FedCircuitBlog

One case being argued at the Federal Circuit in October attracted an amicus brief, District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority v. United States. In this case, the United States appeals a decision of the Court of Federal Claims, which awarded the District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority $633,150.90 for unpaid sewer charges. In the appeal, the United States presents questions related to statutory interpretation and contractual equitable defenses. This is our argument preview.

Last week, the Federal Circuit heard oral argument in Barron v. United States, a case we have been following because it attracted an amicus brief. In this case, Barron appeals the dismissal of her takings claim by the Court of Federal Claims. This appeal presents questions related to railroad easements and the interpretation of condemnation decrees and deeds under Florida law. Judges Lourie, Stoll, and Stark heard the oral argument. This is our argument recap.

Late last month the Federal Circuit issued its opinion in Christensen v. United States, a tax case we have been following because it attracted an amicus brief. Like the case we discussed yesterday, in this case the government appealed a judgment of the Court of Federal Claims based on its view that bilateral tax treaties relieve U.S. taxpayers from double taxation with respect to net investment income tax. In an opinion authored by Judge Stark and joined by Judges Chen and Hughes, the panel reversed the judgment.

Late last month the Federal Circuit issued its opinion in Bruyea v. United States, a tax case we have been following because it attracted an amicus brief. In this case, the government appealed a judgment of the Court of Federal Claims based on its view that bilateral tax treaties relieve U.S. taxpayers from double taxation with respect to net investment income tax. In an opinion authored by Judge Stark and joined by Judges Chen and Hughes, the panel reversed the judgment. This is our summary of the court’s opinion.

Earlier this month, the Federal Circuit heard oral argument in Netlist, Inc. v. Micron Technology, Inc., a case formerly styled Netlist, Inc. v. Samsung Electronics Co. This is a patent case we have been following because it attracted an amicus brief. In this case, Netlist appeals a judgment of the Patent Trial and Appeal Board in an inter partes review, which resulted in the invalidation of a claim of a Netlist patent. Judges Dyk, Linn, and Chen heard the oral argument. This is our argument recap.

Here is an update on activity in cases pending before panels of the Federal Circuit where the cases have attracted 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 four recent opinions: one addressing injunctive relief, two addressing bilateral tax treaties and their relation to net investment income tax, and one addressing educational benefits for veterans. We also identify two new cases: one raising questions related to injunctive relief, and one raising questions related to the domestic-industry requirement. We highlight two response briefs in cases that raised questions related to inter partes reviews and obviousness; two reply briefs in cases that raise questions related remedies against the United States and copyright law; and one intervenor brief in a case that raises questions related to the ability to appeal denial of institution of inter partes review. Here are the details.

This week (and, as it turns out, next Monday) is Court Week at the Federal Circuit. The court will convene 10 panels to consider 56 cases. Of these 56 cases, the court will hear oral arguments in 36. The Federal Circuit provides access to live audio of these arguments via the Federal Circuit’s YouTube channel. This month, two cases scheduled for oral argument attracted amicus briefs. Here’s what you need to know about these cases.

Last month the Federal Circuit issued its opinion in Jacki Easlick, LLC v. Accencyc US, a design patent case we have been following because it attracted an amicus brief. In this case, Jacki Easlick, LLC and JE Corporate, LLC appealed a district court’s denial of a motion for a preliminary injunction as well as a denial of a subsequent motion for reconsideration. In an opinion authored by Judge Prost and joined by Judges Dyk and Schall, the court affirmed the lower court. This is our summary of the opinion.

As we reported Monday, two cases being argued at the Federal Circuit in September attracted amicus briefs. One of these cases is Barron v. United States. In it, 54 plaintiffs appeal dismissals by the Court of Federal Claims of their takings claims. The appeal present questions related to railroad easements and the interpretation of condemnation decrees and deeds under Florida law. This is our argument preview.

Two cases being argued at the Federal Circuit in September attracted amicus briefs. One of these cases is Netlist, Inc. v. Samsung Electronics Co., a patent case. In this case, Netlist appeals a judgment of the Patent Trial and Appeal Board in an inter partes review, which invalidated a claim of a Netlist patent. This is our argument preview.