Report

Practical Applications of Recent USPTO Patent Eligibility Examples

July 2024
Practical Applications of Recent USPTO Patent Eligibility Examples

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has released new guidance on patent subject matter eligibility (the Guidance), with a particular focus on artificial intelligence (AI) and related technologies. As noted by the Guidance, subject matter eligibility analysis for AI and AI-related technologies applies the existing Alice/Mayo test. While the Alice/Mayo test is unchanged, the Guidance provides a discussion on how to evaluate AI-related claims. The Guidance, exemplified in examples 47 to 49, provides a clear framework for understanding how AI inventions can be assessed for eligibility under 35 USC § 101. This report will delve into these examples and their practical applications, providing stakeholders with insights into crafting eligible patent claims.