{"argument_date":"2014-03-31T00:00:00Z","arguments":[{"argument_date":"2014-03-31T00:00:00Z","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/2013/13-298_d18k.pdf","paragraphs":["Mr. Phillips argued the patent is a system patent. He stated Section 101 applies directly to the claims.","Mr. Perry argued the patent covers an abstract idea. He cited Bilski and Mayo as controlling precedent.","General Verrilli argued a computer must impose a meaningful limit. He stated tacking on a computer instruction is insufficient.","Justice Breyer questioned the distinction between the patent and a checkbook. He asked how the patent is less abstract than a reservoir."],"reargument":false,"sequence":1,"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 4-4","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-298_d18k.pdf","page_label":"file page 16, lines 4-4"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 38-12","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-298_d18k.pdf","page_label":"file page 27, lines 38-12"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 20-38","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-298_d18k.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 20-38"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 40-42","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-298_d18k.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 40-42"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 8-18","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-298_d18k.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 8-18"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 45, lines 36-14","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-298_d18k.pdf","page_label":"file page 45, lines 36-14"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 12-18","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-298_d18k.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 12-18"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 14-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-298_d18k.pdf","page_label":"file page 56, lines 14-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 5-8","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-298_d18k.pdf","page_label":"file page 58, lines 5-8"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 16-26","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-298_d18k.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 16-26"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 32-42","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-298_d18k.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 32-42"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 14-14","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-298_d18k.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 14-14"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 18-44","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-298_d18k.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 18-44"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 48-6","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-298_d18k.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 48-6"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 14-16","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-298_d18k.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 14-16"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 20-32","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-298_d18k.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 20-32"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 40-44","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-298_d18k.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 40-44"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 48-10","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-298_d18k.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 48-10"}]}],"caption":"Alice Corp. v. CLS Bank Int’l","case_history":[{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:23.908952Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"},{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:23.940723Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"}],"case_status":"argued","dek":"Alice Corp. argues its settlement system patent is valid. CLS Bank argues the patent covers an abstract idea.","dek_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 4-4","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-298_d18k.pdf","page_label":"file page 16, lines 4-4"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 38-12","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-298_d18k.pdf","page_label":"file page 27, lines 38-12"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 20-38","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-298_d18k.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 20-38"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 45, lines 36-14","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-298_d18k.pdf","page_label":"file page 45, lines 36-14"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 14-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-298_d18k.pdf","page_label":"file page 56, lines 14-1"}],"dispositions":[],"latest_court_document_date":"2014-03-31T00:00:00Z","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/13-298.html","primary_docket":"13-298","revisions":[{"correction_note":"Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.","created_at":"2026-08-30T20:45:59.212500Z","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":["Alice Corp. holds a patent for a computerized settlement system. CLS Bank uses the system without a license. Alice Corp. sued for infringement. The lower court found the patent invalid. Alice Corp. seeks to reverse that finding. CLS Bank seeks to affirm the lower court decision."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 4-4","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-298_d18k.pdf","page_label":"file page 16, lines 4-4"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 38-12","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-298_d18k.pdf","page_label":"file page 27, lines 38-12"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 20-38","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-298_d18k.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 20-38"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 45, lines 36-14","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-298_d18k.pdf","page_label":"file page 45, lines 36-14"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 14-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-298_d18k.pdf","page_label":"file page 56, lines 14-1"}]},{"heading":"How the case got here","paragraphs":["The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on March 31, 2014."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 8-18","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-298_d18k.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 8-18"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 5-8","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-298_d18k.pdf","page_label":"file page 58, lines 5-8"}]},{"heading":"What each side wants","paragraphs":["Alice Corp. wants the Court to reverse the lower court decision. It seeks to uphold its patent as valid.","CLS Bank wants the Court to affirm the lower court decision. It seeks to invalidate the patent as an abstract idea."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 4-4","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-298_d18k.pdf","page_label":"file page 16, lines 4-4"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 38-12","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-298_d18k.pdf","page_label":"file page 27, lines 38-12"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 20-38","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-298_d18k.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 20-38"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 45, lines 36-14","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-298_d18k.pdf","page_label":"file page 45, lines 36-14"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 14-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-298_d18k.pdf","page_label":"file page 56, lines 14-1"}]},{"heading":"What each side says","paragraphs":["Alice Corp. argues the patent is valid. It claims the computer implementation makes the abstract idea concrete.","CLS Bank argues the patent is invalid. It claims the computer merely executes an abstract economic principle."