(a) These rules are intended to supplement the Local Civil Rules of this
District to facilitate the speedy, fair and efficient resolution of patent
disputes.
(b) These rules apply to all civil actions filed in or transferred to this court
which allege infringement of a utility patent in a complaint, counterclaim,
cross-claim or third party claim, or which seek a declaratory judgment that
a utility patent is not infringed, is invalid or is unenforceable. The court
will consider requests to opt out of these Patent Rules, when all parties agree
and the complexity of the case and amount in controversy do not justify the
formal procedures required by these rules.
(c) The court may accelerate, extend, eliminate, or modify the obligations or
deadlines set forth in these Local Patent Rules based on the circumstances
of any particular case, including, without limitation, the complexity of the
case or the number of patents, claims, products, or parties involved. If any
motion filed prior to the Claim Construction Hearing provided for in Local
Patent Rule 304.6 raises claim construction issues, the court may, for good
cause shown, defer the motion until after completion of the disclosures,
filings, or ruling following the Claim Construction Hearing.
