FedCircuitBlog

Last week, the Federal Circuit issued its opinion in Secretary of Defense v. Raytheon Co., a government contract case that attracted an amicus brief. In this case, the government appealed a decision by the Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals relating to Raytheon’s compliance with Federal Acquisition Regulations regarding whether lobbying and acquisition and divesture costs may be passed on to the government. Specifically, the Board rejected the government’s argument that these costs should not be passed on to the government. In an opinion authored by Judge Prost and joined by Judges Moore and Taranto, the Federal Circuit reversed this ruling and remanded the case for a determination of the costs Raytheon must pay. This is our opinion summary.

This morning the Federal Circuit released two precedential opinions. The first opinion comes in a patent case appealed from the Patent Trial and Appeal Board. In this opinion, the Federal Circuit vacates the Board’s affirmance of an examiner’s final rejection of claims. The second opinion comes in a veterans case appealed from the Court of Appeals for Veterans Affairs. In this opinion, the Federal Circuit affirms the denial of entitlement to service connection for a psychiatric disorder. The Federal Circuit also released six nonprecedential opinions. One denies a petition for a writ of mandamus to transfer a patent case from the Western District of Texas to the Northern District of California; one grants a petition for a writ of mandamus to undo an order by the Eastern District of Texas transferring two cases to the Central District of California; and four dismiss appeals. Here are the introductions to the opinions, text from the orders, and links to the dismissals.

This week is Court Week at the Federal Circuit. In total, the court will convene twelve panels to consider 47 cases. Of these 47 cases, the court will hear oral arguments in 38. The Federal Circuit is providing access to live audio of these arguments via the Federal Circuit’s YouTube channel. Of the argued cases, two cases attracted amicus briefs. One concerns judicial review of factors (the so-called Fintiv factors) adopted by the Director of the Patent and Trademark Office to govern decisions whether to institute inter partes review of patents. The other addresses whether the President exceeded his statutory authority in an international trade case. Here’s what you need to know about these cases.

This morning the Federal Circuit released a precedential opinion in a patent case appealed from the Patent Trial and Appeal Board. In it, the Federal Circuit affirmed the Board’s judgment in an interference proceeding. The Federal Circuit also released a nonprecedential opinion in another patent case appealed from the Patent Trial and Appeal Board. Notably, both patent cases involve the same parties. Finally, the Federal Circuit released three nonprecedential orders dismissing appeals. Here are the introductions to the opinions and links to the dismissals.

Here is an update on recent activity at the Supreme Court in cases decided by the Federal Circuit. With respect to granted cases, fourteen amicus brief were filed in Amgen Inc. v. Sanofi, Aventisub LLC, a patent case concerning the enablement patentability requirement. With respect to petitions, three new petitions were filed with the Court, one in a veterans case, one in a patent case, and one in a pro se case. Here are the details. 

This morning the Federal Circuit released a precedential opinion in a trade case appealed from the Court of International Trade. In it, the Federal Circuit affirms the Trade Court’s judgment sustaining the Department of Commerce’s final determination in its investigation. Here is the introduction to the opinion.

Here is a report on recent news and commentary related to the Federal Circuit and its cases. Today’s report highlights:

• an article about pending Supreme Court cases focused on intellectual property; and
• another article about “the five most important developments” in 2022 related to “patents in the pharma and biotech sectors.”

Late yesterday and this morning the Federal Circuit released four nonprecedential orders. Two deny writs of mandamus seeking to direct the District of Delaware to cancel hearings in patent cases concerning (1) disclosure of owners, members, and partners of nongovernmental entities that are parties before the district court and (2) disclosure of certain third-party funding arrangements in litigation before the district court. Two dismiss appeals. Here is text from the orders and links to the dismissals.

Here is an update on recent en banc activity at the Federal Circuit in patent cases. The court received a new petition raising a question related to the attorney-client privilege. The court also denied a petition in a case raising questions related to the standard for claim construction. Here are the details.

This morning the Federal Circuit released a precedential opinion in a government contracts case appealed from the Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals. In it, the Federal Circuit reversed the Board’s rejection of the government’s claim that it was charged unallowable costs. The Federal Circuit also released a nonprecedential opinion in a patent case appealed from the Western District of Virginia. Finally, the Federal Circuit released two nonprecedential orders dismissing appeals.