Specialneeds, maybe one of our national newspapers of record will give this case more coverage once we get a ruling on it.
I looked over the list of organizations that filed Amicus Curiae briefs. Just some quick top-level observations FWIW,
- NYIPLA: filed in both RPX and Thryv. No surprise there; job security.
- I-MAK: Initiatives for Medicines Access & Knowledge in RPX b/c they want more IPRs to send more drug patents to the trash bin = more generics to the market faster => cheaper drugs
- AARP: filed in Thryv. Replaced I-MAK role. Same goal - cheap drugs.
- PhRMA: filed in Thryv. Drug lobbying group, protect drug patents.
- BIO: filed in Thryv. Biotech lobbying group, protect drug patents.
- Intel/members of tech community: filed in Thryv and RPX variously, protect tech patents.
My guess would be, gamble for a decision that would provide a rallying campaign point for 2020 election cycle provided the behind-the-scenes pressure on SCOTUS.
We know executive office, candidates, and Congress have been banging on about cheaper drug coverage. An attempt to get Judicial branch to rally & assert itself (jurisdiction) over US Govt position and PTAB to bash on patents (weaken them some more with never-ending appeals from judicial or administrative review; take your pick or use both patent challengers!) was probably too irresistible.
Man is a zoon politikon. My favorite Aristotle quote.
