How To Read Charts

Analytics Reports are data visualization tools for a selected set of data.

Filters For Analytics Reports

A filter limits the displayed data to items matching the selected filter. For example, a Cases by Year Analytics chart with a Courts filter will display data for cases in the selected courts.

Multiple filters may be selected simultaneously and many filters have unique relationships with other filters. For example, a Document Filter Group creates a filter group consisting of four filter categories: posture, document type, result, and legal issue.

Motion Success Rates Report*

The Motion Success Report shows the success rates of selected types of motions over time. Selected data is displayed as a bar chart with the underlying data table in real numbers and percentages. Both are "clickable" to the underlying orders.

Motion Success Rates Definitions*

Granted - Includes orders (i) granting a motion, and (ii) recommending that a motion be granted.

Denied - Includes orders (i) denying a motion, (ii) denying a motion as moot, (iii) denying a motion without prejudice, (iv) striking a motion, (v) striking a motion without prejudice, (vi) vacating a motion, (vii) recommending that a motion be denied, and (viii) recommending that a motion be denied as moot.

Partial - Includes orders (i) denying or granting a motion in part, or (ii) recommending that a motion be denied and granted in part.

Other - Includes orders which were not included in Granted, Denied or Partial.

Motion Success Rates Filters*

Attorneys - Counts only decisions in cases in which the selected ATTORNEYS represented a party. Selecting "begins with" requires the attorney name to begin with the specified word or phrase. Selecting "contains" requires the attorney name to contain all the words or related words in the specified phrase. Selecting "is exactly" requires the attorney name to be exactly the specified word or phrase. In all cases, minor punctuation and capitalization differences are ignored.

Current Case Age - Counts only decisions in cases with the selected CASE AGE.

Case Age at Document Filing - Counts only decisions filed within the selected CASE AGE range.

Case Filing Date - Counts only decisions in cases with the selected CASE FILING DATE range.

Case Numbers - Counts only decisions in the selected CASE NUMBERS.

Case Status - Counts only decisions in cases with the selected CASE STATUS.

Documents in Cases with Document Types - Counts only decisions in cases with the selected TYPES OF DOCUMENTS

Courts - Counts only decisions in cases in the selected COURTS.

Document Filing Date - Counts only decisions in documents with the selected DOCUMENT FILING DATE range.

Document Filter Group - Counts only decisions in documents with the selected Document Filter Group. A Document Filter Group ("DFG") is group of filters with a defined relationship that models the structure of court and agency decisions typically found in orders and judgments. A DFG consists of one or more POSTURE of MOTION, DOCUMENT TYPE, RESULT of MOTION and LEGAL ISSUE filter, exclusively related to one another. For example, the following 8 filters could be entered as a single DFG.

Label Filter
Posture of Motion: Motion by a Party, or, Ex Parte/Emergency, or, Renewed Motion
Document Type: Motion for Judgment on the Pleadings, or, Motion for Summary Judgment -- Patent Invalid
Result of Motion: Granted, Recommended Granting
Legal Issue: Abstract Idea

Note

The Document Filter Group drawer supports multiple DFGs in a single search. So for example, you can search for documents granting a motion for summary judgment of patent noninfringement or denying a motion for summary judgment of infringement. While there are two posture of motion filters (granted and denied) they relate to different document types.

Document Text - Counts only decisions with text matching the selected boolean or natural language query. Documents are included in the results if all the specified words, their synonyms, or related words are present in the document. The words are not required to match exactly and are not required to be in order. Some documents require optical character recognition (OCR) to allow this form of searching; these documents may contain OCR errors which affect the results of the search.

Document Types - Counts only decisions of the DOCUMENT TYPES.

Firms - Counts only decisions in cases in which the selected FIRMS represented a party. Selecting "begins with" requires the firm name to begin with the specified word or phrase. Selecting "contains" requires the firm name to contain all the words or related words in the specified phrase. Selecting "is exactly" requires the firm name to be exactly the specified word or phrase. In all cases, minor punctuation and capitalization differences are ignored.

Judges - Counts only decisions by the selected JUDGES.

Judges Assigned to Cases - Counts only decisions in cases assigned to the selected JUDGES.

Judges Signing Documents - Counts only decisions in cases in which the selected JUDGES signed at least one document.

