Maria Santos

Correspondent

Maria Santos

White House correspondent, covers patent, trade and regulatory news

Business & Regulatory patent

Decisions covered by Maria Santos

636 decisions
Jan 13 2026
United States Court… 24-1353 Panel Decision

MARYLAND OFFICE OF PEOPLE'S COUNSEL v. FEDERAL ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION PJM INTERCONNECTION, L.L.C

The D.C. Circuit vacated FERC's denial of a complaint seeking to lower inflated electricity rates, ruling that the agency's reliance on a prior Third Circuit decision was legally insufficient. The court held that the Third Circuit's ruling on tariff amendments did not foreclose FERC from addressing the resulting high auction prices under its separate authority to modify unjust rates.

Civil Immigration (Civil)
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Jan 7 2026
11th Cir. 1:21-cv-21698-DPG Published

Athos Overseas Limited Corp. v. YouTube, Inc.

The Eleventh Circuit affirmed summary judgment for YouTube and Google, holding that their copyright management tools do not constitute actual or red flag knowledge of infringement under the DMCA. The court further ruled that YouTube's general ability to moderate content does not amount to the right and ability to control infringing activity required to lose safe harbor protection.

Civil Intellectual Property Summary Judgment
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Jan 6 2026
5th Cir. 25-20086 Per Curiam

Robert Fletcher v. Experian Information Solutions, Inc.

The Fifth Circuit vacated a district court's order imposing Rule 11 and statutory sanctions against a plaintiff and his counsel, finding the sanctions were imposed without adequate notice and a meaningful opportunity to be heard. The appellate court held that the plaintiff's identity theft claims were not frivolous given the factual dispute over who opened the auto loan account.

Civil Securities
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Jan 2 2026
United States Court… 24-7137 Panel Decision

Kuratu v. Carmart Dealership and Credit Acceptance Corporation

The D.C. Circuit affirmed the district court's orders compelling arbitration and dismissing the case because the appellant failed to preserve arguments against arbitration. The court further held that dismissal was proper since the appellant did not request a stay of proceedings or justify maintaining the initial stay after neglecting to initiate arbitration.

Civil Contract
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Jan 2 2026
United States Court… 25-5135 Panel Decision

Twardy v. Ocwen Financial Corporation

The D.C. Circuit affirmed the dismissal of a consumer protection lawsuit, ruling that plaintiffs lacked a private right of action to enforce the Consumer Financial Protection Act. The court further held that the CFPB and D.C. Attorney General were not required parties and that state law claims fell outside the court's supplemental jurisdiction.

Civil Consumer Protection
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Dec 16 2025
11th Cir. 8:19-cv-01903-TPB-AAS Published

Creative Choice Homes XXX, LLC v. Amtax Holdings 690, LLC

The Eleventh Circuit affirmed the removal of general partners from affordable housing limited partnerships after finding their misappropriation of funds constituted a material breach of contract. The court rejected arguments that the removal was an impermissible forfeiture or that the limited partners had waived their rights through prior inaction.

Civil Forfeiture / Penalty
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Dec 11 2025
1st Cir. Nos. 24-1532, 24-1614, 24-1734 Panel Decision

Orkin v. Albert

The First Circuit vacated and remanded a district court judgment in a family business dispute, finding that the lower court failed to properly apply partnership and implied contract principles to the siblings' decade-long conduct. The appellate court held that the siblings' long-standing practice of treating personal expenses as compensation created an implied agreement, requiring a new determination of Orkin's rightful share of Boost Web funds.

Civil Tax (Civil)
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