Opinions

Opinions & Orders – May 6, 2022

Today the Federal Circuit released four nonprecedential opinions in employment, veterans, and patent cases. The court also released seven orders. Five granted summary affirmances and two dismissed all of one case and part of another. Here are the introductions to the opinions and a list of the summary affirmances and dismissals.

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Supreme Court Activity

Recent Supreme Court Activity

Here is an update on recent activity at the Supreme Court in cases decided by the Federal Circuit. As for granted cases, this week the Court decided Minerva Surgical, Inc. v. Hologic, Inc., in which the Court overturned the Federal Circuit’s approach to the assignor estoppel doctrine. Additionally, three cases were granted, vacated, and remanded based on the decision in United States v. Arthrex, Inc. regarding application of the Appointments Clause to administrative patent judges. As for petition cases:

Here are the details.

  • a reply brief was submitted in support of a petition in a government contract case;
  • the government filed a waiver of right to respond in a patent case;
  • the Court dismissed one petition; and
  • the Court denied five petitions, including four regarding application of the Appointments Clause to administrative patent judges.
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Supreme Court Activity

Recent Supreme Court Activity

Here is an update on recent activity at the Supreme Court in cases decided by the Federal Circuit.

  • The Court invited the Acting Solicitor General to file a brief in American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc. v. Neapco Holdings LLC, a patent case presenting questions related to eligibility.
  • Five new petitions were filed in patent, veterans, Tucker Act, and trademark cases.
  • Seventeen new briefs in opposition were filed in sixteen cases.
  • Five new reply briefs were filed.
  • One supplemental brief was filed.
  • One amicus brief was filed in a patent case.
  • Five waivers of right to respond were submitted.
  • The Court denied eight petitions.

Here are the details.

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Petitions / Supreme Court Activity

Recent Supreme Court Activity

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

Here are the details.

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En Banc Activity / Petitions

Recent En Banc Activity

Here is an update on recent en banc activity at the Federal Circuit in patent cases. Highlights include new petitions filed in four cases raising questions relating to patent eligibility, the Appointments Clause, claim construction, and non-obviousness; one new response to a pending petition raising questions related to enablement, written description, and the 7th Amendment; and the denial of ten petitions raising issues including the Appointments Clause, claim construction, and implied licenses. Here are the details.

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En Banc Activity / Petitions

Recent En Banc Activity

Here is an update on recent en banc activity at the Federal Circuit in patent cases. Highlights include new petitions filed in six cases raising questions related to the Appointments Clause, claim construction, and implied licenses, one request by the Federal Circuit for a response to a petition raising questions related to collateral estoppel and inter partes review, and the denial of three petitions raising questions related to transfer, waiver, and design patent infringement. Here are the details.

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En Banc Activity / Petitions

Recent En Banc Activity

Here is an update on recent en banc activity at the Federal Circuit in patent cases. Highlights include five new petitions related to obviousness, Arthrex, alleged appellate fact-finding, and prevailing party determinations; one response to a petition raising arguments related to Arthrex; three amicus briefs in support of a petition concerning design patent infringement; and an order denying a petition related to definiteness with a dissent by four judges. Here are the details.

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