The USPTO has released interim guidelines for determining the eligibility of subject matter for patent applications. The guidelines were published after a recent appeal (Ex parte Lundgren, Appeal No. 2003-2088 (BPAI 2005)) in which the Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences issued a precedential opinion stating that “… there is currently no judicially recognized separate “technological arts” test to determine patent eligible subject matter under § 101.” This decision may have the effect of eliminating the requirement that business method inventions be tied to a computer or some other electronic device.

Links: Association of Patent Law Firms.