Abstract Idea Definition
<p>35 U. S. C. §101 highlights "laws of nature, natural phenomena, and abstract ideas" as patent-ineligible.</p>

<p>The Alice/Bank case discusses abstract ideas and explains that in applying the §101 exception, a court must distinguish patents that claim the “building blocks” of human ingenuity. Where are the rules written on applying the §101 exceptions?</p>

<p>For a precise definition of what the exceptions are, do I need to review the relevant cases or are they defined somewhere?</p>

<p>Abstract ideas have been identified by the courts by way of example, including  fundamental economic practices, certain methods of organizing human activities,
an idea ‘of itself,’ and mathematical relationships/formulas.</p>

<p>They are the building blocks of human ingenuity.</p>

<p>Full guidance <a href="http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2014-12-16/pdf/2014-29414.pdf" rel="nofollow noreferrer">here</a>. This should be read in conjunction with the relevant cases it references to understand the notion of abstract ideas in intellectual property law.</p>

<p>Follow on question <a href="https://law.stackexchange.com/questions/452/how-much-more-needs-to-be-added-to-an-abstract-idea-in-order-to-pass-the-subje/568#568">here</a></p>

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