SUPREME COURT HEARS KEY TECHNOLOGY PATENT CASE

On November 9, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in the Bilski case that could have far reaching implications for technology patents.  Computers and technology have made it increasingly difficult to apply U.S. patent law to technology advancements that could be considered non-patentable “ideas”.  Bernard Bilski and Rand Warsaw are seeking to patent a method for hedging risk for energy purchases.  Some skeptical justices asked whether methods for teaching a law school class could be patented.  This case has drawn tremendous interest in the high-tech and life sciences fields where major advancements don’t always clearly involve machines.  Read more at-Patent case article