Case Explained: LINFO IP, LLC v. TRUSTPILOT, INC

Court: United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit

Filed: 2026-07-06

The Federal Circuit dismissed the appeal as moot because a settlement agreement between the parties ended the controversy required for Article III jurisdiction. The court applied the standard that an actual controversy must exist at all stages of review, noting that while a party’s lack of interest does not always bar adjudication, the case becomes moot when the appellant voluntarily settles the dispute and precludes the opposing party from having a stake in the outcome. Specifically, the agreement granted Trustpilot a worldwide license to the patent in exchange for a settlement fee, resolving the infringement claims that formed the basis of the lawsuit. Although the agreement allowed Trustpilot to participate in the appeal and contained recitals acknowledging prior disagreements, the court found these provisions insufficient to maintain a live controversy given that the underlying claims were settled and Trustpilot had no financial stake tied to the appeal’s outcome. As a result, the appeal is dismissed without prejudice to any other actions, costs are not awarded, and the district court’s judgment regarding patent invalidity remains unreviewed by this court.

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