Snap Tells Appeals Court Digital Photo Filters Aren’t Patentable

Snap Inc. seemed likely to convince a Federal Circuit panel that three patents it was accused of infringing with its lens and filter features aren’t eligible for patent protection.

Three judges for the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit pressed Laura Wytsma—an attorney at Venable LLP who represents the patent owner, Sanderling Management Ltd.—on what makes its invention, which uses GPS to enable brands to instantly send promotional content to users, worthy of a patent. Judge Raymond T. Chen said there’s precedent that points to similar inventions failing to meet the test for patent eligibility.

Wytsma emphasized the ...