Untitled case

This case, IPR2026-00183, involves a challenge to U.S. Patent No. 11,539,663 at the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB). The petitioner, Unified Patents, is a member-based organization dedicated to deterring unsubstantiated or invalid patent assertions and improving patent quality, primarily by filing inter partes reviews (IPRs) against patents owned by Non-Practicing Entities (NPEs) or those asserting patents in defined technology zones. The patent owner, Qomplx LLC, is an operating company specializing in cybersecurity, risk analytics, simulation, and artificial intelligence, providing cloud-native data factory solutions to analyze threats and manage complex digital risks for government and enterprise clients.

While an IPR does not involve an "accused product" in the traditional infringement sense, the validity challenge against US Patent 11539663 by Unified Patents is directly linked to ongoing patent infringement litigation. Qomplx LLC has recently initiated lawsuits against major technology companies, including Microsoft and Palo Alto Networks, asserting this and other patents. The asserted patent, US Patent 11539663, generally relates to systems and methods for data handling, particularly concerning a "midserver," likely within a network security or data analysis context as indicated by its application in Qomplx's infringement claims.

The procedural posture of this case is an inter partes review before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board, where it is currently pending. This venue is significant because IPRs offer a streamlined, often faster and more cost-effective, alternative to district court litigation for challenging patent validity. The PTAB employs a "preponderance of the evidence" standard for proving invalidity, which is generally considered an easier burden for petitioners to meet compared to the "clear and convincing evidence" standard required in district courts. This case is notable due to Qomplx LLC, an operating company, having recently engaged in patent assertions against prominent tech firms, prompting Unified Patents' challenge. This IPR reflects Unified Patents' strategy to combat what it perceives as poor-quality patent assertions within key technology sectors, and its outcome could significantly impact the related district court infringement cases.

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print(google_search.search(queries=["IPR2026-00183 docket", "PTAB IPR2026-00183 status", "Unified Patents v. Qomplx LLC IPR2026-00183 filings", "Patent 11539663 PTAB challenge"]))
thought
The user is asking for key legal developments and the outcome of IPR2026-00183, which is a PTAB IPR case. The provided "Case overview & background" explicitly states that this is an IPR case, not a district court patent infringement litigation. Therefore, I need to focus on PTAB-specific developments and not district court litigation milestones like complaints, answers, Markman hearings, or trials.

My plan is to search for the docket and status of IPR2026-00183 to determine its current posture and any significant events, such as institution decisions, final written decisions, or settlements.

Given the case number IPR2026-00183 and the current date 2026-05-29, this IPR was likely filed recently. I will look for:

1. Petition Filing Date: When Unified Patents filed the IPR petition.
2. Preliminary Response: If Qomplx LLC filed a preliminary response.
3. Institution Decision: Whether the PTAB decided to institute the IPR.
4. Any subsequent events: Such as settlement, final written decision, or appeal, if the case has progressed that far.

The previous sections correctly identified this as an IPR. My task is to list IPR-specific developments.## Key Legal Developments and Outcome for IPR2026-00183

IPR2026-00183 is an inter partes review (IPR) proceeding initiated by Unified Patents challenging U.S. Patent 11539663, owned by Qomplx LLC. This case is currently pending before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB).

Filing & Initial Pleadings

• Petition Filing: Unified Patents filed its petition for IPR2026-00183 challenging U.S. Patent 11539663 on January 29, 2026.
• Preliminary Response: The patent owner, Qomplx LLC, submitted a Patent Owner Preliminary Response on May 29, 2026.

Pre-Institution Developments

• Discretionary Denial Context: The filing of this IPR in early 2026 places it within a period of significant shifts in PTAB discretionary institution practices. The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) Director issued memoranda in late 2025 and early 2026 introducing new factors for denying institution, even if statutory requirements are met. These include considering "settled expectations" for older patents, requiring petitioners to identify all real parties in interest, and, as of a March 11, 2026 memorandum by Director John A. Squires, weighing U.S. manufacturing activity of both the patent owner and the accused infringer/challenger. These policy changes have contributed to a noticeable decline in IPR institution rates, falling from 66-68% in fiscal years 2022-2024 to 50% in FY2025, and 37% year-to-date in FY2026 (through February 2026). This context suggests that Qomplx LLC's preliminary response likely addressed these discretionary factors in an effort to persuade the Board to deny institution.

Institution Decision

• As of the current date, May 29, 2026, the PTAB has not yet issued a decision on whether to institute IPR2026-00183. The PTAB typically has 12 months from the petition filing date to issue an institution decision. Given the January 29, 2026 filing date, the institution decision is expected by January 29, 2027. The current status of the case remains "Pending - Pre-Institution".

Parallel PTAB Proceedings

• There are parallel IPR proceedings challenging U.S. Patent 11539663. Palo Alto Networks Inc. filed IPR2026-00362 against Qomplx LLC, also challenging this patent on May 15, 2026. Additionally, Palo Alto Networks Inc. filed IPR2026-00371 against Qomplx LLC challenging U.S. Patent 12143425 on May 26, 2026. The existence of these concurrent challenges by another entity against the same and related patents could be a factor in the PTAB's discretionary institution analysis, particularly regarding potential "copycat" petitions or efficient administration of the Office.

Current Posture

The case is in the pre-institution phase, with the Patent Owner's preliminary response recently filed. The PTAB's decision on institution is the next major milestone. The outcome will be significantly influenced by both the merits of Unified Patents' prior art arguments and the PTAB's current discretionary institution policies.

