{"argument_date":"2017-03-27T00:00:00Z","arguments":[{"argument_date":"2017-03-27T00:00:00Z","heading":"What happened at the argument","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2016","official_transcript_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-341_8njq.pdf","paragraphs":["Mr. Jay argued definitions matter more than historical context.","Mr. Dabney framed the choice as upholding or destroying venue protections.","Mr. Dabney noted venue rules apply to generic drug makers too."],"reargument":false,"sequence":1,"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 38-18","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-341_8njq.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 38-18"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 16-28","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-341_8njq.pdf","page_label":"file page 24, lines 16-28"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-8","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-341_8njq.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 20-8"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 8-18","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-341_8njq.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 8-18"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 10-16","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-341_8njq.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 10-16"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 32-34","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-341_8njq.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 32-34"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 40-42","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-341_8njq.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 40-42"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 34-34","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-341_8njq.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 34-34"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 38-42","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-341_8njq.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 38-42"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 28-6","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-341_8njq.pdf","page_label":"file page 54, lines 28-6"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 22-24","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-341_8njq.pdf","page_label":"file page 57, lines 22-24"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 44-50","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-341_8njq.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 44-50"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 6-16","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-341_8njq.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 6-16"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 22-22","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-341_8njq.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 22-22"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 26-28","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-341_8njq.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 26-28"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 36-42","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-341_8njq.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 36-42"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 4-8","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-341_8njq.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 4-8"}]}],"caption":"TC Heartland LLC v. Kraft Foods Group Brands LLC","case_history":[{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:21.699412Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"},{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:21.729778Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"}],"case_status":"argued","dek":"Kraft argues venue follows principal place of business. Heartland argues venue follows incorporation.","dek_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 16-28","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-341_8njq.pdf","page_label":"file page 24, lines 16-28"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-8","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-341_8njq.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 20-8"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 28-6","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-341_8njq.pdf","page_label":"file page 54, lines 28-6"}],"dispositions":[],"latest_court_document_date":"2017-03-27T00:00:00Z","maturity":"official_transcript","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2016","official_disposition_urls":[],"official_docket_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/docket/docketfiles/html/public/16-341.html","primary_docket":"16-341","revisions":[{"correction_note":"Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.","created_at":"2026-08-30T18:41:08.130130Z","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 the definition of corporate residence under 28 U.S.C. 1400(b)."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 16-28","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-341_8njq.pdf","page_label":"file page 24, lines 16-28"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-8","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-341_8njq.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 20-8"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 28-6","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-341_8njq.pdf","page_label":"file page 54, lines 28-6"}]},{"heading":"How the case got here","paragraphs":["The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on March 27, 2017."],"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/2016/16-341_8njq.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 8-18"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 22-24","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-341_8njq.pdf","page_label":"file page 57, lines 22-24"}]},{"heading":"What each side wants","paragraphs":["Heartland wants the Court to limit venue to the state of incorporation.","Kraft wants the Court to allow venue in the principal place of business."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 16-28","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-341_8njq.pdf","page_label":"file page 24, lines 16-28"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-8","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-341_8njq.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 20-8"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 28-6","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-341_8njq.pdf","page_label":"file page 54, lines 28-6"}]},{"heading":"What each side says","paragraphs":["Heartland argues Congress defined residence strictly for all venue purposes.","Kraft argues venue should consider the principal place of business."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 16-28","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-341_8njq.pdf","page_label":"file page 24, lines 16-28"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-8","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-341_8njq.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 20-8"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 28-6","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-341_8njq.pdf","page_label":"file page 54, lines 28-6"}]},{"heading":"What the justices asked","paragraphs":["Justice Ginsburg asked if principal place of business counts for diversity.","Justice Sotomayor asked how the Court handles unincorporated associations."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 38-18","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-341_8njq.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 38-18"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 10-16","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-341_8njq.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 10-16"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 32-34","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-341_8njq.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 32-34"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 40-42","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-341_8njq.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 40-42"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 34-34","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-341_8njq.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 34-34"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 38-42","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-341_8njq.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 38-42"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 22-24","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-341_8njq.pdf","page_label":"file page 57, lines 22-24"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 44-50","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-341_8njq.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 44-50"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 6-16","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-341_8njq.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 6-16"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 22-22","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-341_8njq.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 22-22"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 26-28","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-341_8njq.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 26-28"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 36-42","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-341_8njq.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 36-42"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 4-8","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-341_8njq.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 4-8"}]},{"heading":"Why it matters","paragraphs":["This case defines where patent suits can begin. It shapes corporate litigation strategy nationwide."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 16-28","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-341_8njq.pdf","page_label":"file page 24, lines 16-28"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-8","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-341_8njq.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 20-8"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 28-6","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-341_8njq.pdf","page_label":"file page 54, lines 28-6"}]},{"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 11, lines 38-18","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-341_8njq.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 38-18"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 8-18","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-341_8njq.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 8-18"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 10-16","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-341_8njq.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 10-16"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 32-34","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-341_8njq.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 32-34"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 40-42","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-341_8njq.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 40-42"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 34-34","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-341_8njq.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 34-34"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 38-42","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-341_8njq.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 38-42"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 22-24","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-341_8njq.pdf","page_label":"file page 57, lines 22-24"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 44-50","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-341_8njq.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 44-50"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 6-16","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-341_8njq.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 6-16"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 22-22","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-341_8njq.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 22-22"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 26-28","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-341_8njq.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 26-28"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 36-42","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-341_8njq.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 36-42"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 4-8","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-341_8njq.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 4-8"}]}],"slug":"2016-16-341-tc-heartland-llc-v-kraft-foods-group-brands-llc","term":"2016","title":"Does a corporation reside only where it incorporates for patent venue?","title_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 16-28","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-341_8njq.pdf","page_label":"file page 24, lines 16-28"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-8","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-341_8njq.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 20-8"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 28-6","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-341_8njq.pdf","page_label":"file page 54, lines 28-6"}],"topics":[],"undated_disposition_date_fallback":null,"updated_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z"}