http://ideanomics.com/2008/10/31/are-business-method-patents-finally-on-their-way-out/ the value of great ideas Wed, 10 Mar 2010 18:46:45 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 http://ideanomics.com/2008/10/31/are-business-method-patents-finally-on-their-way-out/#comment-109 Jackie Hutter, IP Strategist Thu, 06 Nov 2008 13:05:09 +0000 http://ideanomics.com/?p=66#comment-109 As a high level patent practictioner for many years, I never liked business method patents and thought they were a big waste of money. At the basic level, these are difficult to police for infringement, and I typically counseled that there were better things on which to spend a limited patent legal budget. The only business method patents I recommended over the years were for defensive purposes. The danger for my clients, of course, was that one could obtain a nasty letter from an owner of a business method patent, but this is always a possibility. Personally, I am pleased that the Federal Circuit has ruled this way. But, I wouldn't put a "stake in the heart" of business method patents--this one is certainly going to the Supreme Court for final resolution. As a high level patent practictioner for many years, I never liked business method patents and thought they were a big waste of money. At the basic level, these are difficult to police for infringement, and I typically counseled that there were better things on which to spend a limited patent legal budget. The only business method patents I recommended over the years were for defensive purposes. The danger for my clients, of course, was that one could obtain a nasty letter from an owner of a business method patent, but this is always a possibility. Personally, I am pleased that the Federal Circuit has ruled this way. But, I wouldn’t put a “stake in the heart” of business method patents–this one is certainly going to the Supreme Court for final resolution.

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