Opinion ID: 782581
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: standard of review

Text: 10 An agency's interpretation of its own regulations is entitled to substantial deference, and that interpretation will be accepted unless it is plainly erroneous or inconsistent with the regulation. Auer v. Robbins, 519 U.S. 452, 461-62, 117 S.Ct. 905, 137 L.Ed.2d 79 (1997) (citing Bowles v. Seminole Rock & Sand Co., 325 U.S. 410, 414, 65 S.Ct. 1215, 89 L.Ed. 1700 (1945)); Am. Express Co. v. United States, 262 F.3d 1376, 1382 (Fed.Cir.2001). 11 This court reviews a Board decision pursuant to the permissive rules governing a patent interference proceeding for abuse of discretion. Abrutyn v. Giovanniello, 15 F.3d 1048, 1050-51 (Fed.Cir. 1994) (citing Gerritsen v. Shirai, 979 F.2d 1524, 1527-28 (Fed.Cir.1992)). An abuse of discretion occurs if the decision (1) is clearly unreasonable, arbitrary, or fanciful; (2) is based on an erroneous conclusion of law; (3) rests on clearly erroneous fact findings; or (4) involves a record that contains no evidence on which the Board could rationally base its decision. Id. This court reviews the legal conclusion of obviousness without deference. In re Gartside, 203 F.3d 1305, 1316 (Fed.Cir.2000). Anticipation is a question of fact, and this court upholds the decisions of the Board on factual matters if there is substantial evidence in the record to support the Board's findings. In re Hyatt, 211 F.3d 1367, 1371-72 (Fed.Cir.2000).