Today the Federal Circuit released two precedential opinions, a precedential order, and two nonprecedential orders dismissing cases. Both of the precedential opinions come in trade cases, and in both cases the court affirms the judgment of the Court of International Trade. In the precedential order, the Federal Circuit denies panel and en banc rehearing in a design patent cases. Notably, Judge Cunningham joined by Judge Hughes released an opinion concurring in the denial of the petition for rehearing en banc , while Chief Judge Moore joined by Judge Reyna released an opinion dissenting from the denial of the petition for rehearing en banc. Here are the introductions to the opinions and links to the dismissals.
Recent En Banc Activity
Here is an update on recent en banc activity at the Federal Circuit. Since our last update, three amicus briefs were filed in the only pending en banc case, which relates to the President’s Article II removal power. Three new petitions for en banc rehearing have been filed raising questions related to appellate procedure, the written description requirement, and claim construction. Finally, six petitions were denied in cases raising questions related to burden of proving unpatentability in inter partes review proceedings, obviousness, damages, appellate procedure, the domestic industry requirement, and objective indicia of nonobviousness. Here are the details.
Update on Important Panel Activity
Here is an update on activity in cases pending before panels of the Federal Circuit where the cases have attracted at least one amicus brief or the court has appointed amicus counsel. We keep track of these cases in the “Other Cases” section of our blog. Today, with respect to these cases, we highlight three recent opinions in cases raising questions related to military records, tax refunds, and invalidity for lack of enablement, and one order dismissing an appeal. In addition, we highlight three newly identified cases raising questions related to inter partes review proceedings, claim construction, and educational assistance benefits. As for new briefing, we highlight three response briefs in cases that raised questions related to infringement, claim construction, and educational assistance benefits; one principal and response brief in a case that raised copyright and patent questions; three reply briefs in cases that raised questions related to patent eligibility, claim construction, and educational assistance benefits; and seven new amicus briefs in one case that raised a question related to infringement. We also highlight two recent oral arguments in cases that raised questions related to claim construction and veterans educational assistance benefits. Here are the details.
Opinions & Orders – July 23, 2026
Late yesterday, the Federal Circuit released a nonprecedential order dismissing an appeal. This morning, the court released two nonprecedential opinions and seven nonprecedential orders. One of the nonprecedential opinions comes in a case involving sanctions appealed form the Central District of Illinois, and the other opinion comes in a patent case appealed from the Central District of California. One of the nonprecedential orders summarily affirms an appeal from the Court of Federal Claims, one comes in response to a patent case appealed form the International Trade Commission, two come in response to petitions to review final decisions of the Merit Systems Protection Board, and three dismiss appeals. Here are the introductions to the opinions and the orders other than dismissals, as well as links to the dismissals.
Opinions & Orders – July 14, 2026
This morning, the Federal Circuit released two nonprecedential opinions, one nonprecedential order, and two Rule 36 summary affirmances. One of the nonprecedential opinions comes in a case appealed from the Court of Federal Claims, and one comes in response to a petition to review a final decision of the Merit Systems Protection Board. The order dismisses an appeal. Here are the introductions to the opinions as well as links to the dismissal and the summary affirmances.
Opinions & Orders – July 2, 2026
Late yesterday, the Federal Circuit released two nonprecedential orders dismissing appeals. This morning, the court released one precedential opinion and three nonprecedential opinions. The precedential opinion and one of the nonprecedential opinions come in patent cases appealed form the District of Delaware. One of the other nonprecedential opinions comes in a government contract case appealed from the Court of Federal Claims, and one comes in another patent case appealed from the Eastern District of North Carolina. Here are the introductions to the opinions as well as links to the dismissals.
Recent En Banc Activity
Here is an update on recent en banc activity at the Federal Circuit. Since our last update, one petition for initial en banc hearing was granted in a case decided by the Merit Systems Protection Board raising questions related to the President’s Article II removal power. Three new petitions for en banc rehearing have been filed raising questions related to burden of proving unpatentability in inter partes review proceedings, obviousness, enablement, and written description. One new response brief was filed in a case raising questions related to the domestic industry requirement. Finally, one petition was denied in a case raising a question related to Federal Rule of Evidence 702. Here are the details.
Opinions & Orders – June 1, 2026
This morning, the Federal Circuit released two precedential opinions and one nonprecendential order. The first opinion comes in a veterans case appealed from the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, and the second comes in an international trade case appealed from the Court of International Trade. The order is a dismissal. Here are the introductions to the opinions and a link to the dismissal.
Recent En Banc Activity
Here is an update on recent en banc activity at the Federal Circuit in patent cases. Since our last update, two new responses were filed. One responds to a petition raising questions related to infringement and claim construction in design patent cases. The other responds to a petition raising a question related to admissibility of expert testimony. Two new amicus briefs were also filed supporting a petition raising questions related to the domestic industry requirement at the International Trade Commission. Finally, the court denied two petitions in cases raising questions related to obviousness, apportionment, and eligibility. Here are the details.
Recent En Banc Activity
Here is an update on recent en banc activity at the Federal Circuit in patent cases. Since our last update, five new petitions for en banc rehearing have been filed raising questions related to correction of inventorship, damages, the domestic industry requirement, and infringement. Three new amicus briefs were also filed in a case raising questions related to design patent infringement. Finally, four petitions were denied in cases raising questions related to eligibility and infringement. Here are the details.
