SHUSTACK V. Szum et al. - Page 2




                                       Judgment - Request for Adverse - Bd. R. 127(b)                                              
                       On 2 June 2005, the board received from the party Szum a paper entitled “SZUM                               
               CONCESSION OF PRIORITY (37 C.F.R. 41.127)” (Paper 32).  The content of paper 32 is as                               
               follows (emphasis added as underlined):                                                                             
                              This is a Concession of Priority of Party Szum.                                                      
                              Party Szum concedes priority of the subject matter of the count in the subject                       
                       interference and will accede to adverse judgment as a result thereof, pursuant to [Bd. R]                   
                       41.127(b).                                                                                                  
                              Party Szum does not concede priority or, take any position herein, with regard to                    
                       any disclosed or claimed subject matter which is set forth in the Szum pending and                          
                       involved application, Serial No. 09/757,533, but which does not correspond to the count                     
                       or, which would support a claim which would not, if entered, be deemed to correspond to                     
                       the count.                                                                                                  

                       The board treats a concession of priority as a request for adverse judgment.  Bd. R.                        
               127(b)(3).  The estoppel effects of a judgment are provided for in Bd. R. 127(a) which states that:                 
                       A judgment disposes of all issues that were, or by motion could have properly been,                         
                       raised and decided.  A losing party who could have properly moved for relief on an issue,                   
                       but did not so move, may not take action in the Office after the judgment that is                           
                       inconsistent with that party’s failure to move, except that a losing party shall not be                     
                       estopped with respect to any contested subject matter for which that party was awarded a                    
                       favorable judgment.                                                                                         

                       Szum’s attempt to limit the effects of the requested adverse judgment, as set out in the                    
               underscored paragraph, does not prevent or avoid the effect of Bd. R. 127(a).  The estoppel                         
               effects apply in full force, no matter how Szum has attempted to limit its concession of priority.                  
               Eli Lilly and Co. v. Cameron, 61 USPQ 1863 (Bd.Pat.App. & Int. 2001).                                               



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