Here is an update on recent en banc activity at the Federal Circuit. Highlights include a new petition for rehearing in a patent case concerning the presumption of nexus related to secondary considerations of non-obviousness, along with three denials of rehearing in cases raising questions related to Rule 36, anticipation, secondary considerations of non-obviousness, and design patent infringement. Here are the details.
Opinions & Orders – December 27, 2023
This morning, the Federal Circuit released two nonprecedential orders dismissing appeals. Here are the links to the orders.
Recent Supreme Court Activity
Here is an update on recent activity at the Supreme Court in cases decided by the Federal Circuit. With respect to granted cases, there is no new activity to report since our last update. While no new petitions were filed with the Court, a reply brief was filed in a case addressing the Fair Labor Standards Act. Here are the details.
Opinions & Orders – December 26, 2023
This morning, the Federal Circuit released one precedential opinion, one nonprecedential opinion, and two nonprecedential orders. The precedential opinion concerns the construction of terms of a patent held not to be infringed. The nonprecedential opinion addresses an appeal of a final written decision of the Patent Trial and Appeal Board, which held certain claims unpatentable as obvious. One of the orders is a dismissal, and the other denies a petition and additional motions. Here are the introductions to the opinions, selected text from the denial of the petition, and a link to the dismissal.
Opinions & Orders – December 22, 2023
The Federal Circuit released one nonprecedential opinion and one nonprecedential order. The opinion affirms a judgment of the Merit Systems Protection Board. The order dismisses a petition for review. Here is the introduction to the opinion and link to the order.
Recent Supreme Court Activity
Here is an update on recent activity at the Supreme Court in cases decided by the Federal Circuit. With respect to granted cases, there is no new activity to report since our last update. While no new petitions were filed with the Court, a brief in opposition was filed in a veterans case, a reply brief was filed in a trade case regarding separation of powers in imposing tariffs, and an amicus brief was filed in a patent case asking the Court to consider a question regarding patent eligibility. Here are the details.
Opinions & Orders – December 21, 2023
The Federal Circuit did not release any opinions or orders on its website this morning.
Opinions & Orders – December 20, 2023
This morning, the Federal Circuit released one precedential opinion, two nonprecedential opinions, and seven nonprecedential orders. The precedential opinion addresses an appeal from an arbitration regarding removal from a government agency. Both of the nonprecedential opinions come in patent cases. One addresses a rejection of patent claims as ineligible and obvious. The other addresses an appeal from a final written decision of the Patent Trial and Appeal Board in an inter partes review, which found the claims at issue unpatentable. Six of the orders are dismissals and the seventh remands a case to the Court of Federal Claims. Here are the introductions to the opinions, selected text from the remand order, and links to the dismissals.
Argument Recap – In re Chestek PLLC
Earlier this month, the Federal Circuit heard oral argument in In re Chestek PLLC. In this case, the Federal Circuit is reviewing the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board’s rejection of Chestek’s trademark application based on non-compliance with the domicile address disclosure requirement. Judges Lourie, Chen, and Stoll heard the argument. This is our argument recap.
Opinions & Orders – December 19, 2023
Today, the Federal Circuit released one nonprecedential opinion and two nonprecedential orders. The opinion dismisses a patent appeal as moot. One order grants a motion to remand, and the other dismisses an appeal. Here is the introduction to the opinion, selected text from one order, and a link to the dismissal.