Law Commons^™

Originalism, J.E.M., And The Food Supply, Or Will The Real Decision Maker Please Stand Up?, Malla Pollack

Malla Pollack

In 2001, the United States Supreme Court decided that sexually reproduced plants (which include major crop plants such as corn) are statutorily proper subject matter for utility patents. See J.E.M. Ag Supply, v. Pioneer Hi-Bred Int'l, Inc., 534 U.S. 124 (2001). Since that decision, critics from many disciplines have argued that the world's food supply is at risk from giant agribusinesses' manipulation of utility patents on genetically modified plants and animals. In light of these fears, this paper revisits J.E.M. and then highlights a related, still-open legal problem with biotechnology patents.

Looking backwards to J.E.M., the paper reaches several negative …

The Multiple Unconstitutionality Of Business Method Patents: Common Sense, Congressional Choice, And Constitutional History, Malla Pollack

Malla Pollack

Business method patents are of sufficiently doubtful constitutionality that the Supreme Court should either render them void or, at the least, require a clear Congressional fact finding that they are likely to promote the "Progress of . . . [the] Useful Arts." Four separate arguments support this conclusion. First, common sense shows that patents on business methods do not promote progress. Second, Congress has not considered whether business method patents are likely to promote progress. Third, "useful arts," as that phrase is used in the Constitution, does not include mere commerce. Lastly, the historical background of the Intellectual Property Clause …