SO... since Synopsys, Inc. does NOT have patents on the hand optimization techniques that every 2nd year engineering student knows how to do with paper and pencil like logic manipulation, truth tables, and Karnaugh maps; and because of the 2014 SCOTUS Alice vs. CLS Bank decision it now means Synopsys can NOT patent logic equation manipulation, truth tables, and Karnaugh maps that are done by computer.

Did you get that?

Again in general EDA terms: because of this recent Alice decision, all those EDA patents based on simply implementing an everyday design or verification technique in software is NOT enough to make it a patentable invention.

This means a great many active EDA SW patents are actually now invalid!

All this because Aart de Geus sent his lawyers on a pre-emptive attack vs. MENT in his EVE acquisition. It's this one particular SNPS lawsuit that opened the doors for Alice vs. CLS Bank to come into EDA. Too funny! :)