{"argument_date":"2011-04-18T00:00:00Z","arguments":[{"argument_date":"2011-04-18T00:00:00Z","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/2010/10-290.pdf","paragraphs":["Microsoft argues the current standard enforces invalid patents.","i4i argues the standard follows broad language from Justice Cardozo.","questions_asked_by_justices"],"reargument":false,"sequence":1,"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 3-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-290.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 3-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 51-27","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-290.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 51-27"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 17-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-290.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 17-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 3-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-290.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 3-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 41-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-290.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 41-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 45-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-290.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 45-3"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 21, lines 37-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-290.pdf","page_label":"file page 21, lines 37-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-47","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-290.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-47"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 49-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-290.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 49-3"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-290.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 36, lines 43-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-290.pdf","page_label":"file page 36, lines 43-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 13-27","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-290.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 13-27"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 49-51","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-290.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 49-51"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 35-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-290.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 35-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 50, lines 9-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-290.pdf","page_label":"file page 50, lines 9-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 30-47","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-290.pdf","page_label":"file page 55, lines 30-47"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 29-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-290.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 29-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 29-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-290.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 29-45"}]}],"caption":"Microsoft Corp. v. i4i Ltd. Partnership","case_history":[{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:24.922663Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"},{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:24.929105Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"}],"case_status":"argued","dek":"Microsoft seeks a preponderance standard to invalidate patents. i4i defends the clear and convincing evidence rule.","dek_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 21, lines 37-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-290.pdf","page_label":"file page 21, lines 37-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-47","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-290.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-47"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 36, lines 43-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-290.pdf","page_label":"file page 36, lines 43-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 30-47","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-290.pdf","page_label":"file page 55, lines 30-47"}],"dispositions":[],"latest_court_document_date":"2011-04-18T00:00:00Z","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/10-290.html","primary_docket":"10-290","revisions":[{"correction_note":"Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.","created_at":"2026-08-31T00:00:18.932900Z","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 dispute centers on the burden of proof for patent invalidity. Microsoft argues the current standard is too high. i4i argues the standard protects patent rights."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 21, lines 37-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-290.pdf","page_label":"file page 21, lines 37-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-47","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-290.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-47"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 36, lines 43-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-290.pdf","page_label":"file page 36, lines 43-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 30-47","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-290.pdf","page_label":"file page 55, lines 30-47"}]},{"heading":"How the case got here","paragraphs":["The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on April 18, 2011."],"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/2010/10-290.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 50, lines 9-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-290.pdf","page_label":"file page 50, lines 9-29"}]},{"heading":"What each side wants","paragraphs":["Microsoft wants a preponderance of the evidence standard to invalidate patents.","i4i wants to keep the clear and convincing evidence standard for invalidity."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 21, lines 37-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-290.pdf","page_label":"file page 21, lines 37-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-47","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-290.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-47"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 36, lines 43-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-290.pdf","page_label":"file page 36, lines 43-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 30-47","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-290.pdf","page_label":"file page 55, lines 30-47"}]},{"heading":"What each side says","paragraphs":["Microsoft argues the high standard enforces invalid patents and stifles innovation.","i4i argues the high standard protects patent holders and follows precedent."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 21, lines 37-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-290.pdf","page_label":"file page 21, lines 37-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-47","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-290.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-47"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 36, lines 43-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-290.pdf","page_label":"file page 36, lines 43-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 30-47","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-290.pdf","page_label":"file page 55, lines 30-47"}]},{"heading":"What the justices asked","paragraphs":["Justice Sotomayor questioned if cited cases eliminated the burden of proof.","Justice Scalia asked if counsel contradicted Justice Cardozo's prior ruling."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 3-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-290.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 3-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 51-27","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-290.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 51-27"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 17-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-290.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 17-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 3-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-290.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 3-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 41-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-290.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 41-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 45-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-290.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 45-3"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 49-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-290.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 49-3"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 13-27","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-290.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 13-27"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 49-51","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-290.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 49-51"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 35-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-290.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 35-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 50, lines 9-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-290.pdf","page_label":"file page 50, lines 9-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 29-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-290.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 29-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 29-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-290.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 29-45"}]},{"heading":"Why it matters","paragraphs":["The standard determines how easily patents face invalidity challenges. It affects the balance between innovation and patent security."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 21, lines 37-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-290.pdf","page_label":"file page 21, lines 37-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-47","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-290.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-47"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 36, lines 43-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-290.pdf","page_label":"file page 36, lines 43-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 30-47","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-290.pdf","page_label":"file page 55, lines 30-47"}]},{"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 3-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-290.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 3-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 51-27","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-290.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 51-27"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 17-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-290.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 17-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 3-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-290.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 3-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 41-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-290.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 41-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 45-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-290.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 45-3"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 49-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-290.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 49-3"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-290.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 13-27","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-290.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 13-27"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 49-51","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-290.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 49-51"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 35-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-290.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 35-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 50, lines 9-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-290.pdf","page_label":"file page 50, lines 9-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 29-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-290.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 29-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 29-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-290.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 29-45"}]}],"slug":"2010-10-290-microsoft-corp-v-i4i-ltd-partnership","term":"2010","title":"What evidence standard proves patent invalidity?","title_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 21, lines 37-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-290.pdf","page_label":"file page 21, lines 37-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-47","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-290.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-47"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 36, lines 43-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-290.pdf","page_label":"file page 36, lines 43-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 30-47","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-290.pdf","page_label":"file page 55, lines 30-47"}],"topics":[],"undated_disposition_date_fallback":null,"updated_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z"}