Sports-related inventions propel the field forward, and securing patents for these innovations is key to maximizing profitability. When seeking legal protection for sports technology and equipment, innovators should understand what makes an invention patentable, as well as the precedents established by case law.

Panitch Schwarze attorney Ikenna C. Ejimonyeugwo recently authored an article for Law.com exploring patent protection in the sports sector. To qualify for protection, inventions in this field must meet basic patentability requirements, such as subject matter eligibility, novelty, and nonobviousness. Case law has established that abstract ideas, such as providing access to wireless communications in a stadium, cannot be patented. Other cases shed light on how claims can be considered nonobvious – for example, a method of object tracking which combines two previously separate functions of computer vision tracking and camera control was granted a patent.

Knowing what constitutes a genuine technological improvement in the sports field is important when seeking patents. To get the best results, innovators should stay updated on the latest developments in both sports innovation and patent law.

Read the full article here: Game-Changing Inventions: How US Patent Law Shapes Sports Innovation (Subscription is required.)