightened burden on patentees to show they are deserving of a damage award associated with adjudged infringement.  At the same time, we have to recognize that damages experts are paid large rates because they are compelling witnesses - and there are many examples of experts using their persuasive skills to convincingly present dubious methodologies or unsupported conclusions as scientific fact. The limits imposed by Rule 702 serve a crucial purpose in this context. The gatekeeping function of the court under Daubert is particularly important in patent cases, where the technical complexity of the subject matter and the large sums at stake can make jurors especially susceptible to well-presented but potentially flawed expert opinions.  This is not an emperor's new clothes situation where a child can easily see the nakedness. The intricate patterns of economic theories, market analyses, and technical valuations woven by damages experts can be so sophisticated that even experienced judges and attorneys may find it challenging to identify flaws or inconsistencies.


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Disparaging in Context: Motivation to Combine Exists Even For a Markedly Inferior Element

by Dennis Crouch

In a nonprecedential opinion, the Federal Circuit affirmed the PTAB decision finding all claims of Novartis's U.S. Patent No. 9,220,631 unpatentably obvious. Novartis Pharma AG v. Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc., No. 2023-1334 (Fed. Cir. Sept. 23, 2024). The court rejected a teaching-away argument even though the prior art had described a key component as "markedly inferior."


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Justice is Not Silent: The Case Against One-Word Affirmances in the Federal Circuit

Guest Post by Charles Macedo, David Goldberg, Thomas Hart, John Dellaportas, and Jamie Zipper.  The authors are all firm of Amster, Rothstein & Ebenstein LLP, except for Dellaportas, who hails from Emmet Marvin & Martin.  Disclosure - Several members of this team (and both firms) have represented Island IP -- arguing the issues discussed here. 

Introduction

Courts of Appeal are both courts of review and subject to review. As courts of review, they have demanded of the lower courts that they provide sufficient reasoning and rationale to enable the parties and reviewing courts to understand the bases of their decisions. As courts subject to review, the US Supreme Court has demanded that Courts of Appeal provide sufficient information and explanation of their judgments so the Justices can, in turn, provide their review.

Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure Rule 36 allows for courts to issue judgments without opinions. Each of the Circuit Courts has their own rules and practices associated with the issuance of such opinions. The majority—including the First, Second, Third, Fourth, Sixth, Seventh, Ninth, Eleventh, and DC Circuits—do not have a local rule allowing simple one-word affirmances, while the minority—including the Fifth, Eighth, Tenth, and Federal Circuits—do.  However, of the latter four circuits, in the past year only the Fifth and Federal Circuit have used one-word affirmances, with the Federal Circuit’s use standing out by a high margin.

The Federal Circuit’s use of Local Rule 36 thus differs drastically from other Courts of Appeal.  The Supreme Court should resolve this circuit split.


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Eligibility, IPRs, and Diversity: The Faces of 2024 Patent Reform

by Dennis Crouch

Senator Coons and Tillis are pushing three primary patent bills through the Judiciary Committee,

  • S. 2220, the PREVAIL Act (tightening IPR procedure)
  • S. 2140, the Patent Eligibility Restoration Act (PERA) (limiting eligibility law)
  • S. 4713, the IDEA Act (measuring demographics of inventors).

Although the committee markup was set for September 19, it has now been postponed until the 26th.  It appears that a number of Senate committee members have taken issue with the proposals and an extra week is needed to negotiate through those.  Sen. Whitehouse mentioned that he, along with a number of colleagues, have been hearing from constituents opposed to the legislation.  I expect lobbying will be high.


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101 Ways Not to Invalidate: Federal Circuit Rejects Sua Sponte Eligibility Ruling

by Dennis Crouch

The Federal Circuit's recent decision in Astellas v. Sandoz emphasized the importance of the "party presentation principle" -- that, for the most part, courts should rely upon the parties to frame the issues that need a ruling.  Visiting Delaware, Nebraska District Court Judge Bataillon had issued a sua sponte ruling that certain pharmaceutical patent claims were invalid under 35 U.S.C. § 101 -- even though the defendant had not moved for such a ruling.  On appeal, the Federal Circuit has vacated and remanded -- "trusting" that on remand Judge Bataillon "will take an objective, measured, and thorough look into the legal issues and evidence of record to resolve only those disputes that exist between the parties."

Judge Bataillon's colorful opinion language asserted that the branded and generic pharma companies have colluded to pervert the intent of Hatch-Waxman.  On remand, it may be substantially drier.


