Legal Opinion
Parker v. Flook
Supreme Court of the United States
Decided June 22, 1978No. 77-642PublishedCited by 342 opinions
1Opinion of the CourtJustice Stevens
Respondent applied for a patent on a “Method for Updating Alarm Limits.” The only novel feature of the method is a mathematical formula. In Gottschalk v. Benson, 409 U. S. 63, we held that the discovery of a novel and useful mathematical formula may not be patented. The question in this case is whether the identification of a limited category of useful, though conventional, post-solution applications of such a formula makes respondent’s method eligible for patent protection.
I
An “alarm limit” is a number. During catalytic conversion processes, operating conditions such as temperature,…
2Cases cited14 opinions
- Eibel Process Co. v. Minnesota & Ontario Paper Co.Supreme Court of the United States · 1923
- Gottschalk v. BensonSupreme Court of the United States · 1972
- O'Reilly v. MorseSupreme Court of the United States · 1854
- Tilghman v. ProctorSupreme Court of the United States · 1881
- White v. DunbarSupreme Court of the United States · 1886
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3Cited by342 opinions
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- Bilski v. KapposSupreme Court of the United States · 2010
- Electric Power Group, LLC v. Alstom S.A.Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit · 2016
- Diamond v. DiehrSupreme Court of the United States · 1981
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