Topic
Every decision we've filed under Civil.
The Fourth Circuit denied a petition for review, upholding the Merit Systems Protection Board's dismissal of a federal employee's whistleblower retaliation claims. The court found no reversible error in the Board's determination that the employee failed to prove protected activity was a contributing factor in his employment actions.
The Fifth Circuit reversed the dismissal of Porch.com's breach of contract claims against Gallagher Re, holding that the district court erred by resolving factual disputes regarding the broker's post-placement administrative duties. The appellate court affirmed the dismissal of claims related to record retention and sanctions compliance but remanded the case to allow a jury to determine if Gallagher failed to properly administer reserve funding and collateral verification.
The Federal Circuit affirmed the Patent Trial and Appeal Board's finding that Centripetal's network security patent claims were unpatentable because a prior user guide served as an available printed publication. The court upheld the Board's claim construction and factual findings regarding the public accessibility of the reference, leaving the patent invalid.
The Fourth Circuit affirmed the district court's grant of summary judgment in a civil rights action, holding that the plaintiff waived appellate review of claims barred by the statute of limitations. For the remaining claims, the court found no reversible error after a de novo review of the record.
The Fifth Circuit affirmed the district court's judgment upholding the Social Security Administration's denial of benefits for an earlier onset date. The court held that substantial evidence supported the Administrative Law Judge's determination that the plaintiff became disabled in August 2021, not February 2021 as claimed.
The Federal Circuit affirmed the invalidity of two patents because Fortress Iron failed to correct an omission of a coinventor under 35 U.S.C. § 256(b). The court held that the missing inventor was a required party for correction, and without his participation, the patents remained unenforceable.
The Ninth Circuit affirmed the dismissal of a Lanham Act trademark infringement claim, holding that a company's sale of its own equity does not constitute "goods or services" under the statute. The court reasoned that because equity is an ownership interest rather than a marketable product offered to customers, advertising and selling shares cannot support a trademark infringement action.
The Ninth Circuit affirmed summary judgment for police officers in a civil rights action, ruling that the plaintiff's own deposition testimony defeated his claims of evidence fabrication and malicious prosecution. The court held that the plaintiff's admission that he failed to register his weapon as required by law established probable cause for his arrest, which serves as a complete defense to both constitutional torts.
The Ninth Circuit reversed summary judgment on Gilliland's Eighth Amendment excessive-force claim against Deputy Eason, finding a genuine dispute of material fact regarding force used during transport. The court affirmed judgment for all other claims, including those against Deputy Lederer and Lieutenant Randall, while remanding the excessive-force claim for trial.
The Ninth Circuit reversed a district court order that had vacated the National Marine Fisheries Service's critical habitat designations for two Arctic seal species. The appellate panel held that the agency acted within its statutory discretion under the Endangered Species Act and reinstated the designations.