{"argument_date":"2010-11-08T00:00:00Z","arguments":[{"argument_date":"2010-11-08T00:00:00Z","heading":"What happened at the argument","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2010","official_transcript_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1423.pdf","paragraphs":["Costco's lawyer argued the case mirrors a prior precedent.","Omega's lawyer argued copyright law protects domestic distribution rights.","The government argued lawfully made means made under Title 17."],"reargument":false,"sequence":1,"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 5-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1423.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 5-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 21, lines 37-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1423.pdf","page_label":"file page 21, lines 37-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1423.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1423.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 38, lines 15-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1423.pdf","page_label":"file page 38, lines 15-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 25-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1423.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 25-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 37-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1423.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 37-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 51-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1423.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 51-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 23-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1423.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 23-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 33-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1423.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 33-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 39-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1423.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 39-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 49-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1423.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 49-3"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 17-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1423.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 17-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 15-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1423.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 15-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 45-27","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1423.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 45-27"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 43-51","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1423.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 43-51"}]}],"caption":"Costco Wholesale Corp. v. Omega S.A.","case_history":[{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:25.398310Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"}],"case_status":"argued","dek":"Costco and Omega dispute whether copyright law stops owners from blocking imported goods.","dek_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 21, lines 37-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1423.pdf","page_label":"file page 21, lines 37-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1423.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 38, lines 15-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1423.pdf","page_label":"file page 38, lines 15-25"}],"dispositions":[],"latest_court_document_date":"2010-11-08T00:00:00Z","maturity":"official_transcript","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2010","official_disposition_urls":[],"official_docket_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/docket/docketfiles/html/public/08-1423.html","primary_docket":"08-1423","revisions":[{"correction_note":"Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.","created_at":"2026-08-31T00:52:01.847994Z","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":["Costco wants to import Omega watches. Omega wants to block those imports. The Court must decide if copyright law allows this block."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 21, lines 37-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1423.pdf","page_label":"file page 21, lines 37-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1423.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 38, lines 15-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1423.pdf","page_label":"file page 38, lines 15-25"}]},{"heading":"How the case got here","paragraphs":["The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on November 8, 2010."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1423.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-17"}]},{"heading":"What each side wants","paragraphs":["Costco wants the Court to allow the importation of the watches.","Omega wants the Court to block the importation of the watches."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 21, lines 37-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1423.pdf","page_label":"file page 21, lines 37-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1423.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 38, lines 15-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1423.pdf","page_label":"file page 38, lines 15-25"}]},{"heading":"What each side says","paragraphs":["Costco argues the first sale doctrine bars Omega from blocking the imports.","Omega argues copyright law allows it to block the imports."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 21, lines 37-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1423.pdf","page_label":"file page 21, lines 37-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1423.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 38, lines 15-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1423.pdf","page_label":"file page 38, lines 15-25"}]},{"heading":"What the justices asked","paragraphs":["Justice Sotomayor asked why the definition of lawfully made matters.","Justice Breyer asked how the Court handles millions of contracts."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 5-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1423.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 5-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 25-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1423.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 25-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 37-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1423.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 37-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 51-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1423.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 51-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 23-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1423.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 23-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 33-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1423.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 33-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 39-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1423.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 39-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 49-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1423.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 49-3"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 17-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1423.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 17-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 15-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1423.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 15-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 45-27","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1423.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 45-27"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 43-51","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1423.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 43-51"}]},{"heading":"Why it matters","paragraphs":["This case defines the limits of copyright control over imported goods. It affects how companies manage global supply chains. It determines who controls the resale of foreign-made items."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 21, lines 37-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1423.pdf","page_label":"file page 21, lines 37-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1423.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 38, lines 15-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1423.pdf","page_label":"file page 38, lines 15-25"}]},{"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 5-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1423.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 5-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1423.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 25-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1423.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 25-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 37-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1423.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 37-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 51-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1423.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 51-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 23-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1423.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 23-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 33-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1423.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 33-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 39-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1423.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 39-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 49-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1423.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 49-3"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 17-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1423.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 17-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 15-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1423.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 15-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 45-27","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1423.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 45-27"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 43-51","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1423.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 43-51"}]}],"slug":"2010-08-1423-costco-wholesale-corp-v-omega-s-a","term":"2010","title":"Does the first sale doctrine bar copyright holders from blocking imported goods?","title_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 21, lines 37-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1423.pdf","page_label":"file page 21, lines 37-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1423.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 38, lines 15-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/08-1423.pdf","page_label":"file page 38, lines 15-25"}],"topics":[],"undated_disposition_date_fallback":null,"updated_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z"}