Patent Law | Expert Legal Commentary

May 25, 2010

Ass’n for Molecular Pathology v. USPTO: Isolated Genes Are Not Patentable Subject Matter

Ass’n for Molecular Pathology v. USPTO

By Josh Lawler and Thomas F. Zuber of Zuber & Taillieu

In a controversial decision, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York has held that neither isolated DNA nor methods directed toward identifying mutations in these genes constitute patentable subject matter under 35 U.S.C. section 101. If upheld on appeal, Ass’n for Molecular Pathology v. USPTO, ____ F. Supp. 2d ___, 2010 WL 1233416, No. 09 Civ. 4515 (S.D.N.Y. March 29, 2010), could have far-reaching implications for the biotechnology industry.

About the Authors

Thomas F. Zuber is a Partner of Zuber & Taillieu, focusing on intellectual property protection and exploitation.

Image Credit: ©iStockphoto.com/Osuleo

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Josh Lawler
Thomas F. Zuber

Companies Mentioned

Association for Molecular Pathology

Myriad Genetics

Unites States Patent and Trademark Office

University of Utah Research Foundation

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