Sharp Drop in Patent Challenges Shows Shift From Volume to Value

Pat Muffo, Suni Sukduang, James Murphy and Ryan Murphy discuss how despite expectations that recent USPTO and PTAB policy changes would lead to an increase in patent litigation, patent infringement filings declined significantly in early 2026 largely because patent owners and non-practicing entities are shifting away from high-volume, low-value lawsuits and focusing on fewer, higher-stakes cases.