Federal Circuit Reverses PTAB's Obviousness Determination, Highlights The "Law/Fact Lever" In Motivation-to-Combine Analysis

On March 3, 2026, the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit issued a nonprecedential opinion in Medivis, Inc. v. Novarad Corp., No. 2024-1794, affirming the Patent Trial and Appeal Board’s (“Board”) finding of no anticipation but reversing and remanding on the issue of obviousness. The decision illustrates how the Federal Circuit may decline deferential substantial evidence review of an obviousness determination where the Board’s analysis reflects application of an incorrect... By: A&O Shearman