Abitron Austria GmbH v. Hetronic International, Inc.
Holding
Applying the presumption against extraterritoriality, two provisions of the Lanham Act that prohibit trademark infringement, 15 U.S.C. §§ 1114(1)(a) and 1125(a)(1), are not extraterritorial and extend only to claims where the infringing "use in commerce" is domestic.
Judgment
Vacated and remanded, 9-0, in an opinion by Samuel Alito on Jun 29, 2023. Justice Jackson filed a concurring opinion. Justice Sotomayor filed an opinion concurring in the judgment, in which Chief Justice Roberts and Justices Kagan and Barrett joined.
Nov 11, 2021Application (21A153) to extend the time to file a petition for a writ of certiorari from November 22, 2021 to January 21, 2022, submitted to Justice Gorsuch.
Nov 15, 2021Application (21A153) granted by Justice Gorsuch extending the time to file until December 22, 2021.
Dec 9, 2021Application (21A153) to extend further the time from December 22, 2021 to January 21, 2022, submitted to Justice Gorsuch.Dec 15, 2021Application (21A153) granted by Justice Gorsuch extending the time to file until January 21, 2022.
Jan 21, 2022Petition for a writ of certiorari filed. (Response due February 25, 2022)Feb 17, 2022Motion to extend the time to file a response from February 25, 2022 to March 28, 2022, submitted to The Clerk.Feb 18, 2022Motion to extend the time to file a response is granted and the time is extended to and including March 28, 2022.
Mar 28, 2022Brief of respondent Hetronic International, Inc. in opposition filed.Apr 1, 2022Rule 29.6 Corporate Disclosure Statement filed with respect to Brief in Opposition of Respondent Hetronic International.Apr 12, 2022Reply of petitioners Abitron Austria GmbH, et al. filed. (Distributed)Apr 13, 2022DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 4/29/2022.
May 2, 2022The Solicitor General is invited to file a brief in this case expressing the views of the United States.
Sep 23, 2022Brief amicus curiae of United States filed.Oct 12, 2022DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 10/28/2022.
Oct 12, 2022Supplemental brief of respondent Hetronic International, Inc. filed. (Distributed)Oct 13, 2022Supplemental brief of petitioners Abitron Austria GmbH, et al. filed. (Distributed)Oct 31, 2022DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 11/4/2022.
Nov 4, 2022Petition GRANTED.
Dec 2, 2022Blanket Consent filed by Petitioner, Abitron Austria GmbH, et al.Dec 9, 2022Letter requesting permission to file the joint appendix using the deferred method pursuant to Rule 26.4 filed.Dec 13, 2022The Clerk has approved the deferred method for filing of the joint appendix per Rule 26.4.
Dec 19, 2022SET FOR ARGUMENT on Wednesday, March 1, 2023.
Dec 19, 2022Brief of petitioners Abitron Austria GmbH, et al. filed.Dec 20, 2022Record requested from the U.S.C.A. for the Tenth Circuit.
Dec 21, 2022Record received from the U.S.C.A. Tenth Circuit. Sealed portions of Appendix transmitted electronically. The remaining record is available on PACER.
Dec 21, 2022Brief amicus curiae of Federal Circuit Bar Association in support of neither party filed.Dec 27, 2022Brief amici curiae of German Law Professors, et al. filed.Dec 27, 2022Brief amicus curiae of Professor Guido Westkamp filed.Dec 27, 2022Brief amicus curiae of Professor Dr. Louis Pahlow filed.Dec 27, 2022Brief amicus curiae of Professor William S. Dodge in support of neither party filed.Dec 27, 2022Brief amicus curiae of United States supporting neither party filed.Dec 27, 2022Brief amicus curiae of International Trademark Association in support of neither party filed.Dec 27, 2022Brief amicus curiae of Intellectual Property Owners Association in support of neither party filed.Dec 27, 2022Brief amicus curiae of American Intellectual Property Law Association in support of neither party filed.Dec 27, 2022Brief amicus curiae of European Commission on Behalf of the European Union in support of neither party filed.Dec 27, 2022Brief amici curiae of Three Intellectual Property Law Professors in support of neither party filed.Dec 28, 2022Record received from the U.S.D.C. Western District of Oklahoma. Sealed records transmitted electronically. The remaining record is available on PACER.
Jan 6, 2023REMOVED from the argument calendar for Wednesday, March 1, 2023.
Jan 11, 2023Motion of respondent for an extension of time filed.Jan 12, 2023Motion of respondent for an extension of time to file respondent's brief on the merits granted and the time is extended to and including January 27, 2023.
Jan 17, 2023CIRCULATED
Jan 18, 2023The deferred joint appendix is to be filed on or before February 3, 2023.
Jan 27, 2023Brief of respondent Hetronic International, Inc. filed. (Distributed)Jan 31, 2023SET FOR ARGUMENT on Tuesday, March 21, 2023.
Jan 31, 2023Motion of the Solicitor General for leave to participate in oral argument as amicus curiae, for divided argument, and for enlargement of time for oral argument filed.Feb 1, 2023Brief amicus curiae of Stussy, Inc. filed. (Distributed)Feb 3, 2023Brief amicus curiae of American Bar Association filed. (Distributed)Feb 3, 2023Joint appendix filed. (Statement of costs filed). (Distributed)Feb 27, 2023Motion of the Solicitor General for leave to participate in oral argument as amicus curiae, for divided argument, and for enlargement of time for oral argument GRANTED.
Feb 27, 2023Reply of petitioners Abitron Austria GmbH, et al. filed. (Distributed)Mar 21, 2023Argued. For petitioners: Lucas M. Walker, Washington, D. C. For United States, as amicus curiae: Masha G. Hansford, Assistant to the Solicitor General, Department of Justice, Washington, D. C. For respondent: Matthew S. Hellman, Washington, D. C.
Jun 29, 2023Judgment VACATED and case REMANDED. Alito, J., delivered the opinion of the Court, in which Thomas, Gorsuch, Kavanaugh, and Jackson, JJ., joined. Jackson, J., filed a concurring opinion. Sotomayor, J., filed an opinion concurring in the judgment, in which Roberts, C. J., and Kagan and Barrett, JJ., joined.
Jul 31, 2023Judgment issued.Recommended Citation: Abitron Austria GmbH v. Hetronic International, Inc., SCOTUSblog, https://www.scotusblog.com/cases/abitron-austria-gmbh-v-hetronic-international-inc/