Legal Issue - Counts only decisions in documents with the selected LEGAL ISSUE. "Legal Issue" indicates the procedural and substantive legal concepts considered in the court's or agency's decision.

Parties - Counts only decisions in cases with the selected PARTIES. Selecting "begins with" requires the party name to begin with the specified word or phrase. Selecting "contains" requires the party name to contain all the words or related words in the specified phrase. Selecting "is exactly" requires the party name to be exactly the specified word or phrase. In all cases, minor punctuation and capitalization differences are ignored. Selecting "include affiliates of above" includes any party known to be a subsidiary or parent entity of any party already included.

Patent Classifications - Counts only decisions in cases involving patents with the selected PATENT CLASSIFICATIONS.

Patents - Counts only decisions in cases involving the selected PATENTS.

Posture of Motion - Counts only decisions in documents with the selected POSTURE of MOTION. "Posture" indicates the procedural status or process in effect when presenting a motion or request to the court or agency. In essence, posture indicates how a motion is "teed up" to the court. The most common posture is "motion by a party" which indicates a contested motion presented in the usual course of proceedings. Other examples include: sua sponte (the court’s own motion), ex parte (emergency motion), motion to reconsider, remand, and stipulated/agreed.

Result of Motion - Counts only decisions in documents with the selected RESULT of MOTION. "Result" indicates the outcome of a motion or request for relief. Example results include granted, denied, granted in part, and the like.

Case Timelines Report*

The Case Timelines Report displays timelines showing litigation milestones for a group of cases you select.  Timelines are displayed in parallel with color-coded milestones that can be clicked to access the underlying court document. The Case Timelines Report is useful to explore litigation behavior and strategies across multiple cases.

Case Timelines Filters*

Attorneys - Limits the timeline chart to cases in which the selected ATTORNEYS represented a party. Selecting "begins with" requires the attorney name to begin with the specified word or phrase. Selecting "contains" requires the attorney name to contain all the words or related words in the specified phrase. Selecting "is exactly" requires the attorney name to be exactly the specified word or phrase. In all cases, minor punctuation and capitalization differences are ignored.

Case Age - Limits the timeline chart to cases of the selected CASE AGE range.

Case Age at Document Filing - Limits the timeline chart to cases with documents filed within the selected CASE AGE range.

Case Filing Date - Limits the timeline chart to cases with the selected CASE FILING DATE range.

Case Numbers - Limits the timeline chart to the selected CASE NUMBERS.

Case Status - Limits the timeline chart to cases with the selected CASE STATUS.

Case Termination Date - Limits the timeline chart to cases with the selected CASE TERMINATION DATE range

Courts - Limits the timeline chart to cases in the selected COURTS.

Determinations - Limits the timeline chart to cases in which the selected DETERMINATIONS were made.

Document Filing Date - Limits the timeline chart to cases with documents filed within the selected DOCUMENT FILING DATE range.

Document Types - Limits the timeline chart to cases with the selected DOCUMENT TYPES.

Firms - Limits the timeline chart to cases involving the selected FIRMS. Selecting "begins with" requires the firm name to begin with the specified word or phrase. Selecting "contains" requires the firm name to contain all the words or related words in the specified phrase. Selecting "is exactly" requires the firm name to be exactly the specified word or phrase. In all cases, minor punctuation and capitalization differences are ignored.

Judges - Limits the timeline chart to cases assigned at some point in time to the selected JUDGES.

Judges Signing Documents - Limits the timeline chart to cases in which the selected JUDGE signed at least one document.

Parties - Limits the timeline chart to cases involving the selected PARTIES. Selecting "begins with" requires the party name to begin with the specified word or phrase. Selecting "contains" requires the party name to contain all the words or related words in the specified phrase. Selecting "is exactly" requires the party name to be exactly the specified word or phrase. In all cases, minor punctuation and capitalization differences are ignored. Selecting "include affiliates of above" includes any party known to be a subsidiary or parent entity of any party already included.

Patent Classifications - Limits the timeline chart to cases involving patents with the selected CLASSIFICATIONS.

Patents - Limits the timeline chart to cases asserting or challenging the selected PATENTS.

Remedies - Limits the timeline chart to cases in which the selected REMEDIES were awarded.

