This morning, the Federal Circuit issued three nonprecedential opinions: two in patent cases and one in an appeal from the Merit Systems Protection Board. Additionally, the court issued an order transferring a petition for a writ of mandamus to the Eleventh Circuit. Finally, the court issued one Rule 36 judgment. Here are the introductions of the opinions, text from the order, and a link to the Rule 36 judgment.
Clerk’s Office Operating Status for January 21, 2021
This morning the Federal Circuit announced that the Clerk’s Office will be inaccessible today for purposes of receiving paper filings, mail and courier deliveries, and night box submissions. The court noted that nonelectronic filings and submissions due today will be deemed as timely filed if received tomorrow. Here is the text of today’s announcement.
Recent Supreme Court Activity
Here is an update on recent activity at the Supreme Court in cases decided by the Federal Circuit.
- Four new waivers of right to respond were filed with the Court.
- The Court denied the petitions for writ of certiorari in three cases.
Here are the details.
Opinions & Orders – January 20, 2021
The Federal Circuit did not publish any opinions or orders this morning on its website. As previously announced, the court is closed today in observance of Inauguration Day.
Recent News on the Federal Circuit
- Federal Circuit Patent Decisions In 2020: An Empirical Review – Dan Bagatell issues his fourth review of the Federal Circuit’s patent decisions of the past year.
- Boom! You Can’t Patent an Escrow Method – The Federal Circuit recently affirmed the dismissal of Boom! Payments’ claim due to a lack of patent eligibility.
- Nintendo’s Win in Wii Controller Patent Case Affirmed – Nintendo’s avoidance of a $10 million infringement award stands after the Federal Circuit affirmed the lower court’s decision in iLife Technologies, Inc. v. Nintendo of America, Inc..
Here’s the latest.
Recent En Banc Activity
Here is an update on recent en banc activity at the Federal Circuit in patent cases. Highlights include a new petition raising a question related to sovereign immunity and inter partes review; new invitations to respond to petitions raising questions related to inter partes review as well as the use of Rule 36 judgments in cases appealed from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office; and the denial of a petition raising questions related to eligible subject matter. Here are the details.
Opinions & Orders – January 19, 2021
This morning the Federal Circuit issued one precedential opinion in a case involving an appeal from the Merit Systems Protection Board. Additionally, the Federal Circuit issued four nonprecedential opinions in patent cases, with three of these cases involving the same parties. Here are the introductions to the opinions.
Opinions & Orders – January 18, 2021
The Federal Circuit did not publish any opinions or orders on its website this morning. The court is closed today in observance of the Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr., a federal holiday.
Update on Important Panel Activity
Here is this month’s update on activity in cases pending before panels of the Federal Circuit where the cases involve 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 two dispositions, one new patent case, and new briefing in another patent case. Here are the details.
Federal Circuit Announces Continued Extension of Access Restrictions for the National Courts Building
Today the Federal Circuit announced that access to the National Courts Building Complex will continue to be limited to court staff through February 28. The court did, however, also indicate that requests for building access may be submitted and will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Here is the text of today’s announcement, which includes a link to the relevant court order.