{"argument_date":"2013-03-25T00:00:00Z","arguments":[{"argument_date":"2013-03-25T00:00:00Z","heading":"What happened at the argument","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2012","official_transcript_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-416-8fe5.pdf","paragraphs":["Mr. Stewart argued payments for non-competition violate antitrust law.","Justice Kennedy questioned if the test ignores patent strength.","Justice Ginsburg asked if the government changed its position."],"reargument":false,"sequence":1,"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 43-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-416-8fe5.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 43-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 29-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-416-8fe5.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 29-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 3-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-416-8fe5.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 3-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 25, lines 19-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-416-8fe5.pdf","page_label":"file page 25, lines 19-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-416-8fe5.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 51-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-416-8fe5.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 51-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-416-8fe5.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 27-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-416-8fe5.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 27-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 51-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-416-8fe5.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 51-3"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 40, lines 23-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-416-8fe5.pdf","page_label":"file page 40, lines 23-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 35-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-416-8fe5.pdf","page_label":"file page 55, lines 35-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 17-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-416-8fe5.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 17-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 7-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-416-8fe5.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 7-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 15-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-416-8fe5.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 15-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 15-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-416-8fe5.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 15-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 23-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-416-8fe5.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 23-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 49-5","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-416-8fe5.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 49-5"}]}],"caption":"FTC v. Actavis, Inc.","case_history":[{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:34.509682Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"},{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:34.509711Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"}],"case_status":"argued","dek":"The FTC argues these payments harm consumers. Actavis claims they resolve patent disputes.","dek_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 25, lines 19-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-416-8fe5.pdf","page_label":"file page 25, lines 19-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-416-8fe5.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 40, lines 23-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-416-8fe5.pdf","page_label":"file page 40, lines 23-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 35-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-416-8fe5.pdf","page_label":"file page 55, lines 35-1"}],"dispositions":[],"latest_court_document_date":"2013-03-25T00:00:00Z","maturity":"official_transcript","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2012","official_disposition_urls":[],"official_docket_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/docket/docketfiles/html/public/12-416.html","primary_docket":"12-416","revisions":[{"correction_note":"Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.","created_at":"2026-08-30T22:01:13.366859Z","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":["This case tests whether brand-name drug makers can pay generic rivals to delay market entry. The FTC says this practice suppresses competition. Actavis argues it settles valid patent disputes."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 25, lines 19-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-416-8fe5.pdf","page_label":"file page 25, lines 19-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-416-8fe5.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 40, lines 23-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-416-8fe5.pdf","page_label":"file page 40, lines 23-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 35-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-416-8fe5.pdf","page_label":"file page 55, lines 35-1"}]},{"heading":"How the case got here","paragraphs":["The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on March 25, 2013."],"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/2012/12-416-8fe5.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 35-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-416-8fe5.pdf","page_label":"file page 55, lines 35-1"}]},{"heading":"What each side wants","paragraphs":["The FTC wants the Court to strike down these payment agreements.","Actavis wants the Court to uphold the settlement as lawful."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 25, lines 19-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-416-8fe5.pdf","page_label":"file page 25, lines 19-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-416-8fe5.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 40, lines 23-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-416-8fe5.pdf","page_label":"file page 40, lines 23-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 35-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-416-8fe5.pdf","page_label":"file page 55, lines 35-1"}]},{"heading":"What each side says","paragraphs":["The FTC argues payments for non-competition are antitrust violations.","Actavis argues the payments resolve genuine patent uncertainty."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 25, lines 19-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-416-8fe5.pdf","page_label":"file page 25, lines 19-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-416-8fe5.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 40, lines 23-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-416-8fe5.pdf","page_label":"file page 40, lines 23-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 35-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-416-8fe5.pdf","page_label":"file page 55, lines 35-1"}]},{"heading":"What the justices asked","paragraphs":["Justice Scalia asked if Hatch-Waxman amendments caused this issue.","Justice Scalia questioned why payments differ from market division."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 43-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-416-8fe5.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 43-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 29-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-416-8fe5.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 29-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 3-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-416-8fe5.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 3-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 51-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-416-8fe5.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 51-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 27-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-416-8fe5.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 27-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 51-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-416-8fe5.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 51-3"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 17-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-416-8fe5.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 17-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 7-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-416-8fe5.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 7-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 15-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-416-8fe5.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 15-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 15-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-416-8fe5.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 15-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 23-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-416-8fe5.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 23-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 49-5","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-416-8fe5.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 49-5"}]},{"heading":"Why it matters","paragraphs":["This dispute affects drug prices and consumer access. It defines the limits of patent settlements. The outcome shapes future antitrust enforcement."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 25, lines 19-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-416-8fe5.pdf","page_label":"file page 25, lines 19-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-416-8fe5.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 40, lines 23-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-416-8fe5.pdf","page_label":"file page 40, lines 23-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 35-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-416-8fe5.pdf","page_label":"file page 55, lines 35-1"}]},{"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 43-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-416-8fe5.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 43-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 29-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-416-8fe5.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 29-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 3-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-416-8fe5.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 3-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 51-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-416-8fe5.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 51-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-416-8fe5.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 27-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-416-8fe5.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 27-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 51-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-416-8fe5.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 51-3"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 35-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-416-8fe5.pdf","page_label":"file page 55, lines 35-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 17-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-416-8fe5.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 17-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 7-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-416-8fe5.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 7-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 15-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-416-8fe5.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 15-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 15-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-416-8fe5.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 15-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 23-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-416-8fe5.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 23-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 49-5","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-416-8fe5.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 49-5"}]}],"slug":"2012-12-416-ftc-v-actavis-inc","term":"2012","title":"Do patent settlement payments violate antitrust law?","title_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 25, lines 19-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-416-8fe5.pdf","page_label":"file page 25, lines 19-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-416-8fe5.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 40, lines 23-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-416-8fe5.pdf","page_label":"file page 40, lines 23-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 35-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-416-8fe5.pdf","page_label":"file page 55, lines 35-1"}],"topics":[],"undated_disposition_date_fallback":null,"updated_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z"}