Devoted to Corporate Attorneys, Corporate Lawyers, and Corporate Counsel

On June 22, 2006, the US Supreme Court dismissed Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings vs. Metabolite Laboratories, a case that had potential implications on what constituted patentable subject matter.

At issue was whether Metabolite's patent for diagnosing vitamin deficiency was invalid because one could not patent laws of nature, natural phenomena, and abstract ideas. 

The method included steps to measure the level of certain amino acids and correlate an elevated level of the tested amino acids with a vitamin B deficiency.  LabCorp. argued that the correlation step of the patent claim amounted to a monopoly on a basic scientific principle.  Metabolite argued that its claim was directed to a practical application.

The court's dissent addressed supported limiting patentable subject matter.