I’m excited to introduce you to Fed Circuit Blog, a project of the Tsai Center for Law, Science and Innovation at the SMU Dedman School of Law. This blog provides comprehensive coverage of activities and news related to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.
In several ways the Federal Circuit is a unique court. Given that it has exclusive jurisdiction over appeals in various types of federal cases, unless the Supreme Court reviews its opinions, these opinions govern nationwide.
The court’s exclusive jurisdiction includes appeals in patent cases. Given the impact of patents on the development and use of technology, the Federal Circuit holds an important place in the innovation ecosystem. As a result, Fed Circuit Blog will provide particular insight into the law governing patent cases and its impact on the innovation ecosystem. That said, Fed Circuit Blog will extend its coverage of the court to other areas of the court’s jurisdiction.
So exactly what information will Fed Circuit Blog provide?
First, Fed Circuit Blog already provides aggregated data on historically important Federal Circuit cases. These cases include all of the Federal Circuit’s cases resulting in en banc opinions, as well as all Federal Circuit cases subsequently reviewed by the Supreme Court and resulting in written opinions by the Supreme Court.
Second, Fed Circuit Blog will provide data on important pending and recently-decided Federal Circuit cases. These include selected cases with pending and recently-decided petitions for rehearing and selected cases with amicus briefs. These also include every Federal Circuit case subject to a pending or recently-decided petition for certiorari at the Supreme Court.
Third, Fed Circuit Blog will provide access to every opinion and order published by the Federal Circuit. Fed Circuit Blog will identify the subject of each opinion and order, and blog posts will provide opinions’ introductions. Fed Circuit Blog already provides access to almost every opinion (and many orders) issued by the Federal Circuit since October 1, 2004. Fed Circuit Blog will provide the ability to sort and search for opinions by subject.
Fourth, Fed Circuit Blog will periodically give updates on news and scholarship related to the Federal Circuit, its judges, and its cases.
I hope Fed Circuit Blog will grow to be an important resource for anyone interested in the Federal Circuit and its cases. And of course I hope you will enjoy our coverage of the court.