American Needle, Inc. v. National Football League
| Docket No. | Op. Below | Argument | Opinion | Vote | Author | Term |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 08-661 | 7th Cir. | May 24, 2010 | 9-0 | Stevens | OT 2009 |
Holding: The NFL's team joint licensing of the use of trademarks on clothing and other consumer goods may be challenged under the Sherman Antitrust Act's section 1.
Judgment: Reversed, 9-0, in an opinion by Justice John Paul Stevens on May 24, 2010.
SCOTUSblog Coverage
- NFL may face legal penalty (Lyle Denniston, May 24, 2010)
- Analysis: No antitrust "Trojan horse" (Lyle Denniston, May 24, 2010)
- Pro sports and antitrust: Argument Preview (Lyle Denniston, January 13, 2010)
- A playoff, of sorts, in store for NFL? (Lyle Denniston, January 13, 2010)
- Analysis: Obama, the hat, and the Court (Lyle Denniston, March 5, 2009)
Briefs and Documents
Merits Briefs
- Brief for Petitioner American Needle, Inc.
- Brief for Respondents NFL
- Brief for Respondent Reebok International LTD
- Reply Brief for Petitioner American Needle, Inc.
Amicus Briefs
- Brief for the National Football League Players Association, the Major League Baseball Players Association, the National Basketball Players Association, and the National Hockey League Players Association in Support of Petitioner
- Brief for the American Antitrust Institute and the Consumer Federation of America in Support of Petitioner
- Brief for Economists in Support of Petitioner
- Brief for the National Football League Coaches Association in Support of Petitioner
- Brief for the United States of America in Support of Petitioner
- Brief for ATP Tour, Inc., WTA Tour, Inc., Major League Soccer, L.L.C., and the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, Inc., in Support of Respondents
- Brief for VF Imagewear, Inc., in Support of Respondents
- Brief for Mastercard Worldwide and Visa, Inc., in Support of Respondents
- Brief for the National Hockey League in Support of the NFL Respondents
- Brief for Electronic Arts, Inc., in Support of the NFL Respondents
- Brief for Economists in Support of Respondents
- Brief for the National Collegiate Atheletic Association in Support of Respondents
- Brief for the National Basketball Association and NBA Properties in Support of Respondents
- Brief for the Merchant Trade Association in Support of Petitioner and Reversal
Certiorari-stage documents
- Opinion below (7th Circuit)
Merits Briefs
- Brief for Petitioner American Needle, Inc.
- Brief for Respondents NFL
- Brief for Respondent Reebok International LTD
- Reply Brief for Petitioner American Needle, Inc.
Amicus Briefs
- Brief for the National Football League Players Association, the Major League Baseball Players Association, the National Basketball Players Association, and the National Hockey League Players Association in Support of Petitioner
- Brief for the American Antitrust Institute and the Consumer Federation of America in Support of Petitioner
- Brief for Economists in Support of Petitioner
- Brief for the National Football League Coaches Association in Support of Petitioner
- Brief for the United States of America in Support of Petitioner
- Brief for ATP Tour, Inc., WTA Tour, Inc., Major League Soccer, L.L.C., and the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, Inc., in Support of Respondents
- Brief for VF Imagewear, Inc., in Support of Respondents
- Brief for Mastercard Worldwide and Visa, Inc., in Support of Respondents
- Brief for the National Hockey League in Support of the NFL Respondents
- Brief for Electronic Arts, Inc., in Support of the NFL Respondents
- Brief for Economists in Support of Respondents
- Brief for the National Collegiate Atheletic Association in Support of Respondents
- Brief for the National Basketball Association and NBA Properties in Support of Respondents
- Brief for the Merchant Trade Association in Support of Petitioner and Reversal
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