Verdict . News

Federal Circuit Court of Appeals

Federal Circuit Affirms BASF Victory in Patent Dispute with Ingevity

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit decided a patent infringement case between Ingevity Corporation and BASF Corporation on February 11, 2026. The case involved U.S. Patent RE38,844, with the district court having granted summary judgment of invalidity on Ingevity's asserted claims.

•Federal Circuit decided patent dispute between Ingevityand BASF on February 11, 2026

•District court had granted summary judgment invalidating Ingevity's patent claims

•Professional students must live in Montana for one full year before enrollment to qualify for in-state tuition rates

Ninth Circuit

Montana Professional Students Appeal In-State Tuition Policy to 9th Circuit

Nine former Montana professional students challenged the state's residency requirements for in-state tuition before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals on Tuesday. The students argue the Montana University System's policy unconstitutionally prevents them from reclassifying their residency status while enrolled in law, pharmacy, or physical therapy programs.

•Time spent in the state while enrolled in law, pharmacy, or physical therapy programs does not count toward residency

11th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals

11th Circuit Reviews Alabama Sex Offender Residency Law in En Banc Hearing

The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals held a rare en banc hearing Tuesday to review Alabama's law barring sex offenders from living with minors, including their own children. The case comes as Alabama advances legislation imposing the death penalty for certain non-homicide sexual crimes against children.

•11th Circuit held rare en banc hearing on Alabama law barring sex offenders from living with their own children

•Bruce Henry challenges restriction after completing prison term and treatment for child pornography possession

Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals

8th Circuit Reviews 911 Response Case in Brain-Damaged Man's Death

The Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals is reviewing a federal civil rights case involving the death of Benjamin Melendez, a brain-damaged Nebraska man who made multiple 911 calls believing police were stalking him. The case raises questions about emergency response obligations to disabled individuals.

•Benjamin Melendez had permanent brain damage and made multiple brief 911 calls believing police were stalking him

•Dispatcher failed to relay Benjamin's specific threat to kill anyone who came to his home

Second Circuit Court of Appeals

2nd Circuit Partially Affirms Copyright Ruling Against Shutterstock

The Second Circuit Court of Appeals issued a mixed ruling in McGucken v. Shutterstock, Inc., partially affirming a lower court's decision in a copyright infringement case involving hundreds of unauthorized photographs. Professional photographer Elliott McGucken sued the stock photo marketplace after discovering his work on their platform without permission between 2018 and 2022.

•Second Circuit partially affirmed district court ruling in copyright case against Shutterstock

•Professional photographer Elliott McGucken sued over hundreds of unauthorized photos on platform from 2018-2022

Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals

Fifth Circuit Hears International Bancshares Employee Benefits Appeal

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit is reviewing an appeal in a class action lawsuit where International Bancshares Corporation employees claim fiduciary breaches diminished their retirement plan distributions. Paul Parrott leads the class action on behalf of the bank holding company's profit sharing plan participants.

•Fifth Circuit reviews class action alleging fiduciary breaches by International Bancshares Corporation in employee profit sharing plan management

•Paul Parrott represents class of employees claiming diminished retirement distributions due to improper plan administration

Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals

1w ago•5 min read

5th Circuit Reviews 60-Year St. Mary Parish Desegregation Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit is reviewing a school desegregation case involving St. Mary Parish, Louisiana, that dates back to 1965. The School Board is appealing a district court's refusal to dissolve a permanent injunction that has governed the district's operations for nearly six decades.

•1965 permanent injunction required St. Mary Parish schools to desegregate, with enforcement lasting 60 years

•School Board seeks to dissolve injunction citing procedural problems, after new class representatives sought modifications in 2019

Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals

7th Circuit Dismisses Wisconsin Voter Alliance Case Over Standing

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit dismissed a case brought by the Wisconsin Voter Alliance against Wisconsin election officials, ruling that the advocacy group failed to establish proper Article III standing to sue in federal court. The February 10, 2026 decision reinforces strict requirements for organizational standing in election-related litigation.

•The Seventh Circuit dismissed the Wisconsin Voter Alliance's lawsuit against state election officials for lack of Article III standing

•The court applied strict standing requirements from recent Supreme Court precedent, requiring concrete injuries beyond procedural violations

Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals

8th Circuit Reverses $2M Verdict Against Duster Maker in Fatal Crash

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit reversed a jury verdict that held CRC Industries liable for the death of Cynthia McDougall, who was killed by a driver impaired by huffing difluoroethane gas from the company's computer duster product. The appellate court overturned the lower court's denial of CRC's motion for judgment as a matter of law.

•Eighth Circuit reversed jury verdict holding CRC Industries liable for fatal car crash caused by driver impaired from huffing duster gas

•Jury had found CRC's warnings adequate but ruled the duster product was defectively designed