Petitioner v. Meridian International Co Ltd

Meridian International Co Ltd, the patent owner in this inter partes review (IPR) proceeding, operates as a global company primarily serving the tool and hardware market, manufacturing and distributing hand tools, storage solutions, garden tools, and power tool accessories. While also involved in construction, the asserted patent aligns with its hardware and storage business. The identity of the "Petitioner" challenging Meridian's patent in IPR2025-01461 is not publicly available through the conducted searches. The accused product, service, or technology that allegedly infringes the patent at issue is also not explicitly identified in the available information for this IPR.

The sole patent at issue is US patent 11986946, which generally describes a "Connection structure of module, storage box and storage box assembly." This suggests the patent pertains to modular storage systems or components used in such systems, consistent with Meridian International Co Ltd's involvement in the tools and hardware market.

This case is an Inter Partes Review (IPR2025-01461) before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) and is currently in "instituted" status. This means the PTAB has determined that there is a reasonable likelihood that at least one of the claims challenged in the petition is unpatentable, and the review process will proceed to a final written decision. The procedural posture of IPRs before the PTAB has seen significant shifts, with the USPTO Director, John A. Squires, taking a more active role in institution decisions, particularly since late 2025. This has led to a tightening of access to PTAB review, including new practices that may deny petitions from companies linked to foreign governments or based on their impact on domestic manufacturing. IPR2025-01461 specifically passed an initial discretionary review by the Director and moved forward for merits and non-discretionary considerations, highlighting its progression through these newer, stricter PTAB guidelines. The specific panel of PTAB judges for this IPR is not readily available. The notability of this case stems from its place within the broader context of evolving PTAB policies under Director Squires, which aim to protect established patent rights and restrict serial or duplicative challenges, potentially impacting how foreign companies, like Meridian International Co Ltd, navigate patent validity challenges in the U.S.

IPR2025-01461: Challenging US Patent 11986946

This summary focuses on the inter partes review (IPR) proceeding IPR2025-01461 before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB), which challenges U.S. Patent No. 11986946 owned by Meridian International Co Ltd. As of the current date, no parallel district court patent infringement litigation directly asserting US Patent No. 11986946 by Meridian International Co Ltd against a defendant could be definitively identified through public records.

Key Legal Developments for IPR2025-01461

• Patent at Issue: U.S. Patent No. 11986946, titled "Connection structure of module, storage box and storage box assembly," was granted on May 21, 2024, to Meridian International Co., Ltd.

• Institution of IPR: On January 9, 2026, IPR2025-01461 was among the proceedings identified by the USPTO Director that would proceed to be reviewed for merits and non-discretionary considerations, indicating a decision to institute the IPR. The specific filing date of the petition and the identity of the Petitioner in IPR2025-01461 were not found in the publicly available search results.

The IPR is currently in an "instituted" status, meaning the PTAB has agreed to review the patentability of the challenged claims. As of May 25, 2026, the case remains pending.

Unfortunately, the specific counsel of record for the Petitioner in IPR2025-01461 challenging US patent 11986946 is not publicly available through the performed web searches. Access to the detailed PTAB docket, which would list the appearing attorneys, is typically found on the Patent Trial and Appeal Board End-to-End System (PTAB-ESAS) portal or similar legal research databases that require subscriptions. As these direct docket details are not accessible via general web search, the specific names, roles, firms, and experience of the Petitioner's attorneys cannot be identified at this time.

Based on available information, the counsel of record representing Meridian International Co Ltd in IPR2025-01461 is inferred from a closely related case, IPR2025-01462, involving the same patent owner.

Anna Halsey

• Role: Counsel (inferred to be lead counsel or part of the lead counsel team, as listed first among "et al." in related IPR).
• Firm: Staas & Halsey LLP.
• Office Location: Washington, D.C.
• Relevant Patent Litigation Experience: Staas & Halsey LLP is an intellectual property law firm specializing in patent and trademark matters, with extensive experience in the prosecution and defense of patent causes of action, including Inter Partes Review (IPR) proceedings before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. The firm's attorneys possess engineering or technical degrees and industry experience across a broad spectrum of technical fields.