{"argument_date":"2018-04-16T00:00:00Z","arguments":[{"argument_date":"2018-04-16T00:00:00Z","heading":"What happened at the argument","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2017","official_transcript_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1011_j5fl.pdf","paragraphs":["Paul Clement argued Section 271(f) prohibits specific domestic infringement acts.","Sri Shanmugam argued the presumption against extraterritoriality applies to remedial provisions.","Justice Breyer questioned whether foreign nations could adopt similar statutes.","Justice Gorsuch focused on the distinction between high seas and inland waters."],"reargument":false,"sequence":1,"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 25-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1011_j5fl.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 25-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 53-47","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1011_j5fl.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 53-47"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 9-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1011_j5fl.pdf","page_label":"file page 13, lines 9-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 43-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1011_j5fl.pdf","page_label":"file page 14, lines 43-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 49-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1011_j5fl.pdf","page_label":"file page 15, lines 49-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 31-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1011_j5fl.pdf","page_label":"file page 18, lines 31-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 53-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1011_j5fl.pdf","page_label":"file page 18, lines 53-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 19, lines 35-51","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1011_j5fl.pdf","page_label":"file page 19, lines 35-51"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 21, lines 53-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1011_j5fl.pdf","page_label":"file page 21, lines 53-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 34, lines 47-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1011_j5fl.pdf","page_label":"file page 34, lines 47-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1011_j5fl.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 11-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1011_j5fl.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 23-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 31-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1011_j5fl.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 31-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 63, lines 19-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1011_j5fl.pdf","page_label":"file page 63, lines 19-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 19-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1011_j5fl.pdf","page_label":"file page 65, lines 19-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 15-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1011_j5fl.pdf","page_label":"file page 68, lines 15-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 55-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1011_j5fl.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 55-37"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 53-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1011_j5fl.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 53-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 11-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1011_j5fl.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 11-13"}]}],"caption":"WesternGeco LLC v. ION Geophysical Corp.","case_history":[{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:20.718515Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"},{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:20.742442Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"}],"case_status":"argued","dek":"WesternGeco seeks damages for ION's foreign use of its technology. ION argues US law cannot reach those losses.","dek_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 21, lines 53-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1011_j5fl.pdf","page_label":"file page 21, lines 53-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 34, lines 47-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1011_j5fl.pdf","page_label":"file page 34, lines 47-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1011_j5fl.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 23-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 63, lines 19-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1011_j5fl.pdf","page_label":"file page 63, lines 19-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 19-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1011_j5fl.pdf","page_label":"file page 65, lines 19-43"}],"dispositions":[],"latest_court_document_date":"2018-04-16T00:00:00Z","maturity":"official_transcript","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2017","official_disposition_urls":[],"official_docket_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/docket/docketfiles/html/public/16-1011.html","primary_docket":"16-1011","revisions":[{"correction_note":"Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.","created_at":"2026-08-30T18:17:23.628349Z","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":["WesternGeco wants a US court to award damages for ION's foreign use of its technology. ION wants the court to deny those damages because the use occurred abroad."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 21, lines 53-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1011_j5fl.pdf","page_label":"file page 21, lines 53-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 34, lines 47-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1011_j5fl.pdf","page_label":"file page 34, lines 47-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1011_j5fl.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 23-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 63, lines 19-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1011_j5fl.pdf","page_label":"file page 63, lines 19-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 19-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1011_j5fl.pdf","page_label":"file page 65, lines 19-43"}]},{"heading":"How the case got here","paragraphs":["The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on April 16, 2018."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1011_j5fl.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 11-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 15-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1011_j5fl.pdf","page_label":"file page 68, lines 15-17"}]},{"heading":"What each side wants","paragraphs":["WesternGeco wants the Court to allow damages for foreign losses.","ION wants the Court to bar damages for foreign losses."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 21, lines 53-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1011_j5fl.pdf","page_label":"file page 21, lines 53-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 34, lines 47-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1011_j5fl.pdf","page_label":"file page 34, lines 47-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1011_j5fl.