Document: 534 U.S. 124122 S.Ct. 593151 L.Ed.2d NOTICE: This opinion is subject to formal revision before publication in the preliminary print of United States Reports. Readers are requested notify Reporter Decisions, Supreme Court States, Washington, D. C. 20543, any typographical or other errors, order that corrections may be made goes press.J. E. M. AG SUPPLY, INC., dba FARM ADVANTAGE, et al., PETITIONERSv.PIONEER HI-BRED INTERNATIONAL, INC. No. 99-1996. Argued October 3, 2001Decided December 10, 2001 Syllabus Respondent Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. (Pioneer), holds 17 utility patents issued under 35 U.S.C. § 101 cover manufacture, use, sale, and offer for sale its inbred hybrid corn seed products. sells patented seeds a limited label license allows only production grain and/or forage, prohibits using such propagation multiplication development different variety. Petitioner J. Ag Supply, Inc., doing business as Farm Advantage, bought from bags bearing agreement then resold bags. filed this patent infringement suit against Advantage distributors customers (collectively petitioners). invalidity counterclaim, arguing sexually reproducing plants, Pioneer's not patentable matter within §101. maintained Plant Patent Act 1930 (PPA) Variety Protection (PVPA) set forth exclusive statutory means protecting plant life because these statutes more specific than §101, thus each carves out §101 special treatment. The District granted summary judgment. Relying on Court's broad construction Diamond v. Chakrabarty, 447 303, held clearly covers life. It also enacting PPA PVPA, Congress neither expressly nor implicitly removed plants §101's matter. In particular, noted did repeal by passing PVPA there was no irreconcilable conflict between two statutes. Federal Circuit affirmed. Held: Newly developed breeds fall limits scope coverage. Pp. 421. (a) approaching question presented here, mindful it has already recognized language extremely concluded living things provision, supra, at 308, 313, 315. Since 1985, Trademark Office (PTO) had an unbroken practice conferring plants. Nonetheless, petitioners argue new varieties so awarding upsets scheme contemplated Congress. 46. (b) Neither PPA's original recodified text indicates protection asexually reproduced intended exclusive. amended general provision protect asexual reproduction plant. And Congress' 1952 revision, which placed into separate chapter 15, housekeeping measure change substantive rights relaxed requirements patents. continue have very coverage less stringent Importantly, 15 nowhere states granting intellectual property arguments advance why should preclude assigning unpersuasive fail take account forward-looking perspective statute reality breeding 1930. 613. (c) That specifically authorizes patent-like certain does evidence intent deny broader While creates comprehensive with respect particular protections matter, giving new, distinct, uniform, stable, restrict contains statement exclusivity. Furthermore, time enacted, PTO numerous processes, reaffirms material scope. Petitioners err altered subject-matter implication. Repeal implication requires earlier later irreconcilable, Morton Mancari, 417 535, 550. differences for, of, variety certificates, however, do present conflicts those PVP certificate, afforded greater certificate. Petitioners' suggestion dual cannot exist when overlap purport same commercially valuable attribute thing rejected well. given effect overlapping statutes, long reaches some distinct cases, see Connecticut Nat. Bank Germain, 503 249, 253, allowed see, e.g., Kewanee Oil Co. Bicron Corp., 416 470, 484. case, many unable satisfy might still qualify PVPA's lesser protections. 1320. (d) assigned least 16 years, been indication either agencies expertise inconsistent PPA. failed pass legislation indicating disagrees PTO's interpretation §101; even availability P. 20.200 F.3d 1374, ON WRIT OF CERTIORARI TO THE UNITED STATES COURT APPEALS FOR FEDERAL CIRCUIT Thomas, J., delivered Court, Rehnquist, Scalia, Kennedy, Souter, Ginsburg, JJ., joined. Opinion Justice Thomas Court. 