Small claims courts are not much different from arbitration. There are no consequences to not showing up or participating, as losing simply means that you can

Small claims courts are not much different from arbitration. There are no consequences to not showing up or participating, as losing simply means that you can move the matter to a new (i.e., independent) case in a real courtroom with a real judge. I cannot defend the USPTO; much of what they do is indefensible.