Medtronic, Inc. v. Mirowski Family Ventures, LLC, 571 U.S. 191 (2014), is a case of the Supreme Court of the United States that deals with civil procedure, and specifically with the question of the burden of proof required in pursuing declaratory judgments.

"[8] The case law in question has held that: Breyer also noted that "practical considerations lead to the same conclusion": To shift the burden depending upon the form of the action could create postlitigation uncertainty about the scope of the patent.

Suppose the evidence is inconclusive, and an alleged infringer loses his declaratory judgment action because he failed to prove noninfringement.

[17] One commentator welcomed it, saying, "the straightforward, undiverted analysis of the burden of proof question would be perfect for the section of a civil procedure text on declaratory judgments.

"[18] Other commentators pointed out that the case was a reminder that patentees should take great care when corresponding with its licensees, as the former must bear the burden of proving their assertions in any subsequent litigation.