United States v. Arthrex Inc.
U.S. Supreme Court · decided June 21, 2021 · Supreme Court Database (Spaeth)
- Decided
- June 21, 2021
- Term
- October Term 2020
- Vote
- 5–4
- Majority author
- Justice Roberts
- Issue area
- Miscellaneous
- Disposition
- Vacated and remanded
- Outcome
- Unclear
- Ideological direction
- Unspecifiable
- Constitutional ruling
- Federal law held unconstitutional
Opinion excerpt
(Slip Opinion) OCTOBER TERM, 2020 1 Syllabus NOTE: Where it is feasible, a syllabus (headnote) will be released, as is being done in connection with this case, at the time the opinion is issued. The syllabus constitutes no part of the opinion of the Court but has been prepared by the Reporter of Decisions for the convenience of the reader. See United States v. Detroit Timber & Lumber Co., 200 U. S. 321, 337. SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES Syllabus UNITED STATES v. ARTHREX, INC. ET AL. CERTIORARI TO THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE FEDERAL CIRCUIT No. 19–1434. Argued March 1, 2021—Decided June 21, 2021* The question in these cases is whether the authority of Administrative Patent Judges (APJs) to issue decisions on behalf of the Executive Branch is consistent with the Appointments Clause of the Constitu- tion. APJs conduct adversarial proceedings for challenging the valid- ity of an existing patent before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB). During such proceedings, the PTAB sits in panels of at least three of its members, who are predominantly APJs. 35 U. S. C. §§6(a), (c). The Secretary of Commerce appoints all members of the PTAB— including 200-plus APJs—except for the Director, who is nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate. §§3(b)(1), (b)(2)(A), 6(a). After Smith & Nephew, Inc., and ArthroCare Corp. (collectively, Smith & Nephew)…
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