Ficep Corporation v. Peddinghaus Corporation

Ficep invented and claimed a method of manufacturing components (like steel beams) of a larger structure (like the skeleton of a building). The claims specifically recite a method of manufacturing the component and a manufacturing line for doing so. That the invention was an important real-world manufacturing innovation was, as a factual matter, thoroughly established. The improvement was touted as enabling vastly more efficient and superior manufacture of components – not just by Petitioner’s experts, but also in the defendant’s advertising. There was industry recognition applauding the “innovation.” There was copying by competitors. There was successful litigation and licensing. And there was specific customer demand for the improvement to the manufacturing process. That is, every objective indicium of inventiveness that this Court has identified was present in the technological, traditionally patent-eligible, setting of manufacturing lines. The Federal Circuit nevertheless invalidated the patent claims as “abstract” and refused to consider evidence of inventiveness. This petition therefore addresses the following questions: 1. Does a claim directed to patent-eligible subject matter (here, manufacturing) nevertheless become ineligible as “abstract” if the process is improved using automation?