Every decision we've summarized from United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.
The Federal Circuit affirmed the Patent Trial and Appeal Board's decision that patent claims covering semiconductor stacking methods were obvious. The court rejected Katana Silicon Technologies' argument that the claims required a pre-formed solid sheet, adopting the Board's broader construction of an adhesion layer.
The Federal Circuit dismissed a petition for a writ of mandamus because the underlying employment discrimination case does not fall within its limited statutory jurisdiction. The court ordered the immediate transfer of the petition to the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, which has proper appellate authority over the Northern District of Georgia.
The United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit denied a petition for a writ of mandamus seeking to compel the Court of Federal Claims to grant leave to file an amicus brief. The appellate court found the petitioner failed to demonstrate a clear and indisputable right to relief.
The Federal Circuit dismissed an appeal as moot because the parties' settlement agreement functioned as a side bet rather than a genuine dispute. The court found that a potential $100 license fee reduction was insufficient to establish the Article III case or controversy required for judicial review.
The Federal Circuit affirmed the Merit Systems Protection Board's dismissal of a nurse's whistleblower retaliation claim, ruling that the Department of Veterans Affairs met its burden of proof. The court held that the agency presented clear and convincing evidence that it would have taken the same personnel actions regardless of the employee's protected disclosures.
The United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit dismissed one appeal in a patent dispute between Cozy, Inc. and Dorel Juvenile Group, Inc. The dismissal followed a joint stipulation by the parties to voluntarily withdraw the appeal filed by King and Spalding, LLP and its clients.
The Federal Circuit affirmed the Veterans Court's denial of a writ of mandamus, holding that extraordinary relief is unavailable when the Board has already issued a final decision on remand. The court reasoned that because the Board adjudicated the claim and resolved the underlying dispute, there was no longer a duty to compel action or a jurisdictional frustration warranting such intervention.
The United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit ordered the transfer of this appeal to the United States District Court for the District of Columbia. The court acted pursuant to the statutory authority found in Section twenty-eight U.S.C. Section one thousand six hundred thirty-one.
The Federal Circuit denied a petition for a writ of mandamus seeking to overturn a district court order disqualifying patent counsel. The appellate court upheld the disqualification, finding that a third-party payment arrangement created an impermissible conflict of interest that materially limited the lawyers' independent judgment.
The Federal Circuit summarily affirmed the dismissal of a lawsuit seeking damages for alleged due process and ADA violations, ruling that the Court of Federal Claims lacks jurisdiction over claims against state actors. The court held that the Tucker Act does not authorize the Court of Federal Claims to adjudicate suits against non-federal entities or to review the decisions of other federal circuits.