1 case presents whether (1994 ed.), Act, 84 Stat. 1542, amended, 7 2321 seq., 1930, 161-164 ed. Supp. V), obtaining federal right exclude others reproducing, selling, varieties. We hold I 2 1,800 parts, pursuant 101. Seventeen respondent (Pioneer). company's A line protects both hybrids produced crossing protected another line. See, 5,506,367, col. App. 42. plant, seeds, variants, mutants, trivial modifications hybrid. See 5,491,295, cols. 2-3, id., 29-30. 3 Pedigree desirable characteristics inbreeding resulting several generations until homogenous. Inbreds often weak low yield; their value lies primarily use making hybrids. 6, 43 (describing traits applications PHP38 reference qualities exhibited created PHP38). 4 Hybrid especially they produce strong vibrant selected highly characteristics. For instance, 3394 "characterized superior yield maturity, excellent seedling vigor, good roots stalks, exceptional stay green." generally reproduce true-to-type, i.e., reliably Thus, farmer who wishes growing needs buy seed. 5 provides: "License solely forage." Id., 51. "does extend crop progeny thereof multiplication." Ibid. strictly "the seed." 6 purchased agreement. Although licensed sales representative Pioneer, subsequently brought complaint corporations residents State Iowa (referred collectively alleged "for long-time past [is] infringing one [Pioneer patents] making, using, offering patents-in-suit." 10. answered denial entered counterclaim invalidity, confer invalid ed.). 12-13, 17. treatment.1 8 judgment Pioneer. 303 (1980), covered includes 49 USPQ 2d 1813, 1817 (ND 1998). further 1819. 1821. 9 Appeals affirmed reasoning 200 1374 (2000). certiorari, 531 1143 (2001), now affirm. II 10 us 11 "Whoever invents discovers useful process, machine, composition improvement thereof, obtain therefor, conditions title." 12 As over 20 years ago U.S., broad. "In choosing expansive terms 'manufacture' 'composition matter,' modified 'any,' plainly laws would wide scope." Chakrabarty were manmade micro-organism fell statute. recognized, relevant distinction inanimate things, but products nature, not, human-made inventions." 313. 13 argument must authorize matter: 14 "It is, course, correct Congress, courts, define patentability; equally true once spoken 'the province duty judicial department say what law is.' Marbury Madison, Cranch 137, 177 (1803). performed constitutional role defining we perform ours construing employed. . provisions cast fulfill goal promoting Progress Science Arts' all social economic benefits envisioned Jefferson." concerning applicability §101.2 Several after Board Interferences understood meaning "manufacture" "composition matter" therefore re Hibberd, 227 443, 444 (1985). since To protection, breeder show he useful, non-obvious. 101-103 V). addition, meet specifications §112, require written description deposit publicly accessible. 37 CFR §§1.801-1.809 (2001). allege failure patent. Nor dispute otherwise matter." Rather, provide Brief 11. disagree. Considering turn, find forecloses 18 * conferred Significantly, nothing version 19 Plants first explicitly included "plants" among Thus Rev. §4886, provide: "Any person invented discovered art, manufacture improvements tuber-propagated known used country, his invention discovery therefor." May 23, §1, 46 376. 21 Asexual occurs grafting, budding, like, produces offspring genetic combination identical single parent essentially clone.3 Revised Statutes §4888 adding, "No shall declared ground noncompliance section if complete reasonably possible." §2, 22 1952, revised Title entitled, "Patents plants." 161-164.4 merely "plant patent"5 continued §163, requirement remained relaxed, §162.6 23 point requires, suggests, exclusive, three reasons none persuasive. 24 First, prior ("If 'plants' reason passed "). advancing argument, overlook state enactment. explained realities enacted: "Prior factors thought remove protection. belief artificially bred, nature purposes law. second obstacle fact amenable 'written description' law." 311-312. addressed concerns PPA, work requirement. §§1-2, gave breeders previously overcome obstacles described Chakrabarty. 25 mean, could fallen illustrates believed Yet premises disproved time. distinction" "between advances biological knowledge demanding 26 Whatever about science always potential dynamic designed encompass unforeseen inventions. "A rule unanticipated inventions without core concept anticipation undermines patentability." 