FedCircuitBlog

This morning the Federal Circuit released a precedential opinion in a patent case appealed from the Patent Trial and Appeal Board. Notably, Judge Newman dissented in part. The Federal Circuit also released a nonprecedential opinion in a case appealed from the Merit Systems Protection Board and an erratum. Here are the introductions to the opinions and a link to the erratum.

Last month, the Federal Circuit issued its opinion in Milton v. United States, a takings case we have been following because it attracted an amicus brief. In this case, the plaintiffs-appellants asked the court to reverse a Court of Federal Claims decision granting summary judgement in favor of the United States. Numerous parties asserted takings claims against the government based on properties being flooded by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers when the Addicks and Barker Reservoirs released water during Hurricane Harvey. In a unanimous opinion authored by Judge Cunningham and joined by Judges Lourie and Chen, the Federal Circuit reversed the decision of the Court of Federal Claims and remanded the case for further proceedings. This is our opinion summary.

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 opinions, one in patent case and one in a takings case; one new trade case; three oral argument recaps, two in to patent cases and one in a takings case; and two upcoming oral arguments. Here are the details.

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

• an article examining how the Federal Circuit affirms “[n]early 73%” of Patent Trial and Appeal Board decisions; 
• another article addressing how the Federal Circuit recently clarified the analysis of intrinsic evidence for allegedly indefinite claim terms; and
• a third article discussing how the Federal Circuit revived hundreds of lawsuits by plaintiffs who “say the Army Corps of Engineers temporarily took their property by releasing water from two dams.”

This morning the Federal Circuit released a precedential opinion in a takings case appealed from the Court of Federal Claims. The Federal Circuit also released two nonprecedential opinions. The first comes in a patent case appealed from the Patent Trial and Appeal Board; the second comes in a case appealed from the Court of Federal Claims. Here are the introductions to the opinions.

Earlier this month the Federal Circuit heard oral argument in Milton v. United States, a case arising from the Court of Federal Claims. We have been following this case because it attracted an amicus brief. In this case, 150 plaintiffs are appealing a grant of summary judgment for the United States. These plaintiffs-appellants have asserted takings claims against the federal government based on properties that were flooded as a result of government action when the Addicks and Barker Reservoirs released water during Hurricane Harvey. The amicus brief was filed by 205 other plaintiffs with similar cases that have been stayed by the Court of Federal Claims. Judges Lourie, Chen, and Cunningham heard the argument. This is our argument recap.

This week is Court Week at the Federal Circuit, with hearings starting today. Due to the heightened spread of the coronavirus, all January oral arguments will again be held remotely. As it has for some time now, however, the Federal Circuit is providing access to live audio of each panel scheduled for argument via the Federal Circuit’s YouTube channel. In total, including a case set to be argued next week, the court will convene 12 panels to consider about 54 cases. Of these 54 cases, the court will hear oral arguments in 40. Of these argued cases, two attracted amicus briefs: one copyright case and one takings case. Here’s what you need to know about these two cases.

This week we are previewing two arguments scheduled for next week at the Federal Circuit. We are previewing these arguments because the underlying cases attracted amicus briefs. Today we highlight Milton v. United States, in which over 150 plaintiffs are appealing a decision of the Court of Federal Claims to grant summary judgement for the United States. These plaintiffs have asserted takings claims against the government based on properties being flooded by government action when the Addicks and Barker Reservoirs released water during Hurricane Harvey. An amicus brief was filed by 205 other plaintiffs with similar cases stayed at the Court of Federal Claims. This is our argument preview.

This morning the Federal Circuit issued one nonprecedential opinion in a Merit Systems Protection Board case, a nonprecedential opinion in a government contracts case, and six Rule 36 judgments. Here are the introductions to the opinions and a list of the Rule 36 judgments.