Last month, the Federal Circuit issued its opinion in SAS Institute, Inc. v. World Programming Limited, a copyright case we have been following because it attracted several amicus briefs. In this case, SAS Institute appealed a decision by the Eastern District of Texas to dismiss claims of copyright infringement by World Programming. SAS contended the district court incorrectly analyzed copyrightability and incorrectly excluded witness testimony. In an opinion authored by Judge Reyna and joined by Judge Wallach, the Federal Circuit affirmed the district court’s holding. Notably, Judge Newman dissented. This is our opinion summary
Opinions & Orders – May 1, 2023
This morning, the Federal Circuit released a nonprecedential opinion in a trade case and four nonprecedential orders dismissing appeals. Here is the introduction to the opinion and links to the dismissals.
Opinions & Orders – April 28, 2023
This morning, the Federal Circuit released a precedential order announcing that a majority of the judges in regular active service voted for sua sponte en banc consideration of a case involving an alleged violation of the Equal Pay Act. The court also released a precedential opinion in the same case, vacating a dismissal and remanding the case for further proceedings. In Part II.B of the opinion, the en banc court overruled one of the court’s prior opinions, which the court explains “added an extra element to an EPA claimant’s prima facie case—namely, a showing that the pay differential ‘is either historically or presently based on sex.’” Here is the text of the order and the introduction to the opinion.
Opinions & Orders – April 27, 2023
This morning the Federal Circuit released three nonprecedential opinions. One comes in a patent case appealed from the Patent Trial and Appeal Board, one in a patent case appealed from the International Trade Commission, and one in an employment case appealed from the Merit Systems Protection Board. Here are the introductions to the opinions.
Opinions & Orders – April 26, 2023
This morning, the Federal Circuit released two precedential opinions, the first addressing jurisdiction in a veteran’s case and the second addressing entitlement to attorneys’ fees and expenses under the Equal Access to Justice Act. The court also released a nonprecedential opinion addressing entitlement to annuities by eligible survivors of U.S. military personnel. Finally, the court also dismissed a case. Here are the introductions to the opinion and a link to the dismissal.
Opinions & Orders – April 25, 2023
This morning the Federal Circuit released two precedential opinions in trade and government contracts cases along with three nonprecedential opinions in patent and trade cases. The court also released a nonprecedential opinion transferring an appeal to the Second Circuit along with a dismissal. Here are the introductions to the opinions and order and a link to the dismissal.
Opinions & Orders – April 24, 2023
Today the Federal Circuit released two nonprecedential opinions and three nonprecedential orders. The first opinion affirms a judgment of the Patent Trial and Appeal Board, and the second affirms a judgment of the Western District of Texas in a patent case. Two of the orders transfer appeals, and one dismisses an appeal. Here are the introductions to the opinions and orders and a link to the dismissal.
Opinions & Orders – April 21, 2023
Late yesterday and this morning, the Federal Circuit released a nonprecedential opinion in a veterans case and four nonprecedential orders dismissing or summarily affirming dismissals of cases. Here are the introductions to the opinions and orders.
Opinions and Orders – April 20, 2023
This morning, the Federal Circuit released two precedential opinions. In the first opinion, the court affirmed a judgment of the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. In the second, the Federal Circuit affirmed a judgment of the International Trade Commission in a patent case. Here are the introductions to the opinions.
Opinions and Orders – April 19, 2023
This morning, the Federal Circuit released a precedential opinion and a nonprecedential order. In the opinion, the court affirmed a judgment of the District of New Jersey in a patent case. In the order, the Federal Circuit dismissed an appeal. Here is the introduction to the opinion and a link to the dismissal.