Verdict . News

Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals

8th Circuit Reviews Tribal Water Authority Over Non-Indian Fee Land

The Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals is reviewing a case where the White Earth Nation required a non-Indian landowner to obtain tribal permits for a high-capacity water pump on his fee land within the reservation, raising questions about tribal jurisdiction over non-member activities.

•Non-Indian landowner David Vipond challenged tribal court jurisdiction over water permit requirements on his fee land within White Earth Nation reservation

•White Earth Nation enacted ordinance in May 2023 requiring tribal permits for high-capacity water pumps within or near the reservation

Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals

9th Circuit Upholds Dismissal of Civil Rights Case Against SBCSD

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a district court's dismissal of civil rights claims filed by David Fink against the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department and its officials. Fink alleged unlawful seizure of his funds following his arrest, but the appeals court found the dismissal was proper.

•Ninth Circuit affirmed dismissal of civil rights lawsuit against San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department

•David Fink alleged unlawful seizure of funds following his arrest by sheriff's deputies

Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals

Eleventh Circuit Affirms Cocaine Distribution Sentence

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit affirmed a federal criminal sentence against Joseph Acevedo, who was convicted on cocaine distribution and firearm charges after police discovered drugs, cash, and a weapon during a traffic stop in Florida.

•Eleventh Circuit affirmed federal sentence against Joseph Acevedo for cocaine distribution and firearm charges

•Case began with traffic stop that revealed cocaine, $12,540 in cash, and loaded pistol

•Roku voluntarily dismissed its Federal Circuit appeal against Access Advance LLC and six Dolby-related entities through joint stipulation

Roku Ends Federal Circuit Appeal Against Patent Licensing Group

Streaming device manufacturer Roku has voluntarily dismissed its Federal Circuit appeal against patent licensing consortium Access Advance and multiple Dolby entities. The joint stipulation filed February 5, 2026, resolves the appellate phase of a patent dispute that originated in Massachusetts federal court.

•The appeal stemmed from a 2024 Massachusetts federal court case involving patent licensing disputes

•Federal Circuit reviewed VA's evidence submission requirements across multiple veteran benefit claims

Federal Circuit Rules on Veterans Evidence Standards in Cash Appeal

The Federal Circuit Court of Appeals decided a case involving Navy veteran Robert Cash's challenge to VA benefit denial procedures. The appeal centers on whether veterans must resubmit evidence previously filed with the Board of Veterans' Appeals for different claims.

•Case centers on whether Board must consider evidence previously submitted for different proceedings

•Federal Circuit affirmed denial of Can Softtech Inc.'s bid protest against Department of Commerce IT contract awards

Federal Circuit Affirms Denial of Tech Firm's Bid Protest in Commerce IT Contract

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit affirmed a lower court decision denying Can Softtech Inc.'s bid protest challenging Information Technology service awards for the Department of Commerce. The court ruled that the agency was permitted to take unilateral corrective action by canceling the original awards and issuing new ones.

•Court ruled that agencies can take unilateral corrective action by canceling awards and issuing new ones during bid protests

Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals

11th Circuit Denies Qualified Immunity to Officer in Fatal Shooting

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit denied qualified immunity to Officer Arnold Oliver III in a wrongful death lawsuit stemming from the 2021 shooting of Jonathan Pears, a veteran with PTSD. The February 5, 2026 ruling allows the civil rights case to proceed against the officer.

•Eleventh Circuit denied qualified immunity to Officer Arnold Oliver III in wrongful death case involving veteran Jonathan Pears

•Court found officer's use of force was excessive and violated clearly established constitutional law

•Federal Circuit affirmed Minnesota district court's summary judgment of non-infringement in favor of Tricam Industries

Federal Circuit Affirms Non-Infringement in Ladder Patent Dispute

The Federal Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a Minnesota district court's summary judgment of non-infringement in favor of Tricam Industries against Little Giant Ladder Systems in a patent dispute decided Feb. 5, 2026. The nonprecedential decision involves U.S. Patent No. 10,767,416 and marks the latest development in ongoing intellectual property litigation between the competing ladder manufacturers.

•Case involves U.S. Patent No. 10,767,416 and dispute between two major ladder manufacturers

•Federal Circuit affirmed Texas district court's invalidation of three Q Technologies patents under Section 101

Federal Circuit Affirms Walmart Win in Q Technologies Patent Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit affirmed a Texas district court ruling that invalidated three Q Technologies patents under Section 101, dealing a setback to the company's infringement claims against Walmart.

•All patents in the family were found ineligible for patent protection as a matter of law