⚖ Oral Arguments, with Context

The Federal Circuit hears Nuhn Industries versus Bazooka-Farmstar, a patent dispute over a machine for stirring liquid manure. The vehicle can drive into a farm lagoon, float and use pumps and jets to mix its contents. Bazooka challenged Nuhn's patent at the Patent Trial and Appeal Board. The Board found the challenged claims unpatentable and rejected Nuhn's proposed replacement claims, relying on earlier technology. Nuhn appeals that decision. Anticipation means that one earlier reference discloses every claimed feature in the claimed arrangement. Obviousness asks whether the invention as a whole would have been obvious to an ordinarily skilled person in light of earlier technology. The lawyers will also discuss secondary considerations: evidence such as commercial success, copying or industry skepticism that may support nonobviousness. James Luchsinger will speak for Nuhn. He will argue that the Board used hindsight and mishandled the evidence, including the distinction between a water pump and a manure pump.

Nuhn Industries Ltd. v. Bazooka-Farmstar, LLC (No. 25-1599) — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, argued October 7, 2026.