Fed. Cir.

United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit

Every decision we've summarized from United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.

Mar 24 2026
24-1818 Panel Decision

ERIC J. SUTULA v. MERIT SYSTEMS PROTECTION BOARD 2024-1818

The Federal Circuit reversed the Merit Systems Protection Board's dismissal of a federal employee's termination appeal, holding that the petitioner non-frivolously alleged he was not serving a probationary period. The court remanded the case for a full jurisdictional hearing because the Board improperly weighed conflicting evidence without resolving the factual dispute.

Civil Securities
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Mar 24 2026
26-1030 Panel Decision

SRAM, LLC v. FOX FACTORY, INC

The United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit dismissed an appeal from the Patent Trial and Appeal Board by mutual agreement of the parties. Each side was ordered to bear its own costs under Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure forty-two, subsection B.

Civil Intellectual Property
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Mar 23 2026
26-1179 Panel Decision

Antonio Letrell Brown v. United States

The United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit dismissed an appeal filed by Antonio Letrell Brown because the notice of appeal was not received within the mandatory sixty-day deadline. The court found it lacked jurisdiction to hear the case due to the untimely filing.

Civil Other Civil
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Mar 20 2026
26-1349 Panel Decision

LISA ANN DEWEESE v. UNITED STATES 2026-1349

The Federal Circuit granted the United States' motion for summary affirmance, upholding the dismissal of Lisa Ann Deweese's complaint for lack of subject matter jurisdiction. The court held that the plaintiff failed to state a non-frivolous claim against the federal government because her allegations targeted state-level Child Protective Services agencies.

Civil Other Civil
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Mar 20 2026
24-2080 Panel Decision

Janie Hughes v. Douglas A. Collins, Secretary of Veterans Affairs

The Federal Circuit dismissed an appeal challenging an earlier effective date for accrued veterans benefits because the appellant failed to present a valid legal issue within the court's jurisdiction. The court determined that the claimant's arguments amounted to factual disagreements rather than challenges to the validity of statutes or regulations.

Civil ERISA / Employee Benefits
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Mar 20 2026
24-2158 Panel Decision

DURR SYSTEMS, INC v. EFC SYSTEMS, INC 2024-2158

The Federal Circuit reversed a summary judgment of noninfringement, holding that patent claims for rotary atomizers do not exclude curved surfaces or require separate pieces for attached components. However, the court affirmed the district court's decision to exclude the plaintiff's expert testimony due to a lack of specific design experience.

Civil Intellectual Property
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Mar 20 2026
24-1336 Panel Decision

HEALTHESTATE, LLC v. UNITED STATES, ASM RESEARCH, LLC

The Federal Circuit affirmed summary judgment against HEALTHeSTATE, LLC, ruling that the company failed to prove copyright infringement or breach of contract regarding software developed for the government. The court held that the government's use of the software was authorized by the contracts and federal regulations, and that the plaintiff's copyright registrations were invalid due to knowingly submitted inaccuracies.

Civil Intellectual Property Summary Judgment
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Mar 20 2026
26-1364 Panel Decision

NAZIR KHAN IFTIKHAR KHAN v. ARTIVION, INC

The Federal Circuit dismissed an appeal filed by Nazir Khan because he missed the mandatory 30-day deadline for the June 2025 order and the January 2026 order was not a final decision. The court held that the statutory time limit is jurisdictional and cannot be waived, and that ongoing district court proceedings regarding attorney fees preclude appellate review.

Appellate Jurisdiction Civil Intellectual Property
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Mar 20 2026
24-1798 Panel Decision

THE PARALLAX GROUP INTERNATIONAL, LLC v. INCSTORES LLC 2024-1798

The Federal Circuit affirmed the district court's denial of attorney's fees to the defendant-appellant, ruling that the patent litigation was not an exceptional case under 35 U.S.C. § 285. The court upheld the lower court's findings that the plaintiff did not engage in inequitable conduct and that the surrounding circumstances did not warrant a fee award.

Civil Intellectual Property Summary Judgment
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