U.S. SUPREME COURT -

Patents -

As reported at 87 BNA’s PTCJ 332, on December 6, 2013, the Supreme Court grants a petition for writ of certiorari in a case challenging software method and system patent eligibility under 35 U.S.C. § 101. The patent owner asks whether claims to computer-implemented invention — including claims to systems and machines, processes, and items of manufacture — are directed to patent-eligible subject matter. Alice Corp. Pty. Ltd. v. CLS Bank Int’l.

Copyrights -

As reported at 87 BNA’s PTCJ 551, on January 10, 2014, the Supreme Court grants a petition for writ of certiorari challenging the Second Circuit’s determination that Aereo Inc.’s transmission of copyrighted television programs to individual Internet subscribers does not constitute a “public performance” under the Copyright Act. American Broad. Cos. v. Aereo, Inc.