{"argument_date":"2013-11-05T00:00:00Z","arguments":[{"argument_date":"2013-11-05T00:00:00Z","heading":"What happened at the argument","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2013","official_transcript_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1128_d28l.pdf","paragraphs":["Medtronic's counsel stated that patent law places the burden of proving infringement on the patentee.","Medtronic's counsel argued that this burden does not shift in declaratory actions seeking non-infringement.","Boston Scientific's counsel agreed that the same burden of proof applies in declaratory actions.","Boston Scientific's counsel argued that the Federal Circuit applied settled law correctly."],"reargument":false,"sequence":1,"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 14-18","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1128_d28l.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 14-18"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 24-28","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1128_d28l.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 24-28"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 21-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1128_d28l.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 21-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 37-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1128_d28l.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 37-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 51-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1128_d28l.pdf","page_label":"file page 15, lines 51-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 43-47","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1128_d28l.pdf","page_label":"file page 16, lines 43-47"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 23, lines 23-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1128_d28l.pdf","page_label":"file page 23, lines 23-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 23, lines 25-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1128_d28l.pdf","page_label":"file page 23, lines 25-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1128_d28l.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1128_d28l.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 27-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1128_d28l.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 27-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 3-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1128_d28l.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 3-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 33-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1128_d28l.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 33-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 5-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1128_d28l.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 5-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 51-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1128_d28l.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 51-9"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 25-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1128_d28l.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 25-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 51-5","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1128_d28l.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 51-5"}]}],"caption":"Medtronic Inc. v. Boston Scientific Corp.","case_history":[{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:24.385255Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"}],"case_status":"argued","dek":"Medtronic seeks a ruling that it does not infringe Boston Scientific's patent. Boston Scientific argues Medtronic must prove non-infringement.","dek_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 51-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1128_d28l.pdf","page_label":"file page 15, lines 51-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 23, lines 23-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1128_d28l.pdf","page_label":"file page 23, lines 23-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 23, lines 25-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1128_d28l.pdf","page_label":"file page 23, lines 25-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1128_d28l.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-1"}],"dispositions":[],"latest_court_document_date":"2013-11-05T00:00:00Z","maturity":"official_transcript","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2013","official_disposition_urls":[],"official_docket_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/docket/docketfiles/html/public/12-1128.html","primary_docket":"12-1128","revisions":[{"correction_note":"Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.","created_at":"2026-08-30T21:33:07.151920Z","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":["Medtronic wants a court to declare its product does not infringe a patent. Boston Scientific wants Medtronic to prove that claim. The dispute centers on which party must carry the burden of proof."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 51-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1128_d28l.pdf","page_label":"file page 15, lines 51-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 23, lines 23-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1128_d28l.pdf","page_label":"file page 23, lines 23-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 23, lines 25-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1128_d28l.pdf","page_label":"file page 23, lines 25-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1128_d28l.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-1"}]},{"heading":"How the case got here","paragraphs":["The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on November 5, 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/2013/12-1128_d28l.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-17"}]},{"heading":"What each side wants","paragraphs":["Medtronic wants the Court to confirm that the patent holder must prove infringement.","Boston Scientific wants the Court to require Medtronic to prove non-infringement."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 51-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1128_d28l.pdf","page_label":"file page 15, lines 51-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 23, lines 23-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1128_d28l.pdf","page_label":"file page 23, lines 23-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 23, lines 25-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1128_d28l.pdf","page_label":"file page 23, lines 25-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1128_d28l.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-1"}]},{"heading":"What each side says","paragraphs":["Medtronic argues that patent law places the burden of proving infringement on the patent holder.","Boston Scientific argues that the same burden of proof applies in declaratory actions as in direct suits."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 51-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1128_d28l.pdf","page_label":"file page 15, lines 51-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 23, lines 23-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1128_d28l.pdf","page_label":"file page 23, lines 23-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 23, lines 25-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1128_d28l.pdf","page_label":"file page 23, lines 25-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1128_d28l.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-1"}]},{"heading":"What the justices asked","paragraphs":["Justice Kennedy asked if a notice of infringement creates the necessary controversy for a declaratory judgment.","Justice Alito asked if the discussion concerns only the risk of nonpersuasion and not the burden of production."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 14-18","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1128_d28l.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 14-18"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 24-28","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1128_d28l.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 24-28"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 21-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1128_d28l.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 21-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 37-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1128_d28l.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 37-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 43-47","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1128_d28l.pdf","page_label":"file page 16, lines 43-47"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 27-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1128_d28l.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 27-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 3-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1128_d28l.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 3-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 33-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1128_d28l.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 33-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 5-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1128_d28l.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 5-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 51-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1128_d28l.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 51-9"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 25-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1128_d28l.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 25-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 51-5","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1128_d28l.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 51-5"}]},{"heading":"Why it matters","paragraphs":["This case determines which party must prove patent infringement in declaratory actions. It affects how companies defend against patent claims. It shapes the procedural rules for patent litigation."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 51-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1128_d28l.pdf","page_label":"file page 15, lines 51-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 23, lines 23-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1128_d28l.pdf","page_label":"file page 23, lines 23-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 23, lines 25-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1128_d28l.pdf","page_label":"file page 23, lines 25-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1128_d28l.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-1"}]},{"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 14-18","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1128_d28l.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 14-18"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 24-28","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1128_d28l.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 24-28"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 21-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1128_d28l.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 21-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 37-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1128_d28l.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 37-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 43-47","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1128_d28l.pdf","page_label":"file page 16, lines 43-47"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1128_d28l.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 27-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1128_d28l.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 27-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 3-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1128_d28l.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 3-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 33-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1128_d28l.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 33-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 5-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1128_d28l.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 5-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 51-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1128_d28l.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 51-9"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 25-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1128_d28l.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 25-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 51-5","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1128_d28l.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 51-5"}]}],"slug":"2013-12-1128-medtronic-inc-v-boston-scientific-corp","term":"2013","title":"Who bears the burden of proving patent infringement in a declaratory judgment action?","title_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 51-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1128_d28l.pdf","page_label":"file page 15, lines 51-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 23, lines 23-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1128_d28l.pdf","page_label":"file page 23, lines 23-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 23, lines 25-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1128_d28l.pdf","page_label":"file page 23, lines 25-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1128_d28l.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-1"}],"topics":[],"undated_disposition_date_fallback":null,"updated_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z"}