FedCircuitBlog

This morning, the Federal Circuit announced that the court has entered a new order concerning access to the National Courts Building complex in Washington, D.C., limiting access through October 31, 2021. Here is the text of today’s announcement.

This morning the Federal Circuit issued two nonprecedential opinions in related patent cases appealed from the Patent Trial and Appeal Board. The cases also relate to Universal Secure Registry LLC v. Apple Inc., a precedential case released yesterday by the Federal Circuit. Here are the introductions to the opinions.

On August 23 the Federal Circuit issued its opinion in National Association of Manufacturers v. Department of the Treasury, a case we have been following because it attracted an amicus brief. The case was argued before Judges Lourie, Prost, and Reyna. These judges considered whether regulations promulgated by the Department of Treasury to curtail “double drawback” (two tax refunds for the same exported merchandise) are invalid. Judge Reyna authored the majority opinion in the case, affirming the U.S. Court of International Trade’s judgment finding the regulations to be invalid. This is our opinion summary. 

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

• an article discussing the filing of an amicus brief in the aftermath of the Federal Circuit’s recent treatment of “skinny labels;”
• a conversation about President Biden’s potential federal court nominations based on previous picks and patterns; and
• an article discussing how steel importers are urging the Federal Circuit to reverse a panel decision upholding levies on steel imports.

This morning the Federal Circuit issued six precedential opinions in veterans, government contract, and patent cases. The patent cases address issues of claim construction, damages expert testimony, the written description requirement, and eligibility. The court also issued two nonprecedential opinions in related patent cases. Here are the introductions to the opinions.

Here is an update on recent activity at the Supreme Court in cases decided by the Federal Circuit. With respect to the Supreme Court’s October 2021 term, the Court still has not granted any petitions in cases decided by the Federal Circuit. As for pending petitions, since our last update five new petitions were filed with the Court: one in a government contract case, one in a veterans case, two in takings cases, and one in a pro se case. Additionally, two waivers of rights to respond were filed, one amicus brief was filed in a takings case, and three briefs in opposition to petitions addressing patent eligibility and preclusion were filed. Here are the details.

This morning the Federal Circuit issued a precedential opinion in a government contract case appealed from the United States Court of Federal Claims. Here is the introduction to the opinion.

Here is an update on recent en banc activity at the Federal Circuit in patent cases. The court received a new petition raising questions related to Appointments Clause challenges with respect to Administrative Patent Judges of the Patent Trial and Appeal Board. Here are the details.

On August 6 the Federal Circuit issued its opinion in Buffington v. McDonough, a case we have been following because it attracted an amicus brief. The case was argued before Chief Judge Moore as well as Judges Lourie and O’Malley. These judges considered whether the Secretary of Veterans Affairs exceeded his statutory authority when he promulgating a regulation related to the timing of resumption of disability benefits payments following a period of active military service. Chief Judge Moore authored the majority opinion in the case, affirming the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. Judge O’Malley dissented. This is our opinion summary. 

This morning the Federal Circuit issued a precedential opinion in a patent case appealed from the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas. Here is the introduction to the opinion.