AAMP is the technology leader in aftermarket stereo equipment that allows a driver to control a replacement car stereo using existing controls on a steering wheel.  After settling an action for infringement of two of its patents, the defendant instigated reexamination proceedings, during which the Patent Examiner found that the patents were invalid based on new prior art.  As a result, the defendant failed to pay the royalties due under the settlement agreement.  The PTAB reversed the Examiner’s rejection of one of those patents, and found that patent to be valid because the reference that the Examiner relied on to invalidated the patent was not prior art based on the “written description” in the AAMP patent application.  AAMP was represented by Joel Weiss of Weiss & Arons and Mark Bloomberg of Zuber Lawler.

At the time of the PTAB decision, the other AAMP patent had been appealed to the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, which appeal is pending.