Guide
PTAB Statistics
The USPTO publishes current statistics on PTAB petitions, institution rates and trial outcomes on its Patent Trial and Appeal Board website. This page explains what the main measures mean and how to read them.
On this page
The measures that matter
| Measure | What it tells you | Caution |
|---|---|---|
| Petitions filed | Volume of challenges by proceeding type and technology area | Filing counts shift with legal and policy changes |
| Institution rate | Share of petitions where the Board starts a trial | Compare by petition or by patent, and note discretionary denials |
| Final written decision outcomes | How many challenged claims are held unpatentable, patentable, or mixed | Count by claim, by patent and by petition, which give different pictures |
| Settlements and terminations | How many trials end before a decision | Many cases settle after institution |
Where to find current figures
The USPTO’s Patent Trial and Appeal Board pages are the official source. Statistics are published by fiscal year and updated periodically; always note the date range and the denominator used.
How to read them well
- State the unit (petitions, patents or claims) every time you cite a rate.
- Separate IPR and PGR; they behave differently.
- Look at trends, not a single year, because policy on institution has changed.
Statistics by date
The pages below cover trial activity as of specific report dates.
Statistics by date
- PTAB Trial Statistics as of October 29, 2018
- PTAB Trial Statistics as of February 28, 2018
- PTAB Trial Statistics as of August 31, 2017
- PTAB Trial Statistics as of February 28, 2017
- PTAB Trial Statistics as of January 31, 2017
- PTAB Trial Statistics as of September 30, 2016
- PTAB Trial Statistics as of July 31, 2016
- PTAB Trial Statistics as of February 29, 2016
- PTAB Trial Statistics as of September 30, 2015
- PTAB Trial Statistics as of August 31, 2015
- PTAB Trial Statistics as of July 31, 2015
- PTAB Trial Statistics as of June 30, 2015
- PTAB Trial Statistics as of June 4, 2015
- PTAB Trial Statistics as of May 14, 2015
- PTAB Trial Statistics as of April 30, 2015
- PTAB Trial Statistics as of April 9, 2015
- PTAB Trial Statistics as of March 5, 2015
- PTAB Trial Statistics as of February 19, 2015
- PTAB Trial Statistics as of February 5, 2015
- PTAB Trial Statistics as of January 1, 2015
- PTAB Trial Statistics as of December 18, 2014
- PTAB Trial Statistics as of December 4, 2014
- PTAB Trial Statistics as of November 27, 2014
- PTAB Trial Statistics as of November 13, 2014
- PTAB Trial Statistics as of October 30, 2014
- PTAB Trial Statistics as of October 2, 2014
- PTAB Trial Statistics as of September 11, 2014
- PTAB Trial Statistics as of August 7, 2014
- PTAB Trial Statistics as of July 10, 2014
- PTAB Trial Statistics as of June 12, 2014
- PTAB Trial Statistics as of May 22, 2014
- PTAB Trial Statistics as of May 8, 2014
- PTAB Trial Statistics as of April 24, 2014
- PTAB Trial Statistics as of April 10, 2014
- PTAB Trial Statistics as of March 13, 2014
- PTAB Trial Statistics as of January 23, 2014
Primary Sources
Related Pages
- Proceedings guideThe Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB)The Patent Trial and Appeal Board is the administrative tribunal within the USPTO that decides appeals from…
- Proceedings guideInter Partes Review (IPR)Inter partes review is a trial before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board in which anyone other than the patent…
- GuideUSPTO and AIA LinksThe primary sources for post-grant practice are the Patent Act (35 U.S.C.), the USPTO's rules (37 C.F.R.),…
Educational information; not legal advice. Statutes, rules and USPTO practice change. Confirm against the primary sources and consult a registered patent practitioner before acting. Disclaimer.