APPLE, INC. v. AMERANTH (Fed. Cir. 2016) (P) – Automation of a desired result without a method for achieving that result lacks an inventive concept

Computer-based automation of a desired result without reciting a particular method for achieving that result does not rise to the level of an inventive concept under step two of the Mayo/Alice framework for establishing subject matter eligibility. Here, for example,...

AMDOCS (ISRAEL) LIMITED v. OPENET TELECOM, INC. (Fed. Cir. 2016) (P) – Generic components working unconventionally to solve a particular technological problem is patent-eligible

Generic components working in an unconventional fashion to solve a particular technological problem is patent-eligible under § 101. Here, for example, a network accounting system that used only conventional components (e.g., “gatherers”) was found to be...

SYNOPSYS, INC. v. MENTOR GRAPHICS CORPORATION (Fed. Cir. 2016) (P) – Improvements to mental processes as opposed to computer efficacy do not qualify as an inventive concept

Improvements to mental processes as opposed to computer efficacy do not qualify as an inventive concept for establishing patent eligibility under the second step of Mayo/Alice. Here, for example, claims to an improvement in the design process for a logic circuit...

INTELLECTUAL VENTURES I LLC v. SYMANTEC CORP. (Fed. Cir. 2016) (P) – Novelty and non-obviousness do not alone resolve the question of inventive concept of Alice step two

Novelty and non-obviousness do not alone resolve the question of inventive concept at the second step of Mayo/Alice. Here, for example, although the prior art did not disclose the idea of “determining” and “outputting” a particular type of e-mail, these operations...

AFFINITY LABS OF TEXAS, LLC v. DIRECTV, LLC (Fed. Cir. 2016) (P) – Functionally described display of information does not amount to significantly more than an abstract idea

A mere functionally described display of information does not amount to significantly more than an abstract idea. Here, for example, the novel use of a downloadable application for out-of-region delivery of regional broadcast content was found to lack an inventive...

AFFINITY LABS OF TEXAS, LLC v. AMAZON.COM INC. (Fed. Cir. 2016) (P) – User-based customization does not by itself amount to significantly more than an abstract idea

User-based customization does not by itself amount to significantly more than an abstract idea. Here, for example, a network-based media system having “a customized user interface page for [a] given user” was found to be nothing more than an abstract idea because...