The year 2025 has been marked by several pivotal patent law decisions that have significantly influenced the legal landscape. These rulings have addressed critical issues ranging from the validity of patent claims to the role of artificial intelligence in inventorship. Below is an overview of the top five patent law decisions of the year:
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Supreme Court Declines to Review Patent Expiration Dispute
In November 2025, the Supreme Court declined to hear an appeal concerning the applicability of patent reviews to expired patents. This decision effectively upheld a lower court ruling in favor of Apple Inc., Google LLC, and LG Electronics Inc., who were accused by Gesture Technology Partners LLC of infringing a camera-based sensing patent that expired in 2020. By refusing to grant certiorari, the Court left unresolved the question of whether patent reviews can be conducted on expired patents, maintaining the status quo in patent litigation practices. ([jdjournal.com](https://www.jdjournal.com/2025/11/21/scotus-rejects-patent-review-case/?utm_source=openai))
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Federal Circuit Overturns $20 Million Damages Award in EcoFactor v. Google
In May 2025, the en banc Federal Circuit vacated a $20 million jury award previously granted to EcoFactor Inc. in its patent infringement case against Google LLC. The court found that EcoFactor’s expert testimony on damages lacked a reliable factual foundation, as it was based on past settlement licenses that did not substantiate the asserted per-unit royalty rate. This ruling underscores the necessity for rigorous and well-supported expert analyses in determining patent damages. ([jdsupra.com](https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/2025-mid-year-report-top-ten-7773409/?utm_source=openai))
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Federal Circuit’s Decision in Lashify v. ITC Expands Access to Trade Commission
In March 2025, the Federal Circuit issued a decision in Lashify v. International Trade Commission (ITC) that could broaden the scope for companies to bring intellectual property cases before the ITC. The ruling overturned previous limitations on the types of investments that qualify a litigant to file suit at the trade body, potentially facilitating greater access to the ITC for patent disputes. ([blankrome.com](https://www.blankrome.com/news/biggest-patent-rulings-2025-midyear-report?utm_source=openai))
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Swiss Federal Administrative Court Rules AI Cannot Be Listed as Inventor
In June 2025, the Swiss Federal Administrative Court ruled that artificial intelligence systems, such as DABUS, cannot be listed as inventors in patent applications. The court upheld the Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property’s practice that only natural persons can be recognized as inventors under Swiss patent law. This decision aligns with similar rulings in other jurisdictions, reinforcing the requirement for human inventorship in patent filings. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DABUS?utm_source=openai))
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WIPO Treaty on Intellectual Property, Genetic Resources, and Traditional Knowledge Nears Ratification
The WIPO Treaty on Intellectual Property, Genetic Resources, and Associated Traditional Knowledge, adopted in May 2024, continued to gain traction in 2025. By May 24, 2025, the treaty had been signed by 44 countries, moving closer to the 15 ratifications required for it to enter into force. The treaty aims to improve the efficacy and transparency of the patent system, particularly concerning genetic resources and traditional knowledge, and has been hailed as a significant step toward combating biopiracy. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WIPO_Treaty_on_Intellectual_Property%2C_Genetic_Resources_and_Associated_Traditional_Knowledge?utm_source=openai))
These decisions collectively reflect the evolving complexities in patent law, addressing issues from the integration of artificial intelligence in inventorship to the procedural nuances of patent litigation and international treaty developments. Legal professionals and stakeholders should closely monitor these developments to navigate the shifting patent landscape effectively.