Court Opinion

ID: 8627656
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-11-24 14:47:31.264293+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T16:55:40.151601
License: Public Domain

RADER, Circuit Judge.

ORDER

Molychem, LLC moves to dismiss for lack of jurisdiction Climax Molybdenum Company’s appeal from a November 1, 2007 decision of the United States District Court for the District of Colorado. Climax submits a qualified opposition. Molychem moves to file an amended reply.
Climax filed suit against Molychem for infringement of U.S. Patent No. 5,985,236 (“the ’236 patent”) relating to an ammonium octamolybdate (AOM) composition and U.S. Patent No. 6,235,261 (“the ’261 patent”) relating to a method of making AOM. Molychem counterclaimed, asserting, inter alia, that Molychem’s patents were invalid and unenforceable. Climax later withdrew its claim of infringement of the ’261 patent, but the counterclaim regarding the ’261 patent was not withdrawn.
On November 1, 2007, the district court issued its “Findings, Conclusions, and Order,” determining that the ’236 patent was invalid and unenforceable and that Molychem was entitled to recover attorneys fees. The district court ordered Molychem to submit a claim for attorney fees before November 30, 2007 and further ordered that final judgment would not be entered until the amount of reasonable attorney fees had been determined. The order failed to decide any issue relating to the ’261 patent.
Climax filed an appeal seeking review by this court. Molychem moves to dismiss the appeal, asserting, inter alia, that the district court has ¡not issued its final judgment in this case. We agree.
Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1295(a)(1), we have jurisdiction over a final decision of the district court. A final judgment is one that “ends the litigation on the merits and leaves nothing for the court to do but execute the judgment.” Nystrom v. TREX Co., 339 F.3d 1347, 1350 (Fed.Cir.2003). “If a case is not fully adjudicated as to all claims for all parties and there is no express determination that there is no just reason for delay or express direction for entry of judgment as to fewer than all of the parties or claims, there is no ‘final decision’ under 28 U.S.C. § 1295(a)(1) and therefore no jurisdiction.” Id.
Here, Molychem’s counterclaims relating to the ’261 patent remain pending before the district court. No judgment has been entered and none of the exceptions to the finality requirement general rule are present. We therefore lack jurisdiction.
Accordingly,
IT IS ORDERED THAT:
(1) The motion to dismiss is granted.
(2) The motion to file an amended reply is granted.
(3) Each side shall bear its own costs.