On March 29, 2016, the Federal Circuit announced significant amendments to the Federal Circuit Rules of Practice. The revised rules will apply to all appeals docketed on or after April 1, 2016. This alert provides a general overview of the changes and explains how they are likely to impact appellate practice. This alert also provides a focused discussion of how these changes are likely to impact appeals from the Patent Trial and Appeal Board to the Federal Circuit.

The most extensive amendments are updates reflecting the current mandatory use of electronic filing. Various revisions have been made to conform the rules to current norms for electronic filing by eliminating certain paper filing requirements, updating payment procedures, and removing outdated references to “docket cards.” Others are new requirements governing the use of confidential markings. The most significant changes are summarized in the list below...