United States v. Sineneng-Smith
View Official PDFBelow are plain-language sections to help you understand what the Court decided in United States v. Sineneng-Smith 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 United States v. Sineneng-Smith.
In United States v. Sineneng-Smith, the Supreme Court addressed whether judicial review is permissible for the agency's decision to institute inter partes review under the Patent Act. The Court concluded that Section 314(d) precludes judicial review of the agency's application of Section 315(b)'s time prescription, emphasizing that the statute's purpose is to efficiently weed out bad patent claims. This decision reinforces the non-reviewability of agency decisions closely tied to the institution of inter partes review.
Holding
The single most important “bottom line” of what the Court decided in United States v. Sineneng-Smith.
The Court held that Section 314(d) precludes judicial review of the agency's application of Section 315(b)'s time prescription.
Constitutional Concepts
These are the Constitution-related themes that appear in United States v. Sineneng-Smith. Click a concept to see other cases that involve the same idea.
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Why Administrative Law is relevant to United States v. Sineneng-Smith
The case primarily involves the limits on judicial review of agency decisions, which is a key aspect of administrative law.
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 Judicial Review is relevant to United States v. Sineneng-Smith
The Court's decision centers on whether the agency's decision to institute inter partes review is subject to judicial review.
Syllabus excerpt (verbatim)A party generally cannot contend on appeal that the agency should have refused 'to institute an inter partes review.'
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Why Preemption is relevant to United States v. Sineneng-Smith
The decision discusses the preclusive effect of federal statutes on judicial review, which is related to preemption principles.
Syllabus excerpt (verbatim)Section 314(d) bars review at least of matters 'closely tied to the application and interpretation of statutes related to' the institution decision.
Key Quotes
Short excerpts from the syllabus in United States v. Sineneng-Smith that support the summary and concepts above.
Section 314(d) precludes judicial review of the agency's application of § 315(b)'s time prescription.
Congress designed inter partes review to weed out bad patent claims efficiently.
A § 315(b) challenge easily meets that measurement.
