US Patent Pulse

Federal Circuit Reinforces Section 101 Risk for Optional Software Improvements

Federal Circuit Reinforces Section 101 Risk for Optional Software Improvements

The Federal Circuit held computer-implemented profitability-calculation claims ineligible under Section 101, concluding that parallel processing was an optional feature rather than a claim-required technical improvement. The fact-specific ruling is an important drafting and invalidity signal for software practitioners and may influence future Alice litigation.

Sources (2)
Updated Sep 24, 2026