En Banc Activity

Recent En Banc Activity

Here is an update on recent en banc activity at the Federal Circuit. Highlights include a new petition filed in a patent case raising a question at the intersection of infringement and claim construction, along with a denial of a petition in another patent case raising questions related to the domestic industry requirement at the International Trade Commission. Here are the details.

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Opinions

Opinions & Orders – April 8, 2024

This morning, the Federal Circuit released one precedential opinion, six nonprecedential opinions, three dismissals, and two Rule 36 summary affirmances. The precedential opinion addresses an appeal from a dismissal by the Court of International Trade for lack of subject matter jurisdiction. Three of the nonprecedential opinions dismiss appeals from the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims—two for lack of jurisdiction and one for lack of a final judgment. Another two of the nonprecedential opinions affirm judgments of the Merit Systems Protection Board. The last nonprecedential opinion addresses an appeal and cross-appeal from a judgment of the International Trade Commission, which found that a collection of imported products infringed certain patents, but also found certain redesigns not to infringe. Here are the introductions to the opinions and links to the dismissals and summary affirmances.

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Argument Recap

Argument Recap – Celanese International Corporation v. International Trade Commission

Earlier this month, the Federal Circuit heard oral argument in Celanese International Corporation v. International Trade Commission. This is a patent case that attracted an amicus brief in support of reversal. In the appeal, the Federal Circuit is reviewing a determination by the International Trade Commission that, under the post-America Invents Act on-sale bar provision, the sale of products made by a secret process invalidates a subsequently filed patent application on that process. Judges Reyna, Mayer, and Cunningham heard the argument. This is our argument recap.

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Opinions

Opinions & Orders – March 22, 2024

This morning, the Federal Circuit released two nonprecedential orders. One dismisses an appeal. The other grants a motion by both parties to stay an appeal until the only patent at issue expires, at which point the Clerk of Order is directed to dismiss the appeal. Here are the links to the orders.

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Opinions

Opinions & Orders – March 12, 2024

This morning, the Federal Circuit released three nonprecedential opinions and two nonprecedential orders. All three of the opinions address pro se appeals—two opinions dismiss for lack of jurisdiction and one affirms a final order of the Merit Systems Protection Board. The orders are dismissals. Here are the introductions to the opinions and links to the orders.

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En Banc Activity

Recent En Banc Activity

Here is an update on recent en banc activity at the Federal Circuit. Highlights include a new petition filed in a patent case raising questions regarding the domestic industry requirement at the International Trade Commission and a denial of another petition in another patent case raising questions related to infringement. Here are the details.

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Panel Activity

Update on Important Panel Activity

Here is an 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 four new cases that attracted amicus briefs: a patent case, a takings case, a veterans case, and a Little Tucker Act case. Additionally, we highlight two new reply briefs filed in patent cases. Here are the details.

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Court Week

Court Week – March 2024 – What You Need to Know

This week is Court Week at the Federal Circuit. In total, the court will convene 14 panels to consider 64 cases. Of these 64 cases, the court will hear oral arguments in 50. The Federal Circuit is providing access to live audio of these arguments via the Federal Circuit’s YouTube channel. This month, five cases scheduled for oral argument attracted amicus briefs. Here’s what you need to know about these five cases.

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Argument Preview

Argument Preview – Celanese International Corporation v. International Trade Commission

Five cases being argued in March at the Federal Circuit attracted amicus briefs. One of these cases is Celanese International Corporation v. International Trade Commission. In it, the Federal Circuit will review a determination by the International Trade Commission that, under the post-America Invents Act on-sale bar provision, the sale of products made by a secret process invalidates a subsequently-filed patent application on that process. This is our argument preview.

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Opinions

Opinions & Orders – February 9, 2024

This morning, the Federal Circuit released two precedential opinions, four nonprecedential opinions, and two Rule 36 summary affirmances. One of the precedential opinions addresses an appeal from a final written decision of the Patent Trial and Appeal Board in a post-grant review, which held certain claims unpatentable as obvious or lacking written description. The other precedential opinion addresses an appeal from a judgment of the Court of Federal Claims and addresses an assertion by the government of a right to practice a patent and have a patent practiced on its behalf under a provision of a Bayh-Dole Act. Two of the nonprecedential opinions address jurisdiction, one affirms the rejection of proposed patent claims for being directed to patent-ineligible subject matter, and one affirms the dismissal of a complaint due to the claims being timebarred. Late yesterday, the Federal Circuit also released five nonprecedential orders dismissing appeals. Here are the introductions to the opinions and links to the dismissals and summary affirmances.

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