Business Method and Software Patents "Everything that can be invented has been invented."
Like this infamous quote, wrongly attributed to Charles H. Duell, the U.S. Commissioner of Patents in 1899, the controversy surrounding business method and software patents feeds off rumor, half-truths and, finally, a lack of quality research.
A great deal of this controversy can be traced directly to the poor quality of prior art searching that is currently available. It is quite probable that a good number of issued business method patents are not as “strong” as one might hope due to an inadequate or ill-conceived prior art search.
“Is this truly a novel system that advances the art or the obvious extension of a process disclosed in a 30 year old dissertation?”
Gilman Research Services locates the information that can answer this question. A prior art search for the business method or software patent requires the researcher to cast a wider net and investigate, in-depth, the non-patent literature. The ability to construct an exhaustive yet efficient search strategy in this area goes well beyond the typical “keyword” list. Searchers must delve deeper into press releases and a competitor’s website to pick up the trail of disclosed information. Understanding the history and education of a company’s management team may well lead to a significant keynote speech delivered years earlier. Business method and software patent applicants can no longer rest easy with a prior art search limited to the patent literature.
With extensive business method and software patent experience, GRS provides the services your innovative process demands. Whether your system deals with e-commerce, the Internet, telecommunications, retail, healthcare or financial services GRS has the experience to eliminate the controversy.