⚖ Oral Arguments, with Context

The Federal Circuit hears Xene's appeal in a patent dispute over microspheres used in composite products. Xene says it shared trade secrets about how to market those microspheres to manufacturers. It alleges the defendants encouraged manufacturers to make products that infringed Xene's patents. A confidentiality agreement directs related disputes to courts in Delaware. A New York federal court dismissed claims against several defendants under that clause, and dismissed Nouryon B.V. for lack of personal jurisdiction. The court did not decide whether the patents were infringed. The appeal asks whether the agreement covers the patent claims, whether New York could hear the claims against Nouryon B.V., and whether Xene raised its objections in time.

Xene Corp. v. Nouryon B.V. (No. 25-1035) — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, argued October 6, 2026.