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NEUSTEL SUCCESS: IPR Decision Finds All 53 Claims Unpatentable for Patent on Microwave Susceptor Sleeves Used with HOT POCKETS® and LEAN CUISINE® Food Products

On January 10, 2017, the PTAB issued a Final Written Decision in an Inter Partes Review (IPR2015‐01609) finding all 53 claims of U.S. Patent No. 8,872,078 unpatentable.  The ‘078 patent is owned by Graphic Packaging International, Inc. and relates to technology used for microwave susceptor sleeves.  Graphic Packaging had sued Inline Packaging for infringement of the ‘078 patent in U.S. Federal District Court over its alleged sale of microwave susceptor materials to Nestlé for use with certain HOT POCKETS® and/or LEAN CUISINE® branded food products.  Neustel Law Offices represented the IPR Petitioner, Inline Packaging, LLC, a small microwave susceptor packaging business with approximately 50 employees in Princeton, Minnesota in the successful IPR campaign.