Here is a report on recent news and commentary related to the Federal Circuit and its cases. Today’s report highlights:
- a blog post detailing noting “its 15th annual list of top patent stories [for 2021]”;
- another blog post assessing how a recent Federal Circuit decision “was an easy mandamus transfer”; and
- yet another blog post discussing how “Professor Jessica Litman has a fascinating forthcoming book chapter on the history of the Lanham Act and the influence of Edward S. Rogers.”
Donald Zuhn authored a post for Patent Docs noting how, “[a]fter reflecting upon the events of the past twelve months, Patent Docs presents its 15th annual list of top patent stories.” Zuhn explained that “[f]or 2021, we identified nine stories . . . that we believe had (or are likely to have) a significant impact on patent practitioners and applicants.”
Dennis Crouch published a post for PatentlyO explaining how in his view In re Netflix, Inc. “was an easy mandamus transfer.” Crouch noted that, “[o]n mandamus, the Federal Circuit only addressed the inconvenient forum question — ordering the case transferred.” He indicated that the court “particularly focused on the district court’s apparent bias against transferring venue.”
Camilla Hrdy wrote a post for Written Description highlighting that “Professor Jessica Litman has a fascinating forthcoming book chapter on the history of the Lanham Act and the influence of Edward S. Rogers.” Hrdy explained that the book chapter focuses on “the history of the drafting of the Lanham Act of 1946 through the lens of Edward S. Rogers, detailing how his advocacy and drafting work influenced the final statutory text.” The Federal Circuit hears appeals from decisions of the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board.