{"argument_date":"2011-12-07T00:00:00Z","arguments":[{"argument_date":"2011-12-07T00:00:00Z","heading":"What happened at the argument","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2011","official_transcript_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1150.pdf","paragraphs":["Mayo's lawyer argued the patent claims a natural law.","Prometheus's lawyer argued the patent covers a specific process.","Justices questioned the scope of the patent claim."],"reargument":false,"sequence":1,"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 25, lines 46-10","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1150.pdf","page_label":"file page 25, lines 46-10"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-46","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1150.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 20-46"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 48-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1150.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 48-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 8-18","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1150.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 8-18"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 35, lines 46-22","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1150.pdf","page_label":"file page 35, lines 46-22"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 16-28","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1150.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 16-28"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 20-20","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1150.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 20-20"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 26-28","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1150.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 26-28"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 36-38","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1150.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 36-38"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 42-48","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1150.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 42-48"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 36-46","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1150.pdf","page_label":"file page 58, lines 36-46"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 48-4","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1150.pdf","page_label":"file page 59, lines 48-4"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 18-26","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1150.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 18-26"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 40-44","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1150.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 40-44"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 48-18","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1150.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 48-18"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 34-38","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1150.pdf","page_label":"file page 61, lines 34-38"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 30-32","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1150.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 30-32"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 18-20","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1150.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 18-20"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 4-8","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1150.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 4-8"}]}],"caption":"Mayo Collaborative Services v. Prometheus Laboratories, Inc.","case_history":[{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:24.828372Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"},{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:24.831293Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"}],"case_status":"argued","dek":"Prometheus claims a patent on a drug-dosing method. Mayo argues the claim covers a natural law and blocks public use.","dek_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 25, lines 46-10","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1150.pdf","page_label":"file page 25, lines 46-10"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-46","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1150.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 20-46"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 35, lines 46-22","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1150.pdf","page_label":"file page 35, lines 46-22"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 36-46","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1150.pdf","page_label":"file page 58, lines 36-46"}],"dispositions":[],"latest_court_document_date":"2011-12-07T00:00:00Z","maturity":"official_transcript","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2011","official_disposition_urls":[],"official_docket_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/docket/docketfiles/html/public/10-1150.html","primary_docket":"10-1150","revisions":[{"correction_note":"Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.","created_at":"2026-08-31T20:27:27.734535Z","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":["Prometheus Laboratories holds a patent on a method for dosing a drug. The method involves measuring blood levels and adjusting the dose based on those levels. Mayo Collaborative Services uses a similar method. Prometheus sued for patent infringement. The lower courts found the patent invalid. They ruled the claim covers a natural law."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 25, lines 46-10","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1150.pdf","page_label":"file page 25, lines 46-10"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-46","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1150.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 20-46"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 35, lines 46-22","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1150.pdf","page_label":"file page 35, lines 46-22"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 36-46","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1150.pdf","page_label":"file page 58, lines 36-46"}]},{"heading":"How the case got here","paragraphs":["The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on December 7, 2011."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 8-18","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1150.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 8-18"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 34-38","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1150.pdf","page_label":"file page 61, lines 34-38"}]},{"heading":"What each side wants","paragraphs":["Prometheus wants the Court to restore its patent on the dosing method.","Mayo wants the Court to keep the patent invalid and allow public use."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 25, lines 46-10","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1150.pdf","page_label":"file page 25, lines 46-10"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-46","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1150.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 20-46"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 35, lines 46-22","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1150.pdf","page_label":"file page 35, lines 46-22"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 36-46","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1150.pdf","page_label":"file page 58, lines 36-46"}]},{"heading":"What each side says","paragraphs":["Prometheus argues the patent covers a specific, useful process.","Mayo argues the patent claims a natural law and blocks public research."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 25, lines 46-10","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1150.pdf","page_label":"file page 25, lines 46-10"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-46","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1150.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 20-46"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 35, lines 46-22","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1150.pdf","page_label":"file page 35, lines 46-22"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 36-46","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1150.pdf","page_label":"file page 58, lines 36-46"}]},{"heading":"What the justices asked","paragraphs":["Justice Sotomayor asked if the patent covers a specific machine or just a range.","Justice Kennedy asked how this case compares to previous patent cases involving machines."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 48-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1150.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 48-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 16-28","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1150.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 16-28"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 20-20","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1150.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 20-20"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 26-28","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1150.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 26-28"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 36-38","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1150.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 36-38"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 42-48","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1150.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 42-48"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 48-4","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1150.pdf","page_label":"file page 59, lines 48-4"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 18-26","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1150.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 18-26"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 40-44","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1150.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 40-44"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 48-18","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1150.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 48-18"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 34-38","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1150.pdf","page_label":"file page 61, lines 34-38"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 30-32","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1150.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 30-32"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 18-20","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1150.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 18-20"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 4-8","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1150.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 4-8"}]},{"heading":"Why it matters","paragraphs":["This case defines what medical methods can be patented. It affects how doctors and researchers use drug-dosing information. It shapes the balance between private patents and public knowledge."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 25, lines 46-10","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1150.pdf","page_label":"file page 25, lines 46-10"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-46","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1150.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 20-46"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 35, lines 46-22","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1150.pdf","page_label":"file page 35, lines 46-22"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 36-46","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1150.pdf","page_label":"file page 58, lines 36-46"}]},{"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 3, lines 48-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1150.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 48-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 8-18","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1150.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 8-18"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 16-28","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1150.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 16-28"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 20-20","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1150.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 20-20"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 26-28","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1150.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 26-28"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 36-38","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1150.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 36-38"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 42-48","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1150.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 42-48"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 48-4","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1150.pdf","page_label":"file page 59, lines 48-4"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 18-26","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1150.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 18-26"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 40-44","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1150.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 40-44"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 48-18","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1150.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 48-18"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 34-38","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1150.pdf","page_label":"file page 61, lines 34-38"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 30-32","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1150.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 30-32"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 18-20","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1150.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 18-20"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 4-8","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1150.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 4-8"}]}],"slug":"2011-10-1150-mayo-collaborative-services-v-prometheus-laboratories-inc","term":"2011","title":"Can a patent cover a natural law plus standard medical steps?","title_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 25, lines 46-10","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1150.pdf","page_label":"file page 25, lines 46-10"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-46","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1150.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 20-46"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 35, lines 46-22","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1150.pdf","page_label":"file page 35, lines 46-22"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 36-46","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1150.pdf","page_label":"file page 58, lines 36-46"}],"topics":[],"undated_disposition_date_fallback":null,"updated_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z"}