| Venue: | SCOTUS |
| Facts: | Lifetime passes as part of a settlement. Then the law changes, outlawing such passes. |
| Posture: | Suit for specific performance. Demurrer. Relief granted, defendant appeals. |
| Issue: | Does the new statute outlaw the performance of obligations already incurred? Also, would this represent a taking? |
| Holding: | No jurisdiction. Dismissed. |
| Rule: | The plaintiff's statement of his own case has to arise under the laws of the US. (well-pleaded complaint rule) |
| Reasoning: | Alleging a potential federal defense doesn't mean your complaint is based on a federal question. |
| Dicta: | |