This educational guide is based on the linked primary sources. It is not a Court publication, is not affiliated with the Court, and is not legal advice.
In brief
Overview
Background and question before the Court
The case centers on whether the PTAB may institute a partial review and issue a final decision that addresses only a subset of the challenged claims.
What each side argues
Petitioner (SAS Institute) Position
According to Gregory A. Castanias, the PTAB is not authorized to issue final written decisions on fewer than all of the patent claims challenged.
Respondent (Joseph Matal) Position
Source-limited. The record does not yet support a complete account.
What happened at oral argument
According to Chief Justice Roberts, chief Justice Roberts announced the hearing for Case 16‑969, SAS Institute versus Matal.
Justice Sotomayor asked whether the challenge concerns the Board’s right to initiate partial adjudications or its failure to address all claims in its final decision.
According to Justice Kagan, justice Kagan questioned whether the statutory language permits partial institution.
According to Justice Gorsuch, justice Gorsuch raised concerns about Congress’s intent regarding expert‑agency review of patents.
What the Court decided
Why it matters
Terms to know
No glossary terms are available for this guide.
Primary sources
Read the source materials on the official site or open the immutable repository copy used for this guide.
- 17ec072ae9765ae2dfa1-r1-30db097e9f01d2ed.pdforal argument transcript
Guide generated September 26, 2026. Automated validation accepted this version.