IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURTFORTHE EASTERN DISTRICT OF VIRGINIA

Alexandria Division

MATTHEW H. SWYERS,

Plaintiff,

V.

UNITED STATES PATENT ANDTRADEMARK OFFICE, et al..

Defendants.

Civil No. l:16-cv-15

Hon. Liam O'Grady

Memorandum Opinion

Matthew Swyers filed this action to enjoin the United States Patent and Trademark Office

("PTO") from pursuing disciplinary proceedings against him stemming from the Office of

Enrollment and Discipline's ("OED") purportedly imconstitutional investigation into his patent

practice. In addition to injunctive relief, Swyers seeks damages from three individual PTO

employees pursuant toBivens} During thependency of thecomplaint, thePTO initiated a

formal disciplinary proceeding against Swyers that is now pending before an administrative law

judge.

The PTO moves to dismiss the complaint on the groimd that the statutory scheme put in

place by Congress precludes judicial review ofSwyers' claims at this stage or, alternatively, for

failure to state a claim. (Dkt. No. 14). The individual defendants have separately moved to

dismiss for failure to state a Bivens cause of action or, alternatively, on the basis of qualified

immunity. (Dkt. No. 17). The motions are fully briefed, and the Court heard argument on May

*See Bivens v. Six Unknown NamedAgents ofFed. Bureau ofNarcotics, 403 U.S. 388(1971).

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