{"argument_date":"2010-01-19T00:00:00Z","arguments":[{"argument_date":"2010-01-19T00:00:00Z","heading":"What happened at the argument","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2009","official_transcript_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-240.pdf","paragraphs":["Mr. Lamken argued Congress enacted the PMPA to regulate specific actions.","He stated the law targets termination and non-renewal.","Mr. Farraher argued the jury found Shell engaged in prohibited conduct.","He claimed Shell raised rents to force dealers out of business."],"reargument":false,"sequence":1,"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 7-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-240.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 7-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 21-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-240.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 21-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 21, lines 5-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-240.pdf","page_label":"file page 21, lines 5-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 30, lines 43-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-240.pdf","page_label":"file page 30, lines 43-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 21-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-240.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 21-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 7-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-240.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 7-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 13-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-240.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 13-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 29-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-240.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 29-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 51-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-240.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 51-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 51-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-240.pdf","page_label":"file page 55, lines 51-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 23-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-240.pdf","page_label":"file page 58, lines 23-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 41-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-240.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 41-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 47-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-240.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 47-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 51-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-240.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 51-3"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 19-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-240.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 19-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 29-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-240.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 29-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 41-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-240.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 41-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 7-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-240.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 7-9"}]}],"caption":"Mac's Shell Service, Inc. v. Shell Oil Products Co.","case_history":[{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:25.828192Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"},{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:25.861386Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"}],"case_status":"argued","dek":"Dealers claim Shell raised rents to force them out. Shell says the law only covers formal terminations.","dek_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 21, lines 5-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-240.pdf","page_label":"file page 21, lines 5-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 30, lines 43-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-240.pdf","page_label":"file page 30, lines 43-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 21-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-240.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 21-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 51-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-240.pdf","page_label":"file page 55, lines 51-21"}],"dispositions":[],"latest_court_document_date":"2010-01-19T00:00:00Z","maturity":"official_transcript","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2009","official_disposition_urls":[],"official_docket_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/docket/docketfiles/html/public/08-240.html","primary_docket":"08-240","revisions":[{"correction_note":"Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.","created_at":"2026-08-31T01:39:40.684211Z","maturity":"official_transcript","revision_number":1},{"correction_note":"Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.","created_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z","maturity":"official_transcript","revision_number":2}],"schema_version":"1.1","sections":[{"heading":"What this case is about","paragraphs":["The case tests the scope of the PMPA. Dealers argue rent hikes count as termination. Shell argues the law requires a formal end to the contract."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 21, lines 5-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-240.pdf","page_label":"file page 21, lines 5-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 30, lines 43-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-240.pdf","page_label":"file page 30, lines 43-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 21-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-240.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 21-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 51-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-240.pdf","page_label":"file page 55, lines 51-21"}]},{"heading":"How the case got here","paragraphs":["The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on January 19, 2010."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 7-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-240.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 7-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 23-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-240.pdf","page_label":"file page 58, lines 23-25"}]},{"heading":"What each side wants","paragraphs":["Dealers want the PMPA to cover rent hikes that force them out.","Shell wants the PMPA to apply only to formal contract endings."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 21, lines 5-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-240.pdf","page_label":"file page 21, lines 5-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 30, lines 43-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-240.pdf","page_label":"file page 30, lines 43-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 21-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-240.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 21-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 51-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-240.pdf","page_label":"file page 55, lines 51-21"}]},{"heading":"What each side says","paragraphs":["Dealers argue rent hikes are a prohibited constructive termination.","Shell argues the statute only covers explicit termination or non-renewal."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 21, lines 5-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-240.pdf","page_label":"file page 21, lines 5-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 30, lines 43-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-240.pdf","page_label":"file page 30, lines 43-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 21-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-240.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 21-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 51-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-240.pdf","page_label":"file page 55, lines 51-21"}]},{"heading":"What the justices asked","paragraphs":["Chief Justice Roberts asked what Williston said about the contract.","Justice Kennedy asked if two franchisees facing the same rent hike get different results based on savings."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 7-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-240.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 7-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 21-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-240.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 21-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 13-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-240.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 13-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 29-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-240.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 29-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 51-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-240.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 51-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 23-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-240.pdf","page_label":"file page 58, lines 23-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 41-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-240.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 41-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 47-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-240.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 47-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 51-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-240.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 51-3"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 19-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-240.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 19-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 29-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-240.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 29-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 41-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-240.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 41-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 7-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-240.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 7-9"}]},{"heading":"Why it matters","paragraphs":["The outcome defines the scope of federal franchise protection. It determines whether dealers can sue over economic pressure. It clarifies the boundary between state contract law and federal regulation."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 21, lines 5-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-240.pdf","page_label":"file page 21, lines 5-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 30, lines 43-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-240.pdf","page_label":"file page 30, lines 43-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 21-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-240.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 21-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 51-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-240.pdf","page_label":"file page 55, lines 51-21"}]},{"heading":"What happens next","paragraphs":["This article currently covers the argument record. Use the official docket link for later case activity."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 7-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-240.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 7-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 21-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-240.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 21-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 7-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-240.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 7-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 13-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-240.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 13-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 29-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-240.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 29-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 51-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-240.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 51-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 23-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-240.pdf","page_label":"file page 58, lines 23-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 41-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-240.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 41-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 47-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-240.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 47-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 51-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-240.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 51-3"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 19-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-240.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 19-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 29-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-240.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 29-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 41-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-240.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 41-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 7-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-240.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 7-9"}]}],"slug":"2009-08-240-mac-s-shell-service-inc-v-shell-oil-products-co","term":"2009","title":"Does the PMPA cover rent hikes that force dealers out?","title_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 21, lines 5-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-240.pdf","page_label":"file page 21, lines 5-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 30, lines 43-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-240.pdf","page_label":"file page 30, lines 43-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 21-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-240.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 21-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 51-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-240.pdf","page_label":"file page 55, lines 51-21"}],"topics":[],"undated_disposition_date_fallback":null,"updated_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z"}