Can a mobile app be patentable?

20.06.2023

Mobile apps have become an essential part of our digital lives, transforming how we communicate, work, and access information. But can a mobile app be protected by a patent?

Patents are granted to inventors to protect their new and unique creations, giving them exclusive rights to profit from their inventions for a limited time. To qualify for a patent, an invention must meet certain requirements, including being new, technological, and eligible for patent protection.

Determining whether mobile apps can be patented is a complex matter. In the past, software and business methods faced challenges in obtaining patents because they were seen as abstract concepts. However, changes in patent law and court decisions have influenced the patentability of software-based inventions, including mobile apps.

To increase the chances of obtaining a patent for a mobile app, consider the following factors:

Technological Innovation: an app that introduces a new and not obvious technical solution to a real-life problem has a better chance of meeting the patentability requirements by showing how the app goes beyond a simple idea and solves a specific technical issue to strengthen the argument for patentability.
Unique Features: highlighting the distinct features and functionalities of the app to strengthen its patentability. These may include innovative algorithms, data processing techniques, user interfaces, or hardware integration that set the app apart from existing solutions.
Tangible Benefits: demonstrating that the app provides practical and valuable results to enhance its patentability by showing how the app improves efficiency, solves a technical challenge, or enhances the user experience, providing evidence of its usefulness and potential for success.
Method Claims: patent applications for apps can include method claims that describe the steps or processes performed by the app to achieve its desired outcomes. These claims may cover new processes, data processing techniques, or innovative interactions with other devices or systems It is important to highlight that patents safeguard the functionality of a computer implemented solution, while the code of software, which defines how that solution is written, is protected by copyright or specific software legal rights. This clear distinction ensures that the two forms of protection do not overlap with each other.

While the patentability of mobile apps is a complex and evolving topic, it is possible to obtain patent protection for a unique app. By ensuring technological innovation, highlighting distinctive features, showcasing tangible benefits, including method claims, and seeking expert guidance app developers can strengthen their patent applications. As technology advances and courts refine their understanding of software inventions, the landscape of intellectual property for mobile apps will continue to evolve.

COSMOVICI IP

4, Rue du Commerce
CH - 1204 Geneva
Switzerland

office@cosmovici-ip.com
+41 22 531 00 05

General Terms of Business

Privacy and Cookies

Newsletter

Have a question?

Unsure about your intellectual property assets? We can help! Our mission is to defend and promote our clients’ intellectual property rights by encouraging innovation and professionalism in the field. Schedule your appointment.

[ { "elementType": "geometry", "stylers": [ { "color": "#f5f5f5" } ] }, { "elementType": "labels.icon", "stylers": [ { "visibility": "off" } ] }, { "elementType": "labels.text.fill", "stylers": [ { "color": "#616161" } ] }, { "elementType": "labels.text.stroke", "stylers": [ { "color": "#f5f5f5" } ] }, { "featureType": "administrative.land_parcel", "elementType": "labels.text.fill", "stylers": [ { "color": "#bdbdbd" } ] }, { "featureType": "poi", "elementType": "geometry", "stylers": [ { "color": "#eeeeee" } ] }, { "featureType": "poi", "elementType": "labels.text.fill", "stylers": [ { "color": "#757575" } ] }, { "featureType": "poi.park", "elementType": "geometry", "stylers": [ { "color": "#e5e5e5" } ] }, { "featureType": "poi.park", "elementType": "labels.text.fill", "stylers": [ { "color": "#9e9e9e" } ] }, { "featureType": "road", "elementType": "geometry", "stylers": [ { "color": "#ffffff" } ] }, { "featureType": "road.arterial", "elementType": "labels.text.fill", "stylers": [ { "color": "#757575" } ] }, { "featureType": "road.highway", "elementType": "geometry", "stylers": [ { "color": "#dadada" } ] }, { "featureType": "road.highway", "elementType": "labels.text.fill", "stylers": [ { "color": "#616161" } ] }, { "featureType": "road.local", "elementType": "labels.text.fill", "stylers": [ { "color": "#9e9e9e" } ] }, { "featureType": "transit.line", "elementType": "geometry", "stylers": [ { "color": "#e5e5e5" } ] }, { "featureType": "transit.station", "elementType": "geometry", "stylers": [ { "color": "#eeeeee" } ] }, { "featureType": "water", "elementType": "geometry", "stylers": [ { "color": "#c9c9c9" } ] }, { "featureType": "water", "elementType": "labels.text.fill", "stylers": [ { "color": "#9e9e9e" } ] } ]