The Patent Court Hears Oral Arguments of Infringement cases and Patent Validity cases at the same time

In patent and utility model cases, a panel of three judges reviews the records and a technical advisor provides a detailed presentation on technical matters to the panel. Absent special circumstances, a case proceeds to an intensive trial without a pre-trial hearing. Patent and utility model cases that involve specialized technical matters and complicated issues that are difficult to understand, may proceed to a pre-trial hearing. A trial date is generally set for design and trademark cases without a pre-trial hearing because the subject matter and issues in many design and trademark cases are relatively simple compared to those of patent and utility model cases. A presiding judge conducts the trial, and requests the parties to provide detailed presentation on technical matters, using various multi-media devices, real products, and models. A presiding judge also examines evidence such as documents and witnesses. Through these procedures, technical matters are reviewed in depth. In principle, technical advisors may participate in the trial.