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 23-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 63, lines 19-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1011_j5fl.pdf","page_label":"file page 63, lines 19-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 19-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1011_j5fl.pdf","page_label":"file page 65, lines 19-43"}]},{"heading":"What each side says","paragraphs":["WesternGeco argues Section 271(f) targets domestic acts with foreign consequences.","ION argues the presumption against extraterritoriality bars foreign damages."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 21, lines 53-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1011_j5fl.pdf","page_label":"file page 21, lines 53-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 34, lines 47-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1011_j5fl.pdf","page_label":"file page 34, lines 47-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1011_j5fl.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 23-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 63, lines 19-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1011_j5fl.pdf","page_label":"file page 63, lines 19-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 19-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1011_j5fl.pdf","page_label":"file page 65, lines 19-43"}]},{"heading":"What the justices asked","paragraphs":["Justice Breyer asked if other countries could enact similar laws.","Justice Gorsuch asked about the difference between high seas and Lake Michigan."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 25-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1011_j5fl.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 25-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 53-47","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1011_j5fl.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 53-47"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 9-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1011_j5fl.pdf","page_label":"file page 13, lines 9-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 43-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1011_j5fl.pdf","page_label":"file page 14, lines 43-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 49-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1011_j5fl.pdf","page_label":"file page 15, lines 49-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 31-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1011_j5fl.pdf","page_label":"file page 18, lines 31-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 53-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1011_j5fl.pdf","page_label":"file page 18, lines 53-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 19, lines 35-51","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1011_j5fl.pdf","page_label":"file page 19, lines 35-51"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 31-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1011_j5fl.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 31-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 15-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1011_j5fl.pdf","page_label":"file page 68, lines 15-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 55-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1011_j5fl.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 55-37"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 53-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1011_j5fl.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 53-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 11-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1011_j5fl.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 11-13"}]},{"heading":"Why it matters","paragraphs":["This case defines the geographic reach of US patent damages. It determines whether US courts can compensate for foreign economic harm. The outcome shapes global business risk for technology firms."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 21, lines 53-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1011_j5fl.pdf","page_label":"file page 21, lines 53-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 34, lines 47-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1011_j5fl.pdf","page_label":"file page 34, lines 47-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1011_j5fl.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 23-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 63, lines 19-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1011_j5fl.pdf","page_label":"file page 63, lines 19-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 19-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1011_j5fl.pdf","page_label":"file page 65, lines 19-43"}]},{"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 25-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1011_j5fl.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 25-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 53-47","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1011_j5fl.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 53-47"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 9-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1011_j5fl.pdf","page_label":"file page 13, lines 9-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 43-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1011_j5fl.pdf","page_label":"file page 14, lines 43-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 49-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1011_j5fl.pdf","page_label":"file page 15, lines 49-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 31-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1011_j5fl.pdf","page_label":"file page 18, lines 31-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 53-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1011_j5fl.pdf","page_label":"file page 18, lines 53-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 19, lines 35-51","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1011_j5fl.pdf","page_label":"file page 19, lines 35-51"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1011_j5fl.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 11-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 31-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1011_j5fl.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 31-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 15-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1011_j5fl.pdf","page_label":"file page 68, lines 15-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 55-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1011_j5fl.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 55-37"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 53-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1011_j5fl.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 53-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 11-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1011_j5fl.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 11-13"}]}],"slug":"2017-16-1011-westerngeco-llc-v-ion-geophysical-corp","term":"2017","title":"Can US patent law award damages for foreign losses?","title_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 21, lines 53-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1011_j5fl.pdf","page_label":"file page 21, lines 53-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 34, lines 47-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1011_j5fl.pdf","page_label":"file page 34, lines 47-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1011_j5fl.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 23-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 63, lines 19-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1011_j5fl.pdf","page_label":"file page 63, lines 19-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 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