316. 27 ask receive Denying simply technologically infeasible "Congress employed drafting precisely [new types of] unforeseeable." 28 Second, maintain limitation make sense reproduced. But again reflects At time, primary bred true-to-type through reproduction. sexual stable way characteristics.7 hardly surprising reproduction, most reliable type preserving breeding. Sinnott, Botany Principles Problems 266-267 (1935); Priestley & L. Scott, Introduction 530 (1938). 29 like property, proper context. Until 1924, farmers received Government's extensive free program distributed millions packages annually. Fowler, 1930: Sociological History Creation, 82 Pat. Tm. Off. Soc. 621, 623, 632 (2000).8 companies concerned varietal trying successfully commodify seeds. There need few markets Kloppenburg 71 ("Seed companies' priority establish market, continuedto view congressional distribution principal constraint"). 30 By contrast, nurseries commercialized fruit trees flowers. These regularly copied, draining profits Nurseries subjects agricultural marketing focus 634-635; Kneen, Enrich Our World, National Geographic 357, 363 (1948). 31 Moreover, genuinely lacked scientific engage increase productivity. 77; 633 ("Absent significant numbers being companies, something considered necessity"). short, evidence, let alone overwhelming needed implication, Matsushita Elec. Industrial Epstein, 516 367, 381 (1996), plants.9 32 Third, moved §161 allow 20. rely negative inference express patenting support carving fits comfortably can attributes §161. 33 Absent clear contrary, loath interpret affirmative decision B 34 1970, authorized evidences unavailing reasons. easily reconciled. Because harder (PVP) makes provides for: 36 "The tuber propagated (other fungi bacteria) ." 2402(a). Infringement occurs, inter alia, someone variety, multiplies step marketing, uses producing hybrid, dispenses notice protected.10 38 1994 amendments, "any derived variety," §2541(c)(1), whose repeated §2541(c)(3). Amendments 1994, §9, 108 3142. Practically, protected; 2541(a)(4).11 39 exemptions saving research. legally purchases save replanting own farm. §2543 ("[I]t infringe hereunder obtained, descended authority owner seeding saved farm "); Asgrow Seed Winterboer, 513 179 (1995). 2544 ("The bona fide research constitute provided chapter"). contain similar exemptions.12 40 while §2402(a), With bolster legislative history PVPA. They shows enacted never classes 35.13 41 itself, certificates statements reveal taken Members unavailable stems lack awareness scientificpossibilities. 42 processes. Many patents, 1950's, claims itself. 264. Such part process own. enjoyed next 33-36. permissible justification irreconcilable." 550 (1974). rarity [the has] implied repeals due relatively standard findings, namely, issue." Matsushita, (internal quotation marks omitted). 44 sure, differences, parallel relationship obligations level 45 much difficult certificate nonobvious, 101-103. patent, describe sufficient specificity enable "make use" term expires. §112. disclosure required quid pro quo exclude." 484 material, example mandates accessible public. (2001); (seed deposits 5,491,295). showing usefulness nonobviousness. 2402(a) (requiring stable). "description setting distinctiveness, uniformity stability genealogy procedure, known." 2422(2). public depository, §2422(4), applicable regulation during 97.6 47 requirements, holders exclusion Most notably, Additionally, although increased grant full range well Similarly, variety." 2541(c)(3). commercial sale. falls short "develop" purpose. 2541(a)(4) (infringement "use [of] (as distinguished developing) therefrom"). H. R. Rep. 91-1605, p. (1970); Chisum, Patents §1.05[2][d][i], 549 48 reasons, "positive repugnancy" issuance Radzanower Touche Ross Co., 426 148, 155 (1976). said "cannot mutually coexist." Indeed, "when capable coexistence, absent expressed intention regard effective." Morton, 551. Here effective plain interpreted contrary read alongside suggest thing, "dual protection" exist. 44-45. hesitated give overlap, cases. 