October Term 2012 · Docket 11-796
Can a farmer replant patented seeds without infringing the patent?
A farmer replanted patented soybean seeds. Monsanto claims this violates the patent. The farmer argues the patent rights ended after the initial sale.
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
The farmer's counsel argued that patent exhaustion allows the purchaser to practice the invention. He stated that soybeans are harvested at a specific time regardless of use. He described replanting as a desperate measure for a cheap seed source.
Monsanto's counsel argued that the patent covers the unique genetic traits. She referenced the J. E. M. decision regarding utility patents on plants. She contended that creating new seeds violates the patent rights.
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 24, lines 33-43 — Transcript, file page 24, lines 33-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-41 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 43-49 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 43-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-17 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 7-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 34, lines 45-9 — Transcript, file page 34, lines 45-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 13-15 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 13-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 19-23 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 19-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 45-49 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 45-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 23-31 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 23-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 47-13 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 47-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 5-11 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 5-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 35-45 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 35-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 47-19 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 47-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 21-23 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 21-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 35-37 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 35-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 43-47 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 43-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 5-9 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 5-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 51-3 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 51-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 13-19 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 13-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 51-9 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 51-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 17-29 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 17-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 9-25 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 9-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 11-21 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 11-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 23-33 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 23-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 35-13 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 35-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 17-27 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 17-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 33-17 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 33-17
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
The dispute centers on patent exhaustion. The farmer argues that buying the seeds exhausts the patent rights. Monsanto argues that replanting creates new patented material. The Court must decide if the first sale doctrine covers self-replicating technology.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 33-43 — Transcript, file page 24, lines 33-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-41 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 34, lines 45-9 — Transcript, file page 34, lines 45-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 47-19 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 47-19
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on February 19, 2013.
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 56, lines 35-45 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 35-45
What each side wants
The farmer wants the Court to rule that the initial sale exhausts the patent rights. He seeks to replant the seeds without liability.
Monsanto wants the Court to rule that replanting constitutes patent infringement. It seeks to prevent unauthorized reproduction of its patented seeds.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 33-43 — Transcript, file page 24, lines 33-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-41 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 34, lines 45-9 — Transcript, file page 34, lines 45-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 47-19 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 47-19
What each side says
The farmer argues that patent exhaustion applies to self-replicating seeds. He contends that the purchaser can use the seeds for any purpose, including replanting.
Monsanto argues that the patent covers the unique genetic traits. It contends that creating new seeds from the first crop violates the patent rights.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 33-43 — Transcript, file page 24, lines 33-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-41 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 34, lines 45-9 — Transcript, file page 34, lines 45-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 47-19 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 47-19
What the justices asked
Chief Justice Roberts asked why inventors would invest in seed improvement if anyone could replicate them freely.
Justice Scalia asked if the patent violation occurs only when growing additional seeds from the first crop. He questioned if any farmer planting soybeans violates the patent. Justice Breyer asked if infringement lies in making the third generation of seeds. Justice Kennedy noted difficulties with characterizing the argument but suggested Monsanto could prevail if the farmer plants for seed.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 43-49 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 43-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 13-15 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 13-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 19-23 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 19-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 45-49 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 45-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 23-31 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 23-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 47-13 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 47-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 5-11 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 5-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 21-23 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 21-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 35-37 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 35-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 43-47 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 43-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 5-9 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 5-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 51-3 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 51-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 13-19 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 13-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 51-9 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 51-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 17-29 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 17-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 9-25 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 9-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 11-21 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 11-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 23-33 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 23-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 35-13 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 35-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 17-27 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 17-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 33-17 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 33-17
Why it matters
This case defines the scope of patent rights for self-replicating technology. It determines whether the first sale doctrine limits patent protection. The outcome shapes the balance between innovation incentives and agricultural practices. It affects the commercial viability of patented biological products.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 33-43 — Transcript, file page 24, lines 33-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-41 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 34, lines 45-9 — Transcript, file page 34, lines 45-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 47-19 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 47-19
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 43-49 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 43-49
- 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 13-15 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 13-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 19-23 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 19-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 45-49 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 45-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 23-31 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 23-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 47-13 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 47-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 5-11 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 5-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 35-45 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 35-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 21-23 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 21-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 35-37 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 35-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 43-47 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 43-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 5-9 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 5-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 51-3 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 51-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 13-19 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 13-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 51-9 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 51-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 17-29 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 17-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 9-25 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 9-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 11-21 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 11-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 23-33 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 23-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 35-13 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 35-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 17-27 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 17-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 33-17 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 33-17
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 24, lines 33-43 — Transcript, file page 24, lines 33-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-41 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 34, lines 45-9 — Transcript, file page 34, lines 45-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 47-19 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 47-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 33-43 — Transcript, file page 24, lines 33-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-41 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 34, lines 45-9 — Transcript, file page 34, lines 45-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 47-19 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 47-19
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.