FedCircuitBlog

Here is an update on recent en banc activity at the Federal Circuit. Highlights include a response to a petition in a case raising questions related to standing; a new invitation for response to a petition in a case raising questions related to Jurisdiction over an appeal from the Patent Trial and Appeal Board; and the denial of a petition raising questions related to inequitable conduct and obviousness. Here are the details.

This morning, the Federal Circuit issued one precedential opinion in a patent case, two nonprecedential opinions in veterans cases, and one nonprecedential opinion in a government contracts case. Here are the introductions to the opinions.

• Apple loses seven-year import duty legal fight – The Federal Circuit affirmed the U.S. Government’s categorization of Apple’s iPad Smart Covers, thereby subjecting the models to tariffs.
• Federal Circuit Affirmed Win Against Database Platform – Hulu successfully challenged a database patent in Sound View Innovations, LLC v. Hulu, LLC.
• Federal Circuit Vacates Denial of Attorneys’ Fees – In a precedential opinion, the Federal Circuit held that the district court must consider the objective unreasonableness of an infringement claim in determining whether to grant attorneys’ fees.

Here’s the latest.

This morning the Federal Circuit issued one precedential opinion in a Biologics Price Competition and Innovation Act case. Here is the introduction to the opinion.

This week the Federal Circuit will convene ten panels to consider about 50 cases. This month, like last month, the court will hear all of its oral arguments telephonically given the coronavirus pandemic. Moreover, the court will hear fewer oral arguments than normal, with only about 18 cases being argued this month. Of the argued cases, only one case attracted an amicus brief.

Recently the Federal Circuit issued its opinion in Immunex Corp. v. Sandoz Inc., a case we have been tracking because it attracted two amicus briefs. In the opinion, Judges O’Malley and Chen affirm the lower court’s ruling that Sandoz failed to prove that the patents-in-suit were invalid. Judge Reyna filed a dissenting opinion. Here is a summary of the opinion and dissent.

This morning the Federal Circuit did not issue any opinions or orders given the Independence Day federal holiday. Happy Fourth of July tomorrow!

• Amgen Defeats Appeal Over Arthritis Drug Patents – Amgen successfully defends its multi-billion-dollar arthritis drug patents in the Federal Circuit on Wednesday.
• Federal Circuit Affirms PTAB Ax Of Aircraft Space-Saving IP – The Federal Circuit, in a precedential decision, invalidated two aircraft patents in B/E Aerospace Inc. v. C&D Zodiac Inc.
• No rehearing for Biogen in Tecfidera patent appeal – Biogen was denied an en banc rehearing of Biogen International GmbH v. Banner Life Sciences LLC, finalizing Banner’s win in the Federal Circuit.

Here’s the latest.

This morning, the Federal Circuit issued two precedential opinions in tax and trade cases. The court also issued one nonprecedential opinion in a patent case. Here are the introductions to the opinions.

This post summarizes recent activity at the Supreme Court in cases decided by the Federal Circuit.

• The Supreme Court received five new petitions this week: (1) Thomas v. Iancu, (2) United States v. Arthrex, Inc., et al., (3) Louis A. Piccone v. United States Patent and Trademark Office, (4) Richard Polidi v. Michelle K. Lee, et al., and (5) Michael A. Henry-Bey v. Hector Castro, et al.
• Syngenta Crop Protection, LLC submitted its brief in opposition to the Court in Willowood, LLC v. Syngenta Crop Protection, LLC.
• Finally, the Court denied petitions in Chrimar Systems, Inc. v. Ale USA Inc. and Ford Motor Co. v. United States.

Here are the details.