October Term 2001 · Docket 99-1996
Can plant varieties receive utility patents under general patent law?
the sides that brought the case argue utility patents on plant varieties are invalid. the opposing sides defend their validity under general patent law.
Verified source milestones
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
The arguments, in order
This case may have been argued more than once. Each entry below uses that session's official transcript. Later arguments do not erase earlier ones.
Argument 1 ·
What happened at the argument
Mr. Wallace noted the Plant Patent Act influenced prior debates.
Mr. Johnson argued the patents issued under section 101 are invalid.
Chief Justice Rehnquist called the case submitted.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 23, lines 9-15 — Transcript, file page 23, lines 9-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-5 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-5
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 5-15 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 5-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 39, lines 7-29 — Transcript, file page 39, lines 7-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 46, lines 7-7 — Transcript, file page 46, lines 7-7
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
This case tests whether general patent law covers plant varieties. the sides that brought the case seek to invalidate specific patents. the opposing sides defend those patents.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 23, lines 9-15 — Transcript, file page 23, lines 9-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-5 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-5
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 39, lines 7-29 — Transcript, file page 39, lines 7-29
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on October 3, 2001.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 5-15 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 5-15
What each side wants
the sides that brought the case want the Court to declare the plant variety patents invalid.
the opposing sides want the Court to uphold the validity of the plant variety patents.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 23, lines 9-15 — Transcript, file page 23, lines 9-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-5 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-5
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 39, lines 7-29 — Transcript, file page 39, lines 7-29
What each side says
the sides that brought the case argue section 101 does not cover these plant varieties.
the opposing sides argue section 101 covers these plant varieties.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 23, lines 9-15 — Transcript, file page 23, lines 9-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-5 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-5
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 39, lines 7-29 — Transcript, file page 39, lines 7-29
What the justices asked
Does general patent law cover plant varieties?
Are the specific patents in this case valid?
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 46, lines 7-7 — Transcript, file page 46, lines 7-7
Why it matters
The outcome defines the scope of patent protection for agricultural products. It affects how breeders secure rights to new plant varieties.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 23, lines 9-15 — Transcript, file page 23, lines 9-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-5 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-5
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 39, lines 7-29 — Transcript, file page 39, lines 7-29
What happens next
This article currently covers the argument record. Use the official docket link for later case activity.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 5-15 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 5-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 46, lines 7-7 — Transcript, file page 46, lines 7-7
Official Court provenance
Official docket and case history · Official Supreme Court oral-argument detail page
Title and summary sources
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 23, lines 9-15 — Transcript, file page 23, lines 9-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-5 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-5
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 39, lines 7-29 — Transcript, file page 39, lines 7-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 23, lines 9-15 — Transcript, file page 23, lines 9-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-5 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-5
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 39, lines 7-29 — Transcript, file page 39, lines 7-29
Revision history
- Revision 1 · Official Transcript ·
Correction: Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.
- Revision 2 · Official Transcript ·
Correction: Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.