FedCircuitBlog

The Federal Circuit did not publish any opinions or orders this morning on its website. As previously announced, the court is closed today in observance of Inauguration Day.

Here is an update on recent en banc activity at the Federal Circuit in patent cases. Highlights include a new petition raising a question related to sovereign immunity and inter partes review; new invitations to respond to petitions raising questions related to inter partes review as well as the use of Rule 36 judgments in cases appealed from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office; and the denial of a petition raising questions related to eligible subject matter. Here are the details.

This morning the Federal Circuit issued one precedential opinion in a case involving an appeal from the Merit Systems Protection Board. Additionally, the Federal Circuit issued four nonprecedential opinions in patent cases, with three of these cases involving the same parties. Here are the introductions to the opinions.

The Federal Circuit did not publish any opinions or orders on its website this morning. The court is closed today in observance of the Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr., a federal holiday.

Here is this month’s update on activity in cases pending before panels of the Federal Circuit where the cases involve at least one amicus brief. We keep track of these cases in the “Other Cases” section of our blog. Today, with respect to these cases we highlight two dispositions, one new patent case, and new briefing in another patent case. Here are the details.

Today the Federal Circuit announced that access to the National Courts Building Complex will continue to be limited to court staff through February 28. The court did, however, also indicate that requests for building access may be submitted and will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Here is the text of today’s announcement, which includes a link to the relevant court order.

This morning, the Federal Circuit issued two nonprecedential opinions in veterans cases. The court also issued a Rule 36 judgment. Here are the introductions to the opinions and a link to the Rule 36 judgment.

Late this afternoon the Federal Circuit announced that it has updated its Guide for Oral Argument. These updates include the designation of “Access Coordinators” to facilitate the ability of those who have communication difficulties to participate in the court’s proceedings. Here is the text of today’s announcement.

This morning, the Federal Circuit issued one nonprecedential opinion in a vaccine case. Here is the introduction to the opinion.

This afternoon the Federal Circuit announced that it has adopted new procedures for the handling of what it is calling “highly sensitive documents.” The court indicated it is doing so given “recent disclosures of widespread breaches of both private sector and government computer systems.” Notably, the court indicated it will treat these documents “outside of the court’s electronic case filing system.” Moreover, it will adjust not only how it will handle documents filed in the future, but also how it will handle highly sensitive documents that already have been electronically filed both in pending and even closed cases. Here is the text of today’s announcement, which includes links to the related order and modified Electronic Filing Procedures, along with a summary.