{"argument_date":"2015-03-31T00:00:00Z","arguments":[{"argument_date":"2015-03-31T00:00:00Z","heading":"What happened at the argument","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2014","official_transcript_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-720_09m1.pdf","paragraphs":["Kimble's counsel argued that Brulotte is a rule without a reason.","Kimble's counsel claimed that post-expiration royalties are often socially beneficial.","Marvel's counsel argued that Brulotte serves important public interests.","Marvel's counsel stated that Congress is the proper body to change the law."],"reargument":false,"sequence":1,"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 10-34","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-720_09m1.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 10-34"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 28-30","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-720_09m1.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 28-30"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 36-36","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-720_09m1.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 36-36"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 4-16","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-720_09m1.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 4-16"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 20-42","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-720_09m1.pdf","page_label":"file page 24, lines 20-42"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-46","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-720_09m1.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 20-46"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 48-50","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-720_09m1.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 48-50"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 8-18","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-720_09m1.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 8-18"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 38, lines 18-42","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-720_09m1.pdf","page_label":"file page 38, lines 18-42"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 24-10","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-720_09m1.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 24-10"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 40-44","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-720_09m1.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 40-44"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 6-14","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-720_09m1.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 6-14"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 12-20","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-720_09m1.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 12-20"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 30-44","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-720_09m1.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 30-44"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 32-48","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-720_09m1.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 32-48"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 40-6","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-720_09m1.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 40-6"}]}],"caption":"Kimble v. Marvel Enterprises, Inc.","case_history":[{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:23.190337Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"}],"case_status":"argued","dek":"Kimble argues that post-expiration royalties violate patent law. Marvel argues that such payments remain valid.","dek_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 20-42","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-720_09m1.pdf","page_label":"file page 24, lines 20-42"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-46","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-720_09m1.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 20-46"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 38, lines 18-42","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-720_09m1.pdf","page_label":"file page 38, lines 18-42"}],"dispositions":[],"latest_court_document_date":"2015-03-31T00:00:00Z","maturity":"official_transcript","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2014","official_disposition_urls":[],"official_docket_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/docket/docketfiles/html/public/13-720.html","primary_docket":"13-720","revisions":[{"correction_note":"Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.","created_at":"2026-08-30T19:43:00.770807Z","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 patent holders can demand payments for use after their patent terms end. The lower court ruled against Kimble. Kimble seeks to overturn that result. Marvel seeks to keep that result in place."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 20-42","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-720_09m1.pdf","page_label":"file page 24, lines 20-42"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-46","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-720_09m1.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 20-46"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 38, lines 18-42","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-720_09m1.pdf","page_label":"file page 38, lines 18-42"}]},{"heading":"How the case got here","paragraphs":["The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on March 31, 2015."],"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/2014/13-720_09m1.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 8-18"}]},{"heading":"What each side wants","paragraphs":["Kimble wants the Court to ban post-expiration royalties.","Marvel wants the Court to allow post-expiration royalties."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 20-42","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-720_09m1.pdf","page_label":"file page 24, lines 20-42"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-46","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-720_09m1.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 20-46"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 38, lines 18-42","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-720_09m1.pdf","page_label":"file page 38, lines 18-42"}]},{"heading":"What each side says","paragraphs":["Kimble argues that the Brulotte precedent is outdated and harmful.","Marvel argues that Brulotte remains correct and Congress should change the law."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 20-42","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-720_09m1.pdf","page_label":"file page 24, lines 20-42"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-46","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-720_09m1.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 20-46"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 38, lines 18-42","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-720_09m1.pdf","page_label":"file page 38, lines 18-42"}]},{"heading":"What the justices asked","paragraphs":["Justice Sotomayor asked what parties are doing now.","Justice Breyer asked how to reconcile long-term deals with limited patent terms."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 10-34","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-720_09m1.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 10-34"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 28-30","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-720_09m1.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 28-30"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 36-36","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-720_09m1.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 36-36"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 4-16","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-720_09m1.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 4-16"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 48-50","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-720_09m1.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 48-50"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 24-10","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-720_09m1.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 24-10"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 40-44","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-720_09m1.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 40-44"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 6-14","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-720_09m1.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 6-14"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 12-20","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-720_09m1.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 12-20"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 30-44","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-720_09m1.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 30-44"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 32-48","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-720_09m1.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 32-48"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 40-6","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-720_09m1.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 40-6"}]},{"heading":"Why it matters","paragraphs":["This dispute defines the boundary of patent rights. It affects how inventors and companies structure licensing deals. It determines whether patent holders can extend their financial control beyond the statutory term. It shapes the balance between private profit and public access to expired inventions."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 20-42","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-720_09m1.pdf","page_label":"file page 24, lines 20-42"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-46","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-720_09m1.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 20-46"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 38, lines 18-42","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-720_09m1.pdf","page_label":"file page 38, lines 18-42"}]},{"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 10-34","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-720_09m1.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 10-34"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 28-30","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-720_09m1.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 28-30"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 36-36","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-720_09m1.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 36-36"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 4-16","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-720_09m1.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 4-16"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 48-50","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-720_09m1.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 48-50"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 8-18","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-720_09m1.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 8-18"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 24-10","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-720_09m1.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 24-10"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 40-44","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-720_09m1.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 40-44"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 6-14","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-720_09m1.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 6-14"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 12-20","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-720_09m1.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 12-20"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 30-44","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-720_09m1.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 30-44"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 32-48","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-720_09m1.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 32-48"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 40-6","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-720_09m1.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 40-6"}]}],"slug":"2014-13-720-kimble-v-marvel-enterprises-inc","term":"2014","title":"Can patent holders collect royalties after their patents expire?","title_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 20-42","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-720_09m1.pdf","page_label":"file page 24, lines 20-42"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-46","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-720_09m1.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 20-46"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 38, lines 18-42","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2014/13-720_09m1.pdf","page_label":"file page 38, lines 18-42"}],"topics":[],"undated_disposition_date_fallback":null,"updated_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z"}