{"argument_date":"2014-01-21T00:00:00Z","arguments":[{"argument_date":"2014-01-21T00:00:00Z","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/2013/12-1315_d29l.pdf","paragraphs":["the side that brought the case's counsel argued the Court never applied laches to federal limitations periods.","the opposing side's counsel argued the lower courts correctly applied laches to bar the suit.","The Solicitor General argued the 1957 amendment did not abrogate laches."],"reargument":false,"sequence":1,"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 7-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1315_d29l.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 7-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 47-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1315_d29l.pdf","page_label":"file page 16, lines 47-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 9-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1315_d29l.pdf","page_label":"file page 27, lines 9-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-5","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1315_d29l.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-5"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1315_d29l.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 21-27","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1315_d29l.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 21-27"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 45-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1315_d29l.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 45-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 7-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1315_d29l.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 7-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 49-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1315_d29l.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 49-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 19-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1315_d29l.pdf","page_label":"file page 55, lines 19-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 47-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1315_d29l.pdf","page_label":"file page 55, lines 47-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 41-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1315_d29l.pdf","page_label":"file page 56, lines 41-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 17-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1315_d29l.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 17-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 23-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1315_d29l.pdf","page_label":"file page 61, lines 23-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 15-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1315_d29l.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 15-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 47-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1315_d29l.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 47-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 13-27","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1315_d29l.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 13-27"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 43-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1315_d29l.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 43-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 5-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1315_d29l.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 5-9"}]}],"caption":"Petrella v. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Inc.","case_history":[{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:24.127025Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"},{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:24.226024Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"}],"case_status":"argued","dek":"the side that brought the case argues laches cannot bar timely copyright claims. the opposing side argues laches bars the suit despite timeliness.","dek_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 47-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1315_d29l.pdf","page_label":"file page 16, lines 47-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 9-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1315_d29l.pdf","page_label":"file page 27, lines 9-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-5","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1315_d29l.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-5"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 19-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1315_d29l.pdf","page_label":"file page 55, lines 19-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 41-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1315_d29l.pdf","page_label":"file page 56, lines 41-21"}],"dispositions":[],"latest_court_document_date":"2014-01-21T00:00:00Z","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/12-1315.html","primary_docket":"12-1315","revisions":[{"correction_note":"Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.","created_at":"2026-08-30T20:59:55.462559Z","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 whether the equitable doctrine of laches can dismiss a copyright infringement suit filed within the statutory deadline. the side that brought the case contends the statute of limitations controls. the opposing side argues laches independently bars the claim."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 47-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1315_d29l.pdf","page_label":"file page 16, lines 47-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 9-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1315_d29l.pdf","page_label":"file page 27, lines 9-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-5","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1315_d29l.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-5"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 19-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1315_d29l.pdf","page_label":"file page 55, lines 19-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 41-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1315_d29l.pdf","page_label":"file page 56, lines 41-21"}]},{"heading":"How the case got here","paragraphs":["The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on January 21, 2014."],"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/2013/12-1315_d29l.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 23-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1315_d29l.pdf","page_label":"file page 61, lines 23-25"}]},{"heading":"What each side wants","paragraphs":["the side that brought the case wants the Court to reverse the dismissal and allow the copyright claims to proceed.","the opposing side wants the Court to affirm the dismissal and bar the copyright claims entirely."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 47-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1315_d29l.pdf","page_label":"file page 16, lines 47-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 9-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1315_d29l.pdf","page_label":"file page 27, lines 9-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-5","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1315_d29l.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-5"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 19-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1315_d29l.pdf","page_label":"file page 55, lines 19-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 41-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1315_d29l.pdf","page_label":"file page 56, lines 41-21"}]},{"heading":"What each side says","paragraphs":["the side that brought the case argues laches cannot constrict a federal statute of limitations.","the opposing side argues laches bars the suit even if filed within the statutory period."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 47-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1315_d29l.pdf","page_label":"file page 16, lines 47-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 9-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1315_d29l.pdf","page_label":"file page 27, lines 9-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-5","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1315_d29l.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-5"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 19-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1315_d29l.pdf","page_label":"file page 55, lines 19-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 41-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1315_d29l.pdf","page_label":"file page 56, lines 41-21"}]},{"heading":"What the justices asked","paragraphs":["Justice Scalia asked if a statute of limitations makes a party scot-free within the period.","Justice Breyer asked if rules that increase the statute of limitations also apply here."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 7-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1315_d29l.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 7-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1315_d29l.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 21-27","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1315_d29l.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 21-27"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 45-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1315_d29l.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 45-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 7-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1315_d29l.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 7-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 49-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1315_d29l.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 49-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 47-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1315_d29l.pdf","page_label":"file page 55, lines 47-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 17-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1315_d29l.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 17-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 23-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1315_d29l.pdf","page_label":"file page 61, lines 23-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 15-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1315_d29l.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 15-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 47-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1315_d29l.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 47-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 13-27","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1315_d29l.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 13-27"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 43-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1315_d29l.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 43-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 5-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1315_d29l.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 5-9"}]},{"heading":"Why it matters","paragraphs":["This case determines whether copyright holders can delay filing suit indefinitely. It defines the boundary between statutory deadlines and equitable defenses. It affects how courts handle stale copyright claims."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 47-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1315_d29l.pdf","page_label":"file page 16, lines 47-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 9-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1315_d29l.pdf","page_label":"file page 27, lines 9-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-5","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1315_d29l.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-5"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 19-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1315_d29l.pdf","page_label":"file page 55, lines 19-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 41-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1315_d29l.pdf","page_label":"file page 56, lines 41-21"}]},{"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 7-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1315_d29l.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 7-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1315_d29l.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 21-27","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1315_d29l.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 21-27"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 45-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1315_d29l.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 45-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 7-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1315_d29l.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 7-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 49-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1315_d29l.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 49-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 47-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1315_d29l.pdf","page_label":"file page 55, lines 47-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 17-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1315_d29l.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 17-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 23-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1315_d29l.pdf","page_label":"file page 61, lines 23-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 15-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1315_d29l.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 15-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 47-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1315_d29l.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 47-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 13-27","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1315_d29l.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 13-27"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 43-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1315_d29l.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 43-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 5-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1315_d29l.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 5-9"}]}],"slug":"2013-12-1315-petrella-v-metro-goldwyn-mayer-inc","term":"2013","title":"Does laches bar copyright claims filed within the statute of limitations?","title_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 47-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1315_d29l.pdf","page_label":"file page 16, lines 47-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 9-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1315_d29l.pdf","page_label":"file page 27, lines 9-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-5","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1315_d29l.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-5"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 19-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1315_d29l.pdf","page_label":"file page 55, lines 19-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 41-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-1315_d29l.pdf","page_label":"file page 56, lines 41-21"}],"topics":[],"undated_disposition_date_fallback":null,"updated_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z"}