Maria Santos

Correspondent

Maria Santos

White House correspondent, covers patent, trade and regulatory news

Business & Regulatory patent

Decisions covered by Maria Santos

1,023 decisions
Jan 20 2026
United States Court… 24-5234 Panel Decision

MILTON S. HERSHEY MEDICAL CENTER, ET AL v. ROBERT F. KENNEDY, JR

The D.C. Circuit affirmed the district court's grant of summary judgment, holding that the Secretary of Health and Human Services lacked the authority to unilaterally direct contractors to reopen final Medicare cost determinations outside the specific regulatory framework. The court ruled that the agency's attempt to apply a new reimbursement formula to settled reports was barred by explicit time limits and a prohibition on reopening based on changes in legal interpretation.

Administrative / Agency Review Civil Summary Judgment
Read summary →
Jan 13 2026
United States Court… 24-1369 Panel Decision

Boutique Air Inc. v. Department of Transportation, et al.

The D.C. Circuit denied Boutique Air's petition for review regarding the Department of Transportation's selection of Key Lime Air for Essential Air Service subsidies in Jackson, Tennessee. The court affirmed that the agency's decision was not arbitrary or capricious despite Boutique Air's arguments regarding cost, precedent, and subsidy caps.

Civil Immigration (Civil)
Read summary →
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)
Read summary →
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
Read summary →
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
Read summary →
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
Read summary →