Why patent eligibility is ripe for SCOTUS review

24-10-2022

Phil Harris

Why patent eligibility is ripe for SCOTUS review

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A recent case has only added to the clamour for clarity on Section 101, says Phil Harris of Holland & Hart.

In yet another interesting patent eligibility case, the Supreme Court has once again requested input and insight from the US solicitor general.

The patentee in Tropp v Travel Sentry obtained claims directed to “[a] method of improving airline luggage inspection by a luggage screening entity”.

The claims included features of “making available to consumers a special lock having a combination lock portion and a master key lock portion”, and “marketing the special lock to the consumers in a manner that conveys to the consumers that the special lock will be subjected by the luggage screening entity [eg, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA)]”, among others.


SCOTUS, patent eligibility, Holland & Hart, Section 101, software, technology, Kathi Vidal, USPTO, IP rights

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