Changes

'''Patent eligibility''', or patent subject matter eligibility," refers to the types of inventions which can be protected by a [[patent]]. Traditionally excluded are laws of nature, abstract ideas, and natural phenomena, but the scope of those exclusions has expanded in recent judicial decisions.

'''Patent eligibility''', or patent "subject matter eligibility," refers to the types of inventions which can be protected by a [[patent]]. The federal statute limits patentability to subject matter to what is "new and useful." 35 U.S.C. § 101.

 

Traditionally excluded are laws of nature, abstract ideas, and natural phenomena, but the scope of those exclusions has expanded in recent judicial decisions.

35 U.S.C. § 101 is the statutory definition of patent eligibility.  The eligibility has four categories: invention—process, machine, manufacture, or composition of matter.

35 U.S.C. § 101 is the statutory definition of patent eligibility.  The eligibility has four categories: invention—process, machine, manufacture, or composition of matter.