Wakefield v. Blackboard, decided April 23, 2025

This case concerns Franz A. Wakefield's appeal of the District Court's denial of his motion for relief from a prior judgment of patent invalidity against several technology companies. Wakefield's initial patent infringement suit regarding U.S. Patent No. 7,162,696 was previously decided against him. He subsequently filed a motion under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 60(b), arguing that claims within the patent should have been considered differently and raising concerns about a judge on the appellate panel. The Federal Circuit affirmed the District Court's decision, finding that Wakefield's motion was untimely and that the District Court did not abuse its discretion in denying his requests. The court also addressed and rejected Wakefield's arguments regarding a rehearing. Full case summary