FedCircuitBlog

This morning, the Federal Circuit released five nonprecedential opinions and three nonprecedential orders dismissing appeals. Three of the opinions come in patent cases. Judge Dyk dissented to one. The other two opinions come in pro se appeals. Here are the introductions to the opinions and links to the dismissals.

Here is a report on recent news and commentary related to the Federal Circuit and its cases. Today we highlight:

• an article discussing “the process for paying back billions in tariffs the Trump administration has collected, should the justices rule those duties are illegal”;
• an article arguing “[a]n unusual combination of Supreme Court justices appears to be coalescing to strike down President Donald Trump’s global tariffs”;
• a blog post predicting “a 6-3 vote against the tariffs, with Justices Thomas, Alito, and Kavanaugh dissenting”; and
• an article explaining how “the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has changed dramatically the manner in which it reviews petitions for inter partes review.”

This morning, the Federal Circuit announced that, given the restoration of federal appropriations, it has resumed normal operations. Here is the full text of the announcement.

This morning, the Federal Circuit released one precedential opinion, one nonprecedential opinion, and three nonprecedential orders. The precedential opinion comes in an appeal of a judgment in a case involving claims of design and utility patent infringement. The nonprecedential opinion comes in a pro se appeal of a decision of the Merit Systems Protection Board. One of the orders requires the parties to seek clarification of a final judgment in a patent case, while two dismiss appeals. Here are the introductions to the opinions and the first order and links to the dismissals.

Here is an update on recent activity at the Supreme Court in cases decided by the Federal Circuit. Since our last update, the Supreme Court heard oral argument in the case challenging President Trump’s tariffs. As for pending petitions, new petitions were filed in a patent case, a government contract case, and a pro se case; briefs in opposition were filed in a patent case and a takings case; waivers of the right to respond to petitions were filed in a Rule 36 case and two pro se cases; five amicus briefs were filed in a government contract case; and three petitions were denied, one in a Rule 36 case and two in pro se cases. Here are the details.

This morning, the Federal Circuit released one precedential opinion, one nonprecedential opinion, and three Rule 36 judgments. The precedential opinion comes in an patent infringement case where a defendants challenged the validity of the asserted patent claims due to indefiniteness. While the district court found the claims invalid, the Federal Circuit reversed the judgment. The nonprecedential opinion comes in a pro se appeal of a decision of the Merit Systems Protection Board. Here are introductions to the opinions and links to the Rule 36 judgments.

Happy Veterans Day! Due to the holiday, the Federal Circuit is closed and did not release any opinions or orders on its website. FedCircuitBlog extends its thanks to all who have served our country!

Here is a report on recent news and commentary related to the Federal Circuit and its cases. Today we highlight:

• an article highlighting that “the major questions doctrine was a focal point” during the oral argument for President Trump’s tariffs case;
• a blog post discussing how, during the oral argument in President Trump’s tariffs case, “special attention” was given “to one verb in particular: the verb ‘regulate’”;
• an article suggesting, “[i]f the Supreme Court strikes down the IEEPA tariffs, the outcome will not be national collapse but relief”; and
• an article arguing “extensive quotes from Mr. Trump” in a key filing made by the government “may change the legal calculus” in President Trump’s tariffs case.

This morning, the Federal Circuit announced it has adopted amendments to the Federal Circuit Rules of Practice and Practice Notes. After receiving and reviewing public comments to the proposed amendments, published on September 16, the court has ordered the adoption of the proposed amendments, as amended, effective December 1, 2025. The announcement includes links to the court’s order, a draft proof copy of the Federal Circuit Rules of Practice, and a summary of the adopted amendments. Here is a full text to the announcement along with links to the materials.

This morning, the Federal Circuit released two non precedential opinions and one Rule 36 judgment. One of the opinions comes in an appeal of a decision of the Patent Trial and Appeal Board and includes a dissenting opinion by Judge Wallach. The other comes in a pro se appeal of a decision of the Merit Systems Protection Board. Here are the introductions to the opinions and a link to the Rule 36 judgment.