October Term 2006 · Docket 04-1350
Should courts require a specific motivation to combine prior art before invalidating a patent?
The dispute centers on whether a rigid legal test wrongly protects patents that combine known elements without a clear reason.
Verified source milestones
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
- — 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. Dabney argued the patent claim is broadly worded. He stated the Solicitor General agrees it is invalid.
Mr. Hungar argued the motivation test is bad policy. He claimed it produces wrong answers in cases like this.
Mr. Goldstein referenced the supplemental joint appendix. He promised to quote from the provided documents.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 35-45 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 35-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 37-43 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 37-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 47-49 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 47-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 25-29 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 25-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 21-37 — Transcript, file page 18, lines 21-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 51-17 — Transcript, file page 27, lines 51-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-37 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 39-43 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 39-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-17 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 7-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 5-13 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 5-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 47-11 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 47-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 27-31 — Transcript, file page 55, lines 27-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 33-39 — Transcript, file page 55, lines 33-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 51-3 — Transcript, file page 55, lines 51-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 13-13 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 13-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 29-35 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 29-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 7-9 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 7-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 13-41 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 13-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 43-47 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 43-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 21-35 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 21-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 43-49 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 43-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 3-5 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 3-5
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 25-39 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 25-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 19-41 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 19-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 49-19 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 49-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 5-15 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 5-15
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
KSR International challenges a patent for an adjustable pedal. Teleflex defends the patent's validity. The core issue is the legal standard for obviousness.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 21-37 — Transcript, file page 18, lines 21-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 51-17 — Transcript, file page 27, lines 51-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-37 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 27-31 — Transcript, file page 55, lines 27-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 13-41 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 13-41
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on November 28, 2006.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-17 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 7-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 43-47 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 43-47
What each side wants
KSR International wants the Court to reject the rigid motivation test. They argue this test wrongly protects weak patents.
Teleflex wants the Court to keep the strict test. They argue this test provides clear rules for patent validity.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 21-37 — Transcript, file page 18, lines 21-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 51-17 — Transcript, file page 27, lines 51-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-37 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 27-31 — Transcript, file page 55, lines 27-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 13-41 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 13-41
What each side says
KSR International argues the current test contradicts the Patent Act. They claim it asks the wrong legal question.
Teleflex argues the motivation test is essential. They claim it prevents arbitrary invalidation of patents.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 21-37 — Transcript, file page 18, lines 21-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 51-17 — Transcript, file page 27, lines 51-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-37 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 27-31 — Transcript, file page 55, lines 27-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 13-41 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 13-41
What the justices asked
Justice Ginsburg asked if the argument holds against recent Federal Circuit decisions.
Justice Breyer asked for a clear definition of the term motivation in this context.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 35-45 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 35-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 37-43 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 37-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 47-49 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 47-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 25-29 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 25-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 39-43 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 39-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 5-13 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 5-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 47-11 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 47-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 33-39 — Transcript, file page 55, lines 33-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 51-3 — Transcript, file page 55, lines 51-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 13-13 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 13-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 29-35 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 29-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 7-9 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 7-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 43-47 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 43-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 21-35 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 21-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 43-49 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 43-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 3-5 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 3-5
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 25-39 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 25-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 19-41 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 19-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 49-19 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 49-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 5-15 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 5-15
Why it matters
This case defines how easily patents can be invalidated. It affects the cost and speed of innovation across industries.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 21-37 — Transcript, file page 18, lines 21-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 51-17 — Transcript, file page 27, lines 51-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-37 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 27-31 — Transcript, file page 55, lines 27-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 13-41 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 13-41
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 10, lines 35-45 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 35-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 37-43 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 37-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 47-49 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 47-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 25-29 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 25-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 39-43 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 39-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-17 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 7-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 5-13 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 5-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 47-11 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 47-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 33-39 — Transcript, file page 55, lines 33-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 51-3 — Transcript, file page 55, lines 51-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 13-13 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 13-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 29-35 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 29-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 7-9 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 7-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 43-47 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 43-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 21-35 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 21-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 43-49 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 43-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 3-5 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 3-5
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 25-39 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 25-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 19-41 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 19-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 49-19 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 49-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 5-15 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 5-15
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 18, lines 21-37 — Transcript, file page 18, lines 21-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 51-17 — Transcript, file page 27, lines 51-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-37 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 27-31 — Transcript, file page 55, lines 27-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 13-41 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 13-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 21-37 — Transcript, file page 18, lines 21-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 51-17 — Transcript, file page 27, lines 51-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-37 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 27-31 — Transcript, file page 55, lines 27-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 13-41 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 13-41
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.