Conflict issue in Snyders Heart

Snyders further argues that due to its own unique circumstances it is entitled to greater relief than that afforded to the appellant in Arthrex. Appellant’s Br. 16–18. In Snyders’ case, the Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (“USPTO”), Andre Iancu, served as counsel for the Appellee St. Jude Medical LLC (“St. Jude”) in a parallel proceeding prior to his appointment as Director. Director Iancu has therefore recused himself from this case. Snyders argues that the Director’s conflict should be imputed to all USPTO employees and that his recusal should impact the remedy available to Snyders. This argument is without merit. The USPTO’s Deputy Director has the authority to step into the shoes of Director in the event of the Director’s “incapacity.” 35 U.S.C. § 3(b)(1). A conflict requiring recusal qualifies as an “incapacity” within the meaning of the statute. Cf. In re Grand Jury Investigation, 916 F.3d 1047, 1055–56 (D.C. Cir. 2019) (discussing, under a similar statutory scheme, the Deputy Attorney General’s authority to oversee a case when the Attorney General is recused). The Deputy Director’s role sufficiently removes any potential taint of the Director’s conflict. We see no reason why, moreover, the Director’s lack of participation otherwise impacts the Arthrex remedy analysis. Accordingly, Snyders is entitled to the same relief given to the Arthrex appellant and no more. The decision of the Board is thus vacated and remanded for proceedings consistent with our decision in Arthrex.