253 (1992) (statutes "do pose either-or proposition" where confers jurisdiction cases reach). Here, protections, discussed above, partial. 50 "Certainly policy encouraging disturbed existence form incentive invention. systems [trade secret conflict." Oil, 484; Mazer Stein, 347 201, 217 (1954) (the patentability object copyright art). III 51 note Interferences, issues law, relied heavily include 443 visible led PTO, administers recognizes Department Agriculture's acknowledges 52 face developments, 1999 amendment 119 rights, provided: "Applications breeder's WTO [World Trade Organization] member country purpose apply patents." 119(f) ed., Crucially, §119(f) 35, suggests recognition IV 53 newly decline narrow reach intends result. 315-316. Accordingly, affirm Appeals. 54 ordered. 55 O'Connor took consideration case. 56 concurring opinion. 57 Breyer, dissenting opinion, Stevens, 58 O'Connor, Notes: favor holding issue 14. crops replanting. infra, Utility exemptions. Breyer argues 315 determine outcome answer precise presented. post, 1-3 (dissenting opinion). misses mark. broadly surely germane Chakrabarty's discussion petitioners' 310-314; 8-9. sometimes involves reproduces including cultivated sports, hybrids, found seedlings, uncultivated state, 161. referred patents," §171 design except §162 ("No 112 [providing description] title possible"). Senate Report accompanying bill notes: "All identity preserved. necessary seedlings chance self-pollenization preserve character individual." S. 315, 71st Cong., Sess., (1930) (hereinafter Rep.). report, text, limit explains "recognizes practical situation" original. ("[T]he propagate situation greatly narrows bill"). "practical true-to-type. An possible high 1897, million farmers. N. Klose, America's Crop Heritage 98 (1950). Even eliminated third largest item budget. Kloppenburg, First Seed: Political Economy Biotechnology 1492-2000, (1988) Kloppenburg). dissent relies Estate Romani, 523 517 (1998), proposition "a later, trumps earlier, one." Romani purported applied "unresolved." 530. "despite age statute, despite great deal litigation," definitively established. 529. "manufacture similarly unresolved passed. evolve developments technology. "plain inconsistency" 533. 2541(a), full: "(a) Acts constituting "Except subchapter, authority, following acts commerce regulated affecting commerce, expiration 2567 title: "(1) sell market expose deliver it, ship consign exchange solicit transfer possession it; "(2) import into, export from, States; "(3) multiply, tuber, (for purposes) variety; "(4) therefrom; "(5) marked 'Unauthorized Propagation Prohibited' Multiplication "(6) dispense another, propagated, received; "(7) condition propagation, extent conditioning related activities permitted 2543 title; "(8) stock paragraphs (1) (7); "(9) foregoing instances multiplied sexually, pursuance valid patent; "(10) instigate actively induce performance acts." 18. our "reading destroy" Post, 9. bold predictions belied facts. According Government, 5,000 issued, compared Tr. Oral Arg. 41. 1985 rendered obsolete. House concluded: "Under presently asexually, methods grafting budding. No available seeds." 40. 59 concurring. 60 interesting construction, seemingly pitting perfectly canons interpretation: construed entirety, sheds light upon another; (2) favored. think sensible reconcilable them second. say, power ambiguity comes end authoritatively resolved. point, enactment clarification (governed canon) thesecond). 61 clarified words added things. invited conclusion preceded (The "matter," all, excludes Webster's New International Dictionary 1515 (2d 1950): "Physical substance up chemical elements incorporeal substance, action, qualities, etc ' Matter inert, senseless, lifeless.' Johnson.") important ambiguity: regarded category 62 Stare decisis, prevents longer regarding open ambiguous 312-313 does. us, therefore, amending (and hence plants). canon play, agree determines outcome. join 63 whom Stevens joins, dissenting. 64 "compositions contained ed.) (Utility Statute), (PPA), 161 seq. (PVPA), believe Statute directly refer. And, recognizes, considered, decided, (1980). Consequently, dissent. 65 Government claim controls incorrect, us. considering Statute's "manufacture, matter," asked bacteria refers. 