Supreme Court Rejects Bilski Abstract Ideas, Does Not Exclude Business Method Patents

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled unanimously on June 28 that the Federal Circuit’s machine-or-transformation test is only “a useful and important clue or investigative tool” for determining whether process claims are directed to statutory subject matter under Section 101 of the Patent Act, 35 U.S.C. §101 (Bilski v. Kappos, U.S., No. 08-964, 6/28/10).