# 37 C.F.R. § 42.301 (2026): Definitions

> Federal · Regulations · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T37_P42_S42_301

## Section

- **Citation:** 37 C.F.R. § 42.301 (2026)
- **Heading:** Definitions
- **Jurisdiction:** Federal
- **Kind:** Regulations
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** Title 37 CFR: Patents, Trademarks, and Copyrights / Chapter I: UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE, DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE / Part 42: TRIAL PRACTICE BEFORE THE PATENT TRIAL AND APPEAL BOARD / Subpart D: Transitional Program for Covered Business Method Patents / § 42.301: § 42.301   Definitions.

## Text

In addition to the definitions in § 42.2, the following definitions apply to proceedings under this subpart D:
(a)
Covered business method patent
means a patent that claims a method or corresponding apparatus for performing data processing or other operations used in the practice, administration, or management of a financial product or service, except that the term does not include patents for technological inventions.
(b)
Technological invention.
In determining whether a patent is for a technological invention solely for purposes of the Transitional Program for Covered Business Methods (section 42.301(a)), the following will be considered on a case-by-case basis: whether the claimed subject matter as a whole recites a technological feature that is novel and unobvious over the prior art; and solves a technical problem using a technical solution.
[77 FR 48753, Aug. 14, 2012]

## Nearby sections

- [37 C.F.R. § 42.300 (2026) § 42.300   Procedure; pendency.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T37_P42_S42_300.md)
- [37 C.F.R. § 42.301 (2026) § 42.301   Definitions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T37_P42_S42_301.md)
- [37 C.F.R. § 42.302 (2026) § 42.302   Who may petition for a covered business method patent review.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T37_P42_S42_302.md)
- [37 C.F.R. § 42.303 (2026) § 42.303   Time for filing.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T37_P42_S42_303.md)
- [37 C.F.R. § 42.304 (2026) § 42.304   Content of petition.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T37_P42_S42_304.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T37_P42_S42_301. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.