MEHROTRA et al. V. MEHROTRA et al. V. SUZUKI et al. V. - Page 14




          Interference No. 102,712                                                    

               We find that Suzuki’s motion to designate its claims as                
          not corresponding to the count was properly denied essentially              
          for the reasons outlined in Augustine’s brief and reply brief.              
          Suzuki, as the moving party, bears the burden of persuasion as              
          to the relief sought.  See Behr v. Talbott, 27 USPQ2d 1401,                 
          1405 (Bd. Pat. App. & Int. 1992); Case v. CPC Int’l, Inc., 730              
          F.2d 745, 750, 221 USPQ 196, 200 (Fed. Cir. 1984), cert.                    
          denied, 469 U.S. 872 (1984).  The movant’s burden is to                     
          establish that its involved claims do not define “the same                  
          patentable invention” as any other claim designated as                      
          corresponding to the count.  37 CFR § 1.637(c)(4)(ii).  In                  
          determining whether a particular claim or claims define “the                
          same patentable invention” as any other involved claim, a                   
          question of obviousness arises within the purview of 35 U.S.C.              
          § 103 with the assumption being made that the other involved                
          claims represent prior art with respect to the claim or claims              
          in question.  37 CFR § 1.601(n).  It goes without saying that               
          any inquiry relating to the question of obviousness must also               
          necessarily involve an evaluation of any conventional prior                 
          art within the purview of 35 U.S.C. § 102.                                  
               At the outset, we note that Suzuki’s brief refers to                   
          matters which were not raised in its original preliminary                   
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