Reviewed case brief

Diamond v. Chakrabarty

447 U.S. 303 (1980)

447 U.S. 303 (1980) · US Supreme Court

patentsbiotechnologymicro-organismspatentable-subject-matter
Court
US Supreme Court
Year
1980
Subjects
Intellectual Property Law
Reviewed
2026-08-02

Rule established

Man-made living micro-organisms are patentable subject matter; anything under the sun made by man qualifies

Facts

    Issues

      Held

        Ratio decidendi

        How to use it in an exam

        Editorial source

        US Supreme Court Reports

        Educational summary only. Read the reported judgment or an authorised law report before relying on the case professionally.