February 2026

Federal Circuit Revives University of Pennsylvania Gene Therapy Patent, Clarifies Biotech Patent Eligibility Rules

Pieter Gunst04 mins

The Federal Circuit’s recent decision to revive the University of Pennsylvania’s gene therapy patent has introduced much-needed clarity in the realm of patent eligibility for biotechnology innovations. The ruling establishes a clear, bright-line rule that many in the legal community believe has been absent in patent law debates. The court’s decision underscores the distinctiveness of…

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Supreme Court Sets Limits on Defendant-Counsel Communication During Recesses in Landmark Ruling

Pieter Gunst04 mins

In a pivotal decision, the Supreme Court delivered a unanimous verdict on February 25, 2026, establishing new limitations on a defendant’s right to counsel during overnight recesses in testimony. This ruling addresses the Sixth Amendment rights, permitting restrictions on discussions about testimony “for its own sake” as a means to strike what the Court deemed…

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Nvidia Seeks Dismissal in Lawsuit Over YouTube Data Scraping for AI Training, Raising Fair Use Debate

Pieter Gunst04 mins

In its latest legal battle, Nvidia has requested that a California federal judge dismiss a lawsuit asserting that the company bypassed protections to scrape data from YouTube videos to train its AI models. Nvidia argues that the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) does not bar the circumvention of such measures, especially when public interest in…

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Netflix Switches Legal Teams in Antitrust Class Action: Strategic Shift Amid Meta Collusion Allegations

Pieter Gunst02 mins

In a notable shift within the legal sphere, Netflix has transitioned its defense representation from Latham & Watkins LLP to Munger Tolles & Olson LLP. This change comes amid a proposed consumer class action in Illinois federal court, alleging that Netflix was involved in an anticompetitive arrangement with Meta. The lawsuit claims that the companies…

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Regulatory Scrutiny Roils American Late-Night TV, Raising Concerns Over Political Content Censorship

Pieter Gunst04 mins

The landscape of American late-night television is experiencing significant upheaval as tensions mount between TV networks, political programming, and federal regulators. These dynamics have sparked discussion over the future of political content on broadcast television. Recent developments have seen notable changes, such as ABC’s temporary removal of Jimmy Kimmel from “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” and CBS’s…

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Federal Circuit Urged to Uphold $673 Million Patent Verdict in Kove IO vs. Amazon Dispute

Pieter Gunst03 mins

Kove IO Inc.’s legal battle against Amazon recently took another turn as the company urged the Federal Circuit to uphold a $673 million judgment awarded in its favor. The software company cited a recent court ruling that supposedly weakens Amazon’s effort to have the judgment overturned. The contention revolves around the alleged infringement of Kove’s…

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Synopsys Faces Investor Lawsuit Over $35 Billion AI Acquisition Challenges

Pieter Gunst03 mins

A recent lawsuit by investors against semiconductor giant Synopsys Inc. highlights the growing tension in the tech industry over substantial AI-focused acquisitions. The shareholders’ derivative suit claims that company executives misled investors regarding the challenges encountered by Synopsys following its $35 billion acquisition of a prominent artificial intelligence firm in 2024. Concerns have arisen over…

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Federal Judges Urge Attorneys to Uphold Integrity and Transparency in Courtrooms

Pieter Gunst03 mins

In a recent panel discussion held by the Federal Bar Association in San Francisco, California federal judges expressed an urgent reminder to attorneys: maintain accountability and honesty within courtrooms. A straightforward directive, “do not lie to me,” was unmistakably stressed, underscoring the necessity of credibility as a cornerstone of legal proceedings. Judges conveyed concern over…

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UN Emphasizes the Need for Human Rights and Environmental Safeguards in Seabed Mining Regulations

Pieter Gunst03 mins

The United Nations has urged that any future regulations concerning the governance of the seabed, especially seabed mining, must align with established international human rights and environmental laws. As the 31st session of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) approaches, experts highlighted the need for regulatory frameworks to be centered on safeguarding the climate and preventing…

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Joe Gibbs Racing Seeks Court Injunction to Protect Trade Secrets Amidst NASCAR Competition Dispute

Pieter Gunst03 mins

NASCAR’s Joe Gibbs Racing LLC has petitioned a federal court in North Carolina for a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction against its former competition director. The racing team alleges that the ex-director is poised to divulge proprietary trade secrets to a competitor, potentially causing irreparable harm to the organization. The case highlights the ongoing…

