The Federal Circuit has announced several changes:
LINK: The Federal Circuit has made a change to its rule 27(h)(4), that authorizes the court clerk to grant consented to or unopposed motions to extend the time for filing a principal brief for not more than 60 days. The clerk has already been delegated authority to extend, for up to 30 days, the time for taking any other action permitted by the rules.
By statute, the chief judge of the Federal Circuit shall serve for a seven-year term. Chief Judge Mayer’s term is coming to an end, and Judge Paul Michel is reported to be in line replace Mayer before the new year. Read Judge Michel’s Top Ten Patent Claim Drafting Tips.
LINK: The Federal Circuit has given notice of a proposed rule change to Federal Circuit Rule 28(a)(5) and requests public comment. The proposed change would require that the jurisdictional statement accompanying a brief include a representation that the judgment or order appealed is final, or, if not final, the basis for appealability. (e.g., preliminary injunction, Fed. R. Civ. P. 54(b) certification of final judgment as to fewer than all of the claims or parties, etc.).
Thanks to Bill Heinze for the links.