In 2014, the number of cases filed at the USPTO’s Patent Trial and Appeal Board increased to more than 110% compared with 2013. The number of proceedings increased to 112%. The US district courts, on the other hand, handled 18% fewer cases.
Google, LG and Microsoft were the top PTAB filers. Apple and Samsung were the most frequently accused defendants in district courts, but also the top petitioners at PTAB.
Despite the overall falling numbers of patent court cases, the Eastern District of Texas’ share of overall district court cases rose from 24.7% to 28.6% in 2014.