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Watson v. Philip Morris

551 U.S. 142 (2007)

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Watson v. Philip Morris

United States Supreme Court
551 U.S. 142 (2007)

  • Written by Jack Newell, JD

Facts

Lisa Watson (plaintiff) sued Philip Morris (defendant), a cigarette company, for deceptive business practices in relation to its advertising. Philip Morris sought to remove the case to federal court on the ground that it was acting under a federal officer. Philip Morris’s reasoning was that its advertising was heavily regulated by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and therefore fell within the scope of action under a federal officer. Moreover, the FTC had delegated the testing of the cigarettes to Philip Morris. According to Philip Morris, this meant that the FTC had delegated its legal authority also. The district court granted the removal, and the circuit court upheld it. Watson appealed to the Supreme Court.

Rule of Law

Issue

Holding and Reasoning (Breyer, J.)

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