October Term 2009 · Docket 08-103
Does copyright registration bar suits for unregistered works?
the sides that brought the case seek to enforce a settlement covering unregistered works. the opposing sides argue the registration requirement blocks such claims.
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
Charles Sims argued the Second Circuit erred in vacating the settlement.
He claimed the registration requirement is not jurisdictional.
He noted Congress granted district courts jurisdiction over copyright actions.
Ms. Anders argued the registration requirement falls between jurisdictional and waivable categories.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 31-47 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 31-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 19, lines 29-15 — Transcript, file page 19, lines 29-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 15-35 — Transcript, file page 29, lines 15-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-43 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 45-51 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 45-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-15 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 7-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 33-43 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 33-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 13-35 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 13-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 39-43 — Transcript, file page 54, lines 39-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 45-5 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 45-5
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 13-33 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 13-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 3-21 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 3-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 33-33 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 33-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 37-39 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 37-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 43-43 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 43-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 49-51 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 49-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 33-33 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 33-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 9-11 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 9-11
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
The case tests whether a copyright registration mandate prevents courts from hearing claims about unregistered works.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 19, lines 29-15 — Transcript, file page 19, lines 29-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 15-35 — Transcript, file page 29, lines 15-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-43 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 39-43 — Transcript, file page 54, lines 39-43
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on October 7, 2009.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-15 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 7-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 45-5 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 45-5
What each side wants
the sides that brought the case want to enforce a settlement covering unregistered works.
the opposing sides want to block claims about unregistered works.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 19, lines 29-15 — Transcript, file page 19, lines 29-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 15-35 — Transcript, file page 29, lines 15-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-43 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 39-43 — Transcript, file page 54, lines 39-43
What each side says
the sides that brought the case argue the registration rule is not jurisdictional.
the opposing sides argue the registration rule is a mandatory bar.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 19, lines 29-15 — Transcript, file page 19, lines 29-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 15-35 — Transcript, file page 29, lines 15-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-43 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 39-43 — Transcript, file page 54, lines 39-43
What the justices asked
Chief Justice Roberts asked if this case differs from Arbaugh.
Justice Ginsburg asked if the rule binds district courts only.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 31-47 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 31-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 45-51 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 45-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 33-43 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 33-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 13-35 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 13-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 45-5 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 45-5
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 13-33 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 13-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 3-21 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 3-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 33-33 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 33-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 37-39 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 37-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 43-43 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 43-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 49-51 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 49-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 33-33 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 33-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 9-11 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 9-11
Why it matters
This dispute determines whether copyright holders can settle claims for unregistered works. It defines the scope of federal court jurisdiction over copyright disputes. It affects how parties structure settlement agreements involving intellectual property.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 19, lines 29-15 — Transcript, file page 19, lines 29-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 15-35 — Transcript, file page 29, lines 15-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-43 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 39-43 — Transcript, file page 54, lines 39-43
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 31-47 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 31-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 45-51 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 45-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-15 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 7-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 33-43 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 33-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 13-35 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 13-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 45-5 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 45-5
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 13-33 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 13-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 3-21 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 3-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 33-33 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 33-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 37-39 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 37-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 43-43 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 43-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 49-51 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 49-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 33-33 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 33-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 9-11 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 9-11
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 19, lines 29-15 — Transcript, file page 19, lines 29-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 15-35 — Transcript, file page 29, lines 15-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-43 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 39-43 — Transcript, file page 54, lines 39-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 19, lines 29-15 — Transcript, file page 19, lines 29-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 15-35 — Transcript, file page 29, lines 15-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-43 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 39-43 — Transcript, file page 54, lines 39-43
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.