Verdict . News

Jan 16, 2026•4 min read

•Federal Circuit issued nonprecedential decision in patent dispute over butane-gasoline blending technology

Federal Circuit Rules in Sunoco Patent Case Against Energy Partners

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit issued a nonprecedential decision on Jan. 16, 2026, in a patent infringement case involving Sunoco Partners Marketing & Terminals L.P. against Powder Springs Logistics, LLC and Magellan Midstream Partners L.P. The case centers on patent disputes over systems and methods for blending butane with gasoline.

•District court found Magellan willfully infringed multiple patent claims after bifurcated jury trial

Jan 15, 2026•4 min read

•Federal Circuit affirmed denial of DTaP vaccine injury compensation claim in nonprecedential decision

Federal Circuit Affirms Denial of DTaP Vaccine Injury Claim

The Federal Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a lower court decision denying Sally Herms' petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. Herms claimed a DTaP vaccination caused hearing loss and tinnitus in her left ear.

•Sally Herms alleged vaccination caused sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus in her left ear

Jan 14, 2026•4 min read

•Hugh Campbell McKinney petitioned VA to expand TSGLI coverage to include explosive ordnance-related illnesses

Federal Circuit Addresses VA Insurance Coverage for Explosive Ordnance

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit issued a decision January 14 in McKinney v. Secretary of Veterans Affairs, addressing veteran Hugh Campbell McKinney's petition to expand Traumatic Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance coverage to include illnesses caused by explosive ordnance exposure during military service.

•VA denied the rulemaking petition in March 2023, prompting Federal Circuit review

Jan 14, 2026•4 min read

•Federal Circuit affirmed Apple's complete summary judgment victory in patent infringement case

Federal Circuit Affirms Apple Win in Patent Security Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit issued a nonprecedential disposition Tuesday affirming Apple Inc.'s summary judgment victory against R.N Nehushtan Trust Ltd. in a patent infringement case involving cellular device security technology.

•R.N Nehushtan Trust's patents covered cellular device security technology called DUSS

Jan 14, 2026•4 min read

•Federal Circuit issued summary affirmance under Rule 36 without written opinion

Federal Circuit Affirms Google Victory in IPA Technologies Patent Appeal

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit affirmed a Patent Trial and Appeal Board decision favoring Google LLC in a patent dispute with IPA Technologies Inc. The nonprecedential ruling, issued January 14, 2026, upheld the PTAB's findings in two inter partes review proceedings without detailed explanation.

•Case originated from two PTAB inter partes review proceedings filed in 2019

•Federal Circuit upheld MSPB's jurisdictional dismissal of SES employee's appeal

Federal Circuit Upholds MSPB Dismissal of DEA Executive's Appeal

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit affirmed the Merit Systems Protection Board's dismissal of a petition by Nicholas Palmeri, a Senior Executive Service employee at the DEA, who challenged an alleged involuntary retirement. The court ruled that SES employees must use the Attorney General's regulatory appeal system rather than the MSPB for such disputes.

•Court clarified that DEA Senior Executive Service employees must use Attorney General's appeal system, not MSPB

•Federal Circuit ruled on James Young's appeal of a 1999 VA Board decision denying service-connected disability benefits

Federal Circuit Dismisses Veterans Disability Appeal in Young v. Collins

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit issued a decision on January 13, 2026, in *Young v. Collins*, involving a veteran's decades-long battle for service-connected disability benefits. The case centers on James K. Young's 1988 claim for benefits based on head injuries sustained in a military car accident.

•Veterans Court previously dismissed Young's appeal as untimely, finding procedural bars to reviewing the decades-old Board decision

•Federal Circuit vacated Patent Trial and Appeal Board decision in Apple's challenge to Smart Mobile Technologies patent

Federal Circuit Vacates Patent Board Decision in Apple v. Smart Mobile

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit vacated and remanded a Patent Trial and Appeal Board decision in a patent dispute between Apple Inc. and Smart Mobile Technologies LLC. The court ruled on January 13, 2026, finding issues with the Board's claim construction and failure to address Apple's alternative arguments.

•Court found errors in Board's claim construction requiring bidirectional antennas and failure to address Apple's alternative arguments

•Federal Circuit affirmed arbitrator's decision upholding Rodney Ray's termination from Denver Mint

Federal Circuit Affirms Mint Employee's Termination After Union Dispute

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit affirmed an arbitrator's decision upholding the termination of Rodney Ray, a longtime Denver Mint employee and union president. Ray challenged his removal, arguing it violated the facility's collective bargaining agreement with the local union.

•Ray served as union president and challenged removal as violation of collective bargaining agreement