Software Patents
Mere information is not patentable. But processes are. Therefore, a piece of software that transforms physical material or even data into a different state or thing may be patentable (provided it has a practical application or usefulness to it). The software must produce a technical effect beyond merely running a program.
In other words, a patented computer program must be capable of bringing about a technical effect that goes beyond the normal interaction between the program and the computer. For example, program-controlled machines, program-controlled manufactures and program controlled-processes may all be patented.
If the software program operates on data, the program may be patentable as a process. If the patent claims the software program in connection with the actual computer, it may be patentable as a machine.
