B & B Hardware, Inc., Petitioner v. Hargis Industries, Inc., Dba Sealtite Building Fasteners, Dba East Texas…

Summary

The Court held that courts should give preclusive effect to TTAB decisions if the ordinary elements of issue preclusion are met, reversing the Eighth Circuit. Justice Ginsburg concurred, noting preclusion often won't apply if registrations are decided abstractly. Justice Thomas dissented, arguing against a presumption of administrative preclusion for statutes predating Astoria.