Topic
Every decision we've filed under Intellectual Property.
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 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 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 Ninth Circuit affirmed a Bankruptcy Appellate Panel ruling that creditors violated the bankruptcy discharge injunction by misapplying Chapter 13 plan payments. The court further held that emotional distress damages remain a potential remedy for such violations under traditional civil contempt principles.
The Eleventh Circuit reversed a dismissal, holding that Florida's corporate shield doctrine does not protect a Mexican heiress who sent cease-and-desist letters in her personal capacity. The court further ruled that sending tortious letters targeting Florida business partners satisfies the minimum contacts test for specific personal jurisdiction under the Due Process Clause.
The Tenth Circuit affirmed summary judgment for The Nature Conservancy, ruling that an alleged oral promise to allow construction was too indefinite to support a claim of promissory estoppel. The court held that the plaintiffs failed to meet Wyoming's strict proof requirements for a clear promise, reasonable reliance, or the necessity of enforcement to avoid injustice.
The Federal Circuit determined it lacks jurisdiction over this copyright infringement appeal and ordered the case transferred to the Ninth Circuit. The court resolved the transfer despite a dispute between the parties regarding the timeliness of the original notice of appeal.
The United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit affirmed the Patent Trial and Appeal Board's decision invalidating patent claims without issuing a written opinion. This per curiam ruling confirms that the Board's findings were supported by substantial evidence and its legal conclusions were not erroneous.
The United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit affirmed the Patent Trial and Appeal Board's decision without issuing a written opinion. This ruling confirms that the challenged patent claims regarding golf club technology remain invalid under the standard of review for nonprecedential dispositions.
The United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit affirmed the Patent Trial and Appeal Board's decision regarding patentability challenges without issuing a written opinion. This nonprecedential ruling applies the standard of review under Federal Circuit Rule 36 to confirm the Board's prior determination in Inter Partes Review No. IPR2023-00255.