Maria Santos

Correspondent

Maria Santos

White House correspondent, covers patent, trade and regulatory news

Business & Regulatory patent

Decisions covered by Maria Santos

639 decisions
Mar 19 2026
Fed. Cir. 24-1285 Panel Decision

APPLE INC v. INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION MASIMO CORPORATION, CERCACOR LABORATORIES, INC 2024-1285

The Federal Circuit affirmed the International Trade Commission's finding that Apple Inc. violated Section 337 of the Tariff Act by importing Apple Watches that infringed Masimo's blood oxygen patents. The court upheld the Commission's determinations that Masimo satisfied the domestic industry requirement and that the asserted patents were valid and infringed.

Civil Intellectual Property
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Mar 19 2026
Fed. Cir. 26-123 Panel Decision

In re VOLKSWAGEN GROUP OF AMERICA, INC

The Federal Circuit denied Volkswagen's petition for a writ of mandamus, rejecting the argument that the USPTO Director's discretion to deny inter partes review violates the nondelegation doctrine. The court held that the decision to institute or deny IPR is an executive function, not a legislative one, and remains unreviewable under the statute.

Civil Constitutional Intellectual Property
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Mar 25 2026
6th Cir. 25-3273 Unanimous

Schoening Investment LP v. Cincinnati Casualty Company

The Sixth Circuit affirmed the dismissal of an insurer's claim, holding that a commercial property policy requiring repairs to commence within two years does not authorize a depreciation-free payment if those repairs are not completed. The court ruled that the policy's valuation provision mandates a deduction for depreciation when the condition precedent of actual repair is not met.

Civil Forfeiture / Penalty
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Mar 18 2026
9th Cir. 3:24-cv-00357-AN Unpublished

JOHN KAPUA v. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

The Ninth Circuit affirmed the dismissal of a Federal Tort Claims Act lawsuit, ruling that a plaintiff's acceptance of a settlement check for property damage constituted a complete release of all claims arising from the same accident. The court held that the government's waiver of sovereign immunity did not apply because the plaintiff had already barred the personal injury claim by accepting the settlement terms.

Civil Other Civil
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Mar 18 2026
9th Cir. 3:23-cv-00707- Published

Daniele Rae Powley v. Frank Bisignano, Commissioner of Social Security

The Ninth Circuit reversed the denial of Social Security disability benefits, holding that the Administrative Law Judge failed to resolve significant inconsistencies between job-number evidence provided by a vocational expert and contrary evidence submitted by the claimant. The court clarified that when a claimant produces probative data using sources frequently relied upon by the agency, the ALJ must explicitly address and resolve the discrepancy rather than relying on general deference to the expert's experience.

Civil Social Security
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Mar 18 2026
United States Court… 25-5167 Panel Decision

Oladayo Ade Oladokun v. United States Department of Justice

The D.C. Circuit affirmed the district court's denial of a petition for a writ of mandamus, ruling that an agency's decision to initiate an investigation is discretionary and generally not subject to judicial review. The court also denied the appellant's motion to appoint counsel, finding he failed to demonstrate a likelihood of success on the merits.

Civil Other Civil
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Mar 18 2026
4th Cir. 25-1439 Panel Decision

Goldman Sachs Bank USA, d/b/a Marcus by Goldman Sachs v. Rhea Ann Brown; Gregory Kevin Maze

The Fourth Circuit affirmed a lower court ruling denying a motion to compel arbitration of a Bankruptcy Code automatic stay violation claim. The court held that resolving such adversary proceedings in bankruptcy is constitutionally authorized and that forcing arbitration would undermine the uniform administration of bankruptcy cases.

Bankruptcy Civil
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Mar 18 2026
5th Cir. 25-20119 Panel Decision

In the Matter of Instant Brands Acquisition Holdings Inc. Et al. Debtor GuangDong Midea Consumer Electric Manufacturing Company Limited; FoShan ShunDe Midea Electrical Heating A...

The Fifth Circuit affirmed the bankruptcy court's ruling that individual purchase orders under a master supply agreement are divisible contracts, allowing a debtor to retain indemnification rights for completed transactions. This decision clarifies that when parties negotiate distinct terms for each order, those orders remain separate from the overarching master agreement for bankruptcy assignment purposes.

Bankruptcy Civil
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