The federal circuit's opinion concerning the copyrightability of APIs is only binding precedent on the federal circuit itself and only when interpreting 9th cir

The federal circuit's opinion concerning the copyrightability of APIs is only binding precedent on the federal circuit itself and only when interpreting 9th circuit law. The FC's usual jurisdiction is over patents, not copyrights, and they only got involved in this case because Oracle originally asserted some patents that failed to find traction. In particular, the real 9th circuit would be free to draw their own conclusions should they hear a future case concerning the copyrightability of interfaces.