Alice v. CLS Bank International

Alice v. CLS Bank International is a Supreme Court case that addressed whether certain computer-implemented inventions, like software patents, can be legally protected. The court ruled that merely applying an abstract idea—such as a method for managing financial transactions—using computer technology is not enough for patent eligibility. To be patentable, an invention must include a genuine technical invention that improves computer functionality or solves a specific problem. This decision clarified the standards for patenting software and abstract ideas, ensuring that patents are granted only for innovations that add real technological value.