Faculty Workshops
 
Revisiting the Federal Circuit En Banc

Revisiting the Federal Circuit En Banc

Description

Professor Ryan Vacca from the University of Missouri presented his work Revisiting the Federal Circuit En Banc. The paper examines the Federal Circuit’s historical use of en banc review in shaping patent law and its sudden abandonment of the practice in 2018. Vacca explores potential causes for this shift, including the rise of the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB), increased congressional and Supreme Court involvement in patent law, and changes in the Federal Circuit’s judicial composition. He argues that restoring en banc review is crucial for maintaining consistency in patent law and effectively guiding patent stakeholders.

Presenter

Ryan Vacca, the John D. Lawson Professor of Law at Mizzou Law, previously taught at the University of New Hampshire (2017-2024) and the University of Akron (2010-2017), where he was the David L. Brennan Professor of Law and interim co-dean. He has been a visiting professor at multiple universities worldwide and focuses his research on intellectual property law and judicial administration, with work published in top law journals. A frequent speaker at national and international conferences, he is also quoted in legal and popular media. Before academia, he practiced law at Stinson LLP in St. Louis.

Workshop Date

3-20-2024

Keywords

Patent Law, En Banc Review, Federal Circuit, Judicial Process, Intellectual Property

Disciplines

Administrative Law | Constitutional Law | Intellectual Property Law

Revisiting the Federal Circuit En Banc

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