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Announcing FRAND: German Case Law and Global Perspectives

Guest Post by Thomas F. Cotter, Taft, Stettinius & Hollister Professor of Law, University of Minnesota Law School

Cover of FRAND

As readers of this blog are aware, organizations such as the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI), IEEE, and others promulgate standards that enable products such as smartphones and other complex technological devices to interoperate.  These standard-setting organizations (SSOs) encourage their members to commit to licensing patents that may be essential to the practice of the relevant standards on fair, reasonable, and nondiscriminatory (FRAND) terms.  Because SSOs do not define the meaning of FRAND, however, when the owners of these standard-essential patents (SEPs) and the companies that implement them fail to reach terms, litigation is often the result.  And because patents are territorial rights, FRAND litigation often spans the globe—though because of its importance to the European market, Germany has been home to many of the most important FRAND cases over the past decade.  The German FRAND case law, in turn, is based in part on the German courts’ interpretation of European Union competition (antitrust) law, and differs in important respects from the approaches taken in FRAND cases in other leading jurisdictions, including the United Kingdom, the United States, and China. (more…)

Traditional Principles of Equity Acknowledge that Ongoing Infringement is an Irreparable Harm

by Dennis Crouch

The Supreme Court's landmark decision in eBay v. MercExchange dramatically changed the patent landscape by eliminating the potential of injunctive relief for many patent holders, even in the face of ongoing infringement. The Patent Act indicates that injunctions may be awarded "in accordance with the principles of equity," 35 U.S.C. 283, and in eBay, the Court found this required usage of a "four-factor test historically employed by courts of equity."  The central factor in the test for permanent relief is whether the infringement constitutes irreparable harm against the patent holder.  Prior to eBay, courts had seen infringement as indicative of irreparable harm, but altered their approach after eBay so that today a judgment of infringement comes with no presumption or indication that those tortious acts constitute irreparable harm.

A recently filed appeal before the Federal Circuit seeks to alter this new status quo -- particularly by providing an extensive historical analysis of how traditional courts of equity analyzed irreparable harm in the context of injunctive relief.  The new case is at the preliminary injunction stage, but the preliminary injunction test includes the same irreparable harm clause.


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Teva v. Amneal: Orange Book Listing Requirements Under Scrutiny

by Dennis Crouch

The Federal Circuit is set to hear oral arguments in November 2024 in Teva v. Amneal, No. 24-1936, a case that could significantly impact Orange Book patent listing (and delisting) practices under the Hatch-Waxman Act (formally known as the Drug Price Competition and Patent Term Restoration Act of 1984).  Hatch-Waxman established a framework for generic drug approvals in the United States. It aims to balance incentives for pharmaceutical innovation with mechanisms to facilitate faster generic drug entry, including provisions for challenging patents listed in the FDA's Orange Book and offering a 180-day exclusivity incentive for first generic entrants.  The Orange Book listing also comes with a powerful 30-month stay -- pausing generic entry - if the patentee sues a generic seeking FDA approval.

At issue are five patents related to Teva's ProAir HFA (albuterol sulfate) Inhalation Aerosol, a metered dose inhaler (MDI) product. The patents claim various aspects of the inhaler device and dose counter, but do not expressly recite the active ingredient albuterol sulfate. Teva listed these patents in the FDA's Orange Book for ProAir HFA.  The big-money question in the case is whether these device patents are properly listed -- recognizing that the Orange Book is particularly for patents that claim either the drug or a method of using the drug.


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The Enduring Impact of In re Keller on Obviousness Analysis

by Dennis Crouch

In 1981, the U.S. Court of Customs and Patent Appeals (CCPA) issued its decision in In re Keller, 642 F.2d 413 (CCPA 1981), a case that continues to shape obviousness determinations over four decades later. As the predecessor court to the Federal Circuit, the CCPA's rulings remain precedential and influential, with Keller cited 10,000+ times by the USPTO's Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) and its predecessor Board, the BPAI.

In the typical USPTO vs Applicant negotiation, Keller favors the USPTO and is often cited to uphold examiner rejections. Although the case remains influential, it does have some fundamental problems. Notably, it creates a gap -- what is not sufficient evidence -- and then fills that gap with the amorphous language of "suggestion." But this gap places the case in the good company of KSR v. Teleflex that similarly calls for flexibility in finding ways to judge obviousness.


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Supreme Court’s Patent Docket: A Preview of the October 2024 Term

by Dennis Crouch

The Supreme Court's October 2024 term begins a day early this year. On September 30, the Court will meet for what has become known as the "long conference" -- passing judgment on dozens of petitions that have been briefed over the summer break.  The long conference is primarily a time to deny a large swath of petitions with very few certiorari grants.  Petitioners are usually simply hoping for a relist -- holding over their case for some future conference and a more complete consideration.

A number of patent cases will be reviewed that day.  The following are patent cases scheduled for the Long Conference, listed roughly in the decreasing order of likelihood of being granted certiorari (in my estimation):


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“Directed to” vs. “Reciting” vs. “Involving” an Abstract Idea

by Dennis Crouch

I have been reading a good number of PTAB decisions recently to try to get my head wrapped around the current state of the obviousness and eligibility doctrines within the USPTO.  The Board's recent decision in Ex parte Annakov is on point.  The case involves a distributed service-and-transaction system for aircraft passengers, and the examiner rejected the claims both for lack of eligibility under § 101 (all the claims) and as obvious under § 103 (most of the claims).  On appeal, the Board reversed on eligibility, but affirmed on obviousness -- leaving a handful of claims ready for issuance.


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