Genotyping Patent Invalid Under 35 U.S.C. § 101

Following a jury trial, the court granted plaintiff's motion for judgment as a matter of law because the asserted claims of plaintiff’s labrador retriever genotyping patent encompassed unpatentable subject matter and found that the claims were directed toward a natural phenomenon. "⁠[T]he patent utilizes a number of scientific terms which at first review appear difficult to understand and make the patent appear impressive on its face. However, when the language is explained, the patent simply states that the search for the mutation involves the laboratory examination of Labrador Retriever DNA, which resulted in the discovery of the mutation, which in combination with similar mutations of Labrador Retrievers who mates with a carrier results in offspring having a higher probability of inheriting the mutation. The mutation itself and the fact that it is inherited through male and female dog carriers mating are both natural phenomena."

Genetic Veterinary Sciences, Inc. d/b/a Paw Prints Genetics v. LABOklin GmbH & Co. KG et al, 2-17-cv-00108 (VAED May 14, 2018, Order) (Morgan, SJ)