米国 Bilski後のPTO審査基準

PatentlyOにJohn Love (Deputy Commissioner of Patent Examination Policy) のメモの紹介がありました。
USPTOは現在CAFCのBilski判決および最近の判決に基づき発明主題に関するMPEPの見直しをしているようです。それが完成するまでは既存のMPEP2106に基づいて審査するようメモは求めています。Bilskiの最高裁Certiorariが気になるところですが、米国では発明主題の（いい方向への）見直しが進んでいるようです。

DATE: January 7,2009
TO: Technology Center Directors Patent Examining Corps
FROM: John J. Love
SUBJECT: Guidance for Examining Process Claims in view of In re Bilski
＜中略＞
We are presently studying the full ramifications of the court's clarification and other recent developments in the law. In view of the Bilski decision, the guidelines are being redrafted to reflect the most current standards for subject matter eligibility. Until the guidelines are completed, examiners should continue to follow the current patent subject matter eligibility guidelines appearing in MPEP 2106, with the following modification.