Federal Circuit Upholds Invalidation of Background Check Patent as Abstract Idea

The Federal Circuit has affirmed the decision by Eastern District of Texas Judge Rodney Gilstrap to invalidate a patent related to background checks. The patent in question was deemed to cover only an abstract idea, thus falling under the scrutiny of the Alice decision. In addition, Judge Gilstrap’s refusal to award attorney fees to the small Texas city that won the case was also upheld. Further details can be accessed on Law360.