Independent inventor Carrie Hafeman has asked the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit to rehear its June 2026 decision that upheld a Patent Trial and Appeal Board ruling invalidating her remote device finder patent claims. Hafeman, who has been pursuing the case pro se, filed the petition after years of litigation against Google and Microsoft.
According to IPWatchdog, the CAFC's decision was precedential, meaning it could influence future patent cases. Hafeman's petition seeks to have the court reconsider that outcome.
The case underscores the difficulties independent inventors face when challenging large technology companies without legal representation. The Federal Circuit has not yet indicated whether it will grant the rehearing request.