To Issue or Not to Issue: Analysis of the Business Method Patent Controversy on the Internet

The author argues that in time business method patents will promote competition and innovation on the Internet. He begins by tracing the history, goals, and criteria of patent law in general, and then discusses the birth of the BMP, reviews a sample of recently issued BMPs, and summarizes the various arguments that undercut and support the advent of the BMP. After reviewing the arguments against Internet-based BMPs, the author asserts that although various and sometimes random, scholarly criticisms can be placed into three broad classifications: quality, efficiency, and consistency. Balancing these arguments, the author argues that although the consistency arguments have merit, they ignore the realities of the Internet business sector.