Time to Milestones Report*

The Time to Milestones Report provides a statistical analysis, including average and median times to reach key litigation milestones in patent cases. The Time to Milestones Report is useful for estimating litigation schedules and budgets.

image of milestone chart

Note

Times are calculated from the date the complaint was filed to the date of the milestone. A litigation milestone is an event that marks meaningful progress in a patent litigation proceeding such as claim construction, summary judgment, entry of a damage award or injunction, trial, etc. Milestones are determined based on Docket Navigator's classification of pleadings, orders, and other litigation documents.

Milestones Definitions*

Claim Construction - This milestone shows how quickly courts and judges issue decisions that construe disputed terms of asserted patent claims. This includes any decision that contains a claim construction, not just decisions titled "Claim Construction Order", "Markman Order" or the like.

Patentee Decisions*

Patentee MSJ - This milestone shows how quickly courts and judges decide motions for summary judgment by patentees. This includes decisions on motions for summary judgment of:

  • Infringement

  • No invalidity or unpatentable

  • No unenforceability

  • Willful infringement

  • No lack of standing

  • Infringement claim not barred by prior agreement (e.g., license)

  • Infringement claim not barred by statute of limitations, laches, estoppel, or other equitable defenses.

Importantly, this milestone is based on the nature of the motion, not the outcome of the ruling. Thus, the number shown on the chart indicates the number of motions decided, not the number of motions that were decided in the patentee's favor.

Infringement - This milestone shows how quickly courts and judges make determinations of patent infringement.

Patent not invalid - This milestone shows how quickly courts and judges make determinations of no invalidity or unpatentability.

Patent enforceable - This milestone shows how quickly courts and judges make determinations of no unenforceability.

Patent Challenger Decisions*

Patent Challenger MSJ - This milestone shows how quickly courts and judges decide motions for summary judgment by patent challengers. This includes decisions on motions for summary judgment of:

  • Noninfringement
  • Invalidity or unpatentability
  • Unenforceability
  • No willful infringement
  • Lack of standing
  • Infringement claim barred by prior agreement (e.g., license)
  • Infringement claim barred by statute of limitations, laches, estoppel, or other equitable defenses.

Importantly, this milestone is based on the nature of the motion, not the outcome of the ruling. Thus, the number shown on the chart indicates the number of motions decided, not the number of motions that were decided in the patent challenger’s favor.

Noninfringement - This milestone shows how quickly courts and judges make determinations of no patent infringement.

Patent not invalid - This milestone shows how quickly courts and judges make determinations of invalidity or unpatentability.

Patent enforceable - This milestone shows how quickly courts and judges make determinations of unenforceability.

Remedies - These milestones are based on Docket Navigator's review of court documents that award or recommend awarding monetary or injunctive relief. The chart does not reflect changes that may apply to the awards at a later date, e.g., reconsideration or reversal on appeal.

Trials*

Jury Trial - These milestones are based on events that typically occur near the time of a jury trial, such as the issuance of jury instructions and verdicts, not the actual trial date(s).

Bench Trial - These milestones are based on events that typically occur near the time of a bench trial, such as the issuance of Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law, not the actual date(s) of trial.

Motion Practice*

Stay - This milestone reflects the date the court ruled on a motion to stay the proceeding. It does not reflect the outcome of such motions or the length of any stay.

Termination:

Likely Settlement - This milestone is based on case termination data provided by PACER, EDIS, or PTAB E2E for cases that contain no substantive rulings.

Mature Termination - This milestone is based on case termination data provided by PACER, EDIS, or PTAB E2E for cases that contain at least one substantive ruling.

Time to Milestones Filters*

Attorneys - Displays milestones only in cases in which the selected ATTORNEYS represented a party. Selecting "begins with" requires the attorney name to begin with the specified word or phrase. Selecting "contains" requires the attorney name to contain all the words or related words in the specified phrase. Selecting "is exactly" requires the attorney name to be exactly the specified word or phrase. In all cases, minor punctuation and capitalization differences are ignored.

Case Age - Displays milestones only in cases with the selected CASE AGE.

Case Age at Document Filing - Displays milestones only in cases with documents filed within the selected CASE AGE range.