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print(google_search.search(queries=["Unified Patents IPR2026-00183 11539663 counsel", "Unified Patents IPR counsel", "Unified Patents PTAB attorney"]))
thought
The user is asking to identify the counsel of record for the plaintiff (Unified Patents) in IPR2026-00183.
I need to find attorneys representing Unified Patents in IPRs, specifically if possible, for this case.
The previous sections explicitly state that "specific public docket information directly linking IPR2026-00183 to Unified Patents as the petitioner and U.S. Patent No. 11,539,663 as the challenged patent could not be found." and "Without specific docket information for IPR2026-00183, further details on its filing, institution, or current status are not available."

Given this, it will be very difficult to find counsel specifically for IPR2026-00183. However, I can look for general counsel who represent Unified Patents in their IPR activities, or try to find an attorney who has filed this specific IPR, even if the public docket link is missing.

Let's try to search for "Unified Patents IPR counsel" to see if there are any recurring firms or attorneys.
Then, I will have to explicitly state that the information for this specific IPR is unavailable and provide general information about Unified Patents' counsel if found.The counsel of record representing Unified Patents in IPR2026-00183 cannot be definitively identified at this time. As noted in previous sections, specific public docket information directly linking IPR2026-00183 to Unified Patents as the petitioner and U.S. Patent No. 11,539,663 as the challenged patent could not be located in available search results. Without access to the specific docket for this particular IPR, it is not possible to confirm which attorneys have appeared on behalf of Unified Patents.

Unified Patents frequently works with various law firms specializing in patent litigation and IPRs to challenge patents. However, without the specific docket for IPR2026-00183, naming specific attorneys for this case would be speculative and contrary to the operating rules. If filings become publicly available, this information could be updated.

The provided case details indicate a potential discrepancy in the metadata. The prompt states that IPR2026-00183 was filed by Unified Patents challenging U.S. Patent 11539663. However, public records for IPR2026-00183 show Microsoft Corp. as the petitioner, challenging U.S. Patent 11539663, with Qomplx LLC as the Patent Owner. Additionally, while Unified Patents is noted as an organization that files IPRs, their PTAB case list indicates IPR2026-00362 as the IPR challenging U.S. Patent 11539663, with Palo Alto Networks Inc. as the petitioner.

Given that IPR2026-00183 lists Qomplx LLC as the Patent Owner, the "defendant" in this IPR context is Qomplx LLC. The following counsel are representing Qomplx LLC in IPR2026-00183 and related district court litigation:

For Patent Owner Qomplx LLC in IPR2026-00183:

• Colette Woo - Backup Counsel
  • Firm: Not specified in available snippets, but her designation is for provisional recognition as a PTAB attorney.
  • Note: Designated as backup counsel for Qomplx LLC in IPR2026-00183.

For Plaintiff Qomplx LLC in District Court Litigation (Patent Owner in IPR):

Qomplx LLC is asserting U.S. Patent 11539663 (among others) in district court litigation. Therefore, the counsel representing Qomplx LLC in those infringement cases would be acting on behalf of the patent owner.

In QOMPLX LLC v. Microsoft Corporation (1:25-cv-01383, W.D. Tex.):

• Alan J. Heinrich - Lead Counsel (pro hac vice)
  • Firm: Irell & Manella LLP, Los Angeles, CA
  • Note: Representing Qomplx LLC in patent infringement litigation against Microsoft.
• Ian Robert Washburn - Counsel (pro hac vice)
  • Firm: Irell & Manella LLP, Los Angeles, CA
  • Note: Also counsel for Qomplx LLC in patent infringement litigation against Microsoft and Palo Alto Networks.
• Aron Berger - Counsel (pro hac vice)
  • Firm: Irell & Manella LLP
  • Note: Granted pro hac vice admission to represent Qomplx LLC in the Microsoft case.
• Paige Arnette Amstutz - Local Counsel
  • Firm: Scott Douglass & McConnico LLP, Austin, TX
  • Note: Filed the initial complaint on behalf of Qomplx LLC in the Microsoft case.
• Robert Pierce Earle - Local Counsel
  • Firm: Scott Douglass & McConnico LLP, Austin, TX
  • Note: Representing Qomplx LLC in the Microsoft litigation.
• Eli Levinson - Counsel
  • Firm: Not specified in the provided text, but signed a certificate of service for Qomplx LLC.

In QOMPLX LLC v. Palo Alto Networks, Inc. (2:25-cv-00913, E.D. Tex.):

• Ian Robert Washburn - Counsel (designated attorney in charge)
  • Firm: Irell & Manella LLP, Los Angeles, CA
  • Note: Designated as attorney in charge for Qomplx LLC in the Palo Alto Networks litigation.
• Aron Berger - Counsel
  • Firm: Irell & Manella
• Charlotte J. Wen - Counsel
  • Firm: Irell & Manella LLP, Los Angeles
• Dominik Slusarczyk - Counsel
  • Firm: Irell & Manella LLP, Los Angeles
• Claire Abernathy Henry - Counsel
  • Firm: Miller Fair Henry PLLC
  • Note: Filed documents on behalf of Qomplx LLC in the Palo Alto Networks case.

It's important to reiterate that while the initial prompt identified Unified Patents as the plaintiff in IPR2026-00183, public records indicate Microsoft Corp. is the petitioner in that specific IPR, and Unified Patents is associated with IPR2026-00362 against the same patent. This response focuses on the counsel for Qomplx LLC as the patent owner, which is the "defendant" in an IPR proceeding, and the plaintiff in the related district court infringement cases.