What are “other meaningful limitations” in patent eligibility analysis?

“Other meaningful limitations” refer to additional elements in a patent claim that provide an inventive concept to the claim as a whole, transforming a judicial exception into patent-eligible subject matter. These limitations are considered during both Step 2A Prong Two and Step 2B of the eligibility analysis.

According to MPEP 2106.05(e):

“The phrase ‘meaningful limitations’ has been used by the courts even before Alice and Mayo in various contexts to describe additional elements that provide an inventive concept to the claim as a whole.”

These limitations can go beyond the considerations described in MPEP § 2106.05(a)-(d) and can significantly limit the judicial exception or integrate it into a practical application.

To learn more:

• patent eligibility
• meaningful limitations
• judicial exception
• inventive concept