Opinion ID: 784607
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Effect of the Board Proceedings

Text: 29 As mentioned, in the period between the conclusion of the district court proceedings and the commencement of proceedings in this court, Medichem initiated reissue proceedings before the Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences. At the time of oral argument, the Board had declared an interference-in-fact and, following resolution of several pending motions from the parties, was set to begin proceedings on the issue of priority. See Stampa, 2002 WL 31926813. ___, 65 USPQ2d at ___, 2002 Pat.App. LEXIS 191 at . We point out that, on remand, a stay of proceedings in the district court pending the outcome of the parallel proceedings in the PTO remains an option within the district court's discretion. See Slip Track Sys. v. Metal Lite, 159 F.3d 1337, 1341 (Fed.Cir.1998). 30 Although proceedings in the PTO under § 135 and proceedings in a district court under § 291 are not identical, they are closely related. The Board has already declared an interference-in-fact. Stampa, 2002 WL 31926813, ___, 65 USPQ2d at ___, 2002 Pat.App. LEXIS 191 at . While the issues of interference before the Board may, as pointed out by the Board itself, differ from those in front of the district court, the Board's resolution of the matter will certainly aid the district court in subsequent proceedings. See Fisher Controls Co. v. Control Components, Inc., 443 F.Supp. 581, 582 (S.D.Iowa 1977). The record generated by the Board, particularly in light of the Board's expertise in the matter, may permit the district court to avoid a needless duplication of efforts. Furthermore, a priority determination that results in the cancellation of the interfering claims of the `100 patent would eliminate the need for further proceedings in the district court altogether. The discretion to stay proceedings pending the outcome of the PTO proceedings remains available to the district court, and the district court should in no way view our remand as suggesting otherwise.