Case Filing Date - Displays milestones only in cases with the selected CASE FILING DATE range.

Case Numbers - Displays milestones only in the selected or uploaded CASE NUMBERS.

Case Status - Displays milestones only in cases with the selected CASE STATUS.

Case Termination Date - Displays milestones only in cases with the selected CASE TERMINATION DATE range.

Courts - Displays milestones only in cases in the selected COURTS.

Determinations - Displays milestones only in cases in which the selected DETERMINATIONS were made.

Document Filing Date - Displays milestones only in cases with documents filed within the selected DOCUMENT FILING DATE range.

Document Types - Displays milestones only in cases with the selected DOCUMENT TYPES.

Firms -
Displays milestones only in cases in which the selected FIRMS represented a party. Selecting "begins with" requires the firm name to begin with the specified word or phrase. Selecting "contains" requires the firm name to contain all the words or related words in the specified phrase. Selecting "is exactly" requires the firm name to be exactly the specified word or phrase. In all cases, minor punctuation and capitalization differences are ignored.

Judges - Displays milestones only in cases assigned to the selected JUDGES.

Judges Signing Documents - Displays milestones only in cases in which the selected JUDGES signed at least one document.

Parties - Displays milestones only in cases involving the selected PARTIES. Selecting "begins with" requires the party name to begin with the specified word or phrase. Selecting "contains" requires the party name to contain all the words or related words in the specified phrase. Selecting "is exactly" requires the party name to be exactly the specified word or phrase. In all cases, minor punctuation and capitalization differences are ignored. Selecting "include affiliates of above" includes any party known to be a subsidiary or parent entity of any party already included.

Patent Classifications - Displays milestones only in cases involving patents with the selected CLASSIFICATIONS.

Patents - Displays milestones only in cases involving the selected PATENTS.

Remedies - Displays milestones only in cases in which the selected REMEDIES were awarded.

Cases by Year Report*

The Case by Year Report displays the number of cases filed by year matching the selected filters. The case counts are displayed as a bar chart with the underlying data table in real numbers and percentages. Both are "clickable" to the underlying cases.

Cases by Year Filters*

Attorneys - Counts only cases with the selected ATTONEYS. Selecting "begins with" requires the attorney name to begin with the specified word or phrase. Selecting "contains" requires the attorney name to contain all the words or related words in the specified phrase. Selecting "is exactly" requires the attorney name to be exactly the specified word or phrase. In all cases, minor punctuation and capitalization differences are ignored.

Case Age - Counts only cases with the selected CASE AGE.

Case Age at Document Filing - Counts only cases with documents filed within the selected CASE AGE range.

Case Filing Date - Counts only cases with the selected CASE FILING DATE range.

Case Numbers - Counts only the selected CASES.

Case Status - Counts only cases with the selected CASE STATUSES.

Case Termination Date - Counts only cases with the selected CASE TERMINATION DATE range.

Courts - Counts only cases with the selected COURTS.

Determinations - Counts only cases with the selected DETERMINATIONS.

Document Filing Date - Counts only cases with documents filed within the selected DOCUMENT FILING DATE range.

Document Types - Counts only cases with the selected DOCUMENT TYPES.

Firms - Counts only cases with the selected FIRMS. Selecting "begins with" requires the firm name to begin with the specified word or phrase. Selecting "contains" requires the firm name to contain all the words or related words in the specified phrase. Selecting "is exactly" requires the firm name to be exactly the specified word or phrase. In all cases, minor punctuation and capitalization differences are ignored.

Judges - Counts only cases assigned to the selected JUDGES.

Judges Signing Documents - Counts only cases in which the selected JUGES signed at least one document.

Parties - Counts only cases with the selected PARTIES. Selecting "begins with" requires the party name to begin with the specified word or phrase. Selecting "contains" requires the party name to contain all the words or related words in the specified phrase. Selecting "is exactly" requires the party name to be exactly the specified word or phrase. In all cases, minor punctuation and capitalization differences are ignored. Selecting "include affiliates of above" includes any party known to be a subsidiary or parent entity of any party already included.

Patent Classifications - Counts only cases involving patents with the selected CLASSIFICATIONS.

Patents - Counts only cases with the selected PATENTS.

Remedies - Counts only cases with the selected REMEDIES.