WSJ on business method patents
Link (subscription required): Today’s Wall Street Journal includes a story (paper page B1) on business method patents and the need for reform in the patent system. The article discusses a recent patent assigned to Washington Mutual as an example of the ridiculous nature of business method patents (the patent actually claims a system, not a method). It also mentions Amazon’s one-click ordering patent.
The article goes beyond the usual call for reform in the patent system, stating that something else is needed. The article states that “Companies need to rethink the conventional wisdom of arming themselves with as many patents as possible, for use as a competitive weapon.”
Claim 1 of the patent is interesting and worth reading. It requires, among other things, a product focal that substantially fills a portion of a wall and includes a fixture to provide brochures to a customer. This is in addition to the one or more check writing ledges positioned near the teller podiums.
About this entry
Title: “WSJ on business method patents”
- Published:
- 08.23.04 / 5pm
- Author:
- admin
- Category:
- Business methods, Patent reform
- Comments:
- are closed
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