{"argument_date":"2018-12-04T00:00:00Z","arguments":[{"argument_date":"2018-12-04T00:00:00Z","heading":"What happened at the argument","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2018","official_transcript_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1229_p702.pdf","paragraphs":["Mr. Shanmugam argued Congress changed the prior art definition.","Mr. Jay argued the established meaning of on sale remains.","Mr. Stewart argued the transaction should not trigger the bar."],"reargument":false,"sequence":1,"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 15-18","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1229_p702.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 15-18"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 30-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1229_p702.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 30-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 34-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1229_p702.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 34-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 12-16","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1229_p702.pdf","page_label":"file page 13, lines 12-16"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 21, lines 26-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1229_p702.pdf","page_label":"file page 21, lines 26-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 32, lines 22-8","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1229_p702.pdf","page_label":"file page 32, lines 22-8"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 16-6","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1229_p702.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 16-6"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 8-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1229_p702.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 8-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 12-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1229_p702.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 12-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 36-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1229_p702.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 36-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 7-10","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1229_p702.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 7-10"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 23-27","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1229_p702.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 23-27"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 22-34","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1229_p702.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 22-34"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 21-22","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1229_p702.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 21-22"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 28-30","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1229_p702.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 28-30"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 36-12","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1229_p702.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 36-12"}]}],"caption":"Helsinn Healthcare S.A. v. Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc.","case_history":[{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:20.412572Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"}],"case_status":"argued","dek":"Helsinn argues a secret sale does not trigger the on-sale bar. Teva argues any commercial sale triggers it.","dek_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 21, lines 26-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1229_p702.pdf","page_label":"file page 21, lines 26-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 32, lines 22-8","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1229_p702.pdf","page_label":"file page 32, lines 22-8"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 16-6","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1229_p702.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 16-6"}],"dispositions":[],"latest_court_document_date":"2018-12-04T00:00:00Z","maturity":"official_transcript","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2018","official_disposition_urls":[],"official_docket_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/docket/docketfiles/html/public/17-1229.html","primary_docket":"17-1229","revisions":[{"correction_note":"Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.","created_at":"2026-08-30T18:05:18.065034Z","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 case tests the scope of the patent on-sale bar. It asks if a secret sale counts as prior art."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 21, lines 26-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1229_p702.pdf","page_label":"file page 21, lines 26-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 32, lines 22-8","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1229_p702.pdf","page_label":"file page 32, lines 22-8"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 16-6","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1229_p702.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 16-6"}]},{"heading":"How the case got here","paragraphs":["The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on December 4, 2018."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 8-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1229_p702.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 8-15"}]},{"heading":"What each side wants","paragraphs":["Helsinn wants the sale to not count as prior art.","Teva wants the sale to count as prior art."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 21, lines 26-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1229_p702.pdf","page_label":"file page 21, lines 26-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 32, lines 22-8","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1229_p702.pdf","page_label":"file page 32, lines 22-8"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 16-6","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1229_p702.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 16-6"}]},{"heading":"What each side says","paragraphs":["Helsinn argues the on-sale bar requires public disclosure.","Teva argues any commercial sale triggers the bar."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 21, lines 26-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1229_p702.pdf","page_label":"file page 21, lines 26-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 32, lines 22-8","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1229_p702.pdf","page_label":"file page 32, lines 22-8"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 16-6","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1229_p702.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 16-6"}]},{"heading":"What the justices asked","paragraphs":["Justice Kavanaugh asked why a sold item is not on sale.","Justice Breyer asked if secret practice counts as on sale."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 15-18","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1229_p702.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 15-18"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 30-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1229_p702.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 30-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 34-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1229_p702.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 34-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 12-16","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1229_p702.pdf","page_label":"file page 13, lines 12-16"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 12-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1229_p702.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 12-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 36-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1229_p702.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 36-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 7-10","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1229_p702.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 7-10"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 23-27","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1229_p702.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 23-27"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 22-34","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1229_p702.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 22-34"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 21-22","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1229_p702.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 21-22"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 28-30","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1229_p702.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 28-30"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 36-12","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1229_p702.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 36-12"}]},{"heading":"Why it matters","paragraphs":["The outcome defines the scope of patent protection. It affects how companies manage pre-patent sales."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 21, lines 26-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1229_p702.pdf","page_label":"file page 21, lines 26-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 32, lines 22-8","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1229_p702.pdf","page_label":"file page 32, lines 22-8"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 16-6","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1229_p702.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 16-6"}]},{"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 10, lines 15-18","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1229_p702.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 15-18"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 30-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1229_p702.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 30-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 34-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1229_p702.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 34-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 12-16","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1229_p702.pdf","page_label":"file page 13, lines 12-16"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 8-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1229_p702.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 8-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 12-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1229_p702.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 12-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 36-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1229_p702.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 36-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 7-10","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1229_p702.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 7-10"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 23-27","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1229_p702.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 23-27"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 22-34","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1229_p702.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 22-34"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 21-22","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1229_p702.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 21-22"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 28-30","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1229_p702.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 28-30"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 36-12","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1229_p702.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 36-12"}]}],"slug":"2018-17-1229-helsinn-healthcare-s-a-v-teva-pharmaceuticals-usa-inc","term":"2018","title":"Does a secret sale invalidate a patent?","title_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 21, lines 26-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1229_p702.pdf","page_label":"file page 21, lines 26-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 32, lines 22-8","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1229_p702.pdf","page_label":"file page 32, lines 22-8"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 16-6","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/17-1229_p702.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 16-6"}],"topics":[],"undated_disposition_date_fallback":null,"updated_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z"}