Supreme Court rules that software patents can't cover abstract ideas

[JeffDenver]

Ruh Roh Rapple

Supreme Court unanimously rules that software patents can't cover abstract ideas

From now on companies will have to be a little more specific when filing software patents. The United States Supreme Court today ruled in favor of CLS Bank, a company that was accused by Alice Corporation of violating several of its patents relating to computer-based trading systems. Twice lower courts have found that Alice's patents were invalid and now the highest court in the land has settled the dispute once and for all. In one of the two group opinions supporting the unanimous decision, Justice Clarence Thomas wrote that "merely requiring generic computer implementation fails to transform that abstract idea into a patent-eligible invention."

Supreme Court unanimously rules that software patents can't cover abstract ideas

 

[LeoRex]

Well.... it is too early to tell what kind of impact this has on software patents... but I hope it does eliminate that BS.

OK, I'm all for companies protecting their IP.... their CODE.... the actual stuff they write and develop. That way someone else can't come along, steal their crap and then sell it as their own. But plenty of tech companies have used the patent system not to protect their assets, but as a way to suppress competition. Apple might be one of the most well known offender (examples such as THIS and especially THIS), but they've all done it.

It's a travesty and a complete and utter affront to the spirit of the patent system. So if this rulling cuts that BS out, everyone will be the better for it.

(BTW That rumbling sound you hear is Samsung lawyers stampeding into court to file appeals)