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Simple English definitions for legal terms

statutory subject matter

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A quick definition of statutory subject matter:

Statutory subject matter: In order for an invention to be eligible for a patent, it must meet certain requirements. One of these requirements is that it must fall into one of five categories: compositions of matter (like drugs or glue), articles of manufacture (like screwdrivers or rakes), machines (like car engines), processes (like medical procedures), or new and useful improvements to any of these categories. This is known as statutory subject matter. The invention must also not fall into any exceptions recognized by the courts, which is known as judicial subject matter.

A more thorough explanation:

Statutory subject matter refers to the criteria that an invention must meet in order to be considered patentable. There are two criteria that must be satisfied: statutory and judicial.

According to 35 U.S.C. Section 101, an invention must fall into at least one of five categories to qualify as statutory subject matter:

  • Compositions of matter (such as drugs or glue)
  • Articles of manufacture (simple devices like screwdrivers or rakes)
  • Machines (devices with moving parts, like car engines)
  • Processes (methods of doing something, like an implant procedure)
  • New and useful improvements of any of the above categories

Judicial subject matter refers to exceptions recognized by the courts. If an invention falls within one of these exceptions, it cannot be considered patentable.

For example, a new type of glue would be considered statutory subject matter because it falls under the category of compositions of matter. A new type of music player, on the other hand, would be considered statutory subject matter because it falls under the category of machines. However, if someone tried to patent a natural phenomenon like gravity, it would not be considered statutory subject matter because it does not fall into any of the five categories.

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HopefullyInLawSchool
16:06
it means you will not be rejected today and may be accepted or WL in the future
Just got my Michigan rejection
BookwormBroker
16:10
same
RoaldDahl
16:10
@HopefullyInLawSchool: what if i already got rejected. does it mean anything
HopefullyInLawSchool
16:12
@RoaldDahl: Likely not however it could mean nothing
RoaldDahl
16:15
So if it means nothing does that mean something?
HopefullyInLawSchool
16:17
Possibly
RoaldDahl
16:26
Cool
RoaldDahl
16:26
thank you!!!! i hope it means something
pinkandblue
16:31
fart
IrishDinosaur
16:36
Mich R gang lesgooo
Did anyone else get that random get to know nova email?
HopefullyInLawSchool
17:21
Ya it was sent to all YM applicants
starfishies
17:37
Anyone get the NDLS email inviting you to apply for something even though they haven’t made a decision on your app yet
17:38
Better yet I got the email and I was rejected last month
starfishies
17:38
Wtf
starfishies
17:39
and the deadline is in like a week what is this
any cardozo movement?
BatmanBeyond
18:01
Sent a LOCI via portal, but I'm wondering if email would have gotten me a swifter response
BatmanBeyond
18:02
This whole hold/wait-list/reserve system is a headache
loci already?
BatmanBeyond
18:09
If the odds are like 1-2% I don't think it matters much by the numbers
12:11
I got the same NDLS email
OrangeThing
12:18
I think the user profiles are broken
19:29
Any word out of Notre Dame?
19:29
Only the invitation to apply for LSE
19:29
Anyone received a decision from NDLS?
19:50
when did u guys apply that just heard from umich? they havent even glanced at my app yet
0:30
how am i supposed to spy on people when profile links are broken?
Right. Broken links smh
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