Smartflash LLC v. Apple Inc., No. 16-1059 (Fed. Cir. Mar. 1, 2017)

From the Opinion

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Apple Inc. (“Apple”) appeals from the district court’s denial of Apple’s motion for judgment as a matter of law (“JMOL”) seeking to invalidate three Smartflash LLC (“Smartflash”) patents for being patent -ineligible under 35 U.S.C. § 101. Apple further appeals a jury verdict of patent validity and infringement. Because we find that the asserted claims recite patent- ineligible subject matter under § 101, we reverse. I Smartflash asserted the following claims from three patents in district court: claim 13 of U.S. Patent No.