Dark Brew and Sparkling Ale are competitors in the microbrewing industry. To market their competing wares, they use Facebook, Twitter, and other social media. A dispute arises between these parties over the statements each makes about the other through these sites. Dark Brew files a suit against Sparkling Ale. The parties argue their respective sides of the dispute, each citing earlier cases that appear to favor their contentions.

Each party asks the court to consider the principles of law established in these cases to decide this case.

What is the term for these former decisions? Which decisions, if any, is the court obligated to follow? The earlier cases are known as ______________. Later cases that involve similar principles or facts are decided with reference to those ______________. Courts are normally obligated to follow the ______________ established within their ______________. The doctrine attempts to harmonize the results in cases with ______________ facts. In other words, the objective is to decide similar cases in a similar way.