What is the significance of a machine’s integral use in a method claim?

The integral use of a machine in a method claim can be crucial for patent eligibility. According to MPEP 2106.05(b):

“Integral use of a machine to achieve performance of a method may integrate the recited judicial exception into a practical application or provide significantly more, in contrast to where the machine is merely an object on which the method operates.”

Key points to consider:

• The machine should play a significant role in permitting the claimed method to be performed
• It should not function solely as an obvious mechanism for achieving a solution more quickly
• The machine’s involvement should go beyond mere data gathering or field-of-use limitations

For example, in CyberSource v. Retail Decisions, the court found that the Internet’s involvement was not integral to the claimed fraud detection method. Conversely, a machine that is essential to the execution of the method steps and contributes meaningfully to the claim’s inventive concept is more likely to support patent eligibility.

To learn more:

• integral use
• machine
• method claim
• patent eligibility
• practical application