Earlier this month, the Federal Circuit released its opinion in Ligado Networks LLC v. United States, a takings case we have been following because it attracted two amicus briefs. In this case, the court considered an interlocutory appeal from the Court of Federal Claims presenting questions related to a radio license issued under the Communications Act. In an opinion authored by Judge Taranto and joined by Judges Moore and Stoll, the panel affirmed in part, vacated in part, and remanded in part. This is our summary of the opinion.
Opinions & Orders – March 23, 2026
This morning, the Federal Circuit released one nonprecedential order dismissing an appeal. Here is a link to it.
Opinions & Orders – March 20, 2026
This morning, the Federal Circuit released one precedential opinion, four nonprecedential opinions, and six nonprecedential orders. The precedential opinion comes in an appeal challenging the settlement of a nationwide class action claiming the federal judiciary overcharged members of the public for access to court records. Two of the four nonprecedential opinions come in patent cases, one appealing a denial of a motion for attorney’s fees and the other examining a district court’s claim construction and exclusion of an expert. The third opinion comes in government contract case. The fourth comes in a veterans case. Of the six nonprecedential orders, one grants a motion to dismiss for lack of jurisdiction, one denies a petition for a writ of mandamus, and one grants a motion for summary affirmance. The other three dismiss appeals. Here are the introductions to the opinions and first three orders and links to the dismissals.
Opinions & Orders – March 19, 2026
This morning, the Federal Circuit released one precedential opinion and three nonprecedential orders. The opinion comes in an appeal of a decision of the International Trade Commission in a patent case. One of the three orders transfers an appeal; another grants a motion for an extension of time to file response; and the third denies a petition for a writ of mandamus seeking to order the Patent and Trademark Office to vacate a decision not to institute an inter partes review proceeding. Here are the introductions to the opinion and orders.
Opinions & Orders – March 12, 2026
This morning, the Federal Circuit released two nonprecedential opinions and one nonprecedential order dismissing an appeal. One of the opinions comes in an appeal of a decision of the Court of Federal Claims; the other comes in a pro se appeal of a decision of the Merit Systems Protection Board. Here are the introductions to the opinions and a link to the dismissal.
Recent Supreme Court Activity
Here is an update on recent activity at the Supreme Court in cases decided by the Federal Circuit. In the only pending case, a patent case addressing inducement of infringement and so-called skinny-labeling, since our last update five amicus briefs were filed that support neither party. As for pending petitions, since our last update three new petitions were filed in a patent case, a takings case, and a case addressing use of Federal Circuit Rule 36. In addition, a waiver of the right to respond a petition was filed in a pro se case, a reply brief was filed in support of a petition in a patent case, and the Supreme Court denied a petition in another patent case. Here are the details.
Opinions & Orders – March 10, 2026
This morning, the Federal Circuit released three nonprecedential opinions, one Rule 36 judgment, and one errata. All three opinions come in pro se appeals of decisions of the Court of Federal Claims. Here are the introductions to the opinions and links to the judgment and errata.
Argument Recap – Christensen v. United States
Last week the Federal Circuit heard oral argument in Christensen v. United States, a second tax case from March’s argument week that we have been following because it attracted an amicus brief. In this case, the United States is appealing a decision of the Court of Federal Claims allowing two American citizens residing in France to claim a foreign tax credit. Judges Chen, Hughes, and Stark heard the oral argument. This is our argument recap.
Argument Recap – Bruyea v. United States
Last week the Federal Circuit heard oral argument in Bruyea v. United States, a tax case we have been following because it attracted an amicus brief. In this case, the United States is appealing a decision of the Court of Federal Claims allowing American citizens residing in Canada to claim a foreign tax credit. Judges Chen, Hughes, and Stark heard the oral argument. This is our argument recap.
Opinions & Orders – March 9, 2026
This morning, the Federal Circuit released one precedential opinion, three nonprecedential opinions, three Rule 36 judgments, and two nonprecedential orders dismissing appeals. The precedential opinion comes in an appeal of a decision of the Patent Trial and Appeal Board in an inter partes review proceeding. The first nonprecedential opinions comes in a patent infringement case appealed from a district court. The second comes in an appeal of a decision of the Court of Federal Claims in a takings case. The third comes in an appeal of a decision of the Merit Systems Protection Board. Here are introductions to the opinions and links to the judgments and dismissals.
