Microsoft Corporation v. Surfcast, Inc., IPR2014-00271, Paper 18 (April 21, 2014) the Board denied petitioner’s motion to wtihdraw its motion for joinder of the proceeding with IPR2013-00292, apparently in addition to getting the Board’s permission to bring a motion, you likewise need permission to withdraw one!

IPR2014-00271 is like a chess game.  After having grounds in IRP2013-00292 denied as redundant, Microsoft requseted reconsideration, and presented the “redundant” grounds separately in IPR2014-00271, and asking that they be joined.  The Patent Owner opposed the motion.  The strategically, petitioner decided it wanted to withdraw the Motion for Joinder, and the patent owner is opposed the withdrawal.