Computer software patents
Alice Corporation Pty. v. CLS Bank International
In brief
The Supreme Court left in place the ruling that Alice’s claims were too abstract to qualify for patents.
- Where it stands
- Decided
Decided 9-0 · June 19, 2014 · Opinion by Justice Thomas
- What it’s about
- Alice Corporation held patents for a computer-based system that used a third party to settle financial transactions and reduce the risk that one side would not pay.
- Who it affects
- Alice’s claims to this financial-settlement system are not eligible for patent protection.
Summary: written with AI from the case record.
What it's about
The Supreme Court agreed with the appeals court that Alice’s patent claims covered an abstract idea and could not be patented under federal law.
The question was whether computer-implemented inventions—including systems, machines, processes and manufactured items—can qualify for patents.
Question presented
Are claims regarding computer-implemented inventions—including systems, machines, processes, and items of manufacture—patent-eligible subject matter?
What the Court decided
Holding
Because the claims are drawn to a patent-ineligible abstract idea, they are not patent eligible under §101. 717 F. 3d 1269, affirmed.
- Result
- Affirmed
The Court's reasoning
The Court said Alice’s claims were drawn to an abstract idea and therefore were not eligible for patents under federal law.
The vote
What's next
The Supreme Court has completed its review, leaving the appeals court’s ruling in place.
Documents
Opinions
Docket activity
New analysis added
AI analysis generated: Case Briefing
AI analysis generated: Decision Record
Case data updated: question_presented, extraction_metadata
Case data updated: summary, question_presented, generation_metadata
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Opinion added: Alice Corp
More questions
- Did the Court rule that every computer-implemented invention is unpatentable?
- No. The ruling addressed Alice’s claims, which the Court found were drawn to an abstract idea.
Sources
Primary materials plus reporting. Best-effort analysis: this explainer relies on a mix of primary materials and trusted secondary sources. Official filings and opinions remain authoritative.