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 4-4","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-298_d18k.pdf","page_label":"file page 16, lines 4-4"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 38-12","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-298_d18k.pdf","page_label":"file page 27, lines 38-12"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 20-38","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-298_d18k.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 20-38"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 45, lines 36-14","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-298_d18k.pdf","page_label":"file page 45, lines 36-14"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 14-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-298_d18k.pdf","page_label":"file page 56, lines 14-1"}]},{"heading":"What the justices asked","paragraphs":["Justice Breyer asked why the patent is less abstract than a grain elevator.","Justice Kennedy asked if the innovative aspect is merely an idea."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 40-42","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-298_d18k.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 40-42"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 8-18","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-298_d18k.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 8-18"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 12-18","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-298_d18k.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 12-18"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 5-8","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-298_d18k.pdf","page_label":"file page 58, lines 5-8"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 16-26","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-298_d18k.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 16-26"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 32-42","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-298_d18k.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 32-42"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 14-14","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-298_d18k.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 14-14"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 18-44","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-298_d18k.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 18-44"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 48-6","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-298_d18k.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 48-6"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 14-16","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-298_d18k.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 14-16"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 20-32","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-298_d18k.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 20-32"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 40-44","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-298_d18k.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 40-44"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 48-10","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-298_d18k.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 48-10"}]},{"heading":"Why it matters","paragraphs":["The outcome defines the boundary between patentable technology and abstract concepts. It affects software patents and financial technology innovation. It determines whether basic business methods can be monopolized by code."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 4-4","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-298_d18k.pdf","page_label":"file page 16, lines 4-4"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 38-12","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-298_d18k.pdf","page_label":"file page 27, lines 38-12"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 20-38","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-298_d18k.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 20-38"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 45, lines 36-14","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-298_d18k.pdf","page_label":"file page 45, lines 36-14"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 14-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-298_d18k.pdf","page_label":"file page 56, lines 14-1"}]},{"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 4, lines 40-42","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-298_d18k.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 40-42"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 8-18","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-298_d18k.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 8-18"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 12-18","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-298_d18k.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 12-18"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 5-8","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-298_d18k.pdf","page_label":"file page 58, lines 5-8"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 16-26","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-298_d18k.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 16-26"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 32-42","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-298_d18k.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 32-42"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 14-14","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-298_d18k.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 14-14"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 18-44","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-298_d18k.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 18-44"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 48-6","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-298_d18k.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 48-6"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 14-16","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-298_d18k.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 14-16"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 20-32","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-298_d18k.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 20-32"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 40-44","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-298_d18k.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 40-44"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 48-10","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-298_d18k.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 48-10"}]}],"slug":"2013-13-298-alice-corp-v-cls-bank-int-l","term":"2013","title":"Does using a computer make an abstract idea patentable?","title_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 4-4","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-298_d18k.pdf","page_label":"file page 16, lines 4-4"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 38-12","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-298_d18k.pdf","page_label":"file page 27, lines 38-12"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 20-38","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-298_d18k.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 20-38"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 45, lines 36-14","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-298_d18k.pdf","page_label":"file page 45, lines 36-14"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 14-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/13-298_d18k.pdf","page_label":"file page 56, lines 14-1"}],"topics":[],"undated_disposition_date_fallback":null,"updated_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z"}