New York State Rifle & Pistol Assn., Inc. v. City of New York
View Official PDFBelow are plain-language sections to help you understand what the Court decided in New York State Rifle & Pistol Assn., Inc. v. City of New York and why it matters. Quotes are taken from the syllabus (the Court’s short summary at the start of the opinion).
Summary
A short, plain-English overview of New York State Rifle & Pistol Assn., Inc. v. City of New York.
The Supreme Court ruled that judicial review is precluded for the Patent Office's decision to institute inter partes review, specifically regarding the application of the time bar under § 315(b). The Court emphasized that § 314(d) bars review of matters closely tied to the institution decision, aligning with the statute's purpose to efficiently weed out bad patent claims. This decision reinforces the agency's authority to determine patentability without judicial interference in certain procedural aspects.
Holding
The single most important “bottom line” of what the Court decided in New York State Rifle & Pistol Assn., Inc. v. City of New York.
The Court held that § 314(d) precludes judicial review of the agency's application of § 315(b)'s time prescription.
Constitutional Concepts
These are the Constitution-related themes that appear in New York State Rifle & Pistol Assn., Inc. v. City of New York. Click a concept to see other cases that involve the same idea.
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Why Judicial Review is relevant to New York State Rifle & Pistol Assn., Inc. v. City of New York
The Court held that judicial review is precluded for the agency's decision to institute inter partes review, which is central to the case.
Syllabus excerpt (verbatim)Section 314(d) precludes judicial review of the agency's application of § 315(b)'s time prescription.
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Why Administrative Law is relevant to New York State Rifle & Pistol Assn., Inc. v. City of New York
The case involves constitutional limits on agency authority, particularly regarding the non-reviewability of certain agency decisions.
Syllabus excerpt (verbatim)Congress designed inter partes review to weed out bad patent claims effciently.
Key Quotes
Short excerpts from the syllabus in New York State Rifle & Pistol Assn., Inc. v. City of New York that support the summary and concepts above.
"A party generally cannot contend on appeal that the agency should have refused 'to institute an inter partes review.'"
"Section 315(b), setting forth a circumstance in which '[a]n inter partes review may not be instituted,' expressly governs institution and nothing more."
"Congress designed inter partes review to weed out bad patent claims efficiently."
