What characterizes an “inter partes review”?

An inter partes review (IPR) is specifically designed as a procedure for challenging the validity of a patent after it has been issued. This process allows a party to contest the patentability of one or more claims of an issued patent based on prior art, including patents or printed publications. The IPR is conducted before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) and is a key tool for ensuring that patents granted by the USPTO are valid and enforceable; it offers a more streamlined and cost-effective alternative to litigation.

The other options do not accurately describe the function of an inter partes review. The process is not related to expediting patent issuance; it occurs post-grant, meaning that the patent is already issued before any validity challenges are made. Additionally, while there are procedures for amending claims, they are not the core function of an IPR. Lastly, an inter partes review is not a public forum for general discussions on patent infringement cases but is a formal legal procedure focused specifically on the validity of issued patents. This clear focus on patent validity distinguishes the inter partes review from other types of patent-related processes.