PRINTED-MATTER DOCTRINE

By SovConn | July 28, 2014

printed-matter doctrine. Patents. The rule that printed matter may not be patented unless it is a physical part of a patentable invention. • For example, the doctrine has been used to deny patents for systems of representing sheet music and for methods of compiling directories. But it cannot be used to deny a patent for computer software. [Cases: Patents 5. C.J.S. Patents §§ 13–14, 16.]

[Blacks Law 8th]

Posted in Law Dictionary Definitions