FedCircuitBlog

This morning the Federal Circuit released a nonprecedential opinion in a patent case appealed from the Patent Trial and Appeal Board. The Federal Circuit also released four nonprecedential orders. One summarily affirms; one dismisses an appeal for lack of jurisdiction; and two grant joint motions to voluntarily dismiss. Here is the introduction to the opinion, text from the summary affirmance, and links to the dismissals.

This morning the Federal Circuit released a precedential opinion in a case appealed from the Court of Federal Claims concerning attorney’s fees; a nonprecedential opinion in a patent case appealed from the Southern District of California; and a nonprecedential order dismissing an appeal for failure to prosecute. Here are the introductions to the opinions and text from the order.  

This morning the Federal Circuit released a precedential opinion in a veterans case, denying a petition to set aside the Secretary of Veterans Affairs’ denial of rulemaking. The Federal Circuit also released a nonprecedential opinion in a patent case appealed from the Patent Trial and Appeal Board. Notably, in the second case, Judge Lourie dissented. Late yesterday the Federal Circuit also released a nonprecedential order dismissing a case. Here are the introductions to the opinions and text from the order.

Here is an update on recent activity at the Supreme Court in cases decided by the Federal Circuit. With respect to granted cases, the Supreme Court issued its opinion in George v. McDonough. With respect to petition cases, four new petitions were filed with the Court; a waiver of right to respond was filed in a veterans case brought by a pro se petitioner; three amicus brief were filed in another veterans case raising a question about the standard of proof for disability claims; and the Court denied two petitions, one in a patent case and one in a pro se case. Notably, in the patent case the petitioner presented the same two questions presented to the Court in American Axle & Mfg, Inc. v. Neapco Holdings LLC. Here are the details.

Last week, the Federal Circuit heard oral argument in Memmer v. United States, a takings case we have been following because it attracted an amicus brief. In this case, Memmer appeals a decision by the Court of Federal Claims concerning a Notice of Interim Trail Use issued by the Surface Transportation Board. In particular, Memmer challenges the lower court’s analysis of causation as well as its decision that “the duration of the taking lasted as long as the railroad’s abandonment authority existed.” The United States cross-appeals to argue that the lower court “erred in holding that Indiana Southwestern would have abandoned [its right to use the property in question] if the NITU had not issued.” One amicus brief was filed in support of Memmer. This is our argument recap.

This morning the Federal Circuit released a nonprecedential opinion in a trade case appealed from the Court of International Trade. The Federal Circuit also released a nonprecedential order dismissing an appeal and three Rule 36 judgments. Here is the introduction to the opinion, text from the order, and links to the Rule 36 judgments.

This morning the Federal Circuit released a precedential opinion in a trade case appealed from the Court of International Trade. Notably, Judge Chen filed an opinion with additional views expressing concern that the majority decided a prior case and the case at issue incorrectly under Supreme Court precedent. The Federal Circuit also released three nonprecedential opinions in veterans cases appealed from the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. Finally, the Federal Circuit released a nonprecedential order, a Rule 36 judgment, and an erratum. Here are the introductions to the opinions, text from the order, and links to the Rule 36 judgment and erratum.

This morning the Federal Circuit released a nonprecedential opinion in a case appealed from the Merit Systems Protection Board, dismissing the appeal for lack of jurisdiction. The Federal Circuit also released five nonprecedential orders dismissing appeals and granting a Rule 36 judgment. Here is the introduction to the opinion and links to the dismissals and Rule 36 judgment.

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 week is Court Week at the Federal Circuit, with hearings starting today. The Federal Circuit is providing access to live audio of each panel scheduled for argument via the Federal Circuit’s YouTube channel. In total, the court will convene 10 panels to consider about 55 cases. Of these 55 cases, the court will hear oral arguments in 39. Of these argued cases, three attracted amicus briefs: two patent cases and one takings case. Here’s what you need to know about these three cases.