Over the past six years, the U.S. Supreme Court has issued a series of decisions—Bilski, Mayo, Myriad, and Alice—that have significantly impacted patent eligibility law and continue to generate substantial public debate. We are seeking input from the public on patent subject-matter eligibility through two roundtables held Nov. 14 in Alexandria, Virginia, and Dec. 5 in Stanford, California.
This second roundtable will focus on receiving feedback regarding larger questions concerning the legal contours of eligible subject matter in the U.S. patent system. Additional details about the roundtables are in a Federal Register Notice published Oct. 17, 2016.
Registration is free, on a first-come, first-served basis. Registrants may attend the roundtable in person in Stanford, California, or participate via webcast at one of three regional offices. Register to attend Roundtable 2.
Requests to speak: Those wishing to speak at the roundtable must submit an online registration no later than Nov. 14, 2016. Please indicate in the registration your interest in speaking at the event. Register to speak at Roundtable 2.
Register to Attend and/or Register to Speak
Written comments for Roundtable 2 will be accepted until Jan. 18, 2017. All comments should be sent to 101Roundtable2@uspto.gov.
Webcast: The roundtable will be available for viewing via live webcast.
Agenda: RT2 Agenda
Background information:
35 U.S.C. § 101 defines inventions eligible for patenting as “any new and useful process, machine, manufacture, or composition of matter, or any new and useful improvement thereof.” These classes of patent eligible subject matter have been narrowed by court opinions, which state that laws of nature, natural phenomena, and abstract ideas are not eligible for patenting.For non-press inquiries, please contact Elizabeth Shaw 571-272-9300, or e-mail elizabeth.shaw2@uspto.gov.