alt Hacker NewsWhat it generally means is that the lower court ruling stands and serves as precedent nationwide. Binding precedent in the circuit that handed down the ruling. But another circuit may make a different ruling sometime, and then the Supremes practically have to hear the case to resolve the conflict.
True, but SCOTUS is not required to grant Cert even if a circuit split develops. They may feel the issue needs more time to "mature".
e.g. They may want more cases heard in the lower courts to provide them with a better 'flavor' regarding the nature of legal arguments being made; or more time for a rapidly changing business/social development to evolve and greater clarity emerges.