October Term 2010 · Docket 10-290
What evidence standard proves patent invalidity?
Microsoft seeks a preponderance standard to invalidate patents. i4i defends the clear and convincing evidence rule.
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
Microsoft argues the current standard enforces invalid patents.
i4i argues the standard follows broad language from Justice Cardozo.
questions_asked_by_justices
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 3-17 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 3-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 51-27 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 51-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 17-19 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 17-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 3-13 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 3-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 41-41 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 41-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 45-3 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 45-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 21, lines 37-39 — Transcript, file page 21, lines 37-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-47 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 49-3 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 49-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-17 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 7-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 36, lines 43-31 — Transcript, file page 36, lines 43-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 13-27 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 13-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 49-51 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 49-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 35-45 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 35-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 50, lines 9-29 — Transcript, file page 50, lines 9-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 30-47 — Transcript, file page 55, lines 30-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 29-33 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 29-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 29-45 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 29-45
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
The dispute centers on the burden of proof for patent invalidity. Microsoft argues the current standard is too high. i4i argues the standard protects patent rights.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 21, lines 37-39 — Transcript, file page 21, lines 37-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-47 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 36, lines 43-31 — Transcript, file page 36, lines 43-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 30-47 — Transcript, file page 55, lines 30-47
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on April 18, 2011.
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 50, lines 9-29 — Transcript, file page 50, lines 9-29
What each side wants
Microsoft wants a preponderance of the evidence standard to invalidate patents.
i4i wants to keep the clear and convincing evidence standard for invalidity.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 21, lines 37-39 — Transcript, file page 21, lines 37-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-47 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 36, lines 43-31 — Transcript, file page 36, lines 43-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 30-47 — Transcript, file page 55, lines 30-47
What each side says
Microsoft argues the high standard enforces invalid patents and stifles innovation.
i4i argues the high standard protects patent holders and follows precedent.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 21, lines 37-39 — Transcript, file page 21, lines 37-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-47 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 36, lines 43-31 — Transcript, file page 36, lines 43-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 30-47 — Transcript, file page 55, lines 30-47
What the justices asked
Justice Sotomayor questioned if cited cases eliminated the burden of proof.
Justice Scalia asked if counsel contradicted Justice Cardozo's prior ruling.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 3-17 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 3-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 51-27 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 51-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 17-19 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 17-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 3-13 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 3-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 41-41 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 41-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 45-3 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 45-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 49-3 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 49-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 13-27 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 13-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 49-51 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 49-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 35-45 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 35-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 50, lines 9-29 — Transcript, file page 50, lines 9-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 29-33 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 29-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 29-45 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 29-45
Why it matters
The standard determines how easily patents face invalidity challenges. It affects the balance between innovation and patent security.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 21, lines 37-39 — Transcript, file page 21, lines 37-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-47 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 36, lines 43-31 — Transcript, file page 36, lines 43-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 30-47 — Transcript, file page 55, lines 30-47
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 3-17 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 3-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 51-27 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 51-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 17-19 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 17-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 3-13 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 3-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 41-41 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 41-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 45-3 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 45-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 49-3 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 49-3
- 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 13-27 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 13-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 49-51 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 49-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 35-45 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 35-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 50, lines 9-29 — Transcript, file page 50, lines 9-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 29-33 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 29-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 29-45 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 29-45
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 21, lines 37-39 — Transcript, file page 21, lines 37-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-47 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 36, lines 43-31 — Transcript, file page 36, lines 43-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 30-47 — Transcript, file page 55, lines 30-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 21, lines 37-39 — Transcript, file page 21, lines 37-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-47 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 36, lines 43-31 — Transcript, file page 36, lines 43-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 30-47 — Transcript, file page 55, lines 30-47
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.