Reminder: a motion for reconsideration is not the tool for raising additional arguments, facts or issues you could have raised during initial briefing of an issue.
On October 26, 2006 Judge Jordan issued a claim construction opinion in ., C.A. No. 04-1373. Ampex subsequently moved for reargument or reconsideration of the construction of one claim term. Specifically they argued that such relief was appropriate where they allege they did not have an opportunity to address whether the addition of a term was a “narrowing amendment that triggers a presumption of prosecution history estoppel.” Ampex argued that they did not make that argument because defendant did not meet their burden of showing that a narrowing amendment had been made, in fact, they chose to assume the presumption was raised and argue that it was overcome. The Court in its opinion held that Ampex was on notice of the issue and had an opportunity to respond and its choice to not “focus its advocacy efforts on whether the amendment at issue was narrowing” does not mean they did not have the opportunity to contest whether the presumption was actually established. ., C.A. No. 04-1373, slip op. at 3 (D. Del. Nov. 20, 2006) (Jordan, J.). Therefore, the Court denied the motion for reconsideration.
On a side note, the Court also held that prosecution history estoppel does apply to clarifying amendments, even where made under 35 U.S.C. Section 112, Paragraph 2. Id. at 5-6.
So remember to raise and anticipate all arguments and responses thereto.
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