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Founder of SCOTUSblog, Tom Goldstein, Convicted of Criminal Tax Fraud: Implications for Legal Ethics and Accountability

Pieter Gunst03 mins

In a significant development in the legal community, Tom Goldstein, well-known for founding SCOTUSblog, has been convicted of criminal tax fraud. A jury found Goldstein guilty on 12 of the 16 charges presented in the indictment. The verdict marks a critical moment in a closely watched trial, with Goldstein now potentially facing a lengthy prison…

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Ninth Circuit Court Overturns $278 Million Insulin Royalty Verdict Against Eli Lilly, Reshaping Pharmaceutical Licensing Landscape

Pieter Gunst03 mins

In a significant legal development, the Ninth Circuit Court has reversed a previous ruling that obligated pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly to pay $278 million in royalties connected to insulin sales. This decision overturns the earlier judgment against Eli Lilly, which had been challenged based on discrepancies in the contractual agreement with an Arizona-based firm. Central…

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Wall Street Law Firms Face Antitrust Allegations in Optimum Advisors’ “Cartel” Claim

Pieter Gunst03 mins

Optimum Advisors Ltd. accuses leading Wall Street law firms of functioning as a “cartel,” a claim prompted by the recent withdrawal of Kirkland & Ellis LLP from a class-action antitrust lawsuit. Optimum’s allegations are rooted in Kirkland’s exit, which they argue exemplifies broader collusion among top-tier financial legal advisors. The lawsuit in question challenges the…

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Federal Circuit Upholds USPTO Discretion in Patent Review Policies Amid Ongoing Debate

Pieter Gunst03 mins

In a notable decision, the Federal Circuit has once again denied a petition challenging the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) over its application of settled expectations as a rationale to deny patent reviews. The ruling underscores the evolving dynamics within patent review processes, specifically related to the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) and…

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EFAA’s Expanded Reach: Implications for Workplace Arbitration and Employee Rights

Pieter Gunst04 mins

The Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act (EFAA) is altering the landscape of workplace dispute resolution by extending its reach beyond purely sexual harassment allegations. Recent developments indicate that the federal statute, originally meant to combat the confidentiality of arbitration in sexual harassment cases, is now interpreting its scope to encompass…

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New Jersey Court Dismisses Class Action Against Bitcoin Miner IREN, Highlighting Challenges in Securities Litigation

Pieter Gunst03 mins

In a recent legal development, a New Jersey judge dismissed a class action lawsuit against Bitcoin miner IREN, finding insufficient evidence that the company had deceived its investors prior to its initial public offering (IPO). The case centered on allegations that IREN concealed crucial financial details, leading to investor losses post-IPO. This decision underscores the…

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Rights Organizations Urge Angola to Rethink Civil Society Legislation Amid Global Concerns

Pieter Gunst04 mins

As Angola grapples with the implications of a recently passed bill, concerns have surged among international rights organizations and legal experts about its potential impact on civil society. Human Rights Watch (HRW) has advised Angolan President João Lourenço to reconsider signing the bill into law, warning that it might lead to significant human rights infringements….

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“Thomas Goldstein Conviction Raises Concerns in Legal Circles: Implications for Future Advocacy and Tax Law”

Pieter Gunst03 mins

The legal community is closely following the recent conviction of Thomas Goldstein, founder of SCOTUSblog and renowned advocate for the U.S. Supreme Court, on charges of tax evasion and multiple financial crimes. A Maryland federal jury delivered the verdict which included aiding in the filing of false tax returns and making false statements on loan…

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Eversheds Sutherland Strengthens Legal Leadership with Strategic General Counsel Appointment

Pieter Gunst03 mins

Eversheds Sutherland has bolstered its legal team by appointing a new General Counsel, who brings extensive experience from Pinsent Masons. As a multinational law firm known for its extensive reach across various legal sectors, Eversheds Sutherland’s strategic hiring reflects its ongoing commitment to enhancing its legal services and governance. The new General Counsel, who had…

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Federal Court Sets Precedent in Oversight of DOJ’s Media Search Warrants Amid Press Freedom Concerns

Pieter Gunst03 mins

The decision by a federal court to oversee the search of devices seized from Washington Post reporter Hannah Natanson underscores significant judicial concerns about the Department of Justice’s handling of sensitive media materials. This move by US Magistrate Judge William Porter highlights broader tensions between press freedom and governmental oversight. At the center of this…

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