In the case with the footballplayer, thewoman, who had gotten asecondhearingafterpresentingevidenceoferrors in the firstproceeding, hastemporarilylefttheschooltoavoidtheplayer.
Under the existing system (which will remain in effect until 18 months from signing), if someone applies for a patent and you have evidence that you invented it first, you can institute an interference proceeding.
First Solar spokesman Alan Bernheimer said the company is proceeding with the construction of the project, which has 185 workers on site, but declined to comment further.