PATENTED PATTERNS: On the art and science of patterns. A critical inquiry.

The present paper proposes a critical reflection on the existing relationship between patterns,algorithms and their patentable status. Based on a series of legal actions related to the use ofpatterns (Robert Lang against Sarah Morris, Mexican indigenous peoples against Isabel Marant,Apple patent on some gestures, etc.) it will analyse the already existing legal interpretations of whata pattern is and will discuss in which way these cases can establish a precedent for today’sdigitalized environments. Defined both as form of stylistic and cultural expression, as well as logicalforms, patterns are becoming elements of high importance for the present digital modelizationtechnologies (see, for example, pattern recognition algorithms). Therefore, the legal status of apattern is becoming a field of political battle. Notions like author and collective author, culturaltradition and logical form, creative commons and intellectual property are at stake in this context.The implications are of social, political and economic importance and this paper will sketch out someof the short-comings when it comes to their use and application, their implicit ideologies, as well asarts and sciences disciplinary divisions.