Easier Patent Protection: New Rules for Technology and Innovation.
This law fundamentally changes patent eligibility rules by eliminating confusing judicial exceptions, making it easier for innovators, especially in technology and biotech, to protect their inventions. The changes aim to provide greater legal certainty for creators of new machines and processes, potentially accelerating innovation and the development of new products. Pure business methods and mental processes remain unpatentable, but solutions requiring a machine or computer are clearly eligible.
Key points
The scope of patentable inventions is broadened, particularly for technology-driven processes and certain biotechnological discoveries, by removing previous court-imposed limitations.
Explicit exclusions are maintained for pure mathematical formulas, mental processes, unmodified human genes, and purely economic, financial, or social methods (unless a machine is required).
The goal is to reduce legal uncertainty and costly disputes over what qualifies as a patentable invention, encouraging investment in innovation.
Expired
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