New State Ice Co. v. Liebmann, 285 U.S. 262 (1932), was a decision by the Supreme Court of the United States which struck down an Oklahoma law that required businesses that sold ice to obtain a license.
The New State Ice Company, which was properly licensed in by the Corporation Commission of Oklahoma, brought suit against Liebmann to prevent him from selling ice in Oklahoma City without a license. At that time, electric refrigerators were expensive; thus, most people used block ice for cooling food.
The lower courts had relied on Frost v. Corporation Commission to conclude that a license is not necessary if existing businesses are "sufficient to meet the public needs therein."
The Supreme Court struck down the requirement that businesses selling ice obtain a license as violating the Due Process clause of the Constitution. The Court distinguished the case from Frost, which was concerned with businesses that grind grain. It found a public interest key to feeding the population that was not comparable to the ice market.
Justice Brandeis dissented from the court's opinion and was joined by Justice Stone: