us-constitution
Is there a hierarchy to laws?
<p>I know very little about law. If I make a mistake in this post, just tell me and I would gladly remove it. </p>

<p>I do not know if I describe my point effectively; here goes. I think, based on my logic, there should be hierarchy to laws which we abide by, and I want to get a better understanding of that framework please. Let me explain with an example. Let's say I have a patent for an idea I came up with. Let's say it is a life saving method, and I choose to charge way too much for it. Let's say that the patent laws did not foresee this situation. My question is, is there a law that would trump my right to my invention, and say that I would be reasonable. What I am trying to ask is if contracts, agreements, and other laws have a limit. And are they enforceable only within some other more stablished laws? And what is that hierarchy please? As I type this, I am thinking the U.S. Constitution would be at the top. In other words, I can not use my contract to accomplish something that would contradict the constitution.</p>

<p>Note: above scenario is completely made up to create the situation I am trying to describe. My real question is not about patent.   </p>

<p>All laws have to comply with the Constitution.</p>

<p>Marbury v. Madison 
5 U.S. 137 (1803):</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>Thus, the particular phraseology of the Constitution of the United States confirms and strengthens the principle, supposed to be essential to all written Constitutions, that a law repugnant to the Constitution is void, and that courts, as well as other departments, are bound by that instrument.</p>
</blockquote>

<p><a href="https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federal_preemption" rel="nofollow">Properly enacted federal law preempts conflicting state law in the same area</a>.</p>

<p>The non-delegation doctrine restricts agencies to only creating regulations consistent with intelligible principles provided by statute.</p>

<p>There is no law that prohibits you from merely charging as much as you want for your invention, but I can imagine situations where you would be violating anti-trust law if you exploited a monopoly.</p>
