U.S. top court considers patent protections for software

The U.S. Supreme Court will on Monday delve into the hotly contested question of when software is eligible for patent protection. The nine justices will hear a one-hour oral argument in a case of interest not just to software companies but also to a wide range of businesses that sell products containing computer-implemented features. Google Inc, Dell Inc, Verizon Communications Inc, Microsoft Corp, Hewlett-Packard Co and engine manufacturer Cummins Inc, are among the companies that have filed legal papers weighing in on the issue. Those that often get sued for patent infringement, such as Google, favor a tighter definition.

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