October Term 2023 · Docket 22-704
Does the First Amendment bar trademark registration for living individuals?
The dispute centers on whether a federal trademark law violates free speech rights by denying registration to names of living people.
Verified source milestones
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
- — An official Court opinion 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. Stewart argued the law is consistent with the First Amendment. He stated the clause imposes a condition on a benefit.
Mr. Taylor argued the government's defense is incorrect. He stated the clause requires First Amendment scrutiny.
Mr. Stewart argued the requirement to function as a source identifier is key. He stated this proves the law is not a speech restriction.
Mr. Taylor argued the regime is built into the system. He stated this supports the need for strict scrutiny.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 9-31 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 9-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 9-23 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 9-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 35-11 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 35-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 17-19 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 17-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 17-19 — Transcript, file page 15, lines 17-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 21-13 — Transcript, file page 15, lines 21-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 25-29 — Transcript, file page 16, lines 25-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 39-21 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 39-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 25-41 — Transcript, file page 18, lines 25-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 51-1 — Transcript, file page 18, lines 51-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-21 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 11-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-7 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 43, lines 53-47 — Transcript, file page 43, lines 53-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 9-13 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 9-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 15-31 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 15-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 33-35 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 33-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 19-23 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 19-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 29-33 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 29-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 15-29 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 15-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 51-9 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 51-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 13-15 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 13-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 35-51 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 35-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 45-51 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 45-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 9-11 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 9-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 39-47 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 39-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 7-13 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 7-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 23-25 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 23-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 23-33 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 23-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 80, lines 11-41 — Transcript, file page 80, lines 11-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 83, lines 43-23 — Transcript, file page 83, lines 43-23
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
The case tests if a federal trademark rule conflicts with the First Amendment. The rule denies registration to names of living individuals. The government argues the law is a valid condition on a benefit. The challenger argues the law restricts speech based on viewpoint.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-7 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 43, lines 53-47 — Transcript, file page 43, lines 53-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 15-31 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 15-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 80, lines 11-41 — Transcript, file page 80, lines 11-41
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on November 1, 2023.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-21 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 11-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 83, lines 43-23 — Transcript, file page 83, lines 43-23
What each side wants
The government wants the Court to uphold the trademark rule. It argues the rule is a valid condition on a federal benefit.
The challenger wants the Court to strike down the trademark rule. It argues the rule violates the First Amendment.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-7 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 43, lines 53-47 — Transcript, file page 43, lines 53-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 15-31 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 15-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 80, lines 11-41 — Transcript, file page 80, lines 11-41
What each side says
The government argues the law imposes a condition on a benefit. It claims this is not a restriction on speech.
The challenger argues the law restricts speech based on viewpoint. It claims this requires strict First Amendment scrutiny.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-7 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 43, lines 53-47 — Transcript, file page 43, lines 53-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 15-31 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 15-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 80, lines 11-41 — Transcript, file page 80, lines 11-41
What the justices asked
Justice Gorsuch asked why the government can control the process. He described the path as difficult and fraught.
Justice Jackson asked about the concept of viewpoint-disparate impact. She noted the parties agree on facial neutrality.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 9-31 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 9-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 9-23 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 9-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 35-11 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 35-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 17-19 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 17-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 17-19 — Transcript, file page 15, lines 17-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 21-13 — Transcript, file page 15, lines 21-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 25-29 — Transcript, file page 16, lines 25-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 39-21 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 39-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 25-41 — Transcript, file page 18, lines 25-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 51-1 — Transcript, file page 18, lines 51-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 9-13 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 9-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 33-35 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 33-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 19-23 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 19-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 29-33 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 29-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 15-29 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 15-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 51-9 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 51-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 13-15 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 13-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 35-51 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 35-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 45-51 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 45-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 9-11 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 9-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 39-47 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 39-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 7-13 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 7-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 23-25 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 23-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 23-33 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 23-33
Why it matters
The outcome defines the scope of federal trademark authority. It determines whether the government can deny registration based on the identity of the name holder. This affects how businesses use personal names in commerce.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-7 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 43, lines 53-47 — Transcript, file page 43, lines 53-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 15-31 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 15-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 80, lines 11-41 — Transcript, file page 80, lines 11-41
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 9-31 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 9-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 9-23 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 9-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 35-11 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 35-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 17-19 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 17-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 17-19 — Transcript, file page 15, lines 17-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 21-13 — Transcript, file page 15, lines 21-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 25-29 — Transcript, file page 16, lines 25-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 39-21 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 39-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 25-41 — Transcript, file page 18, lines 25-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 51-1 — Transcript, file page 18, lines 51-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-21 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 11-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 9-13 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 9-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 33-35 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 33-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 19-23 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 19-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 29-33 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 29-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 15-29 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 15-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 51-9 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 51-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 13-15 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 13-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 35-51 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 35-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 45-51 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 45-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 9-11 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 9-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 39-47 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 39-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 7-13 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 7-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 23-25 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 23-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 23-33 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 23-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 83, lines 43-23 — Transcript, file page 83, lines 43-23
Official Court provenance
Official docket and case history · Official Supreme Court oral-argument detail page
Verified official opinions and orders
Title and summary sources
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-7 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 43, lines 53-47 — Transcript, file page 43, lines 53-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 15-31 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 15-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 80, lines 11-41 — Transcript, file page 80, lines 11-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-7 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 43, lines 53-47 — Transcript, file page 43, lines 53-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 15-31 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 15-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 80, lines 11-41 — Transcript, file page 80, lines 11-41
Revision history
- Revision 1 · Post Opinion ·
Correction: Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.
- Revision 2 · Post Opinion ·
Correction: Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.