What is a business method patent?
A business method patent is a specific type of software patent on a computer implemented way of transacting business. As in the case of other software patents, business method patents can have process claims in the form of a sequence of steps comprising the business method carried out using a computer system, the system configuration defined by the software for carrying out the business method, or an article of manufacture, such as a CD having the software for carrying out the business method stored on it. Some business method patents are controversial because they appear to cover otherwise conventional business techniques, such as auctions, when implemented on the Internet or other networked computers. Other business method patents have been allowed without considering the best prior art and may be overbroad. Patents have issued on methods and systems covering — or purporting to cover — such things as: all Internet-like browser/display systems (to Prodigy Services Company); reverse