313-314. "new" bacterium nonnaturally occurring "not nature's handiwork." 309-310. quoted Committee 'include anything sun man.' " 309 (quoting 1979, 82d (1952); 1923, (1952)). deal, namely Whether technically speaking "life form," kind "plant" mind. 314 (noting excluded bacteria, Customs PPA). 66 consider complicated sought indirectly relate it. went roughly follows: though ("manufacture, matter") bacteria. (3) consequently forms "life" do, count kinds 67 reply, wrote (wrongly) probably "natural products," human 311. too inventors law's ordinary "written description" 312. pointed unpatentable rather 312-313. such, "nothing" supported "petitioner's position," thing. 68 refutation itself decides here. matters mention (namely, nonplant bacteria). refer asked, answered, latter question, contrary. 69 critical said, embody my view, reveals intent. 70 initially began therefor[e]." (language italicized). 72 refers says inventor principle patent) meets requirements. distinct; new; occasions "asexually reproduced," graft. 73 last-mentioned "graft" categories Raven, Evert, Eichhorn, Biology 179-180, 255 (6th 1999). perhaps virtually "asexually" (1930). "asexual reproduction" ensure (through graft) guarantee variety's (rather that, environmental) causes prove genetically ibid. ("A obviously futile unless demonstrated susceptible reproduction"); cf. Dunn Ragin, 472, 474 (1941) "determine[s] possess characteristic distinguish variety"). 74 offers. specifies holder will plant," regardless ("On hand, PPA] seed, irrespective degree come type"). because, notwithstanding, ante, n. 7, readily apparent plant's preserved 635, 644 75 sum, permits grafts (say, apple trees), corn), ways violets). Chong, Propagation, reprinted CRC Handbook Agriculture 91-92, 94, 104 (B. Christie A. Hanson eds., 1987); 179. But, left buyers keep, reproduce, likely proved helpful category. Both earliest fully interpretation. (explaining "resul[t] cross pollenization species" Act); Nos. 1-2, 5-6, 8-11 (roses); (peach trees). 76 Given characteristics, incompatible so, imagine who, 1931, able asexually. Could nonetheless matter?" 77 Assume court tried prescient, knew 311-312, ("manufacture," "anything sun," prescient reached 1929, how decide 1931 amendment? nullify graft reading Act. cover, thereby forbid, list rights. had, Statute, outside 517, 530-533 (1998) (holding statute). 78 Nothing occurred changes conclusion. recodified, place Code. concedes, "substantive." 7. "invents (emphasis added), "exclude selling §163 added). 79 became creating crops, example, freely permitted. 91-1246, pp. 2-3 (1970). Just Presidential Commission, noting problems raised favoring totally scheme, recommended "[a]ll deleted President's Commission System, Promote Useful Arts, Doc. 5, 90th 1st 20-21 (1967) Doc.). Instead kept adding years) reproduced" 2402 2483. imposed §2402 (variety sell, import, §2483. 80 exceptions. fields "shall hereunder" planting future years. §2543. research." §2544. 81 history, language, 1970 reintroduce removed, reintroduction meaningless exceptions party passage somehow enlarged Statute. replies follows nullifies research: applies novel, enabling 102, 103, stable. 2402. criteria seem slightly easier meet, nonobviousness (Pioneer "useful" significant). (4) easier, tougher, criteria. 83 convincing. significantly tougher. Counsel stated oral major difference "nonobviousness" Acts' "newness" reflect Office's "rigorous" examination process. 26, 30. Doc., (suggesting little office tends deemed Agriculture). Why anyone want seedplanting original? exemption original, innovation. advanced sound destroy created. 85 Scalia's concurrence interpretive disfavors citing 367 "there evidence" meant Ante, 11-12. reliance "implied repeal" misplaced. traditionally embraced actually modify legislation. E.g., 380-381. relevance limiting ordinarily trump one. 530-533. 86 Regardless, mandatory rules. guides help courts Chickasaw Nation ___ City Stores, Adams, 532 105, 115 137-140 (Souter, dissenting). critical. Those write seek solve problems. Fidelity aims approach problem purely logical game, Rubik's Cube, effort divine underlies calls appeal canons, analysis structure,

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