Patentable Subject Matter: Definition and Meaning

A property right's subject matter might be both material and immaterial. A tangible object is a "material thing," while everything else that might give rise to a legal claim is an "immaterial thing." The previous class of property is regulated nearly entirely by the law of property. Only certain immaterial outcomes of human ability and labour are recognised by law as subject matter of rights for immaterial objects. In the contemporary world, man has the only power to utilise and profit from anything he makes and owns. Therefore, a man's mental creations may be just as valuable as his possessions or property.

For instance, an innovation is the subject of a patent. A novel method or instrument's creator has the right to legal protection for the expression of his ideas. He has the right to make use of it or profit from it. Accordingly, the law grants him a proprietary interest in it, and any illegal use of it by others is a violation of his ownership, on par with trespassing or stealing.

What is Patentable Subject Matter?

The list below will assist you in assessing if the innovation is patentable or not:-

• Novelty

• Inventiveness

• Inventive Steps

• Utility Application

• Must not fall under Sections 3 and 4

The Patent Act of 1970 and the Patent Rules of 1972 govern patent administration in India. However, inventions must not have been published in India or outside of India, must not have been previously known or be currently in use in public within India, and must not have been claimed previously in any specification in India.

Various Patentable Subject Matter

It includes −

• Mechanical Devices and Articles of Manufacture: This category includes mechanisms, which are among the most popular types of patents. A mechanism is a device that operates on mechanical principles.

  Examples of machines are: Broadcaster, Bumpers, Compressor, and Copyholder.

• Process/Methods: A method or process is a technique or procedure for obtaining an item. A technique, often known as a "process," is one of the four major categories of items that can be protected by "utility patents" in the United States. Although the terms "method" and "process" can be used interchangeably in most cases, "method" often refers to a means to utilise a product to get a certain outcome, whereas "process" typically refers to a sequence of processes in manufacturing. A process patent, for example, can be applied to the process of creating soap. Similarly, the technique of producing aspirin for headache relief might be considered a process patent.

• Chemical Compositions or Compounds: A chemical compound (or simply compound in the context of chemistry) is an entity made up of two or more atoms, at least two of which are from distinct elements that are linked together by chemical bonds. Patents are given for innovative chemical substances or manufacturing techniques. Depending on the nature of the product, these are also known as chemical patents, pharmaceutical patents, or medication patents. Subject of a patent

• Isolated and Characterized Molecules: A variety of advanced analytical and preparative methods for separating, characterizing, and isolating the numerous macromolecular components of cells and tissues have been developed throughout the years. These separated macromolecular ingredients are patentable and are among the most so. Subject of a patent

• Genetic Organisms/Gene Sequences: One of the most promising areas of technology is biotechnology, particularly given that we have a better understanding of genes, their structure, and how they function thanks to molecular biology techniques. This information enables the modification of genetic material and the creation of new types of cultural plants and animals for a variety of objectives, including sustenance, scientific and medical experiments, and the treatment of human ailments. Human genes may even be included in such devices. Subject of a patent

• Computer Programs: Since a few years ago, the dispute over whether or not to patent computer programmes has raged on, with both sides putting up reasons to support and refute its patentability. However, according to WIPO, computer programmes are patentable to the degree that the International Searching Authority (or International Preliminary Examining Authority) is not qualified to conduct a contributory infringement search regarding such programmes or conduct an overseas preliminary examination. subject of a patent

• Improvements: Improvement and new programmes Patents are given for innovations that expand on prior discoveries or give them new applications. Improvement patents can be used to add anything to a current product, merge new technology into an old product, or identify a new use for a current product. Subject of a patent

Forms of Limitation to be imposed on Patentable Subject Matter

The constraints imposed on patentable subject matter should inevitably be applicable to the kinds outlined in the subsequent chapters. As explained in the following chapter, patentable subject matter must generally meet the standards of newness, innovation, and originality, as well as being susceptible to practical application. Once it has passed these tests, the individual types of patentable subject matter must be analysed in an appropriate manner in order to strike a balance between the public good and the rights of the patent holder, and the type of restriction on a patentable subject matter must be decided based on the results. Thus, even if a subject matter qualifies for patent issuance, i.e., is patent eligible, it may not be given a patent if the public interest outweighs the patent holder's rights. Even when a patent is granted, restrictions such as compulsory licencing may be put on patentable subject matter to limit the space available for public advantages.

Patentable Subject Matter and the Alice Decision

In the Alice Corporation v. CLS Bank International case, the Supreme Court issued one of its most contentious patent judgments. In summary, the Court determined that patent claims must be evaluated to see if they are too "abstract." If they are, the claim must be examined to see if it involves "much more" than an abstraction. The problem with the ruling is that the Supreme Court refused to define the phrases "abstract" and "substantially more," leaving a lot of uncertainty for the Federal Circuit to sort out.

The contentious component of Alice was how the Court basically targeted software and business method patents, necessitating a higher standard of scrutiny. Since the judgement, more than 15,000 patent claims have been thrown out under Section 101 of the United States Code, with the bulk of those falling into the business and software method categories. Additionally, the USPTO's rejection rate since Alice is above 90% in several business method art fields.

Conclusion

India has recognised the value of robust patent systems in advancing industry and commerce and bringing it up to speed with the rest of the globe. The number of patent applications has increased since the passage of the Indian Patent Act. Sections 3 and 4 of this act (containing innovations that cannot be patented) have served as a filter to determine what qualifies as an invention. Only innovative and beneficial innovations are patented. Innovators are keen to safeguard their intellectual property.

FAQs

Q1. What should be patentable subject matter?

Ans. A utility patent covers any new and useful technique, machine, production, or composition of substances, as well as any new and useful improvement thereof. It may also contain enhancements to any of these inventions or discoveries that satisfy the previously described patentability standards.

Q2. What is the patentable matter considered when registering a patent?

Ans. In order for an invention to be patentable, it must be considered unique or new. According to this condition, an invention cannot be patented if certain public disclosures of the invention have occurred.