Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB)

The Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) is a part of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) that handles disputes over patents. It reviews challenges to existing patents, such as claims of invalidity, and makes decisions about whether a patent should remain in force. The PTAB also hears appeals from patent applicants rejected by examiners, providing an extra layer of review. Its goal is to ensure that only valid and properly granted patents stay in regulation, maintaining fairness and integrity in the patent system.